It was the first time ever for Malaysia to receive an invitation by FIDE to join the FIDE World Cup, and in view of the current pandemic situation in the country, it seems unlikely that Malaysia will be able to sent any representative to the event. But, as MCF continues to pursue the matter with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council and Immigration’s Department, the green light has been given for our small contingent to depart to Sochi, Russia to complete the historic occasion.

In the Men’s event, Malaysia will be represented by FM Sumant Subramaniam – one of our aspiring and rising player, who is also MCF Head of the Technical Committee in charge of the National Training Program that is currently underway. FM Sumant is no stranger to the local chess community and for MCF, he is the brain behind the National Training Program which took off late last year, which has already continued into its second phase of implementation earlier this month.

In the Women section, WIM Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa Azhar – only the 3rd Malaysian women to be awarded the coveted WIM title, will be Malaysia representative to the event. WIM Puteri Munajjah is also Malaysia’s reigning Women National Champion (WNM) having won the title outright in the 2019 Malaysia Chess Championship held in Kuantan, Pahang

Aside from FM Sumant and WIM Puteri Munajjah, MCF will also be sending FI Muhammad Firdaus Ismail as its Head of Delegation with Puan Shamsiah Ahmad – Munajjah’s mom, accompanying the young lass to the world event.

Pairing for Round 1 – schedule to start at 3:00pm local time on 12th July, is already up in the official FIDE World Cup website at https://worldcup.fide.com/results with FM Sumant Subramaniam paired to play against GM Samuel Sevian (2647) of USA whilst WIM Puteri Munajjah is paired against WGM Ana Matnadze (2421) of Spain.

MCF wishes all the best to our players in their aspiration to become the best that they can be. Good Luck Sumant and Munajjah!

#staysafe #togetherwecan #malaysiaboleh