Daniel - Nam (Vietnam) Tour of Duty

Daniel Iskandar. Photo from Gilocatur's blog

Ok, i admit that i'm too carried away with the title but many local fans may have missed that one of our junior player - Danial Iskandar participated at the 1st HDBank Cup Chess Tournament 2011 in Vietnam early this year.

The tournament saw top Vietnamese players like  Le Quang Liem, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and Cao Sang plus strong GMs and other titles players  from China and Philippines.

Daniel  is the only Malaysian player in the tournament. Playing against the top dogs, he finished last but he did  gained a point by beating  South African player -. Francois Wolfaardt (photo left). Some of you may know Francois, who  is a frequent visitor in our  local tourneys.

1st HDBank Cup official webite

Francois Wolfardt  - Daniel Adam Iskandar
HD Bank Cup Open, Round 9,  9.1.2011

Analysed by Centaur (Hairulov+Fritz)

1. b3 Bird Opening ( correction - it actually called - Nimzowich-Larsen Attack - thanks to Jimmy Liew who noticed it)  1... b6  2. Bb2 Bb7 3. Nf3 Nf6 Black choose to copy white setup. A good idea if you didn' t familiar with a particular opening. Just play symmetrically because usually it would lead to an equal position. Of course you should not copy yours opponent move until the end! 


4. c4 e6 5. Nc3 c5 6. e3 Qc7 Fritz opening book suggest  6... Nc6 and 6... Be7


7. Nb5 Qc6 8. Be5 d6 9. Bxf6 gxf6

Black doesn't mind doubling his f-pawn because he got the bishop pairs. The open g -file is also good for black's rook.


10. d4 a6 11. Nc3  Probably better is 11. d5


11... Nd7 12. d5 Qc7 13. e4 Bg7 14. Qd2 O-O-O 15. Be2 Ne5 16. Nh4 ?!  I didn't like this move. The knight is looks off side in the kingside.


16...h5 17. f4 Nd7 Black doesn't have to move the knight at the moment because he can put pressure on white's queen by pinning white's f4 pawn with 17...Bh6.


18. O-O-O Nf8 I'm not sure about this plan. Black's knight is heading to Ng6 but actually black can save two tempo if he played it on move 17th. Having said that, i think black should not bother to exchange white's knight on h4 who is in offside position.


19. Kb1 Qe7 20. g3 Ng6 21. Na4?! Better is 21. Nxg6 fxg6 22. dxe6 Qxe6 23. Nd5 21... Kc7 22. Bf3?! Again 22. Nxg6  is the correct move. 22...fxg6 23. Bf3


22... Nxh4  23. gxh4 f5!

Black open the deadly diagonal a1-h8 for his bishop and queen.


24. exf5 Qf6 25. Nb2 Qxf5+ 26. Nd3 Qf6 27. Qb2 Qxb2+ 28. Nxb2 Bxb2? Black should not trade his dark square bishop. He should used his double bishop advantage in the endgame. He can also use it against white's hopeless pawn on h4. 28... Rde8 Is the correct move. Threatening to open and conquer the e-file and if  29. Rhg1 Bf6


29. Kxb2 exd5 30. Bxd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5  A double rook endgame occurred


31...Rde8 32. Rf5?  32. Rhd1 doubling and attacking the d6 pawn is the correct move


32... Re7  32... Re2+ Is a better idea. Black should have not worry about giving the f7 pawn because his idea of dominating white's 7th rank with his rooks is more deadly. 33. Kb1  Rg8! 34. Rxf7+ Kc6 35. Rf6 Rd2 First black prevent white to double attack the d6 pawn with Rd1. After that he can double on 7th rank with Rgg2!


33. Rg1 Re2+  34. Kb1 Rxh2 35. Rxf7+ Kc6 36. Rgg7 b5  36... Rc8 is  much better 37. f5


37. Rc7+ ?  White would have a better chance if he choose 37. Ra7 for e.g. 37...bxc4 (37... Kb6 38. Rgb7+ Kc6 Of course not (38... Ka5?? 39. Rxb5#) 39. Rc7+ Kb6 40. Rcb7+ Kc6 ) 38. Rxa6+ Kd5 39. Rg5+ Ke4 40. Rxd6 cxb3


37... Kb6  38. Rb7+ Ka5 39. f5 Re8  Black can trade one of his rook with 39... Rf8 40. Rbf7 Rxf7 41. Rxf7 bxc4 42. bxc4 Rxh4 With a clear winning advantage.

