GM Li Chao

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org

GM Li Chao, among the top 10 world junior players, from China is the top seed in the on-going Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open. He had won the open in 2007 and 2008. Surely, he once again will be on the favourite to win this year's edition.

He was born 20 years ago in Taiyuan, Shanxi China. His birthdate is on April 21st, 1989. He was granted the GM title in 2007 after completing the norms - 1) scoring 8.5/13 in 2005 World Junior Chess Championship, 2) scoring 4.5/9 in 2007 Aerofloat Open in Moscow, and 3) scoring 5.5/9 in Lake Sevan Tournament in July 2007. He was China's 22nd Grandmaster at the age of 18.

Even Susan Polgar included about his outstanding performance in 2008 Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysia Open in her famous chess blog at http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2008/08/li-chao-does-it-again-in-malaysia.html.

Below is one of his notable game againts Wang Hao in 2006 World Junior Championship.

Source : http://www.chessgames.com

[Event "World Junior Championship"]

[Site "Yerevan ARM"]

[Date "2006.10.09"]

[EventDate "2006.10.03"]

[Round "7"]

[Result "1-0"]

[White "Li Chao"]

[Black "Wang Hao"]

[ECO "B01"]

[WhiteElo "2508"]

[BlackElo "2622"]

[PlyCount "109"]

1. e4 c6 2. c4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. d4 e6 8. Bd3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Bf6 11. Be4 Nce7 12. Qd3 h6 13. Bd2 Bd7 14. Ne5 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Bc6 16. Bxc6 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Nxc6 18. Rad1 Qc7 19. b4 a6 20. a4 Rfc8 21. Qg3 Ne7 22. Qg4 Nf5 23. Qe4 Rd8 24. Bf4 Qc3 25. h3 g5 26. Be3 Rd5 27. Bc5 Rad8 28. Rc1 Qb3 29. Bb6 R8d7 30. a5 Kg7 31. f4 Qg3 32. fxg5 Qxg5 33. Bf2 h5 34. Rc3 Rd2 35. Rf1 Rb2 36. Rc4 Rdd2 37. Qf3 Rd7 38. Kh1 Rbd2 39. Rc3 Qg6 40. Rg1 Kh7 41. g4 hxg4 42. Rxg4 Rd1+ 43. Kh2 Qh6 44. Rg2 R1d2 45. Qe4 Kh8 46. Rf3 Qh5 47. h4 Rc7 48. Rd3 Qe2 49. Rd8+ Kh7 50. Rg7+ Kxg7 51. Qg2+ Kh7 52. Qg8+ Kh6 53. Qh8+ Kg6 54. Qf6+ Kh5 55. Qg5+ 1-0

So, Malaysian folks, enjoy GM Li Chao's presence and play in the 6th Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysia Open. If possible get a picture with him or get his signature. :)- GiLoCatur will try to drop by at the tournament venue hall whenever possible to watch some GMs, IMs, FMs and WGMs play againts each other. GiLoCatur's children are not participating in any event in the Merdeka chess festival since they ask for a break from chess activities during the holy Ramadhan month.