Malaysian Chess Father- Dato' Tan Chin Nam deliver his speech
The main table
Beside the official dinner, ex- World Chess Champion - GM Anatoly Karpov was supposed to make an appearance at this dinner as part of his campaign for the 2010 FIDE Presidential Election which will be held this coming September. However due to unknown reason, Karpov couldn't make it. I believe he was somewhere in Angola.
On behalf of Karpov’s team, his deputy candidate - Richard A. Conn Jr. from USA delivered the speech. As we all know, our own - International Arbiter (IA) Abdul Hamid Majid is also in the team. He is running for the General Secretary post under Karpov's team.
Richard A Conn Jr.- candidate for the Deputy Presedint of FIDE
The main speech for the dinner is of course from the Malaysian chess father- Dato' Tan Chin Nam. There's a moment of silent when he mentioned that he will no longer sponsor this event starting from next year. Dato' Tan has sponsor this event from it first edition in 2004 and many thinks that he will do it over and over again but this time he decide not to in the hope that new sponsor will emerged.
As a response, Abdul Hamid Majid - a true chess player/arbiter who certainly know that a chess game will not finished before checkmate ( or lost on time), he mentioned that he still wish that Dato' will change his mind which Dato reply with..." you have to sell ice to an Eskimo".
As a response, Abdul Hamid Majid - a true chess player/arbiter who certainly know that a chess game will not finished before checkmate ( or lost on time), he mentioned that he still wish that Dato' will change his mind which Dato reply with..." you have to sell ice to an Eskimo".
IA Abdul Hamid Majid - International Arbiter, Malaysian Chess Federation committee, DATMO 2010 tournament director and candidate for the 2010 Secretary General post under Karpov's team.
Morten Sand - International Advisor for 2014 Tromso bid
Another special feature during this dinner is the presentation on the Norwegian town of Troms’ 2014 Olympiad bid by the former FIDE Vice President and Legal Advisor to FIDE - Morten Sand. Morten has travel all over the world to gain support for Tromso to be the host country for the 2014 Olympiad. His presentation was impressive and i think Tromso have excellent chance to succeed based on their details and convincing preparation - they prepared and start lobbying four year in advance! For more information about Tromso bidding - click their official website here
Morten present the Tromso bid for the 2014 Chess Olympiad
Siraj's table - from left my wife and i, Razali Hamzah a.k.a Ng6 ( missing from the table) Mr. Sirajuddin, Siraj's son, Rusdi Sidi, and two Nepal chess players.
As a personal note, i would like to thank Mr. Sirajuddin who sponsor the dinner for my friends and I. As Hamid Majid mentioned in his speech, Siraj always helps quietly. This guys love chess and he is the type of person who doesn’t like publicity but sorry Siraj, this time i have to mentioned it.
The dinner venue was at the CitiTel Ballroom
The Chinese table - note ex- Women World Chess Champion - GM Xu Yuhua in green shirt.
The Kiwis. Among others - WFM Helen Milligan, Brian Jones (an Aussie), Paul Spiller and others...
The Vietnamese - among others - this year DATMO 2010 Champion - GM Cao Sang, GM DaoTien Hai and GM Nguyen Anh Dung.
The Malaysian - among others FM Ooi Chern Ee ( he's not playing), IM Mok Tze Meng, NM (Dr.) Ronnie Lim Chuin Hoong, NM Tan Khai Boon
Aussie - GM David Smerdon (right) with his girlfriend - Fi, if i'm not mistaken...
The participants and guest
No comments:
Post a Comment