STUDENTS AT THE 2019 NAG

Resuming my blogging after a long absence. Sorry.

The 36th National Age Group Championships concluded yesterday saw a mixed bag of results from the current crop of students. Some just started while others were with me for at least 2 years. The results are listed based on their age group.

BOYS Under 7

I only had 3 lessons, but I sense in him quiet confidence and hunger for success. Yu KaiYi played his 8 rounds with the maturity of a U12 and often took his game past 2.5 hours compared to many of his peers and my older students, even lasting longer than those who went through my NAG workshop where I explain the need to slow down in their games to avoid mistakes in the first 12 moves. Scored 6 wins and 2 draws against the top 2 Indians in the field. In many ways he reminded me of the former student Royce who started with me in end 2012 and got his rating to 1714 in 3 years. The future holds bright for this boy as he shows diligence and determination in his approach to chess.

Issac had his first standard tournament and was a little overawed by the event. 3 points is still a good start and hopefully he sees the need to put in more effort in playing online and studying his notes to do better in 2020.

BOYS Under 8

Oliver Yap has had the benefit of 2 seasons of  HPI,  but in my opinion he could do better than his 20th placing. He will need to improve on his physical fitness as he often seemed tired towards the end of a long game.

BOYS Under 9

Damien is certainly not lacking in ability or talent - I feel that he is let down mainly by his inability to curb his impulsiveness to search for better moves. He also does not have the luxury to spend sufficient time in learning his materials, so I can only say that the result mirrors the reality.

BOYS Under 10

The 2 boys are currently among the more challenging in terms of attitude and behaviour. Constantly fidgeting and gloating over the board, coupled with looking at games of others' plus switching openings rather than reviewing what's wrong with their game are traits that require serious reflection not on the chess but on their character. The Touch-move rule has to be complied with especially when the order cames from the Chief Arbiter. I would not accept ignorance as an excuse for such behaviour. 

BOYS Under 11

I have the most students in this Category. 2 have been with me since 2016. As a trainer I cannot be more proud of the Nate and Ray Ee, my 2 most diligent and obedient students. They are good behaving boys and strive to do what is told. They are up against a tough field in that the top 3 players in the B11 are several hundred ELO points above. In that context, their performance was outstanding. Nate's 5th place was his best showing in the past 4 years, while Ray Ee lacked the fitness to see him through the last 2 rounds but he gathered all he could to win his last game and finished 9th. Though both are busy with their  school schedules, they both proved that with good time management and discipline one can still do well in competition.

The 3 other boys I feel generally did not spend enough time in preparations and that showed in their placings. 

However my take is that they have each matured after this tournament in that they fought when chips were down and did not give up trying. These qualities are often learnt via playing standard chess. All in all it is a healthy experience for them to take part in such events. I am sad that they would need to simmer down next year since PSLE is looming.  

I did not get to say goodbye to my previous students like Leonard, Ian and Jayden, Joven  in the blog so I wish them well in their future even if they chose to pursue other interests. Chess would always occupy a plesant memory for them and I trust the qualities of perserverance, resilence and mental toughness will stand them in good stead in their future endeavours. 

The work of buidling our human capital never ends. There's a new school that I am going to as a trainer, plus 4 new students coming onboard. Plus new projects in the pipeline, more opportunities to spawn for more to consider playing or consider returning to standard chess in 2020.

Happy New Year!