Peter Long on Chess

It's Christmas today. And until New Year's day, the Al Ain Hilton and InterContinental hotels will be home to 30 teams participating in the first Asia Club Cup thanks to Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifah Al-Nehyan, President of the Asia Chess Federation. Frankly I am mentally and physically exhausted after almost non-stop travel including most recently attending the Chess Olympiad in Dresden followed by coaches seminars in Bali and Sri Lanka and then to return home to organise the KL Open Championship, so what do I do for rest but end up here in Al Ain, UAE as part of an quickly put together ASEAN team under the Club INTCHESS banner playing in the first Asia Club Cup! I am the captain and Board 4 of a team that is surprisingly seeded eighth with GM Bui Vinh of Vietnam, IM Julio Catalino Sadorra of the Philippines, IM Tirto of Indonesia the "serious" players and owner Ignatius Leong of Singapore, like me, the old "patzers" trying to hold up the last board bet

The KL Open Chess Championship has ended - on a high with a very memorable Closing and Prize Giving Ceremony at the Legend Hotel - and by any standard is happily a great success. The buzz this event generated ensured that FIDE General Secretary and ASEAN Chess Confederation President Ignatius Leong flew in from Vietnam and that the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) would be fully represented by both its non chess playing President and slighly more adept Deputy President.     The Crown Prince of Perak, Dr Raja Nazrin Shah was at hand to give away the prizes which included the challenge trophy that he allowed to bear his name and that is indeed significant as he himself was not only a chess player in his Oxford days but is also someone who is very particular about his associations, being conscious of his standing and leadership role amongst the both the "rakyat" and his fellow monarchy. I once played a game with Raja Nazrin, over 20 years ago after being introduced by a mutual

International Master and International Arbiter Nikola Karaklajic of Yugoslavia and Serbia, a true chess great and someone I was privileged to have met and spent a great deal of time with, has passed away on December 16 at the age of 83. Karaklajic was never a full time chess professional in the fullest sense even though his accomplishments were staggering as stated in the press release by the Belgrade Chess Union  " He was one of the most important figures in Yugoslavian and Serbian chess. Player, writer, trainer, organizer, arbiter, journalist, chess ambassador - it is not easy to sum all his achievements."  Outside of chess he held a fulltime job and was a multi talented individual with so many firsts including being a radio DJ who very early discovered the Beatles and brought their music to the young people of his country! Personally I owe him a lot as he taught me what was important in chess and he was a very kind and good friend indeed. When I was in Belgrade in th

Yup. That's me working in the Press Centre. One of best places to be with Internet access and live game feeds, refreshments and lots of interviews going on through the day at official times as well as in the corners where old friends can often be seen in animated discussion. I also consulted with a couple of teams and one even gave me a room which cut down significantly on my bills and allowed me to eat very well indeed at the wonderful breakfast and lunch buffets to be had daily at the hotel. 

I was in Bali, Indonesia from 1-4 December to conduct the first ever FIDE Seminar for Coaches in Indonesia and I am now writing this in Sri Lanka where I would be doing two national seminars in the next few days before rushing back late on 12 December for the KL Open. This seminar was organised by Gunadarma University under the auspicious of the ASEAN Chess Academy (as the FIDE Regional Academy for Asia) and is endorsed by PERCASI (Indonesian Chess Federation). A total of 23 participants took part, 21 local and 2 from Malaysia, and because they came from all over Indonesia and found the cost extremely expensive, and yet wanted badly to learn, most had to travel several days over sea and land just to attend. The full report is posted at http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/7-commissions/3588-a-successful-bali-fide-instructor-seminar What I would like to share from my experience teaching this seminar is that in general the Indonesian participants demonstrated a high level

Sources: FIDE.com, www.klchess.blogspot.com KL Open in Malaysia Wednesday, 05 November 2008 The Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA) is pleased to announce the KL Open Chess Championship with sponsorship from Masterskill University College of Heath Sciences. Managed by Intchess Malaysia, this event will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 15-21 December 2008. There will be three categories - Open, Challengers, and Visually Impaired (Blind) and there will also be a blitz tournament on the rest day and also a special simultaneous exhibition in aid of charity. The KL Open will immediately follow the Singapore Open (download prospectus here)   and the organisers will facilitate transfers from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur for invited players who are also early registrants in the Open.  Participants wishing to combine chess and a holiday in Malaysia are allowed up to a total of three half point byes in the 9 round swiss tournament which will be FIDE rated. Details can b

I think that this was clearly a most memorable event that has set new standards for future World Youth Championships - all thanks to the warmth and hospitality of the Vietnamese people. All the games are now at www.chessasia.net as well as the updated photo galleries which can also be found at www.wycc2008.vietnamchess.com/index/php .

