20th GACC International Inter-Varsity Chess Championship Champion: Tan Wei Hao

　

The Grand Asian Chess Challenge (GACC) is a regional chess competition opens to undergraduates in various Asian universities. The Grand Asian Chess Challenge (GACC) has been renamed to GACC World Inter-Varsity Chess Championship starting from year 2003. Since year 2008, it was renamed to become International Inter-Varsity Chess Championship.

The objectives of this event are:-
(I) To encourage chess activities among the participants from various Asian universities and Malaysian students;
(II) To foster closer ties amongst participants and universities in the whole world;
(III) To promote the games of chess so as to become one of the hobbies among undergraduates around the globe;
(IV) To promote Malaysia’s culture and heritage to the international participants.

The 1st edition of GACC backed in the mid 1990's was a collaboration between Chess Association of Selangor, IA Hamid Abd Majid, and University of Malaya. Many years later, I was engaged as Deputy Chief Arbiter for 2 editions and Chief Arbiter for another edition. This event had contributed 2 International Arbiter norms in my application as an International Arbiter. I remembered in one of the editions that I'm involved - It was a very strong tournament  (to be exact the 2003 edition) with many GM or GM-to-be in the like of GM Li Shilong, GM Zhang Zhong, Russian GM Sergey Iskunyh, FM Wang Yue (today a 2700's Super GM), IM Liang Chong (today a GM), IM Wang Rui (today a GM), IM Yu Shaoteng (today a GM and FST), Zhao Jun (today a GM), and etc. 

Seeing so many talented and hardworking young chess players in one tournament playing at such a high level has inspired myself to focus in producing more national-level players among school boys and girls via Chess Training Excellence Programme (first coined by Chess Association of Selangor back in the mid 1990's) concept. That's the same period I have started serious coaching with school boys and girls aged between 7 and 12.

I didn't have an opportunity to be part of this event as a player. However, my thought back then was how nice could it be if one day in future one of my students who was absolute beginner (then) can be standing on the podium in this event. Well, my dream has turned into a reality today! with Tan Wei Hao emerges as the Individual Champion for the 20th GACC International Inter-Varsity Chess Championship. During his younger days, he won a National Age-Group Championship 3 years in-a-row (2007 - 2009). 

A big congratulation to Tan Wei Hao!

CTEP (New Intake - 7th April 2012)

Dear Parents,

Would you like to see your children able to represent our country in Chess or becoming a National Champion one day?

I would like to inform that a new intake for children who are currently at Beginner's level in Chess (No National Rating or National Rating below 1250) will commence from Now until 3rd April 2012.

The first class will begin on 7th April 2012 (Saturday) from 5pm to 7pm. Each semester consists of 10 lessons. Venue: SS 14, Subang Jaya. For those who are interested in enrolling your children for the group-based CTEP, please contact Mr. Lim @ 012 - 298 4922 for more information.

Join the CTEP Now! A programme that produces National Boys U-12 Champion 7 times in 9 years!!!

35 Years of Achievement

CAS is celebrating her 35 years of Achievement in Malaysian Chess with one tournament for members only on 24th May 2009. This year marks the 35th anniversary for CAS, a milestone that we have seen many people contributed towards CAS directly or indirectly for the success of Malaysian Chess.

Among some notable achievements by CAS are
(i) Creating a score of teenagers dominating the Malaysian chess senior scene in the last 13 years e.g. Lim Yee Weng (Subang Jaya, Selangor) became National Men Champion at the age 14 in 1996, and successfully defended the title in 1997. In 1998, he did not take part to makeway for Ng Ee Vern (PJ, Selangor) to become the 1998 Men Champion. Many years later, two brothers from Subang Jaya namely Nicholas Chan and Marcus Chan continues Selangor domination in the National Closed, followed by Edward Lee (PJ, Selangor) in 2008.

(ii) Creating an overwhelming numbers of National Age-Group Champions in the last 10 years.

(iii) Successful in organising the longest continuous chess event in Malaysia for a record of 36 years in a row. [Certified by Malaysian Book of Records during the 27th edition in 2000]

(iv) Financially the best manage Chess Association in the country since mid-80's.

(v) Championing the creation of Allegro to spearhead the chess movement in Klang Valley since the late-1980's.

(vi) Championing the Chess Training Excellence Programme concept which started back in 1996.


Also, CAS will be holding the 32nd Annual General Meeting on the same day. Lunch will be served to all members who attended the AGM during the tournament day. CAS will accept new membership registration on tournament day. For new adult membership is RM 40 for 1st year plus RM 15 as tournament entrance fee, however, you must send an email to selangorchess@gmail.com on your intention to join the event before closing date on 20th May 2009. CAS will not accept any walk-in registration on tournament day.

Congratulation to all 18 students in MSSM

With here, I would like to congratulate 18 of my current and former students who have qualified themselves in MSSM 2009 via Kuala Lumpur (11 pax) or Selangor (7 pax) representation. For the record, each State is allowed to send 36 players to MSSM with the host can add another player to any Individual Category to even up the number of players in the Category.

