By Remis Aman

The absence of titled players for this year National Closed has thrown the competition wide open. Who will win in the end?

The biggest upset of Round 1 was Sarawak top junior player Ahmad Afiq Afyfy bin Rosli win over Abdullah Che Hassan (2097) in just 31 moves. The other two unexpected results were Alor Star junior Khor Siang Choon win over Sarawak’s Kueh Yan Chew (1966) in a Grunfeld Exchange game and Langkawi’s Ahmad Nurdin Mohd Azmi (2020) loss on time to Perak’s Azmi Ishak; theirs was the last game to finish in Round 1.

In round 2 of the National Closed 2007, 14 players share the top of the scoretable with perfect scores. On board 2 of the round, Mohd Shahanizzam Salleh (1915) of Negeri Sembilan defeated the tourney 2nd seed Mustafa Kamal Zamhuri (2144) of Perak…Lim Chin Teng and Gavin Fong Wei Chern did well to outclass their higher rated opponents, Au Yoong Yaw Loo (2127) and Mohd Johan Jamil (2124) respectively. However their fellow Penangite Tan Eu Hong (2043) can salvage only a draw with unrated Noorullah Omar of Johore.

Standings after 2 Rounds: 1-14. Ismail Ahmad, Tan Khai Boon, Abang Mohd Reduan, Lim Kian Hwa, Zarul Shazwan Zullkafli, Mohan Raj; Abdullah Khairi KZ, Looi Xin Hao, Masrin Erowan, Amir Hamzah KZ, Sumant Subramaniam, Mohd Shahanizzam Salleh, Gavin Fong Wei Chern, Lim Chin Teng 2.0 points; 64 players.

Round 3 tomorrow (28/05/2007) @ 9am will see Penang top junior player, Looi Xin Hao (2018) and top seed Sgt Ismail Ahmad (2148) on board one, while de Magician from Sabah, Masrin Erowan (2016) faces off against Penang most active player, Tan Khai Boon (2138) on board 2.