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

4 NEW CHESS BOOKS IN MY STOCK


The Scandinavian Defence
by James Plassket
Published year : 2004
Local bookstore : RM 114.90

My price : RM 95.00

A very important reference for those who has problem facing variety variations of the Scandinavian including the tricky and provocative 3...Qd6!? (after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6) and the weird 3...Qe5+. Also very useful reference for the Scandinavian defenders




The Controversial Samisch King's Indian
by Chris Ward
published year 2004
Local bookstore price : RM 114.90

My price: RM 95.00

This book is aimed for white players to take over the solid King's Indian by agressive setup, that is the Samisch

NOTE: SOLD TO SHAMSUDIN MAT ISA




Rethinking The Chess Pieces
by Andrew Soltis
published in 2004
Local books price : RM 104.90
My price : RM 90.00
I am recommending for those who really wants to learn the basic chess (but in detail's level). This is truely an excellent and outstanding book to understand the correct concept of pieces in general and specific according to the demand of the position on the board. This book is also an ideal reference for chess coaches to enable them to explain in details and accurate about the chess pieces concept to their students



The Ultimate King's Indian Attack
by Angus Dunnington
Published and reprint 2001
local bookstore's price: - unknown

My price RM 80.00

An ideal all rounded opening system for those who are lazy or simply too busy or has no time to study the opening




Coming soon in stock!

Miguel Najdorf (RM 90.00)
The Scandinavian Defense (Michael Melt) - 3...Qd6 (RM100.00)

The National Age Group 2009 had just ended. I was not involved directly or indirectly - I simply too busy with my personal and family matters. However, I did visit my friend, Wan Ismail Wan Yusof who had travelled all long way from Kota Bharu, just to accompany one of his sons, Wan Muhd Imran who contested in this tournament.

When I met him and his son, it was already at the end of round 4. So we had some beverages refreshment and we proceeded to our main business, that is transaction of some chess books.
Wan Ismail bought "Beating The Caro Kann" wrote by Vassilios Kotroniasbecause he said that, his son has the trouble facing the solid like rock Caro Kann and yet there is so few players in Kelantan who adopts it regularly.

In the end, I sold 3 books to him because he badly needs some books as references for his son, including one of my personal books (not meant for my business) that is Sicilian Accelerated Dragon publlished by Batsford.

After that I helped him to get the bus tickets at the Putra Bus Station for him and his son to return to Kota Bharu the next day. Subsequenytly we returned to his room at the Pearl Hotel. There, while having light meals, I, by off hand, gave free chess consultation to his sons as regards to :-
i)the opening strategy and most common opening traps
ii)my personal pass experience,
iii) knowing the opponent strategy
iv) style of the great players - Karpov, Tal, Fischer, etc.

I stopped at about 11.30 pm when I had to go back to my house and wished him and his son good luck ( I still do not know the achievement of Wan Muhd Imran up to the point I am writing here in this blog)

Below is a part of Wan Muhd Imran's game which we discused briefly:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.f3 b5 8.Qd2


Here I explained that, the sharpest is actually 8.g4 whereby black must choose between:-
a) the sharp and quick Queenside counterplay approach by 8..Nfd7 follows by Nb6 and N8d7, Bb7, Rc8 etc; or
b) the temporary stopper 8..h6

In the actual game Wan Muhd Imran played something like 8...Bb7 9.0-0-0 Be7 . (Well I do not remember exactly the move order, but it is something like this, whereby I had to critic the move Be7 as this is normally delayed) The game sontinued (after g4 ) with Nfd7 follows by Nb6, N8d7 and Rc8 without touching the f8 Bishop yet. And now, any act leaving the knight on c3 (example Qf2) is naturally answered by the thematic exchange sacrifice Rxc3 follows by Na4, Qa5(or c7), Ndb6 or Ndc5 , 0-0 follows by Rc8 pressuring white's shattered Queenside. (See for example Movsesian vs Kasparov; Bosna Super GM Sarajevo 2000)