The following is taken from Senior FIDE Trainer & International Grandmaster Efstratios Grivas's lecture notes at the Seminar for Coaches held in Vung Tau, Vietnam.  Written in 2003, this sure looks a lot like the FIDE titles awarded to trainers after you take away the Senior FIDE Trainer title which currently cannot be earned anyway! Trainers’ Ranking Every trainer is useful in specific stages in the progress of a chess-player. We could try to categorize chess trainers as follows: First-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the student the basics and bring him into contact with the world of chess. One of his main aims is to infuse the student with love and respect for chess. DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTOR? Second-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the student his first openings, simple tactical motifs and, generally, will introduce the student to the aspects of working and learning. NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR? Third-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the stude

The 1st World Mind Sports Games has concluded and by sweeping the Team Rapid events China is only now finally 100% sure they are the overall champions! Until the very last move both Ukraine and Russia had a real chance of spoiling the host's party and all credit to the young Chinese players who pulled through so soon after a the disaster of the Team Blitz when two Gold medals were lost in the finals. Looking at the final standings you cannot imagine how close it all was: 1. China 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze  2. Russia 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and  3. Ukraine 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze I was handling the top boards every day during the games where as top seeds China almost permanently camped out event after event and I have never seen at such close quarters how a group of young players was subjected to so much pressure to succeed. All were guilty without understanding it - the officials, coaches (naturally), so called friends, expectant media, even perhaps the organis

The 1st World Mind Sports Games (WMSG) is the second such event dedicated to "game type" sports endorsed by and supported by the International Olympic Council that I have been involved in (the other of course being MAIGOC last year). Both the WMSG and MAIGOC (as events of this type will) share two special charateristics which differentiate them significantly from "normal" chess tournaments but if FIDE chooses to continue to go down the path of chess as sport we will certainly have to get used to these type of events! First is that we are part of a multi sport event and there are common rules and obligations that have to adhered to. It has been a learning experience for many players (even officials) to realise that the event is less about them than for all! Second is that there are big physical demands. We have games from 10 to 7 daily, and in blitz and rapid play format (no classical chess as that takes too much time if the objective is to have many medals at s

I am one of the few foreign arbiters fortunate enough to be at the 1st World Mind Sports Games in Beijing and the picture is the view looking out at the entrance of Beijing International Convention Centre (BICC) where the games are held (and in the background is the famous Bird's Nest we have all been so used to seeing on TV leading up to and during Beijing 2008). Our schedule unfortunately is rather hectic - from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (and for unlucky ones like me who have other duties it is usually back to work after dinner) and so not much time to do anything else besides sleep! We lowly match arbiters are staying at service apartments nearby (10 minute walk), two to a room, the same accommodation the athletes at Beijing 2008 enjoyed. Meals are at the main hotel within the apartment complex and there are also all sorts of recreational facilities such as restaurants which I suppose was necessary to keep the athletes sane and to make sure they spent their dollars! Full cover

As a parent, helping your child reach his or her fullest potential - and to grow up happy! - is perhaps the most challenging and difficult task (job?) you would ever have. And yet in today's world with ever geater demands of time due to technology and globalisation, often both parents struggle with full time careers while still bringing up a family. Now, throw in the extra component of nurturing young sports talent, even if real as opposed to imagined or hoped for as is often the case (!), it is a miracle indeed if it does not end up a complete mess! In chess (and it must be the same for other sports), the game's administrators, tournament organisers, and especially the professional coaches clearly further complicate the mix, and yet where it comes to recognising which parents are failing their little "talents" in realising their potential, there seems to be an immediate consensus! But let me perhaps try and offer some perspective for the chess administrator, tourn

ChessASIA aims to provide comprehensive coverage of major chess events in the Asia-Pacific, and in doing so, to document the exploits and achievements of the talent emerging from the region. Where possible we seek to establish event marketing partnerships with organisers to offer our media services on site during tournaments - including helping with daily press releases and generating daily bulletins. In short, ChessASIA desires to facilitate promotion of national and international events held in Asia both online and through the use of other digital technologies where available and possible. Our content is available without charge to all official media organisations and tournament organisers, and through our international media partner Chessdom .