 40. Rge7 Rxe7 41. Rxe7 Rxh4 42.cxb5 axb5 43. f6 43. Rd7 Rf4 44. Rxd6 Rxf5


43... Rf4  Rook belong behind passed pawn!


44. f7 h4 45. Rd7 White can try a cheapo with 45. Re4 but black can avoid the trick with 45...Rf1+ ( Of course not 45... Rxe4?? 46.f8=Q) 46. Kb2 Rf2+ 47. Kb1 h3


45... h3 45... Kb4 and the rest is a matter of technique  46. Kb2 Rf2+ 47. Kc1 h3


46. Rxd6 Rxf7 47. Rd1 shortens the misery for White. More stubborn is 47. Rh6 Rf1+ 48. Kc2 Rf2+ 49. Kc3 Rf3+

 47... Rf2 48. Rh1 h2

The end is near. 49. a3 Rg2 50. Rxh2 Rxh2 0-1 Nice game Daniel!

Training Session by GM Efstratios Grivas

Ok guys, i think i have a better idea then suing each other. Read this  excellent article about chess training by Efstratios Grivas - a grandmaster and highly experienced chess trainer and chess author.

DATCC UPDATED Calendar for Jan-March 2011

Here is the updated calendar of  Dato Arthur Tan Chess Center (DATCC) activities for January-March 2011.

Source: Najib Wahab (016 338 2542) / najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com

The New Management of DATCC...

This e-mail was sent to me on 31st December 2010 by Najib Wahab but i missed it and only noticed it recently - Hairulov

Come 1st January 2011, the management of DATCC will changeover with a new person at the helm to further expand the center to a new height. After more than 2 months of discussion, Najib Wahab is set to take over the management of DATCC from Hamid Majid who has been managing the center for the last 3 years.

Whilst most part of the center will remain as it is now, slight changes will be made to the center to accommodate a small area for training and knowledge sharing area where patrons are able to browse through some of the chess books, magazines, bulletins, etc. collection that are available for reading. The current "lepak" area will also be relocated to allow for more playing space and a permanent electronic board has also been set for visitors to have a feel of playing on the state of art chess interaction hardware/software.

Although the complete handover date has not been ascertained, during this interim period, both Hamid and Najib will be working together to ensure a smooth transition will take place and that the activities that have been planned (and booked) for the center will continue as usual.

Najib Wahab, who has organized and arbitrate many local events including being part of the 2010 Malaysia Chess Festival, is set to announce and release DATCC calendar of activities for 2011 within the next couple of weeks. According to him, apart from the usual DATCC Weekender Series, there are also plans to continue the KL Team League and forging relationships with other local organizers and Chess Clubs/Associations to organize more events at the center. Najib is also planning to hold small classes (for 10 students per class) to coach and teach players who are of beginners and intermediate levels. Framework and syllabus for the classes are currently being designed to ensure players will learn chess via a more structured and proper way of learning, combining ideas that are being practiced in other parts of the world with his own unique approach. The classes will also includes computer interactions work, homework, exercises and plenty of sparring sessions for the youngster and beginners.

For the first month of January, all the weekends in DATCC has been fully booked by organizers right up to the Chinese New Year weekend marking a very good start for the new year. For those who would like to rent the playing hall for events (including renting the place for other board games like carrom, scrabble, etc), please forward your inquiries to Najib Wahab at +6016 338 2542 or write to him at his email address najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com. Currently, DATCC is running a special rate of RM250 for a weekend/public holiday rental (including sets and clocks), and RM 150 for a weekday rental. The rate will increase once the center has been fully handed over which is expected to complete before the end of the first quarter.

Be on the lookout for DATCC 2011 Calendar of Activities which is expected to come out within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, the Management of DATCC wishes all Chess players, supporters, fans and ALL MALAYSIANS a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR - May the new year ushers in more success, prosper, wealth and health to all of us!

