19th IGB Malaysian Chess Festival Concludes

The 19th IGB Malaysian Chess Festival. 

Dates: September 12-23, 2024 

Location: Cititel Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The 19th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2024, a centerpiece of the long-standing Malaysian Chess Festival, concluded with a historic win for Malaysian IM Poh Yu Tian. He became the first Malaysian and youngest champion in the tournament's 19-year history, achieving an unbeaten score of 7.5/9. 

The festival, dedicated to the memory of Dato' Tan Chin Nam, the "father of Malaysian Chess," continues to be the most important regional event for chess development despite increasing competition from larger prize-money tournaments elsewhere. 

This year's event featured a strong international presence with over 1300 players from 23 countries and successfully overcame scheduling challenges to attract a significant number of participants.

Critical catalyst for local chess development

Youngest Champion: At 15 years old, Poh Yu Tian also became the "youngest champion" of the tournament, further highlighting his exceptional promise.

Rapid Teams Victory

 The Malaysian team "NASI LEMAK, LAKSA OR ROTI CANAI?" secured the Open title in the Rapid Team Championship, another "first for Malaysia," demonstrating a growing strength in Malaysian chess. The source notes, "arguably at least the top three Malaysian teams would also have successfully taken on the team that Malaysia sent to the Budapest Olympiad."

Increased Opportunities for Malaysians: Despite scheduling conflicts that reduced the overall player pool, the festival provided "increased opportunities for Malaysians to shine!"

The Legacy of Dato' Tan Chin Nam and the Festival's Enduring Significance

Tribute to a Pioneer: The Malaysian Chess Festival is described as a "fitting tribute to the memory and many achievements of Dato’ Tan Chin Nam – a true lover and hands on patron of the game," who served as FIDE Deputy President (for Asia) and significantly contributed to "raise the standard of Asian chess."

Longevity and Resilience: The IGB Open Chess Championship is the "region’s longest standing International Open," having been held "year after year, notwithstanding a hiatus during the COVID-19 global pandemic." Its continued existence post-Dato' Tan's death and the pandemic is credited to "long-time organiser Hamid Majid for continuing together with the Tan family clan's support through Tan Mei Sian."

Hub for Regional Chess 

Annually, "hundreds of players from all over Asia and even parts of the World flock to Mid Valley," underscoring its role as a vital regional event.

Tournament Structure and Participation

Diverse Events: The Malaysian Chess Festival offers "nine exciting chess events catering to players of all levels," including:

SMS DEEN Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship (RM 24,000 prize fund)

Dato Tan Chin Nam Foundation Merdeka Junior (U12) Team Chess Championship (RM 12,000 prize fund)

Merdeka Blitz Chess Championship (RM 2,500 prize fund)

Dato' Tan Chin Nam Foundation Age-Group Chess Championship (U06/08/10/12/14/16)

19th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship (RM 65,000 prize fund)

Daniel Yong Chen-I Memorial Malaysia Chess Challenge (RM 15,000 prize fund)

Dato' Tan Chin Nam Seniors' Open Chess Championship (RM 18,500 prize fund)

Dato Tan Chin Nam Foundation Malaysia Day Age Group (Open, U06, 08, 10, 12, 14, 16)

Festival Blitz Chess Championship (RM 2,500 prize fund)

Strong Participation Despite Challenges: Despite "a series of blows to the available dates" due to clashes with SUKMA, ASEAN Age-Groups, National Schools Championship, World Chess Olympiad, and PON, the festival still saw "as many as 1400 entries," indicating its strong appeal.

International Presence: The IGB Malaysian Open alone featured "8 GMs, 11 IMs, 3 WGMs, 10 FMs, and 2 WIMs and a total of 73 players from 23 countries," including significant participation from India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and Singapore.

4. Top Performers and Key Matches (IGB Malaysian Open)

Champion: IM Poh Yu Tian (MAS)Rating: 2430

Score: 7.5/9 (unbeaten with 7 wins and 2 draws)

Performance: "showcased exceptional consistency," with notable wins against IM Liu Xiangyi and FM Pangilinan Stephen Rome. He was the "top seed and a clear favourite to win."

Runner-up: IM Kushagra Mohan (IND)Rating: 2411

Score: 7/9 (7 wins and 1 loss)

Performance: Highlighted by victories over FM Nguyen Quoc Hy and GM Laylo Darwin. He was the "sole Indian in a pack of five players, trailing by a half point at 4/5 each" at the halfway mark.

Other Notable Performances:GM Laylo Darwin (PHI): 6.5/9 (6 wins, 3 draws, unbeaten)

Gong Sunle (CHN): 6.5/9 (6 wins, 3 draws), a "relatively unknown face at the moment but will potentially change with future tournament wins!" and also won the U-16 prize.

FM Pangilinan Stephen Rome (PHI): 6.5/9 (6 wins, 1 draw).

WGM Mary Ann Gomes (IND): Won the Best Woman prize, finishing 8th with 6/9.

GM Nguyen Duc Hoa (VIE): Led alongside Poh Yu Tian at the halfway mark with 4.5/5. He is "on the comeback trail after focusing on being a trainer" and is a "tough as nails Vietnamese GM."

5. Other Event Winners

SMS DEEN Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship: "NASI LEMAK, LAKSA OR ROTI CANAI?" (Malaysia)

Team Members: IM Poh Yu Tian, IM Yeoh Li Tian, FM Chan Kim Yew, Ernest Yek Zu Yang.

Dato Tan Chin Nam Foundation Merdeka Junior (U12) Team Chess Championship: KATACATUR INDONESIA 1.

Team Members: AFM Safin Aldebaran Amir, Theodore Daniel Kurniawan, AFM Naro Hugo Boaz Siahaan, and AFM Kayz Mahendra Farrel.

Dato' Tan Chin Nam Foundation Age-Group Chess Championship:U6: Liu Haoyang (China)

U8: Mohd Khairul Ibrahim (Malaysia)

U10: Danry Seth Romualdez (Philippines)

U12: AFM Naro Hugo Boaz Siahaan (Indonesia)

U14: Al-Basher Buto (Philippines)

U16: AIM Gabriel Ryan Paradero (Philippines)

Conclusion

The 19th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship and the broader Malaysian Chess Festival continue to uphold their reputation as a premier regional chess event. The historic victory of IM Poh Yu Tian underscores the festival's success in fostering local talent, while its resilience in the face of logistical challenges and international competition highlights its enduring importance to the Asian chess community. The diverse range of events caters to all age groups and skill levels, ensuring a vibrant and competitive environment that honors the legacy of Dato' Tan Chin Nam.