I first learnt last year from Mas Hafizulhelmi at MAIGOC (Macau Asia Indoor Games) that he had been given 18 months paid leave by his employer Petronas (the Malaysian National Oil Company) to pursue his dream of becoming Malaysia's first grandmaster. With encouragement from Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) Deputy President Ibrahim Abu Bakar who was present there as their team manager, we met with FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong (at my very personal request) to discuss how best we could help him achieve this and so the following plan was developed (after Mas was warned by him that than 18 months might not be enough time): 1. Senior Trainers from the ASEAN Chess Academy would begin reviewing his games and in the meantime we would arrange for him to play in a number of tournaments to get games for much needed practice against top level competition. 2. After 3-4 months, we would review his performance, subject the games to detailed analysis and if necessary, do any required re

Kaohsiung was warm, the hospitality even warmer - thanks to Chinese Taipei Chess Associations's Liu Ko-Fei Fei, Dina Chen and Elsa Yueh - my schedule was very tight from arrival at night to double rounds daily and departure immediately after but they found a way to drag me out two evenings. Despite only getting out after 8 p.m. and with an 11 p.m. curfew (!), I got to ride the MRT, see Central Park, stroll along Love River with other tourists, visit and eat at a Night Market the first night out, and on the second occasion, to take a drive across the entire city to the Harbour to catch a ferry to an Island for Seafood and after to climb up to the former British Consulate for a great view and of course more of the "Flavoured Tea" drinks locals enjoy so much. A happy picture - the Singapore team celebrating Gold, Silver & Bronze! Once again, and expected, the biggest winners and probably will be for some time yet. On the chess tournament, the report by Elsa Yueh publ

After catching a welcome few days back home to catch up with family and work (see "A Successful African Seminar for Trainers" http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/3121-a-successful-african-seminar-for-trainers ), I'm off again - this time to be Chief Arbiter at the Asian Dragons Invitational in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 16-23 August 2008. The Asian Dragons Invitation, held at the National Sports Training Centre, is an annual event that involves 5 countries - South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and of course the hosts Chinese Taipei - and has two sections, an Open for players 2100 and below, and Youth Under 16. So it is a largely developmental event. Last year Singapore took the bulk of medals and it is expected to be the same this year although a more serious challenge is expected from South Korea and Hong Kong which have made significant progress in the last year. Until I get there, for more details you will have to contact Dina Chen of the Ch

Ever tried long distance air travel recently? I have been so used to hops of a few hours between ASEAN and neigbouring countries of late that I have forgotten what it was like! The other big thing is that security arrangements tend to vary by country, airport, and airline. Of course, KLIA, Changi, and Johannesburg are some of the very best airports in the world but it was "still off with your shoes", "take out your laptop", etc., all I suppose necessary in today's much less safe world. I am now in Gaborone, Botswana, Africa at a very pleasant time indeed - the end of winter where it is cool but not cold and a jacket is a nice thing to wear while sleeping without air conditioning is very enjoyable. But to get here necessitated a 4 hour wait in KLIA to get onto a one hour flight to Changi, Singapore for another 4 hour wait to catch a 2.20 a.m. much longer flight to Johannesburg, South Africa where on arrival it was yet another 4 hours (but now with also hav

The 4th World Schools Championship 2008 attracted 258 players from 24 countries of which about half, some 115 came from Singapore (of its neighbours, Indonesia had 37, Malaysia had just 3 but the again Brunei and the Philippines had none!). Organised by the Singapore Chess Federation, managed by Intchess Asia, and co-hosted by Teck Ghee Community Club, the event had 11 categories - Open 17, Open 15, Open 13, Open 11, Open 9, Open 7, Girls 15, Girls 13, Girls 11, Girls 9, and Girls 7 - so a total of 12 individual and 11 team gold medals were up for grabs. Singapore Chess With the largest contingent and especially in the categories where other countries were under represented, Singapore was always going to win the bulk of team medals but the question was how many individual medals would they actually get with their junior development program? In the end, Terry Chua in the Open 17 and Daniel Chan in the Open 15 did the host country proud with great fighting performances to become Singap

