Magic The Gathering - Malaysia

Smalltalk: Here's the first of the series of articles covering PTQ: Kyoto (Penang) that just took place last Sunday on the 23rd, late as usual. I will be busy on Tuesday as I will be traveling to Putrajaya for boring matters to attend but I hope to put out a Semifinals report on the Mun Yip vs Mohd Ikmal match by late night Tuesday.

Hope you'll enjoy the whole PTQ coverage all the way from Penang - the trip was long and tiring but the experience was wonderful and if you do enjoy this series of reports, all the money and effort spent would be worth it.

So I'd really appreciate it if you're willing drop me a comment, a message or any form of feedback whatsoever. You can also reach me at QJ.Wong@gmail.com



The cozy and welcoming bookstore, nicely tucked in a corner of the fourth floor of 1-Stop Midlands Park, Penang was bursting with a very uncommon amount of activity as players from all over showed up to fight the locals and each other on the 23rd of November 2008 for a chance to qualify for Pro Tour: Kyoto and win return flight ticket to Kyoto, Japan or USD$375.

Almost 40 players showed up, way beyond the expected turnout for Tournament Organizer, Terence Lee. As a result, additional tables had to be procured and certain players have to play at a distance away in front of empty lots and caused some unfortunate and unavoidable delays.



Nevertheless, the passion of the game were running high and the atmosphere exciting as the players play the game that is a big part of millions of lives all around the world. The air tensed up as the top 8 begin to take shape rounds after rounds of play – with many of the hopefuls knowing that only a precious final few spots are left for them to fight for towards the last round.

But as the dust settles...

...only 8 remained standing.


The top 8 players drafting for the single elimination rounds

Rick Lee Hup Beng checks in as the tournament leader as the only one to have as many as 16 points. Rick is 6th highest ranked limited player in the country at the moment. With his forte being in limited events, and one of the few surviving local Penang players in the top 8, underestimating his capabilities can only lead to the downfall of his opponents.


Rick Lee Hup Beng

Right behind Rick at 15 points is Mohd Ikmal Mohd Nasir from KL, a name and a face that is no stranger to the spotlight as once again he made the top 8 of PTQ: Kyoto 2008, right behind another top 8 appearance just barely 2 weeks ago as he unfortunately crashed out early during the single elimination rounds. With 6th highest composite ranked in the country and back to back top 8 finishes, he is ready to make amends and take home the title.


Mohd Ikmal Mohd Nasir

Yau Mun Yip, grizzled veteran of the local Magic playing circuit has been to multiple Pro Tours and had countless PTQ top 8 finishes. Unfortunately no major finishes beyond our shores means that although he is to be dreaded to play against locally, he is much of an unknown on the international scene. Ranked 9th in limited locally, perhaps today will be the day where Yau begin his journey to change that fact in Kyoto, several months into the future.


Yau Mun Yip

Another very familiar face to top players all around the country is Wearn Ee Chong. Although rarely seen on the tournament tables as a player, he is most well know and recognized as the highest authority in Magic: The Gathering tournament policies and rules in the country as the highest ranked certified tournament judge at level 3. He is also the tournament organizer for Ipoh as well as running his own shop there. In fact, he will be hosting his very own PTQ: Kyoto just next coming Sunday. Perhaps the very respected judge hope to be known and be well respected as a player as well as he also takes a shot at Pro Tour fame and glory.


Wearn Ee Chong

Vincent Gan makes another repeat appearance at PTQ: Kyoto, alongside Mohd Ikmal Mohd Nasir who also made the top 8 during the November 9th PTQ at Manawerx. Vincent is another seasoned veteran, with multiple Pro Tour appearances and countless PTQ top 8 finishes makes him and Yau Mun Yip one of the two most accomplished players in the country. Unfortunately, also like Yau, his results beyond our shores leave much to be desired of. Although he stumbled during the quarterfinals the last chance he had on making amends with PT: Kyoto to eventual winner, Nico Surinidran, Vincent has fought his way to another shot at PT: Kyoto with bone-chilling consistency that underlines his prowess over Shards of Alara limited formats.


Vincent Gan

Rounding up the rest of the top 8 are locals Cheng C. Chee Keong, and Yew Fung Han as well as Mohd Afiq Mohd Nasir, Mohd Ikmal’s brother who came with him to Penang.


Cheng C. Chee Keong


Yew Fung Han


Mohd Afiq Mohd Nasir

Will the season veterans take home the title and become stars on the international scene, or will the players with the lower profile sneak in and steal the title from the established players, or will the judge get his chance to hang up his striped shirts to become an established Pro instead?

The rest of the PTQ coverage to be written and posted as soon as possible!

Come back soon and visit for more!