FRIENDLY MATCH: CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT vs EX -UIA'S CHESS PLAYERS

Date: 17th June 2009
Venue: Customs Quarters' Musolla's Corridor
Time: 9.30 pm

It was a sweet mini reunion between me and 4 of my former chess colleagues and students; Hanif Arkurni (now IIUM Matric Nilai lecturer), Fattah Radzali (lawyer), Rezal Che Man (teacher and also among the MSSKL trainer) and Ahmad Termizi (lawyer) and it was also a bitter gift when they trashed my current Department's players. Only I survived against my former best chess student, who happened to be quite rusty as he had retired fully from chess tournaments. He came all way long from Nilai on my invitation just to play chess and to meet old friends.

Before we draw for the colour of the 1st board, I teased Hanif,"Do you want to play Morra gambit or the Sicilian dragon?". He only smiled in his replied. As the draw result showed, Hanif choosed my let hand where I held the black pawn, which means, it will be a Sicilian dragon.

This reminds me the new DVD of Roman Dzindzichasvili which the GM claimed that its analysis had been checked by the Rybka which completely would slay the dragon, at least until someone who is also a GM refute it. I do not (yet) possess this DVD, but my friend and foe (from DBKL- our most bitter rival in the coming MAKSWIP) Mohd Zambri Mohd Shariff had seen the video and studied it.

Anyone wishes to buy this can also pre order from me with RM 120.00. However, I need the advance payment and the delivery will take place in 1-2 months (normally faster than that). I sell only the original DVD.

Let us now go straight for the full dragon slaying epic.

White: Rizal A Kamal (Customs Dept)
Black: Hanif Arkurni (Ex-UIA)
Sicilian Dragon; Yugoslav attack

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
















The basic setting of the fearsome dreaded dragon of the Sicilian defence had been reached.
After a brief thought, I decided to go on with the normal main line

6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6

Here I stopped for a while to consider between 9.Bc4 or 9.0-0-0. I remember that Hanif's most frequent respond to 9.0-0-0 would be 9...Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Be6 11.Kb1 Qc7 etc. In this line I had something in my sleeve (related to the GM Roman's teaching) which I shall not reveal here and my opponent had never seen it before. However, I was afraid that Hanif would instead opted for 9.0-0-0 d5!? where I did not have any special thing to present. The line 10.Kb1 e5 (as in our last debate in our training a few years ago) would be nothing special for white. Theerefore:-

9.Bc4 (D)

















9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Ne5!?

A bit of surprise. I thought Hanif would go for 10...Qa5, 11...Ne512....Rfc8 or 11...Rfc8 than only 12..Ne5. With 10...Ne5 it is possible that Hanif was aiming for the Soltis block structure, his old favourite set up which would arrise via 10...Ne5 11.Bb3 Rc8 12.h4 h5 (this is the Soltis blocking structure - see diagram)















11. Bb3 Qa5?!
Now, Hanif is mixing up with the Soltis block and Ward's set up. After thinking briefly, I decided to try to channel my opponent into a slight uncharted territory.

12.Bh6! (D)















Surprisingly, this turns out to be the vital turning point of this game when Hanif undecidedly played...

12...Rfc8

13.Nde2
This is to prevent any unpleasant exchange sacrifice on c3, at least not now.

13...Bh8?!
This is the beginning of hesitation play by Hanif. Understandable he wanted to keep the eye of dragon Bishop. After the game I suggested to him that proceeding with the Queenside play may be better. For example 13...Nc4 14.Bxc4 Rxc4 when white's is slightly tied up If white exchange the dark square Bishop 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 than 16.h4 h5 is a better Soltis block version for black as normally, white would need the dark square bishop on g5 to exchange the f6 knight in order to breach the black's King fortress beginning with g4

14. Kb1 Qa6?
After the game, Hanif himself criticised this because it loses many counterplay possibility along the 5th rank. The text move rightly avoided any tric based on Nc3-d5 but that should be simply answered with the retreat Qd8

15. h4 Be6 16.Nf4 Nc4 17.Bxc4
Slowly, black is uncovering the eye of dragon on h8, but I was fully aware of this.

17..Rxc4 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.e5!
This minor sacrifice is the only mean to stop the uncovering of the eye of dragon and contain some venom. For example 19...dxe5 20.Qd8+ Rxd8?? 21.Rxd8+ Kf7 22 Rf8 mate

19...Rxc3
Hanif was running out of time (about his last 7 minutes), while I was having the luxurious 31 minutes!