Salam 1 Malaysia and a Happy New Year!

Najib Abdul Wahab
Program Manager/Coordinator

Tel: +6016 338 2542

Email: najib.wahab@chess-malaysia.com

2ND INSOFAR ELITE OPEN TOURNAMENT (2011)

2ND.

INSOFAR ELITE

OPEN

TOURNAMENT

(2011)

DATE: Sunday, 13th. Feb 2011 (Preliminaries)

PLACE: DATCC 4th. Floor, Wilayah Complex, Kuala Lumpur.

TIME: 10.00AM – 6.00PM (Swiss 25 minutes)

FEES: RM20 (Pay on tournament only)

PARTICIPANT: Must attend this stage to qualify for Quarter Final,
Semi Final and Final

INSOFAR Elite Junior and Open Finalist!

The INSOFAR Elite Junior and  Open Semifinals was held at DATCC last Sunday.8 players procede into the final where they will play a  7 round robin final. The Final leg will be scheduled  in February and March 2011. Muhd Syakir Shazmeer Azhar Said (photo below) win both Junior and Open semifinal leg and will play in both Junior and Open Final.

Elite Junior Finalist:

1 Muhd Syakir Shazmeer Azhar (1878)
2 Chan Sheng Yip (1611)
3 Subramanian Sivanesan (1533)
4 Puteri Rifqah Fahada Azhar-G (1526)
5 Muhd Irfan Haqqim Azhar (1695)
6 Chek Kin Keuw (1592)
7 Muhd Syamil Zaki (1610)
8 Nithyalakshmi Sivanesan-G (157)1

Open Elite Finalist

1 Muhd Syakir Shazmeer Azhar (1878)
2 Muhd Irfan Haqqim Azhar (1695)
3 Mohd Saprin Sabri (1906)
4 Muhd Zikri mohd Zaki (1427)
5 Dinesh Siddharthan Manohar (1343)
6 Bustaman Harun
7 Camilia Johari-G (1594)
8 Muhd Syamil Zaki (1610)

Source: DATCC's blog

Chessgames.com Games of The Day: Mashafizu l- Jan Emmanuel Garcia

Today  chessgame.com select our no.1 player game's -  Mashafizul against Jan Emmanuel Garcia in 8th ASIAN Continental 2009 as the game of the day!

Mas Hafizulhelmi - Jan Emmanuel Garcia
8th ASIAN Continental 2009, Round 11, 23.5. 2009

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 c6 5. h3 Nbd7 6. f4 b5 7. a3 Nb6 8. Nf3 a6 9. Bd3 Bg7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Qe1 Bb7 12. Qf2 Nfd7 13. a4 b4 14. a5 bxc3 15. axb6 Nxb6 16. bxc3 d5 17. f5 dxe4 18. Bxe4 Nd5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. Bd2 Nf6 21. Ng5 O-O 22. Qh4 Nh5 

23. Rxf7 Rxf7 24. Bxg6 Rf6 25. Qxh5 Rxg6 26. Qh7+ Kf8 27. Qxg6 1-0

Black resign because its mate in 6 (maximum) for e.g. 27...e6 28.Rf1+ Qf4 29.Bxf4 Bxd4+ 30.cxd4 Ke7 31.Qxe6+ Kd8 32.Nf7++ checkmate

How to beat Super GMs by Alexandra Kosteniuk !

Alexandria Kosteniuk is a former Women's World Chess Champion. She hold the reign from 2008 to 2010 but lost the title this year.

What i like most about her (other then his beautiful looks) is she is among the  few top  chess player ( male+female) who love to share his game with analysis with his fans all over the world and most of it are free! She has annotated many of her games  in audio and video format in her website and you can enjoy it in her website and blog.

In this article, i would like to show three videos where Alexandria won blitz games against reigning World Champion - Viswanathan Anand, World No. 1 - Magnus Carlsen and Super GM - Alexandria Grischuk.

Although with a rating of 2517, Alexandria is relatively weak compare to the  top  Super GMs mentioned above who had a rating above 2700+. What make the videos below so special is it show a slow motion scene where the top men players resign after losing position, making an illegal move and being checkmated - against the chess queen - kind of rubbing salt into the wound!