Well, as my explanation was made off hand, therefore, I cannot produce all the details of analysisi here. However, readers who love to play the English attack against Sicilian Najdorf Scheningen or the defender of Najdorf Scheveningen on the blackside may look into the details from the following books:-

1. The English Attack - Sammalvuo Tappani
2. Play The Najdorf Scheveningen Style (EVERYMAN)
3. Kasparov's Greates Games Vol 2 (Igor Stohl) - GAMBIT

Chess video mentioned on
[Letsplaychess.com Chess video forum]

Exchange sacrifice on c3 in Sicilian: Movsesian-Kasparov

I was quite shock when I opened http://sifumycatur.blogspot.com/ only to discover that one of the most chess attentive who is a visual handicapped player, Fazimi Tajul had passed away. I pray that his soul will rest in peace and he will be blessed in the hereafter.

Well, to all of us, who "still survive", life goes on, and we still need to work hard to enhance our achievement in chess. The next target for the OKU is the coming PARA GAMES 2009 in Kuala Lumpur from the 12th up to 20th of August, just before the commencement of Ramadhan.

I may not be able to present a few games of Fazimi Tajul here, as right now I do not have access to my database. However, I shall update this page by giving up some games and perhaps simple analysis and comments on his games.

My Allah bless us all .. Amin

UPDATE: Below is a game of Allahyarham Fazimi Tajul against one of my UIA students
[Event "Merdeka Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "9.19"]
[White "Aryati Tajuddin UIA POLGARS"]
[Black "Fazimi Tajul SBM"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11 French Classical"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3? dxe4 5. Ne5 Bd6 6. Bf4 O-O 7. Qe2 Nd5 8.
Qd2 f6 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. a3 fxe5 11. dxe5 Be7 12. g3 c6 13. Be2 Bf5 14. c3 Nd7
15. O-O Qc7 16. e6 Ne5 17. Qe3 Bd6 18. b3 Bxe6 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Rac1 Qf7 21.
f3 Bc7 22. Kg2 exf3+ 23. Rxf3 Qd7 24. Kg1 Bg4 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Bxg4 Qxg4 27.
Kg2 Bb6

28. Qd3 Rf2+ 29. Kh1 Qh3 0-1

BOBBY FISCHER REVISITED!!

The late Bobby Fischer had a very great influenced on me as 2 out of 3 of my earliest chess books (I had bought and read passionately) were My 60 Memorable Games and Bobby Fischer's 101 Outrageous moves. (The other one is My Chess Career - J.R.Capablanca). I had learned that Fischer's approach is rather crude and straightforward, yet contains a lot of beauties.

I have in my stock 2 of the most recent books about Fischer

1. Bobby Fischer Rediscovered- by Andrew Soltis. This excellence work to relook into Fischer's 100 games and yet the author found that there are many beauties

2. Bobby Fischer From Genius To Legend - Gufeld. This book not only speaks about Fischers games but contains some stories and nice pictures too

My price:
Bobby Fischer Rediscovered- by Andrew Soltis : RM 90.00
NOTE: SOLD TO WAN ISMAIL WAN YUSOFF OF KELANTAN ON THE 4TH APRIL 2009









Bobby Fischer From Genius To Legend - Gufeld : RM 70.00

Note: Sold to Kaushal Khandar











I think those were a very reasonable price, considering that I had sold My 60 Memorable Games by Bobby Fischer at RM 150.00!! to a China's IM during last KL open. The reason was so simple.. it is a classic and out of print book in the whole world.











However, for those who still wish to have Fischer's original work, I still have another copy in my stock. But I have to put it a litlle bit higher, that is RM 200.00!!