This year, I've spent the March school holiday helping those who did not make it to MSSM in improving their game for the coming National Age-Group schedules on 4th and 5th April 2009.

I seldom get myself involve with MSSM players during MSSM because I believe preparation towards MSSM must be done prior to the event itself. As an example, I conducted a 15-member elite group training in Dec 2008 and am happy to see many of them qualified into MSSM 2009. My duty as a coach is to provide the basic necessary skills for them to compete against their peers for a place into MSSM. My vision is to see those who have put in effort in improving their games eventually qualifying themselves to MSSM. In over the years, I've always try my VERY best to stay neutral without taking any side to win the MSSM championship as I always tell them the best players (collectively) will win the MSSM Championship.

This year edition saw my students help KL and Selangor to win (1 gold - 1 silver - 1 bronze) from the Individual category, and (2 golds - 3 silvers - 1 bronze) from the Team category. This give a total of 3 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes. For the record, KL and Selangor won a total of 8 golds, 6 silvers and 3 bronzes from 12 categories contested.

Will they improve their performance in MSSM 2010? Time will tell........

MBSSKL is U-18 Boys Team Champion in MSSMKL 2009

I've not been updating this blog for a very ...... long time due to various commitments in the past 1 year. Let starts with this article.

Methodist Boy's Secondary School KL (MBSSKL) was declared as a cluster school of excellence on 2 April 2008. There are three niche areas to be developed under this program: ICT, English and Chess. As for the chess programme, the school has engaged me as the chief coach to take charge on developing chess excellency for the school.

In this year competition, MBSSKL sent two national players to represent them on the top 2 boards. Yeap Eng Chiam (14 y.o.), MSSM U-15 champion and 7th strongest U-18 player in Malaysia (based on National Rating release Jan 2009), had spearheaded the school campaign to capture the chess team title for the first time at state level competition. He won all his 5 games on Board 1.

Next, Albert Ang Keliang (13 y.o.) who began learning chess from me when he was 8 years old. Within 2 years, he won the National U-10 title, 2-time MSSM player and have been representing Malaysia in International Age-group event in the past 4 years. He's currently ranked 51st among the Juniors in Malaysia. Playing on Board 2 for this event, he won 3 games and drew 2 games including one against a fellow MSSM player from SMK Kepong Baru.

Jonathan Yap, a very enthusiastic learner in the game, had scored 3 wins in 5 games on Board 3. It's a pity that this will be his last outing in MSSMKL since is taking his STPM later this year.

While, Nixon Saw, a fifth former, had 2 wins and a draw from 5 games played to help the school scored 14.5 points from 5 matches. This outing may also be his last outing in MSSMKL.

Will MBSSKL continues to dominate the KL chess scene in future?

Coach Lim Trainees Have Ruled the National U-12 For Six Years In A Row

Once again, Coach Lim has proven his ability to provide effective and successful guidances for children to become National Champion via Chess Training Excellence Programme aka CTEP. [Updated on 15th Apr 2010] Coach Lim has produced 6 National Champions in U-12 Boys Category from 2004 to 2009.

In 2004, Fong Yip Siang (his maiden student)of Selangor had captured the U12 Boys title, the baton was passed on to Muhd Izz Saifuddin of Kuala Lumpur in 2005, followed by Chiang Ye-John of Selangor in 2006, [Updated on 15th Apr 2010] Yeap Eng Chiam of Kuala Lumpur in 2007, and Tan Wei Hao of Kuala Lumpur in 2008 and 2009. [Updated on 15th Apr 2010] For some privacy reason, Yeap name was not listed until recently.

[Updated on 15th Mar 2012] After a lapse of two years, Coach Lim has done it again. In 2012 edition, Tan Yong Zhao of Kuala Lumpur has captured the National Boys U-12 Chess Champion title. With Tan's latest success, Coach Lim has produced 7 National Boys U-12 Champion in a span of 9 years!

Coach Lim wishes to congratulate all the Champions mentioned above on their successes and wish all of them have a greater success in their working careers when they grown up.

Last but not least, Coach Lim Tse Pin who is also an International Arbiter aka IA has created two records in Malaysia Chess history i.e. 1) 6 years In-A-Row National Championship Records; 2) The Most Numbers of Champions Ever Produced in a Single Category of NAG.

A national chess champion (proven track record many times over) can be born with 2 to 3 years of continuous chess training.

SJK(C) Kepong 2 Continues To Dominate KL Chess Scene

In the recently concluded MSSMKL Inter-School Team Competition, SJK(C) Kepong 2 continues her domination in the Primary School Category when both the Boys and Girls won their respective category.

In the Boys' Section, the school did not field their two national-class chess players namely Lim Chin Shen (MSSM Team Gold Medalist) and Tan Wei Hao (National U-10 Champion) in the team event, instead the school had open the door to some back-up squad players to have a chance taking part in the team event. This new team has done relatively well by capturing the title with 15.5 points from 20 games played. In this event, SJK(C) Jinjang Selatan had finished 2nd ahead of Sri Cempaka on tie-break count. Both teams had finished with 14 points. There were 20 schools took part in this 1-day event.

