V. Anand Is Chess World Champion 2008

Viswanathan Anand or better known as The Tiger of Chennai has been crowned as the 15th World Chess Champion on Monday 27th October 2008 after defeating Vladimir Kramnik 6.5 - 4.5 over 11 gruelling matches. Anand got the half point today in game eleven of the Championship. After three hours and 24 moves the draw and Anand’s triumph was perfect! The World Chess Championship is taking place from October 14 – November 02, 2008 in the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn. The match consists of twelve games, played under classical time controls: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, 60 minutes for the next 20 moves and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game plus an additional 30 seconds per move starting from move 61. The prize fund is 1.5 million Euro (approximately 2.35 million US Dollars) including taxes and FIDE license fees, and is split equally between the players.

All the games can be found at the official website. Or you can visit chessbase for up to date reporting.

Lastly, my salutation to the prodigy and chess maestro from the southern state of Tamil Nadu for a truly roaring success.

Selamat Hari Raya

The time has come again for Hari Raya which is celebrated all over the world by Muslim ummah. After undergoing fasting for 30 days during the month of Ramadan, now it will be the time to greet the new year in the muslim calender for Syarwal. Therefore I would like to wish all Muslim ummah in Malaysia Happy New Year that will also be known as Aidil-fitri.

Malaysia being a multiethnic country will surely celebrate together as one. There will be no shortage of visitation among friends, colleagues, neighbour as well as kins and kilt. The central point being the gathering of 3-4 generations under one roof the night before Syarwal and on the morrow, there will be much seeking of forgiveness from the patriach of the family as well as distribution of green packet. This is the usual event where the children or those who are still singles are looking forward to.

For those who are currently making their mad dash back to their home town from all over, please drive carefully. It is better to arrive late rather being sorry later. Kudos too for the authority especially the police and the road and transport ministry for conducting a wonderful road safety program prior to this annual exodus. I hope this year dead toll will be much reduce.

Again let me wish all Muslim ummah a much cherrish Raya with your family.

1st Lahad Datu Merdeka Chess Tourney 2008

I didn't know how hard it is to organize a chess tourney until now. The amount of thinking required on top of also playing full time can be tiring just to say the least. For your info, only eight teams manage to participate this time around. My team is the KKM Invitational comprising of your trully on the first board follows by Charles Lukas, Kamino Marino and Guardius Garudau. It being a round robin type of tourney, we played 7 games with 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat for second placing overall. Here are some pictures. Prize giving ceremony with me on the extreem right while the next photo show me in deep battle in a French Defence Winawer variation. Got style eh?