Five (5) players and HOD Muhammad Firdaus Ismail was greeted by a small crowd of well wishers when they touched down at KLIA on Sunday at 8:40pm. While the performances of the players are commendable, Anderson Ang Ern Jie and Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif did better with each hauling 6 valuable points, and much precious ELO rating points. It was sweeter for Ainul Mardhiah – as the reigning National Women’s Champion, as this is her first outing donning Malaysian colors at a World event.

For many of the players, participating in a World event provided depth and experience playing in a “real” classical event as Malaysia lacks the resources and interest to organize events that runs for almost 2 weeks. The World Youth – and the World Cadets, are events where young players will be able to experience grueling long matches, over 11 days – one match per day, and against players who are mostly well prepared with coaches and seconds to help them prepare.

Nonetheless, MCF wishes everyone a warm “WELCOME HOME” and hope that the experience has provided eye openers and aspiration to strive further into becoming better chess players in the future. Full results and cross tables for the event can be found at https://chess-results.com/tnr843258.aspx?lan=1 and select the event accordingly – Open U18 (Anderson), Open U14 (Subhaashini), Girls U18 (Farihah Nur Aisyah), Girls U16 (Kaseh Irsya Dania) and Girls U14 (Ainul Mardhiah).

MCF would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Tuck Sun Logistics Group – staff and well wishers, as the Main Sponsor, and Rotary Club of Bandar Utama as Co-Sponsor for Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif in her maiden event abroad. Next for WNM Ainul Mardhiah will be the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2023 to be held in Al Ain from the 12th to the 22nd of December 2023.