We started the 1st of January 2011 with a win against Singapore after 10 long years. With that win lifting up our spirits a conversation took place. A conversation that was the start of a chess tsunami in Malaysia. A conversation about change. Why can't we have selection? Why are there players representing our Country that don't appreciate their place?
Why,why,why? Why can't our talented kids make GM? We start out with Champions and then they start to lose their shine. And of course there were many well articulated "reasons" that have "explained" away our lacklustre performances. Well oiled after 30 years of refining the excuses.
But those arguments were not accepted anymore. And selection came.
First sponsored training for the juniors before International representation. This was attacked till the sponsors said enough. Thematic tournaments were re-introduced and this too was attacked.
But funnily change still came. New leaders entered MCF with new ideas. New International Tournaments graced our shores.
There is a new energy in Malaysian chess now. New hungry players raising their skills. For the first time in a long time the forces for progress were stronger than the forces for stagnation and defeat.
2011 was a good year and now it has come to the time to say goodbye and to welcome in the new year. 2012. What will this year bring? Shall we continue moving forward?
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