THOUGHTS OF A CHESS ADDICT

Some scenes from the recently concluded TCA tournament.                                                      Overview of the tournament hall                                            The holding room for parents with free newspapers provided                                               by SGCC  ...

The TCA Junior Chess Championships at Serangoon Gardens Country Club has become the latest talk of the town on the lips of parents whose participating children were given the best possible conditions of play, both on and off the chessboard. You will never get to see children clambering for space to view their pairings, parents having a hard time finding space to rest after the kids are off to play. The ever efficient SGCC team ensured that pairings were printed on A3 paper and they were also flashed as powerpoint slides in the playing area and holding hall where parents have full view. It usually takes no more than 10 minutes to have everyone seated and ready to commence the round. Lunch was served (as part of the entry fee) which was a relief to all when there was heavy rain on Good Friday morning.  Ice cream was sponsored for the last round and balloon sculpting was pre-prizegiving activity. The kids had a ball! I had 6 students participating, 2 in the Open Section and 4 in the P...

TCA stands for Uncle Tay Cheong Ann, our oldest living chessplayer in Serangoon Gardens, is organised by the Serangoon Gardens Country Club in his honour. About 240 players competed in the Pre-School, Primary and Open Sections, with the bulk vying for trophies ranging from the Primary 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 categories. L participated with his sister HL. Though he had no problems with those ranked 20th and below, the crux came in facing the tops Inexperience and knowledge took its toll and caused the 2 losses, leaving him with 5 pts but still he got 10th place in the P5-6 category and in the winner's circle. His 21st placing out of 182 players is most commendable. Sister HL started well, finished 4/7 in 52nd place beating some boys along the way but the long day drained her of a good finish. Losing the last game caused her a place in the winner's circle but I'm extremely proud of her regardless. She's grown to accept losses and no longer breaks down each time a 0 is handed to her...