The Kuala Lumpur Young Talent Championship is the first event that the newly set up Polgar Chess University arm in Malaysia is supporting. The event is also supported by the Malaysian Chess Federation and the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA). Susan Polgar has set up a unique chess video tutorial system at www.polgarchessuniversity.com.
With only 3 age categories, the event has attracted a respectable 121 participants taking part in the Under-13, Under-11 and Under-9 age group.
The event is unique as other than the offers cash prizes and trophies to the winners, the organisers also promises the following for the top 3 winners:-
-
12 weekend training sessions throughout the year.
-
Free entry to KL Open and representation of KLCA in team competitions where possible.
-
Special 4 day boot camp during long school terms break.
-
Financial support in consultation with MCF if selected to represent Malaysia in designated ASEAN/Asian/World Youth competitions.
Just like the Malaysian National Age Group 2009 tourneys, the KL Young Talent Chess Championship is held at the 2nd floor of the Pearl Point Shopping Complex.
Although it is in a shopping complex, the playing hall is sufficiently cordoned off from the other shops so it’s not too noisy.

The parties that made this event possible.
My team mate, Tan Jun Feng, in the DATCC chess league. Currently one of the leaders in the Under 13 section. He has 4.5/5 and is playing against Daniel Iskandar who has the same score. A crucial game is this is the second last round.
Aziz Farhan who is the current leader after 5 rounds in the under 11 section. He has 4.5/5 and is playing Subramaniam Sivanesan (4 points).

Subramaniam Sivanesan. Beside him playing on board 2 is NWM Tan Li Ting. The event is gender neutral. Both boys and girls are not segregated. Both are playing in the Under-11 section. It will be interesting to see how NWM Tan Li Ting will do as she is Malaysia’s youngest National Woman Master (at 10 years old!!) beating WFM Siti Zulaikha’s previous record by four months.
Daniel Iskandar playing on board 1 in the Under-13 section.
Round 6 pairings. One more round to go after this.
Arbiter for the event. Kevin. Familiar face for me as I’ve known him since two DATMO’s ago.
MCF Secretary Gregory Lau (on the mic) with last minute announcement before the start of Round 6.
Read also