From my previous post, my readers would have gathered I was recently in Manila where amongst other things I witnessed the start of the Philippine National Championship Finals which also serves as their qualifier for the 38th World Chess Olympiad. On getting back home I started taking a harder look at the emails I was viewing there via Blackberry Connect and started inking in the events I might be involved in and the list just grew and grew! 22 to 31 July 2008: 4th World Schools Individual Championships, Singapore 3-10 August 2008: FIDE CACDEC Seminar for Trainers, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa 16-23 August 2008: Asian Dragons Invitation, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 26 August to 2 September 2008: 6th Leg ASEAN Grand Prix: 1st Dragon City - Vietnam Open, Vung Tau, Vietnam 6 to 13 September 2008: 1st Leg Asia-Pacific Pro Tour: 3rd PGMA Cup, Manila, Philippines 13 to 20 September 2008: 2nd Leg Asia-Pacific Pro Tour: 4th Pichay Cup, Manila, Philippine 3 to 18 October 2008: 1st World Mind

With the start of the National Chess Championship Finals today and which will be held in Manila from 1-13 July 2008, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is at the final stage of a 4 month long Olympiad team selection process that saw 1,500 players participate in 16 regional qualifiers! The qualifiers, together with titled players, 150 in total advanced to the Semi-Finals where 12 men and 6 women made it to the finals where they were joined by the top 6 men and women on the FIDE rating list. NCFP President Prospero Pichay who inaugurated the event in a short opening ceremony announced that this event would, as published earlier, be the basis of qualification for both the 38th World Chess Olympiad 2008 and the World Mind Sports Games held a month earlier in Beijing. He also reminded the players present that it was indeed a honour and privilege to represent your country at such prestigious events and noted that GM Mark Paragua and GM Darwin Laylo had even returned fr

  The Singapore Chess Federation has the honour of inviting National Chess Federations, School Sports Associations and school chess champions to participate in the 4 th WORLD SCHOOLS CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS organised in Singapore from 22 nd July (Arrival) to 31 st July (Departure) 2008 . Each National Federation or School Association or schools may enter an unlimited number of players in each of the 12 age groups . In the event that any girls’ category has less than 10 participants, it will be merged with the same age group of the open category. Entitled to participate are players who shall not have reached the age: - Of 7, by 1 st January 2008 (date of Birth – January 1st, 2001 and after) – Category Under 7; - Of 9, by 1 st January 2008 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1999 and after) – Category Under 9; - Of 11, by 1 st January 2008 (date of Birth – January 1 st , 1997 and after) – Category Under 11; - Of 13, by 1 st January 2008 (date of Birth – January 1 st , 19

L-R: Camacho Chardine Cheradee, Cherrie Ann Meija, Nguyen Thi Mai Hung were All Gold Medalists in the U-14 Girls Rapid . Vietnam, with 134 medals, more than twice that of the Philippines, was the clear winner at the ASEAN+ Age-Group Championships 2008 held in Danang, Vietnam. But they did not have it all their way in the ultra competitive U-14 age-group categories!  In ASEAN today, as in the rest of the world, talent is confirming itself after 12-13 years of age, and Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore all showed they have many such players, amongst boys (all) and amongst girls (most).  Singapore: Gold, Philippines: Silver, and Vietnam: Bronze in the Boys U-14 There is no doubt at all in the normal course of events, all these players would easily become IMs/WIMs in the next two years (the weakest would be FMs/WFMs and the very best possibly GMs/WGMs). But there are very serious questions as to where they would be then and their respective National Federations must pay attention!

From L-R, Standing: Sabli Metussin (Brunei), Gregory Lau (Malaysia), Yap Choon Tun (Brunei/Auditor), Casto Abundo (Deputy President, Asia Chess Federation), Thanit Chirananthavat (Thailand), Edmundo Legaspi (Philippines), Peter Long (Executive Director) Seated: Sebastian Simanjuntak (Indonesia/Secretary General), Ignatius Leong (Singapore/President), Prospero Pichay (Philippines/Deputy President), Dang Tat Thang (Vietnam/Vice President & Host) and Maung Maung Lwin (Myanmar/Treasurer).    In a ground breaking development, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), represented by its President Prospero Pichay signed a contract - outsourcing the Event Management of all its International Events in the next two years - to Intchess Asia Pte Ltd represented by its CEO Ignatius Leong. This followed the ASEAN Chess Confederation (ACC) Board Meeting in Danang, Vietnam, where amongst other things it was agreed that all ACC events would be managed for ACC by Intchess Asia Pte

