(These pages were last updated on 12 Dec 2005) German IM Stefan Loeffler takes Penang chess title International Master Stefan Loeffler receiving the first prize of RM5,000 from YB Cheang Chee Gooi, Penang State Assemblyman for Air Itam, at the closing of The Wah Seong Hwang-DBS Penang International Open Chess Championship on 11 Dec 2005 Prize Winners! The prize winners (standing left to right): IM Stefan Loeffler, FM Mok Tze Meng, GM Bong Villamayor, Jonathan Chuah, Hasian Pangganbean, Mohd Fairin Zakaria, GM Drazen Sermek, Yosofat KP, Yohannes Simbolan and Sukarnedi. Seated, left to right: Ms Hwang Yee Tuan (Senior Vice-President, Hwang-DBS (Malaysia) Berhad), YB Cheang Chee Gooi, Goh Yoon Wah (Organising Chairman), Quah Seng Sun (Chief Arbiter and Manager, JobStreet.com) and Dr Choong Sim Poey (Hon Life President, Penang Chess Association) The ceremonial first move YB Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon, Penang State Executive Councillor and the president of the Penang Chess Association, makes the first move in the game between GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor (seated, left) and GM Drazen Sermek (seated, right) during the official opening on 9 Dec 2005 Photo Gallery The Photo Gallery is now open! Click on the links below to see the thumbnail graphics. To view the photographs taken at the championship, click on the thumbnails. Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery 1 Photo Gallery 2 Photo Gallery 3 Photo Gallery 4 Photo Gallery 5 Photo Gallery 6 Closing Ceremony Messages YAB Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon Chief Mininster of Penang -cum- Honorary Patron of the Penang Chess Association I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Penang Chess Association, organizers of the Wah Seong Hwang-DBS Penang International Open Chess Championship 2005 for bringing this premier chess event to the shores of Penang come this 7-11 December. Penang has a multi-cultural heritage and the blending of players from all over the Asian region augurs well for the future of chess in Penang. The Penang Chess Association is the oldest chess association in Malaysia, having been founded in 1972. Throughout the years, it has consistently been the ultimate platform that generated chess players of great standards at both national and international levels. I would also like to record a big thank you to the Platinum Sponsors, Wah Seong (M) Trading Co Sdn Bhd and Hwang-DBS (Malaysia) Bhd, the Gold Sponsors, Penang Tourism Council, Evergreen Marine Corp (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Jobstreet Corp Berhad, for their generous support in making this Championship a success. Best wishes to the players and officials. Let the board battle begin! YB Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon Penang State ExCo Member -cum- President of the Penang Chess Association Congratulations to the Penang Chess Association for successfully organising the Wah Seong Hwang-DBS Penang International Chess Championship 2005. This Championship will see participants from the Asia region battling for the attractive prize moneys offered. I understand there are also several Grandmasters (GMs) and International Masters (IMs) taking part in this tournament. Their participation will no doubt raise the standard of chess play and give our own Penang players the much needed exposure. A big thank you to all our sponsors, namely, Platinum Sponsors Wah Seong (M) Trading Co Sdn Bhd and Hwang-DBS (Malaysia) Bhd, and Gold Sponsors Penang Tourism Council, Evergreen Marine Corp (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Jobstreet Corp Berhad, for their generous sponsorship. Thank you also to the Malaysian Chess Federation for their technical assistance. I hope all of you will enjoy the hospitality of Penang and its various tourism destinations and famous food spots during your stay here. Good luck and best wishes. Cheque Presentation Cheque Presentation ceremony on 24 Oct 2005: (from right) Ms Hwang Yee Tuan (Senior Vice-President, Hwang-DBS (Malaysia) Berhad) , Ms Chew Suat Teng (Finance & Administration Manager, Wah Seong Group), YB Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon (State Executive Councillor and President, Penang Chess Association), Quah Seng Sun (Content Manager, JobStreet.com), Chuah Soon Pheng and Marcus Yeoh (Committee Members, Penang Chess Association) Click here to read the official Press Release.