(Note: Sold to Kaushal Khandar)








Considering that, it is very hard to get it nowadays (If you do get it, I strongly expect it will be higher than RM200)


(See for examples:
1) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOBBY-FISCHER-MY-60-MEMORABLE-CHESS-GAMES-STRATEGY-RARE_W0QQitemZ120331352022QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item120331352022&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

2)http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fischer-Bobby-My-60-Memorable-Games-1969_W0QQitemZ110359122818QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item110359122818&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

Below is one of Fischer's victories against David Bernstein

[Event "Nethanya"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1968.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bernstein, David"]
[Black "Fischer, Robert J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1968.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. d3 Bg7 6. f4 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8. O-O Qd7
9. Be3 f5 10. Qd2 Nf6 11. Kh1 O-O-O 12. Rae1 Kb8 13. Bg1 fxe4 14. dxe4 Ba6 15.
Ng5 Bxf1 16. Bxf1 Rhe8 17. Bb5 e5 18. fxe5 Rxe5 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Nf7 Rde8 21.
Nxe5 Rxe5 22. Qf4 b5 23. a3 b4 24. axb4 cxb4 25. Bd4 Rf5! (D) 0-1













And the influence of Fischer's game had given me an idea in an important meeting against an IM

[Event "Arab Malaysian Labour Day"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "IM Giam Choo Kwee"]
[Black "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B23"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 b6 5. d3 Bb7 6. Be3 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. O-O
Qd7 9. h3 f5 10. exf5 gxf5 11. Nh4 Nf6 12. Nd5 O-O-O 13. c3 e6 14. Nxf6 Bxf6
15. Qh5 Bxh4 16. Qxh4 Ne5! 17. Bg5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qc6+ 19. f3 Rd7 20. Bf6 Ng6 21.
Qg5 Rg8 22. Rae1 d5 23. h4 Rf7 24. h5












24...Qe8! 25. hxg6 Rxg6 26. Qxf5 Rfxf6 27. Qe5 Qg8 28. g4 Rf5 29. Qg3 Kd7 30. Re5 Rxe5 31. Qxe5 Rg5 32. Qh2 h5 33. Rh1 Kc6 34. Re1 hxg4 35. f4 Rg7 36. c4 Rh7 37. Rxe6+ Qxe6 38. Qxh7 Qe2+ 39. Kg1 Qe3+ 40. Kg2 Qf3+ 41. Kg1 g3 42. cxd5+ Kb5 43. Qd7+ Kb4 44. Qh3 Qf2+ 45. Kh1 Qxf4 46. Kg2 Qf2+ 47. Kh1 Qf3+ 48. Kg1 Qxd3 49. Qg4+ c4 50. Qg5 Kc5 51. Qe7+ Kxd5 52. Qxa7 Qe3+ 53. Kg2 Qf2+ 54. Kh1 0-1

So... please buy Fischer's book(s) from me

CHESS BOOKS! (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) Revisited










THE GREAT EVANS GAMBIT DEBATE
A very consise yet efficient reference for Evans Gambit lovers (as black and white)

My Price: Only 40.00!!



The Evans Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 is no doubt, one of the most entertaining and romantic way to start a game. I used to be one of the Evans Gambit enthusiasts some time ago and I have to confess that, handling the Evans Gambit and making your opponent confused is very synonym. However, sometimes you yourself become confused or just feeling suffocated in order to justify the pawn (or pawns) you had just given up.

The EVANS GAMBIT & 2 KNIGHTS DEFENCE is the reference to complete your preparation as not everybody would answer with 3...Bc5 which would be totally a different story

As usual, I present here, one of my most memorable games (without annotation) employing the Evans Gambit beating a very strong player of Terengganu.


[Event "Arab Malaysian Labour Day"]
[Date "1997"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Black "Nor Azmi Mohd Nor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C51 Evans Gambit accepted"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. Qb3 Na5 8.
Bxf7+ Kf8 9. Qd5 c6 10. Qf5 Nf6 11. e5 Kxf7 12. O-O d6 13. e6+ Ke8 14. Ng5 Qc7
15. cxd4 g6 16. Qc2 d5 17. f4 Nc4 18. f5 gxf5 19. Qxf5 Nd6 20. Qh3 h5 21. Bf4
Qb6 22. Be5 Nde4 23. Qf5 Nxg5 24. Qxg5 Rg8 25. Qh6 Qb2 26. Nd2 Bxe6 27. Bxf6
Bxf6 28. Qxf6 Kd7 29. Rab1 Qxd2 30. Rxb7+ Kc8 31. Qxe6+ Kxb7 32. Rb1+ Kc7 33.
Qe7+ Kc8 34. Qb7+ Kd8 35. Qxa8+ Ke7 36. Qxg8 Qxd4+ 37. Kh1 Qc4 38. Qg6 Qa6 39.
h3 Qxa2 40. Re1+ Kd7 41. Qf7+ 1-0

