Double victory in Round 8

The Malaysian team scored a first double victory in Round 8. The Men's team defeated Libya 3.5-0.5 while the Ladies upset Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-1.

On paper, Bosnia & Herzegovina with a WIM and two WFM looked like white washing our girls. But Camilia won quickly while the first three boards were still at it when I came over after my game. Najiha was already up a rook though her WIM opponent still did not resign. Nabila was an exchange and pawn down and her game looked hopeless. Li Ting had an edge in a knight ending but looked like heading for a draw. So we were expecting a 2.5 - 1.5 win.

We were all pleasantly shocked when we received news that Nabila had managed a draw and the final result of 3-1.





The girls continue to lead Group D after this with a one point lead. They will try to maintain the momentum when they meet The Netherlands in the next round. Men's team meets a strong Columbia line-up.

Later that night, Camilia and Li Ting celebrated their birthdays with a cake and presents

Playing Bosnia & Herzegovina

In the men's team, IM Lim Yee Weng scored very quickly utilising a neat tactical idea.

IM Lim  - Al-Zayat

20. Bf6! gxf6 21.Rg3+ Kh8 22. Qf4 Kh7 

After 22..Kh7

 It seems like black has everything covered . 23.Qe4+ f5 24. Qh4 Rg8 25. Rh3 Rg6. But the sting is in the tail.

23. Rg7+!! Kxg7 24. exf6+ winning the black queen.

Lim Zhuo Ren - Asabri, Hassan

Black is close to drawing despite white's advanced a-pawn due to the exposed white king. Zhuo Ren thought a long time and came up with a final trick.

40. g5+ Kxg5 41. Qe7+ Kh5 42. Qh7+ Kg5 43. Qh3 Qe2+ 44. Kg1 Qe1+ 45. Kh2 Kf6 

Black saw the trick 45...Qf2+?? 46. Qg2+ exchanging queens.

46. Qe6+ Kg5?? 

But he fails to see the second one. 46...Kg7 is drawn

47. Qg4+ Kf6 48. a8=Q 1-0

After 48...Qf2+ 49.Kh3 Qf1+ 50 Qg2 there are no more checks