Skip to main content

MALAYSIAN CHESS FESTIVAL - LESSONS


The annual Merdeka Team Tournament in KL marks the largest team competition in ASEAN region, with participating countries from ASEAN as well as the competitiors who have taken part in the Malaysian Open. Singapore has been sending teams to this event, notably present were the players from Chess-Kidz and 2 other teams, QY+3, (all NUS team members)
plus IM Chan Peng Kong who stayed on to play for Brian Jones's team. AMS Bolih contained 2 Singaporeans, Jimmy Ng and Lee Wang Sheng (who may be Australian by now). 

My visit to the  Festival this year was fruitful in many ways, with some observations and lessons that we can draw from should we in Singapore attempt such a feat.

SCALE

It is undoubtedly true that without scale of participation, no media would want to cover such an event. The latest Merdeka Team Tournament held last week attracted 473 players, with 8 GMs, 11 IMs and 12 FMs in the fold. For such a tournament to be held in Singapore, a decent hall the size of the wedding banquet will have to be found..very likely this can happen when weddings are scarce, such as the Seventh Moon period.  September and October will be out of the question as no hotel will be able to accommodate the request, unless the event takes place in a sports hall. 

I do not see a problem of getting the number of participants that they have there, although the bulk of it will be juniors. It takes a lot to coax our seniors here to give a weekend to play chess, but if it is presented as a social event rather than competitive, it may just work. 

SPONSORSHIP

Malaysia has had the generosity of Datuk Tan Chin Nam, whose unfailing sponsorship of the event by way of the Function Room in the MidValley Cititel and prize money in conjunction with the other sponsors delivered RM17350 ( SGD 6940). Not big money in Singapore, but the buzz it creates for the local chess scene is tremendous. Can we do better? I am sure we can, so long as the business plan is well crafted and substantiated with the 3 factors. 

Securing sponsorship for such events is no easy task for any organisation, be it the recepient or the sponsor. How much of the budget is allocated as advertisement to the sponsor and the rest to the organisational costs has got to be carefully worked out. I have seen too many events where not enough was done to tend to the sponsors' needs and thus there was no continued support hence. 

INFRASTRUCTURE

This is perhaps the only weak link we face - the number of arbiters, volunteers to enter the scores, set up the boards and score sheets, etc. But can't we utilise the schools to send their children who are not playing to do this under the VIA scheme and earn CCA points for it? We should start to garner help by having enough parties to take up the FIDE arbiter course, then get them to officiate this event to earn their wings. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW TO GET TO NSI MARCH 16-17

 It's a new venue this year, so many are worried how to get to the OCBC Arena on time.  Here's some information from my recce trip this morning - hope it helps! By CAR Enter by Carpark C from the main road passing McDonalds on your left (if coming from Stadium Boulevard) till the roundabout circus. Turn left to Carpark C and park along C1-9. There is an escalator from C7 and a lift opposite the escalator. Once on ground level turn left towards the entrance of the OCBC Arena. Head towards Hall 1 DROPOFF You can drop the children off by entering the dropoff instead of turning towards Carpark C. This is near the Circle Line MRT Stadium exit (far left). Turn left and walk towards the Arena Hall 1 BY SCHOOL BUS Buses should proceed to the Coach Bay and alight the students. After getting off walk towards Berth 9 and left right to the Arena Hall 1 MRT Stadium MRT on Circle Line is closest to the OCBC Arena. Exit B is closest to the OCBC Arena. Those coming from the North East please ...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO PARK AND GET TO TAMPINES HUB THIS NSI

To get to Tampines Hub the best way from the Central and West, take the PIE and exit at 3B and drive towards  Tampines Ave 2. You can go via Tampines Ave 7 and join Tampines Ave 4, then turn right at the junction of Ave 5. There is less traffic on this route than if you are to come from the Simei Exit and up Tampines Ave 5. The  EW(2) line station  is also quite close. DT32 is not ready yet. As for parking, there is an open car park just after the Hub. Drive past the Hub, turn round the corner and you'll see the entrance on the Ave 5 curve. This is a coupon parking carpark and open-air (60cts 1/2 hr) and has about 200+ lots. The other place to park is across from the Tampines Hub at Block 858-864 which is open to public 7am to 7pm coupon parking. You can enter this carpark from St 83 Block 864 and navigate towards Block 859. If you go round till you see a green sign on your left, the road leads to the Drop Off and North Plaza Carpark entrance.  Proceed straight in to...
Post a Comment
Read more

THOMSON CC - UPDATE

 Yes I have received word that the Club can open at the CC once it is officially reopened sometime between June-July 2025. I am once again calling out to volunteers who are interested in help in opening the Club on Fridays. This will allow the Tanglin CC facility to stay open. If not I shall have to surrender it which is a great pity. So if you are interested please drop me a line at johnwongfk63@gmail.com. We can work out a roster system so that you need to appear every Friday. 
Post a Comment
Read more