One of the approaches in building an opening repertoire is to have a specific setup which is playable against various (if not all) defence systems. I could not help myself from thinking about Julian Hodgson who employs 1.d4 2.Bg5 exclusively against anyone to the extend that the late Edouard Gufeld regarded the system as Hodgson's nuclear weapon in one of CHESS Pergamon.

IM Gary Lane had produced this book which is very ideal for those who are one of the following categories:-
1. One who wish to have a formidable system but too lazy to study opening theories.
2. One who is too busy to have ample time to study opening theories.
3. One who only prefers other to enter his scope of opening repertoire and do not wish to see any "other things" in the openings.

Here Gary Lane recommended the London system. Indeed, London system can be used agaisnt almost anything such as King Indian, Gruenfeld, Nimzo / Queen Indian, Queen Gambit or Slav etc. One of notable local chess players, NM Kamal Ariffin Wahiduddin had used this book to its maximum and had notched many important points adopting this approach. Other players who is adopting the London as part of their systems are Fairin Zakaria, Hairul Hamid (http://hairulovchessmaniacs.blogspot.com/).

Here is an example how he had crushed his opponent using the underated London System. His opponent could only resisted up to 21 moves:
[Event "MAKSWIP, Risda Ampang"]
[Date 2007.]
[Round "3"]
[Table1. Board 1"]
[White "NM Kamal Arifin DBKL A"]
[Black "Lee Boon Why UM A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02" London System]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Be7 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Bd3 O-O 8.
Qf3 c5 9. c3 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 11. Qh3 g6 12. Nf3 c4 13. Bc2 Qb6 14. Rb1 f6 15.
Bh6 Rf7 16. Qg3 f5 17. h4 Bf8 18. h5 Bxh6 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Rxh6 Nf8 21.
Ng5 1-0



Business speaking, my price is RM 79.00. Comparing to the local bookstore, you will find at the Kinokuniya that this book is available at RM88.28 (see http://bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp/guest/cgi-bin/bookseaohb.cgi?ISBN=0713487127&AREA=05&LANG=E)

Don't hesitate to get this book, if you are one of the above criteria player.

NOTE: THIS BOOK HAS BEEN SOLD TO SHAMSUDIN MAT ISA

Title of book: CARO KANN CLASSICAL 4...Bf5
Author(s): Gary Kasparov, Alexander Shakarov


Who would argue the quality of analysis in abook stamped by the greatest ever chess champion, Gary Kasparov? I do not really know about the co author, Alexander Shakarov. But if someone who plays chess does not even know Kasparov, then his chess world would not be completed.

This is an old book discussing one of the most solid defence system against white's 1.e4. The system begins with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5.

I have 2 copies of this book, one is for my own reference and one is for sale. My price is RM80.00 nett. I think it is a fair price because the high quality provided by Gary Kasparov and his co-author. In addition, this book is currently out of print and all you can hope to get this book is the second hand (check it yourself at Amazon and ebay). The condition of my copy (for sale one) is like a new book (mint condition) despite of its age.

Even though it is published about 20 years ago, I doubt that the Caro Kanners are already well versed with all the nuances available in the books. In my opinion, this book is a must for Caro Kanners Classical.

As usual, I present one of my successful victory against Jusyeri Ramli (he was once a very promising local junior player and he was responsible to introduce and taught me the correct chess some 25 years ago). Here, this talented opponent and also my former teacher of chess is not escaped from the requierement to have a knowledge and to play the correct move even in the seemingkly slow Caro Kann system. For the old timer, they may know the retired policeman, Ramli Bahari. Well Jusyeri (or Doctor Jusyeri) is one of his sons.

