2021 NATIONAL SCHOOLS INDIVIDUALS (PRIMARY)

This is by far the most challenging competition the Singapore Chess Federation has undertaken. Managing approximately 500 players in the Primary Section online, with Zoom cameras and playing on Chess.com. The daunting task of communicating with 30% new players who know next to nothing about chess tournaments and how they are run falls on the shoulders of a very small team. If the COVID-19 situation persists, there is little chance we can see the return of over-the-board chess events taking place for the next 6 to 12 months. 

Kudos therefore to the SCF team of volunteers that kept the games going and solving technical issues to newbie parents and players alike.

BOYS UNDER 09

This is the hottest category in my opinion as it is heavily contested - 83 players from 23 Singapore Schools as the event is not open to non MOE schools. The maturity of the player counts in learning how not to be impulsive and conserving one's stamina in front of the computer screen. Long hours concentrating on the screen can indeed sap one's energy - even cause World Champions to blunder ! Hence managing one's physical stamina is my important than preparation.

Glad that my 2 boys did as they were told and used their time to think. 

His maturity is astounding for his age. There was only 1 game he was on the ropes in Round 6 but he kept his composure and pulled through to win, despite playing with only 20 secs on the clock! 

Kaiyi deserved his win as champion of the Boys U09 without losing a game!

A trainer's joy is when he sees that the student has assimilated the lessons learnt and soars to the challenge at hand. Haven't felt that sense of pride for quite a while now since I have not updated my blog for some time.

This boy is like Bucephalus - spirited and wild, but once tamed he will go far. Took about a year plus to do that but now he is joy to watch. He fights for every game and shows no fear of his opponents who may be much higher rated. His sense of the intiative is showing in his later games. Losing to Kaiyi after a hard struggle, getting a draw in a lost position is no mean feat but his resilience shone at the end of Round 6. 5th position on 5.5 points is a very good result for this outing. Hopefully we will get a chance next year to travel and play in some regional events - he will enjoy them. 

Looking forward, there will be a need for him to work on games of the masters to get ideas and plans as he encounters stronger opposition.

BOYS UNDER 11

I have 3 boys playing in this category.

Jireh Ting is playing in his first NSI and he has been practicing hard for it - though not always the right way. Impulsive play has robbed him of a better result than his 5 / 7 performance - it could have been better but I am sure he will rise to greater heights once he curb his impulse.

Damien is the oldest student and also the most creative but again his impulsive play cost him a better result. 4.5 pts may qualify him for HPI but I don't see that happening as he is bogged down with schoolwork to commit to chess since he is already P5. 

Ryan just wanted to prove himself that he is able to get HPI on his own merit. He did so with a little luck, saved 2 lost games and managed 4.5 pts. Hopefully this will spur him to change his ways and improve on his game.

GIRLS UNDER 11

Angela took a hiatus from chess a year and a half ago, came back to it beginning 2021. I had to do a complete metamorphosis of her play, right from the openings to the middlegame plans that will minimise mistakes and allow her to focus on her strengths. Her nerves is also an issue, but constant playing online has calmed her and though she lost many games, each game was a good lesson and she gradually overcame her lack of confidence and played impressively 5 good games today. Her draw was a cautious one when she was under pressure on time in a material winning position, but enough to secure 4.5 pts for the HPI application.

Overall I am pleased with the students' results - after all they all qualified for the HPI in Q3 and that in itself is cause for celebration. Now where's that shot of whisky?