Skip to main content

SINGAPORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015

This year's National Championships from 20-27 December differs from the ones held before.

We see the return of some old faces with the rating cap of 2400 lifted. With the absence of (IM Goh Wei Ming who will be away at  in Hungary), IMs Hsu Li Yang and Terry Toh, we get the participation of:

GM Wong Meng Kong
IM   Ravindran Shammugam
IM   Enrique Paciencia
IM   Tin JingYao
FM  Mark Ong Chong Ghee (after a long break!)
CM  Tan Wei Liang
       Benjamin Foo
       William Woong
       Urcan Olimpiu

We hope that this event with a total prize fund of $5000 can attract and compensate the top players of Singapore for their time and effort in maintaining the chess prowess whilst pursuing a career outside of chess. I hope that the following players (whose names are mentioned below) do see the significance of contributing back to the Singapore Chess scene now that there is positive vibes and vigour with the launch of the Nationals.

Terry Chua
IM-elect Timothy Chan
FM Dominic Lo
Kelvin Wee
Andre Eng
Jarred Neubronner
Wee Zhen Yang
Teo Wei Xing
Lau Keng Boon
Mark Chan
Tan Tzer En
Howard Chiu
Wong Meng Leong
IM Jason Goh
Alphonsus Chia
NM Koh Kum Hong
IM Tan Lian Ann
Alvin Ong
Tan Chin Hoe
IM Leslie Leow
IM Lim Seng Hoo
Quek Suan Shiau
Quek Suan Fuan
Tan Chor Chuan
FM Goh Cheng Hong
Dennis Tan
Derrick Heng
FM Lim Hoon Cheng
Low Pe Yeow
Mark Tan Keng Yew
Lee Wang Sheng
Wong Foong Yin 


Should all of them (spanning 3 generations of national players) have participated, the Nationals will have been the strongest in Singapore chess history. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

HOW TO PARK AND GET TO TAMPINES HUB

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 park at B2 onw

STUDENTS AT THE 74th NATIONAL SCHOOLS INDIVIDUALS

Once again, another year and another NSI takes place over the board this time at Overseas Family School. 1364 players signed in for the event making it a record turnout. It is massive and my congratulations and thanks go to the organising team of arbiters and helpers who worked hard to ensure minimal delays to get each round going. The playing conditions were good with the only regret that the zonal prizes could not be given out at the prize-giving. A few of my private students took part and I share their results : In the Secondary section, Ray Ee (my oldest student) managed 6/9 pts and came in 23rd (just outside the top 20) in the U16 while Daniel (who just started a week ago) did well at 18th on 6/9. Wen Chen was placed 43rd on 5.5/9. Ryan played right after returning from a school camp and fatigue set in the first day, but fortunately he picked himself up to finish 5.5 pts in 45th position. Damien went on vacation and did not take part.  Renee was placed 17th overall in the U12 Girl

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

 December draws to a close, ending 2023 and some of my students' journey with me as coach. I had the pleasure to be involved in training Daniel Chan, Er Wen Chen, Timothy Lam, Asher Neo, Wang Yuhan, Toby Herman, Magnus Lim, Eden Harris Yong, Leonard Loh, Emma Lo, Kevin Ng, Damian Tay and lastly Ho Ray Ee, my longest student to stay with me for 6 years. Yes, this may be the largest group of students that left in my years of teaching. Some decided to move on to other trainers (a good sign, as they are seeking other paths to chess improvement) while most I had to end the relationship as coach due to low interest in the game after some months.  As for Ray Ee who joined me  in 2017, I am of course saddened that he is graduating from my fold but yet proud of what he has achieved. His results were consistent, often finishing well (NAG 7th in 2022, 9th in 2019, 4th in NSI 2018). He has also played in the Selangor Open this year , gaining 77 rating points while getting another 31 pts from t