Meanwhile, SJK(C) Kepong Girls had dominated the Girls' Section when they amassed with 16.5 points followed by Sri Garden at a distant 2nd with 12.5 points, and SK Convent Bukit Nanas in 3rd with 12 points. There were 16 schools took part in this 1-day event.

So far, SJK(C) Kepong 2 being the One and Only Primary School in KL that Coach Lim has extended his services. Beginning 2008, Coach Lim would like to expand his contribution to other primary schools in KL by introducing the "know how" secret in chess that is used in the Chess Training Excellence Programme aka CTEP. If there is any KL primary schools who wish to be part of this successful Academy, you can contact Mr. Lim @ 012-298 4922.

Updated 1st Feb 2008: Coach Lim has accepted another primary school in KL under his wing i.e. SK(L) Methodist KL and first secondary school in KL i.e. SMK (L) Methodist KL.

Updated 1st Feb 2012: All these three schools in KL that Coach Lim offers his service has emerged as chess powerhouse in KL

Sterling Performances in MSSM Kuching 2007

Trainees from the Academy who either representing KL or Selangor have helped their states to win gold medals in 7 categories. This year, both Selangor and KL have amassed as Champion in 10 categories from a possible of 12 categories offered in this year MSSM.

A month earlier, the trainees have captured 4 individual gold medals, and a dozen of gold, silver and bronze (combined together) from the Team categories at the State-level Schools Championship.

The Academy Offers

Type Programme [Venue] >>> Duration [Scope]

A) Inter-Class Chess Tournament cum Elementary Development (ICT.Ed) [School] >>> 3 Lessons + 1 Tournament [(i) Chess Basics; (ii) Chess Openings; and (iii) Chess Tournament]. This programme is suitable for schools who want an introduction of chess in school.

B) M. Intensive Introductory Courseware (M.IIc) [School] >>> 4 to 10 Lessons [(i) Chess Basics; (ii) Chess Openings; and (iii) Games Analysis]. This programme is highly suitable for schools who want to prepare for Inter-school competition, inter-zone, and inter-district competition.

C) M. School Courseware (M.Sc) [School] >>> 2 years: 60 Lessons [(i) Chess Basics; (ii) Chess Openings; (iii) Checkmate Patterns; (iv) Chess Endgames; (v) Games Blunders; (vi) Games Analysis; (vii) Evaluation Techniques; and (viii) Assessment]. This programme is highly suitable for schools who want to use chess an an educational tool to improve children thinking methodology.

D) M. Chess Training Excellence Programme (M.CTEP) [School] >>> 3 years: up to 90 Lessons [Stage 1: M. School Courseware; Stage 2: M. Comprehensive Principle Guidelines Courseware; and Stage 3: Tactical Courseware]. This programme is highly suitable for schools who have great interest in producing national class chess players.

E) M. Chess Training Excellence Programme (M.CTEP) [Home] >>> 4 years: 160 Lessons [Stage 1: M. School Courseware; Stage 2: M. Comprehensive Principle Guidelines Courseware; Stage 3: Tactical Courseware; Stage 4: Comprehensive Endgame Courseware; and Stage 5: M. Analysis & Opening Specialty Courseware]. This programme is highly suitable for parents who want a customisable programme that can cater to the needs of their children in chess learning.


For schools / chess clubs / parents who wish to know more on the details of the chess programmes offered by Coach Lim, please do not hesitate to call Coach Lim @ 012-298 4922.

About The Academy

Coach Lim is leader of chess organisation in Malaysia, representing technical, arbitrating, organising, training methodology, and tournament management functional expertise.

Under Mr. Lim Tse Pin unorthodox leadership style at the state-level chess association, both Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have transformed into a chess powerhouse in Malaysia since 2000. He replicate, enhance and more importantly own the success achieved at his associate with the chess organisation.

Coach Lim offers modular therefore customisable and scalable training manuals to children with high level of practical experience, know-how [expertise], high success rate based on successfully implemented methodologies.

Since 2002, many children have attended training offered by Coach Lim with some children have achieved remarkable results. Over a short span of 4 years, Coach Lim has position himself as the leader in chess training in the country with ten national titles won by the trainees and two-dozen players represented the country and still growing in number.

The success of Coach Lim over a short period of time is largely credited for using structural training approach. A formalized and time-tested chess kit will be given to trainees regardless of their existing playing strength at the point of enrolment.

In the National Age-Group Championship in March 2006, Coach Lim trainees won 4 gold medals from the 12 categories contested which is the best ever single result by Chess Coaches / Chess Academies / Clubs in Malaysia in the past 30 years. While, 2005 edition witnessed his trainees’ captured 3 National titles.

In addition, Coach Lim trainees have helped both KL and Selangor to win 4 gold medals from 12 categories (6 individuals + 6 teams) contested during MSSM 2005. Meanwhile at State-level Schools Championship, Coach Lim trainees won 5 out of 12 individual gold medals at stake.