Concurrently and little known, at the same time as the 9th ASEAN Age Group Championships held in Danang from 9-18 June 2008, the Vietnam Chess Federation is organising an IM Tournament which is of course part of the ASEAN Masters Circuit. The objective is to give deserving players a chance to make IM norms, and the participation of two GMs have make the candidates' job both easier and more difficult! Standings: 1. CM Nguyen Van Huy 4.5/5, 2. GM Dao Thien Hai 3.5/5, 3. Nguyen Thien Viet 3/5, 4-7. David Elorta, FM Hoang Canh Huan, GM Zaw Win Lay, FM Nava Roderick, 8. IM Wynn Zaw Htun 2.5/5, 9. FM Bao Quang 1.5/5, 10. Nguyen Hoang Ham 0.5/5 Only two players are still unbeaten in this very hard fought tournament, the leader CM Nguyen Van Huy, most recently the winner of the Vietnam National Championship who only needs one draw from his remaining 4 games to make an IM norm, and GM Zaw Win Lay who has made 5 straight draws! Nguyen Thien Viet is also on track with +1 while FM H

Many of us in ASEAN would personally know IA and FM Maung Maung Lwin, the selfless President of the Maynmar Chess Federation who for 20 years now has single handedly kept chess alive in his country. When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar recently, Maung lost his businesses and yet he has chosen to focus his energies on trying to help those even less fortunate! I cannot post the copy of the official appeal of the Myanmar Chess Federation due to the graphic nature of the embedded photos but would be happy to forward it if requested by email (be warned that it is a very big file). The facts as we know them today are up to 134,000 dead and 2.4 million destitute. But you only need to Google "Cyclone Nargis" to see for yourself how bad it is. Chessplayers are considered rather self centered and not known to part easily with their money but let us prove otherwise this time around. Donations can be made: c/o Mr. Maung Maung Lwin Bank: Bangkok Bank A/C Number: 127-0-672262 Branch : So

The recent FIDE Presidential Board Meeting held in Athens from 31st May to 1 June 2008 finally addressed two long time issues in chessplayer behaviour during competitions - driven by IOC and International Sports standards - that of being punctual for games. Chessplayers, for some strange reason have always been allowed to show up as long as an hour after a game has started and not only is this clearly poor sportsmanship but very often even a deliberate ploy to put an opponent off. And of course it encourages tardiness and clearly demonstrates a lack of professionalism. With media being recognised as key to universal acceptance to recognistion of chess as a sport, it is clear that chessplayers would have to be dragged into line with their counterparts in other sports to be recognised as professionals. Not being on time (seated) at the start of a game would now be penalised with an immediate loss! The 38th World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany later this year was to be the first e

Following successful back to back international tournaments in the Philippines, a training match was organised between the Philippines and Myanmar on the initiative of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President Prospero "Butch" Pichay. This double round match played using the Scheveningen System between the two 6 player teams was held in a boutique hotel overlooking beautiful Lake Taal and sponsored by the City of Tagaytay led by its Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino who is also the NCFP Secretary General. NCFP Events Director Willy Abalos flanked by the Myanmar Team the day before the big match in beautiful Tagaytay. Despite playing against an essentially Philippines "C" team, the Myanmar team, perhaps exhausted from two months of non stop chess and worried about conditions back home in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis which has left 133,000 dead or missing and over 2.5 million homeless, tried hard but were convincingly beaten. Rolan

The ASEAN Age Group (U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 Boys & Girls) Championships, now in its 9th Edition will be held in Danang, Vietnam from 9-18 June 2008. This flagship event of the ASEAN Chess Confederation has to date attracted a record 319 players from 10 countries – the 7 ASEAN member federations (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand) plus representatives from India (1), Australia (2) and Korea (12) – and more entries are trickling in daily! For the full official list of participants, please go to http://chess-results.com/Tnr13407.aspx?tnr=13407&art=27&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1 During the tournament there will also be a "live" blog at http://www.aseanagegroups.blogspot.com and all participants are welcome to join and tell their stories! The Vietnam leg of the ASEAN Masters Circuit (IM Tournament) will be held concurrently, as well the ASEAN Seniors Championship, and the ASEAN Chess Confederation will also hold