20.Qxc3 Nd5 21.Qb3
Threatening 22.Rxd5 exd5 23.Qxd5 mate! A criss-cross mate!

21...Bxe5 22.Rhe1 Kf7
I was expecting 22...Qc6

22.f4! Bg7??
At last a blunder. Not 22..Bxf4 when Rf1 may wins a piece. The best would be the solid 22...Bf6!, and it is not clear how white could blow black's fortress.

23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Rxe6
Black's kingdom is collapsing rapidly.

24...Nf6 25. Rxe7+ Kh6 26.Qf7 d5 27.g4

and black resigned before losing on time

Some important references about this opening system

1. Bobby Fischer's My 60 Memorable Games
2. The Complete Dragon - Gufeld
3. Semi Open games in action - Karpov
4. Beating The Sicilian 2 (and 3) - John Nunn
5. Anand-Kasparov World Championship match 1995
6. Sicilian Dragon Yugoslav attack -Atilia Schneider
7. Play the dragon - Edward Dearing
8. Winning With The Dragon 2 (and 1)
9. The New Sicilian Dragon (LATEST - published by EVERYMAN CHESS)

Gambiteer 1
Local bookstore normal price; RM 94.90

My Price: RM80.00 (you'll save RM 14.90)




Suggesting a repertoire for white, based on gambits lines to beat black's posibble defences systems. The repertoire is based on 1.e4... Ideal for those who wish to seek something idea which is quite sound albeit unusual, merely give the opponents as maximum surprise as possible.



Title: Najdorf Life and Games\
Local bookstore's price: RM 109.90

My offered net price : RM 90.00 (you'll save almost RM 20.00)

A collection of Najdorf's games and the stories behind them. Ideal for Najdorf's fans.

Finally, after few months of works (during midnight or very early hour before the fajr) I managed to complete all the 700+ plus games of Sukan Wanita 2007 (standard - open) which was won by NWM Alia Anin Azwa.

The buletin is available in 2 format:-
i) Center Stapler with soft cover - RM 35.00
ii) Gum Binding - paperback cover - RM 50.00

The number of printing is very limited but, any request / ordered may be made by sms to me: Rizal Ahmad Kamal at 019-2421346

LATEST NEW BOOK IN MY STORE

Play The Grunfeld
by Yelena Dembo
Bookstore market price: RM94.90

My price : RM80.00



Grunfeld defence is a dynamic system to face the 1.d4 2.c4 . I used to employ this defence several times before returning to the solid King Indian defence. Many 1.d4 players in Malaysia would be surprised when facing this (This is not happened when I play the King Indian). However, lack of reference book made me give up this defence and returning to the King Indian. After browsing through this book, I may reconsider adding it back into my arsenal as it provides the answers for a few of my problems before.

I ALSO HAVE IN MY STORE A BOOK ON GRUENFLED, BUT FOR WHITE'S PERSPECTIVE

I had been reading many Karpov's books, and my opinion is that, Karpov's is one of the best chess teachers.

Here his expertise against the Gruenfeld is interpreted in a form of his own writing. Not even Kasparov has good scores with the Gruenfeld against Karpov.

This book's condition is very good and like a new. Despite this book was published some 20 years ago, it is still a vital reference for the white's 1.d4 2.c4 players as no such book had been made specifically for white's perspective on tackling the Gruenfeld defence.

Item's condition: New
My Current Price: RM75.00

HERE ARE SOME E-BOOKS ON CD AVAILABLE IN MY STOCK





STARTING OUT CHECKMATE (CD)
RM100.00








STARTING OUTSICILIAN NAJDORF (CD)
RM 100.00







STARTING OUT SICILIAN DRAGON (CD)
RM 100.00







STARTING OUT CLOSED SICILIAN (CD)
RM 100.00

KARPOV'S SEAL OF APPROVAL: A MUST FOR CARO KANNERS



Karpov's Caro Kann
Advanced & Gambit Variation

Local bookstores: RM 90.90 and RM 95.50
My price : RM 80.00










Karpov's Caro Kann Panov Attack
Local bookstores: RM 90.90 and RM 95.50

My price RM 80.00











I had almost forgotten to advertise these 2 books. These 2 books can be regarded as the final words from its most outstanding exponent, Anatoly Karpov. I had been studying Karpov's game since his classics 4 volumes: OPEN GAMES IN ACTION, SEMI OPEN GAMES IN ACTION, CLOSED GAMES IN ACTION, SEMI CLOSED GAMES IN ACTION. As usual, Karpov's explanation usually easily understood and whatever inside his mind is clearly revealed to the readers. The most notable feature is that the harmony of the pieces in various position in his games. Some may say, he is a boring player. At least that was my first impression and perception about Karpov, not until I had read his books, when I discover that, there are rather abundant of interesting features in his games. He will always be in the same class as Fischer and Kasparov.

