Although Team Malaysia was stopped short in their Olympiad journey, another Team Malaysia did well to secure a Bronze Medal for the country.

Led by WFM Tan Li Ting, together with WIM Puteri Munajjah AzZahraa Azhar, WFM Puteri Rifqah Fahada Azhar and WCM Nithyalakshmi Sivanesan, the Malaysian University Ladies Team did just that to secure the Bronze Medal at the Asian University Chess Championship 2021. Although Team Malaysia scored the same 21 points with Indonesia, the better tie break provided Malaysia the edge to out position our neighbor for the last podium spot. Hosted by the Indonesia University Sports Council (IUSC) and co-organized with the Asian University Sports Federation, and supported by the Asian Chess Federation, FIDE and Persatuan Catur Seluruh Indonesia (PERCASI), the event started on Friday, 3rd September and concluded yesterday, Sunday, 5th September 2021. Played over 9 rounds, the event attracted 12 countries including China, India, Indonesia, Iran and Singapore.

While the event maintains its individual format, the scores obtained by each player is then pooled together to make up for the team score. Team Captain WFM Tan Li Ting maintains her position as the driving force behind the team to contribute 6 points of 9 games followed by WCM Nithya with 5.5 points out of 9 encounters. WIM Puteri Munajjah AzZahraa Azhar barely made the 50% mark by securing 5 points out of 9 rounds while sister Puteri Rifqah Fahad earning 4.5 points for the competition. The slightly lower scores earned by the sisters were quite understandable as both of them were also involved in the Online Olympiad Team games from both events are played consecutively with minimal rest in between. Nonetheless, it was impressive that the sisters was able to put in their weight and contribution to both the University and Malaysia’s Senior Team considering the challenges that they have to face.

Team Manager and Head Coach for the Team – Mohd Ezmi Mahmood fondly known as Herosifu, was brimming with smiles once the official results was announced. Full results of the event can be found at the following link
http://chess-results.com/tnr576095.aspx?lan=1&art=71&flag=30

Individually, WFM Tan Li Ting was placed 6th overall, followed by WCM Nithyalakshmi Sivanesan in 10th position, Puteri Munajjah in 15th and sister Puteri Rifqah Fahada in 21st position. The team was featured in a Hairulov’s FB Live Interview which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/S8JCd0Xa5Io as per below.

The Malaysian Chess Federation congratulates the Malaysian University Ladies Team for the fine performance and look forward to see many more University students taking part in National and International level events.

With the Ladies event out of the way, the Men’s event will start this Friday, 10th September 2021 led by Malaysia’s Numero Uno IM Yeoh Li Tian as Team Captain and Board 1 player, together with Aron Teh – who currently resides in UK, Emir Rusyaidi Ahmad Nazari and Subramanian Sivanesan/

MCF wishes all the best to our Malaysia’s University Men’s Team and look forward to an exciting performance for everyone involved.