We have Big Plans for KLCA in 2009/10

The New Kids on the Block?

KLCA as we prefer to call ourselves came about with the successful organisation of the Masterskill ASEAN+ Youth Team (U-15, U-12, and U-9) Championships which was co-organised with the Ministry of Education Malaysia with support of the ASEAN Chess Confederation from 1-6 December 2007 in Shah Alam.

We are a group of professionals, all chess enthusiasts, led by Dato’ Edmund Santhara, CEO of Masterskill University College of Health Sciences.

In 2008, a series of activities together with various local players from the Malaysian Chess Federation to MSSKL , ended a successful first year with the hosting of the KL International Open Chess Championship 2008 for the Raja Nazrin Shah Challenge Trophy.

Big Plans!

Now after understanding the local chess scene and its challenges, we are ready to make our moves well beyond the opening!

The KLCA has big plans for 2009 and beyond - with four major thrusts planned - to help us become the leading state association and to serve as a benchmark for excellence that we hope will contribute to Malaysian Chess taking big steps forward in the shortest possible time.

1. Talent Development

KL Young Talent Development Program 2009/10. On 25-26 July 2009 the KLCA held the KL Young Talent (U-13, U-11, U-9) Championships 2009 and the winners from these three age groups, both boys and girls, have been offered the opportunity to work with us to become world beaters!

This program, in partnership with Polgar Chess Asia, covers participation under the KLCA banner, weekend and holiday training sessions, and support in international youth events that our young talents have qualified for.

2. International Participation

2nd KL Open Championship 2009. Our highly successful KL Open last year attracted 8 Grandmasters and numerous other titled and highly rated players, and this year (as we will every year) will again hold our flagship event, but this time from 3-9 September 2009 in support of the long standing Malaysian Open.

A big supporting event will be a quadrangular challenge involving KL Young Talents together with teams of young national champions already confirmed from Indonesia and Singapore!

3. Corporate Engagement

KL Club Championship 2010. Early next year we will also introduce a team championship involving chess players, both old and new, under the banner of their employers.

We believe that is one way to reintroduce chess to former chess players who are now professionals (like the current KLCA leadership) as they can bring much needed work, business and technical skills, new passion, and financial means for the development of chess in KL and Malaysia.

4. Membership Benefits

KL Members Grand Prix. We plan a series of no less than eight (8) tournaments for our members throughout 2009 and 2010 and these will lead to a grand final where the top qualifiers can be sure of some great surprises. You can certainly expect more details on this and other membership benefits by the time the KL Open Championship comes around.

So go to our website and sign up now to be a member and part of KL Chess!