As usual I shall present a notable game (or notable games) which in my opinion worth studying, but the game may not be found in the advertised book, instead, it will be taken from my personal database and shall be relevant with the books I advertise to highlight the need of having knowledge through reading.

[Event "Malaysian Chess Festival Blitz"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Black "Yeoh Chin Seng"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[Annotator "Rizal,A"]
[PlyCount "64"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bf4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Qc7 13. O-O-O Ngf6 14. Rh4 Bd6
15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Nf6 17. Qe2 O-O-O 18. g3 Rhe8 19. Ne5 Bxe5 20. dxe5 Nd5
21. Rg4 f5 22. exf6 Nxf6 23. Rg6 Rd5 24. c4 Rxh5 25. Rxf6 Re5 26. Qxe5 Qxe5 27.
Rf7 g5 28. Bc3 Qe2 29. Rdd7 Qf1+ 30. Kc2 Qxc4 31. Rc7+ Kb8 32. Rxb7+ Kc8
1/2-1/2



[Event "R1, Table 1"]
[Date "2006.03.11"]
[White "Siti Zulaikha"]
[Black "Haslindah Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B18 Caro Kann"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2006.03.11"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. h5 Bh7 8. Nf3
Nf6 9. Bd3 e6 10. Bxh7 Nxh7 11. Qe2 Be7 12. Bd2 Qb6 13. b3 Nd7 14. c4 Nhf6 15.
Rd1 Bb4 16. O-O Bxd2 17. Rxd2 O-O 18. Rfd1 a5 19. Ne5 Qc7 20. f4 Nb6 21. Ne4
Nxe4 22. Qxe4 Qe7 23. f5 exf5 24. Qxf5 a4 25. Rd3 axb3 26. axb3 Ra2 27. Rg3 Qe6
28. Qxe6 fxe6 29. Ng4 Kh7 30. Re1 Rf5 31. Rxe6 Ra1+ 32. Kh2 Rxh5+ 33. Rh3 Rxh3+
34. Kxh3 Rd1 35. Re7 Rd3+ 36. g3 Nc8 37. Rxb7 Rxd4 38. Rc7 Nd6 39. Rxc6 Ne4 40.
Ne5 Ng5+ 41. Kg2 Rd2+ 42. Kf1 Ne4 43. g4 Ng3+ 44. Kg1 Ne2+ 45. Kf1 Ng3+ 46. Kg1
1/2-1/2

MORE NEW BOOKS IN STORE!!

Play The French by John Watson

As far as I am concerned, this is a very good news for the 'French Defenders' as this very thick book provides all the French defenders need to know to the extend that it also provides chapter dealing with the King Indian attack against the French. It is the most up to date and by far very comprehensive.

Local bookstore: RM112.90 (MPH)

My price RM 100.00 only
[Event "MAKSAK, Melaka"]
[Date "2005"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal K LUMPUR"]
[Black "Sotimin Muhalip TGANU"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C13 French Classical"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6 7. Qg4 g6 8. O-O-O
h5 9. Qf4 c5 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. Bd3 cxd4 12. Ne2 Nc5 13. Nexd4 Nxd3+ 14. Rxd3 Bd7
15. a3 Rc8 16. Kb1 Na5 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Ng5 Rc7 19. Rhh3 Kf8 20. Rhf3 Bc8 21.
Rc3 Nc4 22. Nxf7 Rh7 23. Ng5+ Kg7 24. Ngxe6+ 1-0




Scandinavian Defense The Dynamic 3...Qd6 by Michael Melt

The Scandinavian 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6!? is one of the most bizarre looking move which often provokes white players to try to punish black's Queen position which seemed positioning in the way of other pieces. This is now considered a fresh new ideas and a playable one as proven by some notable GMs such as Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Rogers. In our local scene, NM Kamal Arifin and his brother Khair also seemed to had stucked with this dynamic defensive system. I myself was easily crushed in the hand of NM Kamal in our personal encounter in 2007. This book is a compliment to the book "IDEAS BEHIND THE BLACK'S OPENING" by IM Gary Lane.