Viswanathan Anand - Alexandria Kosteniuk : 0-1
World Blitz Championship 2009

Magnus Carlsen - Alexandria Kosteniuk : 0-1

World Blitz Championship 2009

In the above video, Alexandria is playing black against Magnus Carlsen in the 2009 World Blitz Championship, Moscow. In the commentary, Alexandria said that Magnus has the upper hand in the opening but she somehow managed to turn the table and in the final moment when Magnus under pressure, touch a piece but decide to made other move after realized that it was a blunder - it remind me the 'hand of god' version of chess occur in Judit Polgar-Kasparov game in Linares 1994  and IM Mok Tze Meng- GM Rogelio Antonio in  MERDEKA Rapid 2009

However in the above game, Magnus resign after Alexandria claim the game. Magnus who visibly frustrated, knock the table with his both hand and 'forgot' to shake hand with her opponent after the game.  In blitz game, you can claim a win if your opponent made an illegal move .

According to Alexandria, Magnus father Henrik apologized to Alexandria on the next day.

Alexandria Kosteniuk - Alexander Grischuk: 1-0

World Blitz Championship 2009

In the above game, Alexandria beat super GM - Alexander Grischuk . Losing against a women is always hard to men . You can see in this video. Alexandra add the salt in the wound by slow motioning the final checkmate position! - Haslindah Ruslan from Biro Wanita MCF must love this :)

INSOFAR Team Final's Photo Gallery

"Show Me The Money"

2010 INSOFAR Team Event's organizer - Mat Zaki Yeop show the cash prizes money - Champion - RM 2,000. Runner-up - RM 1,000.00 and 3rd - RM 600.00.

FM and Dr.Nicholas Chan (left) was 'on call' in the final round to 'save' Passion and Glory. He beat Nusa Mahkota 2nd board player - Aziz Shukor (right)

17 Chess Club 1st board - Lim Zhou Ren (left) beaten by his Sifu - IM Mok Tze Meng  from Passed Pawn team.

Nabil Azman Hisham (left) from 17 Chess Club lost to ex-World Police Champion - Ismail Ahmad from Passed Pawn Team

Kari Kepala Ikan on the menu!

Nusa Mahkota's and 17 Chess Club players celebrate their 2nd and 3rd placing at  Restaurant Teratai Curry Food Specialist, Dayabumi.

....the bill....

INSOFAR Team Event final round report

How to Slay the Sicilian Dragon!

The final round of the INSOFAR team event last Sunday saw an interesting game between Rizal Ahmad Kamal  from Nusa Mahkota Chess Club against Abdullah Che Hassan from Passion and Glory. Below is the game annotated by Rizal. My annotation is in italic.

In this game, Rizal show how to deal with the dreaded Sicilian Dragon!

Rizal Ahmad Kamal - Abdullah Che Hassan
201 INSOFAR Team Event, Round 6, 16.1.2011

Analyzed by Rizal Ahmad kamal and Hairulov+Fritz  in italic


1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 Rizal: 9... Nd7 A week before this game, Fairin opted for this specific sideline and managed to defeat me
10. O-O-O Ne5 11. Bb3 Qa5 12. h4 12. Bh6 I had also considered this during the game, just like my latest
encounter against Hanif Arkurni (see my blog) 12...Rfc8 13. Kb1 

It is hard to see the point behind this high quality waiting move until you actually play it and feel it! 13. h5 is also a promising continuation, but according to my personal database, Abdullah Che Hassan has experienced this move before and I suppose, he must had studied it. 13...Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Nb3 Qc7 16.Bd4 Be6 17. h5 a5 18. a4 These are all theories. However, the most important fact is that, this was played by Abdullah Che Hassan himself in National Closed 2010 (or 2009)} 18...Rb4 18... Qc6 was played by Abdullah Che Hassan in the aforementioned encounter.  19. hxg6

19...fxg6 Rizal: 19... hxg6 is normally played. Hairulov: 19... hxg6 is the line suggest by Fritz . I think 19.fxg6?! is a dubious move here . In Dragon opening, black usually have to chooce whether to take on g6 with h or f-pawn. Taking with the h-pawn is usually preferred because it didn't exposed black's king from check by white's queen or bishop on the  g8-a2 diaganol. However the drawback is black have to deal with white pressure on h-file if white choose to double or triple his rooks and queen along the file.


