Bad Luck Mas

Here's something from our friends in Malaysia. But first, take a look at this game.

39th Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 Open
Al Sulaiti, Ali
Mas, Hafizulhelmi
A49

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. c4 b5 7. cxb5 a6 8. b6 Nbd7 9. Nc3 Nxb6 10. O-O O-O 11. e4 a5 12. a4 Ba6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. Qc2 Nfd7 15. Rd1 Rb7 16. Bd2 Nc4 17. b3 Nxd2 18. Nxd2 Qb6 19. Rab1 Qb4 20. Na2 Qb6 21. Bf1 Bxf1 22. Rxf1 Rfb8 23. Nc4 Qa6 1-0

By the final position, black is at least equal, but probably even slightly better. But 1-0? What happened?

It now turns out that international master Mas, who's been chasing GM norms, lost out to the so-called "Nokia Gambit"! Well, he ain't gettin' that GM-ship if he's that careless. Lucky he's not a Pinoy player, else the whole country would have demanded his head.

More by Quah Seng Sun.