IM Mas Hafizulhelmi (2396) draw against GM Negi Parimarjan (2514) in Round 7, Dubai Open 2008 !

IM Mas Hafizul (left) comfortably draw his 7th round game against Indian prodigy- GM Negi Parimarjan in the Dubai open 2008. So far Mas have show a solid and safe performance by achieving draws against strong and higher rated players including GMs and beat the lesser rated players. He has only lost one in 2nd round against GM Levan Panstulaia.

Back to his 7th round game, his opponent- GM Negi Parimarjan (left) probaly have the slight advantage in the game but considering that Mas has beat him in their last meeting last year, he probaly didn't want to underestimated Mas and ready to split the point. So far Mas has a steady performance with 4 1/2 points from 7 round. He has two more rounds to achieve his target - his first GM norm. All the best Mas !!!

Mas Hafizulhelmi (2396) - Negi Parimarjan (2514) [C28]
10th Dubai Open Dubai (7), 12.04.2008

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 A Bishop Opening !? Mas another surprise weapon. He usually played his beloved Ruy Lopez Exchange when facing the king pawn openings. Mas has really widen his opening repertoire. (Correction! Mas did played this opening and win against GM Eugene Torre in ASEAN 1st Chess Circuit in Tarakan Indonesia held in January 2008) 2…Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nc3 Na5 5.Qf3 Mas used the 5.Nf3 when he beat Torre 5...d6 6.h3 Nxc4 7.dxc4 Be6 8.b3 g6 8...c6 9.Nge2 a6 10.a4 Be7 11.0–0 0–0 12.Rd1 b5 13.axb5 axb5 14.Rxa8 Qxa8 15.cxb5 9.Bg5 Bg7 Breaking the pin with 9...Be7 is a logical alternative. 10.Nb5 10.Nd5 Bxd5 11.cxd5 is an alternative. White pawn formation in the center will give him more space.10...Ke7?!

A weird position . Black king is in terrible square but fortunately white didn't have any significant moves to grab a clear advantage. Probably black should not have to be worry about losing a pawn with 10...0–0 because after 11.Bxf6 (11.Nxc7 Qxc7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qxf6 b5! Black will have a strong attack and white is too far behind in development ) 11...Bxf6 12.Nxc7 Qxc7 13.Qxf6 b5! As mentioned before – white is too far behind in development 11.Rd1 a6 12.Nc3 h6 13.Bxf6+ Bxf6 14.c5 Qc8 15.Nd5+ Bxd5 16.Rxd5 dxc5 17.Rxc5 c6 18.Qc3 Re8 19.Nf3 Kf8 20.0–0 Qe6 21.Qd2 Kg7 22.Rc3 Rad8 23.Qc1 Rd6 24.Rd1 Red8 25.Rcd3 ½–½