If black choose to take with f- pawn (fxg6) instead, he can defend his vulnerable 7th rank square especially h7 and g7 by putting  his queen or rooks on his 7th rank. The main drawback is white's queen or light square bishop can exploit the weakness on the g8-a2 diagnaol. 

20. Rh4?! Rizal: 20. Bxf6! Bxf6 21. Nd5 was suggested in one of Gufeld's Sicilian Dragon's books.21... Bxd5 22. Qxd5+ Kg7 23. Rxh7+ Kxh7 24. Qf7+ Kh6 25. f4 Kh5 26. Qh7+ Kg4 27. Qh3+ Kxf4 28. Rf1+ Kxe4 29. Qf3+ Ke5 30. Re1+ Re4 31. Qxe4#  20... Qc4

Abdullah Che Hassan(left) against Rizal Ahmad Kamal. Position after 20...Qc4. 

Hairulov: Black can take charge with 20... Rc8! 21. Rdh1 Bxb3 22. cxb3 e5  21. Rdh1 As this is a rapid 25 minutes game, I had no ample time to calculate anything else except preparing for the possible mating attack  21... h5 22. g4 Hairulov: 22. e5!? also looks strong...22...dxe5 23. Bxe5  22... Rxb3  Hairulov: 22... b5 looks like  a strong counter attacking idea     23. cxb3 Qxb3? Hairulov: lesser evil is 23... Nxe4  24. Nxe4 Qxd4 25. Qxd4 Bxd4 24. gxh5 Rc8 24... Nxh5? will be answered with 25.Rxh5! Bxd4 (25...gxh5 26.Qg5 win ) 26.Qxd4 gxh5 27.Rg1win 25. hxg6 Rxc3 Diagram Rizal : An important moment. I had more time but now I spent more time calculating the double Rooks sacrifice. Suddenly I noticed that, black was threatening a mate in one. Therefore...   26. Qxc3 The correct capture -NM Kamalarifin.  The most important point is that, white has not invest anything yet! 26. Rh8+ Bxh8 27. Rxh8+ (27. Qh6 $4 Qa2#) 27... Kxh8 28. Qh6+ ( 28. Bxf6+ Kg8 29. Bxc3 Qa2+ 30. Kc1 Bb3 31. Qh2 Qa1+ 32. Kd2 Qd1+ 33. Ke3 Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qc2+ 35. Kg3 Qxh2+ 36. Kxh2 b6 37. Bd4 Bxa4 38. Bxb6 Kg7 39. Bxa5 Kxg6
40. b4 {Probably only a draw}) 28... Kg8 29. Bxf6 Qa2#  26...Qa2+ 27. Kc1 Qxa4 28. Rh7 Qb5 

29. Rxg7+! Kxg7 30. Bxf6+ exf6 Hairulov: 30... Kxg6 will not save the game for e.g.31. Rg1+ Kf7 32. Rg7+ Kf8 33. Kd2 win  31. Qc7+ Bd7

 32. Qxd7+!  Hairulov: A fancy finish. after 32...Qxd7 33. Rh7+ Kxg6 34. Rxd7 White has a whole Rook  1-0  A nice game by Rizal Ahmad Kamal

Passion and Glory Win 2010 INSOFAR Team Event!

Abdullah Che Hassan (right)  from Passion and Glory team received the Champion cash prize - RM 2000 from organizer - Mat Zaki Yeop (left) from INSOFAR.

16th January 2011 - Passion and Glory  beat Nusa Mahkota Chess Club 3-1 in the final round today  to win the  2010 INSOFAR Annual Team tournament. The final round ( round 6) is held at the Dato Arthur Tan Chess Center, Wilayah Kompleks, Kuala Lumpur.

Passion and Glory (left) vs Nusa Mahkota Chess Club

Passion and Glory in a must win situation against  Nusa Mahkota Chess Club choose to field their new top guns - FM Nicholas Chan and Ian Udani in the final round against Nusa's. The strategy prove successful although Nusa Mahkota did give a tough fight before losing 3-1. Nusa finish the tournament in second place.

