The Malaysian Chess Federation will move forward with its new selection process which has been in place for the last few events regarding national representatives to World, Asian and Regional events. In view that next year is an Olympiad year, selection of players that will definitely become a popular topic discussed by interested players, parents, coaches and the community in general.

Since mid 2023, the selection process to identify Malaysia’s official representatives is based on the results obtained in similar age group events or individual open events organized by MCF. As organizers will offer accommodation and lesser entry fees to official players, the advantage of being selected will lessen the financial burden required when participating in a FIDE World/ACF Asian events. On the other hand, non official players are required to pay for their own accommodation in addition to higher entry fee, including traveling charges which everyone has to manage regardless whether they are official or non official players.

In most cases, the Champions of each National event will receive the automatic offer to become the official national representative, and if it is rejected, the offer will be passed down to the Runner up and again, if rejected, it will go to the third player. Only when all winners reject the offer, MCF will open the option to other interested chess players, and the selection will then depend on their CMP performance – as per previous practice. This will be based one player’s current performance, activeness and also attitude towards the game and their potential to shine. However, MCF Selection Committee also reserves the rights to not select any players if it deems that none of the players applying are suitable to participate.

Events that do not offer accommodation or special privileges to the official representatives such as Amateur and Seniors events, becoming a champion in similar national events will not be the criteria for selection as Malaysia’s official player. For these events, MCF will issue a supporting letter to confirm any player that are interested to participate as the player will have to bear all costs on their own. Unless Organizer has agreed to provide a substantial offer for an official player, then the current reigning champion will be offered to take up the offer with similar selection process to take place should the champion decline.

For Malaysia’s squad to the 45th Olympiad in Budapest next year, the top 3 players in both the Men and Women event will earn automatic spots in the national squad. MCF hopes the new selection process will attract more strong players to participate at next year’s MCC. The 4th and 5th spots – including vacant spots should any of the top 3 players rejected the offer, will be offered to players based on their current CMP performance including additional criteria set by the Selection Committee such as FIDE/MCF Rating points, ranking, activeness in events, including performances in international and local tournaments.

Similarly, for individual open events such as World Cup, Continental and Zonal events, the offer will first be given to the MCC Open and Women Champion and any rejection received from the champion will result in the offer being handed down to the 2nd and where necessary, the 3rd place player in line. The offer will only be open to the general public when all three players reject the opportunity. And again, MCF Selection Committee may decide to not send anyone to participate if there is no suitable player is able to participate at the event.

With that said, the date for the Malaysian Chess Championship 2024 has been set from 16th to 21st April 2024 – one week after Eid Fitri, with Langkawi, Taiping, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur have been shortlisted as possible venues.