Mental resistance to learning

When I used to practice as a coach, I fairly often come across cases where I deem someone "unteachable". Or at least by me. Don't get me wrong, all are intelligent but some are just unteachable without draining me totally of energy. After completing my work on the inner child, I had a deeper realisation that those cases spent most of their energy on what I called either "intelligent or emotional traps". In short they either apply their intelligence to blaming or making excuses or they have reached a stage where they are so fear and anxiety bound that they will grab on to any distorted reasoning to keep themselves in that state.

This problem becomes apparent when goals are set and compounded when timelines are given.

When I discovered chess, I realised that chess is an ideal self learning tool. For chess can help us realise that the same thought processes in the game are the very same ones that limit us in life.

You can pick up chess to the level that you are comfortable with and at your own pace. With some guidance, this can now be a self learning tool for life. And its fun too.

First GM looking for sponsors

We are appealing for sponsors for 3 newly minted Perakian National Players. As far as I can ascertain Perak have not had National representation since 1975. Anyway at the very least since I have been involved in chess. If you are interested to help out please write in to me. My email is on the RHS.

Sunday coffee musings

Remember the comprehension tests? Pretty simple yes? Read a story and then give a synopsis. My answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes it is simple if there are no emotional content ie a simple factual account.

But now watch what happens when there is emotional content.....

Have you ever asked a simple question and then recieved the strangest convoluted answer?

Ever asked someone beside about an event that you both witnessed and the account completely varies from yours?

Ever shown anyone a white sheet and all they see is the black dot? :)

I continually see this in myself and others. Very hard to stick to just what is real, what is verifiable and just in front of our nose. In cantonese they say "Kar Yim, Kar cho" ie Add salt and vinegar.

But hey! what has that to do with chess? Sorry, coffee running out. But before I go, I think the answer (on my next refill) applies not only to chess but to business, to life.....

Random Sunday musings

Please note that this musing is as much for myself as anything.

It is hard to build a champion if we keep calling him stupid. I see the frustration in the trainers eyes..... you have the knowledge, but you can't get the player to see......so you vent, humiliate, intimidate, punish and sometimes even try to psycho his opponent. But in reality you are only damaging your player more.

For this player has to play tournaments by himself, think for himself, fight his own battles. The trainer cannot sit in his place. So how do we achieve this?

I think all trainers need to deeply reflect on this before letting themselves loose on the players, particularly the younger ones.

Academy's first class

Just finished our first class and all went smoothly. A big thanks to Simon and Uztaz. Puan Adzlin , our National Events coordinator, also sms'd from Istanbul while on transit to find out how it went. Both she and Shafrina are right this moment planning our First GM's coming out tournament in the transit lounge. It's all hush, hush and even I am kept in the dark. :) It promises to be a unique event in July just before fasting month. So do keep your chess calender free and watch out for the announcement.

See here

First GM Chess Academy starts classes tomorrow

We will commence classes tomorrow. Phew! Do check out the new format for courses and the latest line up here.

Do join us.

MCF takes action to order tournaments

One of the things plaguing the Malaysian chess scene is suspect tournaments that does not practice healthy competition or perform as advertised.

I think this new action is good for chess. While I suspect there will be initial glitches, I hope MCF will wield this newly exercised authority with a fair and even hand and also continue to be open to constructive criticism. If properly executed it's a step in the right direction.

See here

Speculation and Inferential logic

What is mere speculation and what is inferential logic?

Besides being a chess fan, the other game I am passionate about is Bridge. A card game based on inferential logic that also teaches strategy, concentration etc. The obvious difference between chess and bridge is that in bridge all is hidden except for the declared contracts. I won't go into too much detail here or we will miss the point.

So briefly, what we do in bridge is to note the declared intentions (contracts), elicit the strategy applied, observe and memorise the details (cards being played and the count) and form assumptions. We then test these assumptions throughout the game. A skilled Bridge player will be able, when needed, to tell you what is the last card you are holding. All these without seeing your hidden hand. Many top businessmen and thinkers play this game.

This is of course an oversimplification for there are elements of each in chess and bridge although in different proportions and "apparentness".

In China, chess players are also required to play bridge.

So what is my point?

I have seen many good people fall into the same traps again and again because they lack this understanding. They say mere speculation. Without proof ie the accounts, a conviction in the law courts etc. we cannot make a determination, we need proof.

So it is now very easy to remain a con man. Just hide the accounts, the solid evidence, and they can still stand tall in civil society. Mere speculation they say, I must be given the benefit of the doubt.

True, to an extent. But if we note your declared intentions and we observe and remember the details of your actions. And we test our assumptions over time and in many scenarios then we can say with equal certainty that you are a crook.

In law, this is called circumstantial evidence and this alone can also lead to convictions. In law sufficient circumstantial evidence is proof.(Maybe not widely practiced in Malaysia).

In ordinary life, we cannot always get access to the accounts, cannot open up the brain of our opposite to "see what they think". But nevertheless if we are skilled in the application of inferential logic, we can still mark a crook a crook. This is important if we are not to fall into the same con traps by the same con men again and again. When enough circumstantial evidence is gathered we no longer need to give them the benefit of the doubt but we must be careful or it becomes mere speculation. But there is a solid line dividing both.

The greatest feat of Einstein is his application of inferential logic. He never did a single experiment, never "proofed" a thing. He just tested current assumptions in his mind, reordered the information and came up with the theory of relativity. And his theories are predictive.

Do think on this. It may be important.

This weekends chess activity

Sham has put up an itinerary here.

Another take on MCF meets the parents

This is the perception of another blogger. Read here