[Event "Sabbaruddin Chik Trophy"]
[Date 1998]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Black "Dr.Mohd Jusyeri"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19 Caro Kann Classical"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Nf3 Nd7 7. h4 h6 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ngf6 11. Bd2 e6 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Kb1 O-O-O 14. Qe2
Bd6 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 e5 17. Bc3 f6 18. Qg4 exd4 19. Nxd4 1-0

WINNING WITH THE CATALAN may not be as new as some latest book regarding Catalan opening system such as PLAY THE CATALAN etc. Nevertheless, this 1998 published edition is a very important reference for those who intends to indulge into a simple yet full of venom system. What else shall I say when I have to face such an off beat system besides the Colle, London System, Trompowski and Torre attack ( I really hate these openings which somehow negates my King Indian preparation). However, you have to live with them..that is chess world all about.

My price is RM90.00. I could not find this book in any local bookstore (so far) but I think it is a reasonable price. I had browsed into the book and discovered that, one really have to prepare something to face this opening.

I also noted that, one of our female players, Haslindah Ruslan, had involved herself using this opening in the recent KL Open 2008, however, I did not manage to collect the game due to some unagreeable terms with the organiser.

One of the most notable successful Catalan 'opener' in our local chess scene is non other than the young and promising FM Anas Nazreen Bakri. (I am not sure whther he has any specific reference on his own repertoire). I also notice that, the Catalan which he use has some mixtures with other openings such as Reti opening. However, I present here a game which he successfully defeated another promising young player, NM Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli

[Event National Closed 2006]
[Round "9.6"]
[White "FM Anas Nazreen"]
[Black "Zarul Shazwan Zulkafli"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E09" Catalan Opening]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nbd2
a6 9. b3 Re8 10. Bb2 Bf8 11. Rfd1 g6 12. e4 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Qxe4 Bg7 15.
Ne5 f6 16. Nd3 Nf8 17. h4 Bd7 18. Nc5 Qc7 19. Qf3 f5 20. Nd3 Rab8 21. Ne5 c5
22. Qf4 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Bc6 24. Bxc6 Qxc6 25. Rd6 Qc7 26. Rad1 Qa5 27. Qh6 Re7
28. Bc1 Rf7 29. Bg5 Qxa2 30. Bf6 Qa5 31. Rd8 Rxd8 32. Rxd8 Qc7 33. h5 gxh5 {#}
34. Rxf8+ Rxf8 35. Qg5+ 1-0

One of my latest book in store is THE SLAV. The author is Graham Burgess, a GM who used to be in the same team with GM Dr. John Nunn. Together, they had produced many notable chess books which enriches the chess literature such as NUNN'S CHESS OPENINGS, BEATING THE INDIAN DEFENCE etc.

My price is RM95.00. As far as I am concerned, the local bookstore's price is RM 104.90, which means that I am offering almost RM10.00 less.

My good friend, Hairul (see his famous blog http://hairulovchessmaniacs.blogspot.com/ ) onced had seked me if I know any latest reference for Slav when holding the black pieces. I recommended this. After a few while, when I met him again, I asked about this book. He commented: "This book had helped me answering 2 problems in Slav. First, how to react against the dull exchange Slav, (eg 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 etc). And second, how one should play as black in the line whereby black sacrifices a piece 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 e6 7. f3 Bb4 8. e4 Bxe4 9. fxe4 Nxe4 10. Bd2 Qxd4 11. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12. Qe2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Qd5+.

He added, "I prefer to defend the black side".

Saprin Sabri, a very strong local chess player posed me a question during the recent UIA Open 2008; "Can this book (THE SLAV) improve your game?". Well, as a chess books seller and a friend I had to be fair to myself as a businessman and as a friend. I came out with the answer, "Surely this book will help to improve your game, but, if you still lose playing Slav, it is not the book's fault, but it is your own fault", and we bursted into a laugh. My real meaning was, the book is good but it is up to the owner to benefit from the book.

I also present here a partial game of mine (5 minutes game- I could not recall the whole game) against Choo Min Wang (see picture), the silver medalist of Para Games 2005 Manila, and our own very first National Master.