INSOFAR ELITE TOURNAMENT SEMI FINAL

INSOFAR ELITE TOURNAMENT SEMI FINAL

ELITE JUNIOR – Sat 15 January 2011

ELITE OPEN – Sun 16 January 2011

DATCC Renegade Rapid Chess Weekend

DATCC Renegade Rapid Chess Weekend

(A National Rated Event)

DATCC will be organizing the DATCC Renegade Rapid Chess Weekend on 30th January 2011 (Sunday) to kick off its 2011 Weekender series under its new management. This is an open event for all chess players of various playing strength with attractive prizes awarded to the eventual winners including special prizes for junior player, best female player and players who are rated below 1600 and 1400. All players below 12 years old will receive a Certificate of Participation for taking part in this event provided registration is made before 28th January 2011.

A Posthumous Award for Lim Chong

A photo of the late Lim Chong's son -  Lim Yue Seng receiving a posthumous award from Sultan of Selangor - Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was publish in Selangor state newspaper -  Selangor Times on its 4th issue (17th-19th December 2010) .

Post - Singapore - Malaysia 2011

As we all know, our Malaysian team won the annual Singapore-Malaysia match held recently. The victory is so meaningful to us because we last won it about 10 year ago. However, what many people didn't know is  there was one hot argument occur between one of accompanying parent of a Malaysian player  with MCF officials right after our team has just won the match. I witness the argument but prefer not to reveal the person involve and what the argument is. However, i would like to share an sms from a parent involve which was forward to me :-

Dear chess parents,

I'm sincerely apologize for my words and reaction during the Singapore vs Malaysia post mortem meetings. I have no personal agenda. Only God knows my current situation. Maybe i had made the wrong statement at wrong time and place, i hope, everyone will forgive me. My son is not good in chess and he needs everyone support and guidance for his success. I'm sorry, this is from my bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Friend, i forgive you. I personally didn't agree with the way you express your opinion that day. However, I know you have a very strong heart for Malaysian chess. This show when you help me to put on the banner of the Singapore-Malaysia match at the tournament venue before the match start.

I hope others will forgive you too.

2011 Singapore - Malaysia Chess Challenge Photos

Below are photos from the recently concluded - 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011.

Match officials, from left:- Honorary Secretary of Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) - Gregory Lau, Secretary General of FIDE and President of Singapore Chess Federation - Ignatius Leong, Deputy President of MCF - Ibrahim Abu Bakar, Arbiter- Marcus Yeoh and MCF Official - Yeap Joo Hock

Arbiter - Marcus Yeoh (Malaysia) and Chief Arbiter - Alberto (Singapore)

Malaysia Win!

Click the image for larger view

1st January 2011 - Malaysia win the 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011. In round 4, Malaysian team who is playing black, hold their nerve and tied the score 19-19 to win with the final score 58.5-55.5  77.5-74.5 (correction)

Malaysia Surely Boleh!


full report will follow later....

Malaysian tigers roars back and beat Singapore 24-14 in round 3!

1st January 2011 - The Malaysian team playing white beat Singapore 24-14 in round 3 (Rapid) of the 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011. With this victory , Malaysia now take turn to  lead the match with 3 points and the overall score 58.5-55.5!

In round 4 (Rapid) which is also the final round, Malaysia will play black and the match start at 11AM.

Malaysian team celebrate the 3rd round win with our famous shout - Malaysia Boleh!

Yours Truly at The 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011

From left:- The Star Chess Columnist - Quah Seng Sun,  - FIDE Secretary General and President of Singapore Chess Federation - Mr.Ignatius Leong and yours truly at the Venue of 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011

Round 2 : Malaysia draw with Singapore : 19-19

Malaysia playing black draw with Singapore 19-19 in round 2 of the 21st Singapore-Malaysia Chess Challenge 2011.

Below is the full results for round 2.

Round 2 results. Click the image for larger view

After round 2, Singapore have a 7 points lead. The overall score is now 41.5 - 34.5 in Singapore favour. Tomorrow, both team will play two rapid games to decide this year winner.