Two back to back International Opens are confirming the commitment of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) which is being so ably led by their energetic President Prospero "Butch" Pichay, to making the inaugeral ASEAN Grand Prix a success. Both tournaments are being held at the Subic Exhibition & Convention Centre at Subic Bay Freeport, Olangapo City - the recently concluded 11 round 2nd Philippine International Open from 7-14 May and now the 9 round Subic International Open which is being played from 16-24 May. See http://www.ncfphilippines.org/ for results and updates. Once again I have been honoured - this time by being the Chief Arbiter of the 1st ever Subic Interational Open, my second such high profile assignment, the other being part of super technical team put together for the Asian Indoor Games in Macau last year. In fact, from the 5 legs held to date this year, 4 have been organised by the Philippines with Singapore Chess Federation contr

JAPFA CHESS FESTIVAL 2008 WOMAN GRANDMASTER TOURNAMENT JAKARTA - INDONESIA, APRIL 15TH TO 20TH 2008 Clockwise from Top: Catherine, Irine, Aye Win, Ruofan FINAL RANKING 1. IM/WGM Li Ruofan (SIN) 7/12, 2. WGM Regina Pokorna (SLO) 6.5/12, 3, WIM Irine Kharisma Sukandar (INA) 6/12, 4. WGM Jana Krivec (SLV) 5/12, 5. Catherene Perena (PHI) 4.5/12. 6. WFM Thanda Aye Win (MYA) 1/12. WIM Irine Kharisma Sukandar, together with GM Susanto Megaranto, the young hopes of Indonesian chess made her first WGM norm at the JAPFA Chess Fedstival 2008 at this specially organised WGM Tournament. Initially things did not look too good for Irine after a poor first half but an amazing second half performance including a 23 move win over top seed and eventual champion IM/WGM Li Riofan saved the day! Philippine No. 1 Catherine Perena too had a successful outing, quietly making a WIM norm. while WFM Thanda Aye Win who was badly out of practice brought up the tail end but did well too by emerging with tw

FIDE Instructor and FIDE Trainer courses in India. All India Chess Federaration will organize the International courses for FIDE Instructor and FIDE Trainer which are scheduled at Chennai, India from 30 April to 7 May, 2008. FIDE Senior Trainer IM Jovan Petronic of Serbia and FIDE Trainer FM Peter Long of Malaysia will conduct the course and the examination. The course will be conducted in English language. Read  This posting on the FIDE Website says it all. Or you can go direct to the source at www.indianchessfed.org to find out more. We are indeed very honoured to be asked to conduct the course but I think it is time the world knows that Senior FIDE Trainer Jovan Petronic is the Technical Director of the ASEAN  Chess Academy and it is his hard work day and night (literally) that is making our product world class. So to be honest, it is also my very special honour to be able to share the stage with Jovan and to learn from him while assisting him at the seminar. I will certainly b

Grandmaster Zurab Azmaiparashvili, a former top 10 player and many time winner of prestigious international tournaments has become the new head trainer at the ASEAN Chess Acadamy, a position he took up soon after winning the Singapore Masters last December. A FIDE Vice President, Azmaiparashvili is equally famous as a coach, being a FIDE Senior Trainer who has worked with now retired world champion Gary Kasparov whom he also lost a match to in 2003! He became a grandmaster in 1988 and some notable successes include being USSR Junior Champion in 1978, becoming Champion of Georgia in 1980, having the best result at the Elista Olympiad, the winner of the GMA World Cup qualifying tournament in 1990, and of course European Champion in 2003. Azmaiparashvili has also taken first place in tournaments in Albena (1984), Harare (1985), Tibilisi, Moscow, and Albena (1986), Amsterdam, London, and La Havana (1988), Toledo, and San Sebastian (1992), and Struga (1995), and has beaten many World Ch

From 6-21 January 2008, Tarakan, Indonesia provided a perfect start to the ASEAN Masters Circuit, with the holding of simultaneous GM, IM and WIM events with players from Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and of course Indonesia taking part. Players first flew into to Jakarta for a good nights rest and the following day travelled together to the island of Tarakan via Balikpapan in Kalimantan where they were warmly received by Yusof SK, the Mayor of Tarakan (seen making the opening moves in the picture). Chessplayers in the region know it is a certainty that when PERCASI (Indonesian Chess Federation) organises an international event you can be sure that everything possible as been done to make guests comfortable and there is also no doubt that Indonesian hospitality is second to none but when a entire town opens its arms to embrace you it is something extra special. In the Grandmaster "A" event, the top seed, GM Zhang Zhong (Singapore) was an easy winner as was GM