[Event "Catur OKU Berpasukan" (5 minutes warming up game)]
[Year 2007]
[White "Rizal A Kamal"]
[Black "Choo Min Wang"]
[Annotator "Rizal A Kamal]

Slav defence [ECO "D15"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bf5? (This is a very common mistake in the Slav which I notice, frequently committed by Malaysian players, including by very strong players)
5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Qb3 Nc6 7. Qxb7 Na5 8.Qb5+ Bd7 9. Qd3 g6 10. e3 Bg7 11. Ne5 Bf5 12. Qb5+ Kf8 13. Be2 and white won in a few more moves

The book THE MODERN MORRA GAMBIT; WEAPON AGAINST THE SICILIAN (see picture from stock photo) was among the latest book for sale, currently available in my stock. I actually have 2, one for my personal reference and one for business. My price is RM 110.00.

Probably many think it is a very expensive book. However, if you try to find the book in the local store (so far), it is not available. And if this book, does available for sale in the local bookstore, I expect that the price would not much difference from my offered price. This book is 334 pages and published in 2006!! The author is a German's FIDE master with the rating 2400!!

I had taught this very specific opening to the para games (Ladies) 2008 players and they had effectively used it as their main weapon when facing against the Sicilian defence. In this way, many hours of work of preparation was cut offand as a result, the ladies obtained the gold in the team event (Para games Korat, Thailand 2008).

After studying and even recommending it, I used it onced in the Malay open 2008 and guess what? I defeated one of my most bitter rival, FM Anas Nazreen. Though the game was far from perfect, it encourages me to keep my faith on this system, especially as a surprise weapon. Here is the historic moment

Original Analysis by Hairulov and Fritz in http://hairulovchessmaniacs.blogspot.com/ with additional comment by me

Rizal Ahmad Kamal (2022) vs FM Anas Nazreen Bakri (2253)
Malay Open 2008, Round 3, 09.02.2008

1.e4 c5 2.d4 A surprise by Rizal. He usually play the main line. Never before i see he play the Smith Morra Gambit - Hairulov

I had had many encounters against my opponent here before and all the games were the Najdorf with 6.Bc4 which ended with one lost and the rest were all drawn. Therefore, as I had studied the Morra gambit, I decided to give it a try here.

2...cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3

White sacrifices a pawn to develop quickly and create attacking chances. In exchange for the gambit pawn, White has a piece developed and a pawn in the center, while Black has nothing but an empty space on c7. The plan for white is straightforward and consists in putting his bishop on c4 with attack on f7, and control of both lines c and d with rooks taking advantage of the fact that the black queen can hardly find a suitable place.- Hairulov

4...e6 Anas choose the Chicago Defense. 5.Nf3 a6 6.Bc4 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7 8.a3(?)

(A lemon. Actually 8.0-0 was better)

8...d6 9.0–0 Nf6 10.Qe2 Nbd7 11.Nd4 Fritz opening book suggest 11.Rd1 Be7 12.Bf4 Qb8 13.Rd2 0–0 14.Rad1 Nc5 15.Bc2 e5 16.Bg5 Ne6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 - Hairulov

11...Qb8 12.f4 Nc5

After the game Rizal said that now the game transpose to a similar position in Sicilian Sozin that he is used to play as black and white!

13.Bd5? (!?)

The mark in bracket was mine. This is where my opponent fell into some deep thought which is fatal in 45 minutes time control. I remember that Tal used to say, there are 2 types of sacrifices, a sound one and mine (Tal)

Sorry Rizal. Actually Fritz gave two question mark for this move. However your bait did made Anas spent alot of time. For me, this move is what i called "pergerakan yang mengelirukan kawan dan lawan!" - a move that confuse your opponent and your friend! " 13.Bc2!?= is suggest by the computer.-Hairulov

13...Be7?? Fritz tell me that Anas should take the bishop in d5 with a poker face! 13...exd5! 14.exd5+ Kd7! - Hairulov

I intended to follow up with 15.b4 and I considered it would give black a tough time practically

14.b4 14.Nc6!? Qc7 15.Nxe7 Qxe7 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.e5 -Hairulov (This gives black nothing to worry (Rizal)

14...0–0?? against the bishop in d5 can be taken. But in 45 minutes game, it is difficult to calculate complicated variations too long. I heard many players complain about the shorter time control. In the past, the time control used to be 1 and a half hour. 14...exd5!? 15.exd5 Qa7 µ 16.Re1 Ne6! 17.Be3 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 19.Kh1 Ng8 So what? - Hairulov

15.bxc5 15.Bxb7!? is an interesting alternative 15...Nxb7 16.e5= - Hairulov.