Local bookstore: unknown. My price : RM 100.00
SOLD TO NM KAMAL ARIFIN

[Event "MAKSWIP, Risda Ampang"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "4.1.1"]
[White "Rizal Ahmad Kamal KDRM"]
[Black "NM Kamal Ariffin DBKL A"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01 Scandinavian defence"]
[WhiteElo "2022"]
[BlackElo "2090"]
[Annotator "Rizal A Kamal"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd6 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd3 {Kamal said that this is one
of the most dangerous line. " Kasparov's line!" exclaimed Zambri} Nbd7 6. Nge2
a6 7. Bf4 Qb6 8. O-O e6 9. Re1 Be7 {9.Rb1 or 9.Na4 is indicated by the computer Fritz8} 10. d5 Nc5 11. Bc4 O-O { Our post morterm indicated that, white just lost after this} 12. a3? exd5! 13. Nxd5 (13. Bxd5 {was also tried in our post morterm after the game. It just loses} Rd8) 13...Nxd5 14. Qxd5 (14. Bxd5 Rd8 19 {and white cannot survive due to this very annoying pin}) 14... Be6 15. Qd4 Bf6 {And the rest is a matter of formality. I just wanted to keep onplaying just to make sure not to frustrate my team by resigning early} 16. Be5
Bxe5 17. Qxe5 Bxc4 18. Nf4 (18. Ng3 Ne6 (18... Nd7) 19. b3 Bb5 20. Nh5 {May be trickier but I think Kamal should be able to defend it}) 18... Ne6 19.Nh5 Qc5 20. Qc3 Qxh5 21. Qxc4 Rad8 22. h3 Rd2 23. Re4 Qc5 24. Qxc5 Nxc5 25. Rc4 Ne6 26. Re1 Rfd8 27. f4 g6 28. Kh2 R8d4 29. Rxd4 Nxd4 30. Re8+ Kg7 31. c3 Ne6 32. f5 gxf5 33. b4 f4 34. Kg1 Rd3 35. Rb8 Rxc3 36. Rxb7 Rxa3 37. Ra7 Rb3 38. Rxa6 Rxb4 39. Kf2 Rb3 40. Rc6 Kf6 41. Rc4 c5 0-1





Play 1.b4 by Yury Lapshun
1.b4 is also known as Orangutan or Polish or Sokolsky opening (Quite many names!!) IWhen I browsed through this book, I was surprised to find out among others that Bobby Fischer also had played this! Other big names are such as Spassky and Capablanca. In our local perspective, I could not help myself from remembering Ghazali Che Cob. I think he is the Malaysian player who had played the biggest number of 1.b4!. There is also one story cited by the IA Ibrahim Yaacob that Mohd Noor Yahya onced used 1.b4 to defeat Peter Long to become the MSSM champion. I do not verify how far the truth of this story, but I would love to save the record of the historic game if it is still exist.
Local bookstore (BORDERS) : RM94.90 My price : RM80.00


NOTE; SOLD TO NM KAMAL ARIFIN WAHIDUDDIN


Note: I shall update by substituting with a few relevant games from my personal database

The Sicilian Sveshnikov

When my friend Wan Ismail met me during the last National Aged Group, he told me that he had a problem to teach his son on how to face the Sicilian Sveshnikov which is quite popular among the youngsters. Well I did show him my personal preference and dislike against the Sveshnikov and in fact I also shows the strategy against those who play the Kalashnikov, instead of the Sveshnikov.

I have a good personal record against the Sicilian Sveshnikov. Despite being part of repertoire (black side) of the chess giants such as Kramnik, Shirov and not to forget Kasparov himself, I still enjoy playing the white side of this setpiece.

