YET ANOTHER PAYFUL YEAR

The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has outlined its funding for 2011 yesterday and it seems that chess is once again out of the limelight, or I'd say, gone right into the shadows. $67m dispensed into the other sports, with dancesport,petanque and sepak takraw getting meagre mention but Chess?

So once again we in the chess-playing community have to fend for ourselves for another year of high entry fees, high participation fees in any SCF initiated projection (from Junior Squad to overseas competitions) as long as the snub from the authorities persist. Although the SCF acting Treasurer has replied to me that steps are taken to make SCF a charity (in line with SSC's guidelines to ensure good governance and accountability with raised funds), we have yet to hear of the SCF's initatives for presentation to SSC for multi-year funding., as well as the dialog with the MOE on the status of chess in schools. Should there be any SCF official reading this post, I'd appreciate some information.

I am just wondering for how long is this situation going to last with no sponsors forthcoming. In view of rising living costs, paying more than $40 for tournament participation is going to pinch, even bruise.

Probably cheaper to enroll in a chess club where $40 gets you an annual membership or minimally 120 hours of over-the-board chess a year. Never mind the trophies...

Comments

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...

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 ...

SICILIAN LABYRINTH REVISITED

Before I continue, best to read this first. I am revisiting this issue again after 3 years because once again I have to deal with it. 2 of my students have just enrolled in the National Junior Squad. I have not fixed what they should play as black, but I see disturbing signs such as this. PGN There were many such examples. My suspicion is that they were asked to play the Sicilian Defence during the first training day. As I have stated my viewpoint on choosing openings which should be, in Mark Dvoretsky's words : " Your choice of openings should be made primarily in accordance with your own tastes and style of play. This rule may sound obvious, but all the same it is quite easily broken,even by strong players" For those new in chess, Mark Dvoretsky is the world's top chess trainer. Having groomed world junior champions like Arthur Yusupov and Valery Chekhov, Sergei Dolmatov and Zvagintsev, I won't even dare challenge his views. Forcing players to go against thei...

THOUGHTS OF A CHESS ADDICT

Search This Blog