But I wanted to win

15...exd5 16.c6(?) 16.Nf5!? Re8 17.cxd6 Bxd6 18.e5 - Hairulov

16...Bxc6!–+ Decoy: c6 -Hairulov

17.exd5 17.Nxc6 Qb6+ Double attack 18.Kh1 Qxc6 - Hairulov

17...Qb6 17...Bd7!? May be a little bit safer. -Hairulov

18.Be3 Bb7 Black has a cramped position -Hairulov

19.Nf5 A dream square for the knight. -Hairulov

19...Qd8

Rizal before playing 20.Qd3

20.Qd3 Re8 21.Bd4 White is eyeing the g7.

21...Bc8? This gave white chance to crack black kingside. 21...Bf8!?= might be a viable alternative - Hairulov

22.Nxe7+ Qxe7 23.Rae1 Qd8 23...Qxe1? didn't gave black any chance because after 24.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 25.Kf2 Ra1 26.Bxf6 gxf6 27.Ne4 Black pawn on f6 and d6 is weak.-Hairulov

24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Ne4?! 25.Rxe8+!? and White could well hope to play on 25...Qxe8 26.Ne4 Qe7 27.Ng3! With the idea of Nh5-Qc3 and Re1 - Hairulov

25...Bf5 Now black have the initiative. -Hairulov

26.Qg3+ Kh8 27.Nf2 Qb6 28.Qh4 Qd4 29.Rd1 Qb2 30.Nd3 Bxd3 31.Rxd3 Rg8?! 31...Re2! is better 32.Rg3 Rg8 33.Rxg8+ Kxg8 34.Qg4+ Kf8 35.Qc8+ Re8 36.Qf5 Qc3 Black have a potential to create a passed pawn on the queen side. -Hairulov

32.Rg3 Rxg3 33.hxg3 Re8 34.Qh6 Kg8 35.Qh5 35.Kh2!? -Hairulov

35...Qe2? letting the wind out of his own sails 35...Qxa3 36.Kh2 (36.Qg4+ Kf8!) 36...Qd3–+ - Hairulov

36.Rf3? White should play for a draw with 36.Qxe2!? Rxe2 37.Rc1³ Ra2 38.Rc6 Rxa3 39.Rxd6 Kf8 40.Rb6 - Hairulov

36...Qd1+

36...Qc2 is better 37.Rf1 Re3 38.Qg4+ Kf8–+ -Hairulov

37.Kh2

37...Kh8?? A blunder by Anas. Actually he is in severe time pressure. 37...Qc2 38.Qg4+ Kh8 and he still have the advantage - Hairulov

38.Qxf7+- Rg8? 38...Qe2 is one last hope 39.Qxf6+ Kg8 40.Qxd6 Qc2 41.Qxa6 Re2+- 42.Qc6 Rxg2+ 43.Kh3 Rh2+ 44.Kg4 - Hairulov

39.Qxf6+ Rg7 40.Re3

40.Qxd6! is better because 40...Qd4 (40...Qe2 41.Qf8+ Rg8 42.Qf6+ Rg7 43.d6) 41.Qe5 Qxe5 42.fxe5+- - Hairulov

The line I selected was also win, therefore there was no need for me to calculate another variation

40...Qh5+ 41.Kg1 Qd1+ 41...a5 42.Kf2 (42.Qxd6?! Qd1+ 43.Kf2 Qd2+ 44.Re2 Qd4+ 45.Kf1 Rxg3+-) 42...Qg6 43.Qc3+- -Hairulov