In my stock are 2 books of Sveshnikov, one of them in mint (new) very good condition and the other one was my personal reference when I taught Mumtaz Muhammad of UIA about a decade ago. The last news I received from her was that she had safely gave a birth to her first baby in General Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Sicilian Sveshnikov
by GM Neil McDonald
published 1999
(mint) very good condition
My price : RM80.00


Sicilian Sveshnikov
by Mikhail Krasenkow
published 1996
used condition
My price : RM50.00 only


(sample stock photo)

Here I present my notable victories against the Sveshnikov
[Event "USM open (team)"]
[Date "2004"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal IIUM KNIGHT"]
[Black "Tan Eu Hong MMU"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33 Sicilian Sveshnikov"]
[Annotator "Rizal,A Kamal"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.
Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Nc2 O-O 13. Bd3 a5 (13... Bg5)
14. O-O (14. a3 a4 15. Ncb4 Na5 16. Qe2 Bd7) 14... b4 15. Nce3 Bg5 16. Qa4 Ne7
17. Bb5 bxc3 18. bxc3 Bxe3 19. Nxe3 Be6 20. Rfd1 Qb6 21. Rab1 Qc7 22. c4 f5 23.
exf5 Bxf5 24. Rb2 (24. Nxf5 Rxf5 25. Bd7 Rxb1 26. Be6+ Kf8 27. Rxb1 Rf6) 24...
Nc6 25. Nd5 Qa7 26. Qa3 Nd4 27. Qxd6 Bc2 28. Rd2 Nxb5 29. cxb5 Ba4 30. Ne7+ Kh8
31. Nc6 Rbc8 32. Qxf8+ (32. Nxa7 Rc1+ 33. Rd1 Rxd1+ 34. Qxd1 Bxd1 35. b6 Rb8
36. Nc6 Rb7 37. Nxa5 Rb8 38. b7 Ba4 39. Rb4 Bd7 40. Rc4 Kg8 41. Rc7 Be6 42. Nc6
) 32... Rxf8 33. Nxa7 h6 34. h3 Rb8 35. b6 Kh7 36. Re2 1-0




[Event "Catur OKU berpasukan"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Black "Fariz Shafruddin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[PlyCount "73"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 (3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 (6. c4)
6... a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nge7 (8... Nf6)) 3... Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6.
Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 h6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. c3 Bg7 12. Nc2 f5 13.
a4 (13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nce3 Bg6 15. h4 h5 16. a4 Rb8 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ra6 Qd7
19. Be2 f5 (19... O-O 20. Rxc6 Qxc6 21. Ne7+) 20. O-O f4 21. Nc2 Ne7 22. Nxe7
Qxe7 23. Nb4) 13... bxa4 14. Rxa4 fxe4 15. g3 O-O 16. Bg2 f5 17. O-O a5 18.
Nce3 Rb8 19. b4 Ba6 20. Re1 Bb5 21. Ra3 f4 22. gxf4 (22. Nc2 f3 23. Bh3 Be2 24.
Be6+ Kh8 25. Qd2 Qe8 26. Bg4 axb4 27. Ncxb4 (27. cxb4 Nd4)) 22... exf4 23. Nxf4
Rxf4 24. c4 axb4 25. Ra2 Nd4 (25... b3 26. Qxb3 (26. cxb5 bxa2 27. bxc6 a1=Q
28. Qd5+ Kh8 29. Rxa1 Bxa1) (26. Ra3 b2 27. Qd5+ (27. cxb5 Rxb5) 27... Kh8 28.
cxb5 Ne7 29. Qh5) 26... Ba6 27. Qa4 Bb7) (25... Bxc4 26. Nxc4 b3 27. Ra6 Ne7 (
27... Nd4 28. Rxd6) 28. Rxd6 Qf8 29. Re2) 26. cxb5 Qg5 27. Kh1 Rbf8 (27... Qxb5
) 28. Rg1 Rxf2 (28... Qxb5) 29. Rxf2 Rxf2 30. Ng4 Rd2 31. Qc1 d5 (31... Nxb5
32. Qc8+ Kh7 (32... Kf7 33. Qd7+ Kg6 34. Bxe4+ Kh5 35. Nf6+ Bxf6 (35... Qxf6
36. Qg4#) 36. Qe8+ Kh4 37. Rxg5 Bxg5 38. Qxb5) 33. Bxe4+ Qg6 34. Nf6+ Bxf6 35.
Bxg6+ Kg7 36. Qd7+) 32. Qc8+ Kh7 33. b6 Ne2 34. b7 Be5 (34... Ng3+ 35. hxg3
Qh5+ 36. Nh2 Be5 37. b8=Q (37. Bh3 Kg7 38. Qd7+ Kg6 39. Qe6+ Kg7 40. Qe7+)
37... Bxb8 38. Qxb8) 35. Nxe5 Ng3+ (35... Nxg1 36. Qd7+ Qg7 37. Qf5+ Kg8 38.
b8=Q+) 36. hxg3 Qh5+ 37. Bh3 (37. Bh3 Rf2 38. b8=Q) 1-0