Finally, after much effort being put in to comply with all the requirements needed by COS/KBS to approve the event, MCF has all the confidence that the event will proceed as planned albeit the black and white confirmation is still pending.

Scheduled to start on 31st March 2021 and ends on 4th April 2021, this will the first ever FIDE Rated Hybrid mode event that MCF will be organizing using a Classical Time Control of 110 minutes + 10 seconds increment. Divided into 2 separate categories of Open and Challenger sections, a total prize fund of RM 8,000 has been allocated for the winners with the Open champion set to earn RM 1,600 for his/her effort.

MCF has previously completed 2 Hybrid Online events – the Ladies Hybrid Open and the Juniors Hybrid Open, but at that point of time, FIDE has yet to approve the Hybrid format for FIDE Rating. Whilst the Philippines has already beaten us in organizing the first Rapid Hybrid event to be FIDE Rated held earlier this month, MCF can probably claim the title of being the first to organize a Classical time control event using the Hybrid Mode to be FIDE Rated. The idea of having the Classical time control for Hybrid event is also in anticipation that the ASIAN Chess Federation has planned to use the Hybrid Mode to conduct the ASIAN Zonal Chess Championships which is expected to start in May 2021.

Entries will be opened soon but for now, MCF is negotiating with the various Hybrid Centers on the processes involved in order to run and conduct a smooth and efficient event.

As a start, interested players are requested to contact their nearest Hybrid Center to clarify on space availability. For those in Lembah Klang, MCF recommends players to register at KUPTM Cheras – our co organizer for the event, as it has a bigger place with perhaps a better managed internet connection and support structure. It is also able to handle up to 50 players at any one seating during the tournament. Players are also to take note that as per SOP, players are not allowed to cross state to play in another center. New centers who are interested to participate as Hybrid Center, are requested to write in to mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org