42.Kf2 Qd2+ 43.Re2 1–0

Black resign because after 43.Re2 Qxd5 44.Re8+± - Hairulov

A sweet revenge against an FM titled player

Reshevsky and I are the only ones in America who try (to earn a living from chess). We don't make much. The other masters have outside jobs. Like Rossolimo, he drives a cab. Evans, he works for the movies. The Russians, they get money from the government. We have to depend on tournament prizes. And they're lousy. Maybe a couple hundred bucks. Millionaires back this game, but they're all cheap. Look what they do for golf: thirty thousand dollars for a tournament is nothing. But for chess they give a thousand or two and they think it's a big deal. The tournament has to be named after them, everybody has to bow down to them, play when they want, everything for a couple thousand dollars which is nothing to them anyhow. They take it off their income tax. These people are cheap. It's ridiculous." -- Bobby Fischer

Hmmh..(thinking), maybe our Fischer's comment on USA's people / organiser/sponsor of chess in 60's are very much the same with our current situation. Just a food for thought. (Sorry Azizul.. taking the picture from your website, heh heh heh)

White:Rizal Ahmad Kamal UKM (FIDE rtg 2022)

Black: Liong Wei Li UM [C45]

MASUM (men) UMS (Round 6.Board3), 23.05.2008

The Scotch Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4!

No doubt that this move had thrown my opponent off balance here as in Round 2 I had played 3.Bb5 against another UM player, Kenneth. The reason was simply because I did not have anything special preparation against the Schliemann Defence 3...f5!? which had been played by Liong Wei Li in the earlier round

3...exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nxc6 dxc6?

This gives me a simple slight ending advantage due to the majority kingside pawns [5...Qf6 6.Qd2 dxc6 is the normally played line in our local tournament scene(6...dxc6 is correct and better theoretically) ]

6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 7.Bc4 Ke7 8.0–0 Be6 9.Bxe6 Kxe6 10.Bf4 Bd6 11.Be3 Nf6 12.f3 Nd7 13.Nd2 Bc5 14.Kf2!

The more exchanges, the nearer the game to reach the ending, and the King must be centralized

14...Bxe3+ 15.Kxe3 b6 16.Rfd1 Rad8 17.Nc4 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Kxe5 19.f4+ Ke6 20.Ke2 f6 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Rd1 Rd6 23.Rd3 c5 24.c3 c4 25.Rd2

[25.Rd4 is less clear, for instant 25...Rxd4 26.cxd4 b5 27.Kd2 b4 unclear]

25...Rxd2+ 26.Kxd2 g5 27.Ke3!

After the game, my opponent told me that he exchanged all the pieces and did not expect that my King could enter the game like this

27...c5 28.Kf3 h5

This allows white to create a pass pawn

29.fxg5 fxg5 30.h4! Kf6 31.hxg5+ Kxg5 32.Kg3 b5 33.a3! Diagram

This should frustrates black as the Queenside pawns cannot pass through and thus whatever happen at the kingside should determine the result of the game

33...a5 34.Kf3 h4

35.g4!

The UM's coach, Ng Siew Cheok: "Rizal! Why did you move that pawn?! It's just so cruel!!" , after the game at the canteen

35...h3

[35...hxg3 36.Kxg3 simply wins; 35...b4 36.e5 a4 37.Kg2! bxc3 38.bxc3 Kg6 39.Kh2 Kf7 40.g5! Ke6 41.g6 Kxe5 42.g7 Ke4 43.g8=Q Kd3 44.Qg7 Kc2 45.Qe5 Kb3 46.Qxc5 Kxc3 47.Qb4+ Kd3 48.Qxa4 c3 49.Qd1+ Kc4 50.Qc2+-]

36.e5!

This was the actual idea behind 34.g4

36...h2 37.Kg2

After the game finished Ahmad Fadzil Nayan from UIA asked, "How did you create the 2 pass pawns on the Kingside?" I replied jokingly "I used the black magic (sihir)" and he burst into a laugh

37...b4 38.Kxh2 Kxg4 39.e6 Kf4 40.e7 1–0