Asean 2013, the pairing is out.

Ref: Here.

Good luck boys, girls and our man Sarjan Ismail.

Does Malaysian chess need to ask more questions too?

Ref: Here.

Just wondering.

Does this work in chess too? What are the messages you are receiving?

Our boys and girls at Asean 2013.

Ref: Here.

Good luck boys and girls and also a special good luck to old tiger Sarjan Ismail in the Veterans. Make us proud.

Note: Asean is now an open event and anyone who wishes to play can apply to go via MCF.

Other blog coverage. Here.

Does this evaluation apply to our chess as well?

Ref: Here.

I have always felt that chess as a mental sport can do much to help our Country answer the questions raised in that article above. But don't you get the impression that we may be even further behind the rest of the Country in waking up to the awareness that something is not quite right and need fixing? Why do you think that may be so if what I say is also your observation?

How does tough open selection build mental strength?

Ref: Here.

I have said many times that mental strength trumps technical knowledge. And I have said that if you lose your self belief then all the technical in the world won't take you any further. And I have also said that building your self confidence is harder and more elusive than merely gaining technical knowledge. I have also talked about setting realistic goals within realistic time frames.

They are all connected.

But let us just focus on that decision by Nabila and Najiha for today. What has that achieved? We are seeing a lot of chatter about self destruction among certain players on our chess blogs. So why does this phenomena happen? Question. Would there be conflict in a young boy's mind if he is going out there and "knocking out" Super GM's and GM's like they were flies and then can't beat much much much lower rated players at home? What is the casualty in this dilemna? Is it not self confidence?

Also what happens when you have taken away the place of other players better than you? Do you not build up shame and guilt? Guilt some people try to explain away in very off hand ways?

Does this not affect mental strength? Doubt that you are not the strongest. Guilt because you have taken something that does not belong to you. How can that be resolved? Can you now escape into self delusion? And does self delusion help your chess?

But when you know you are the best. You have been tested in a tough and open selection and not found wanting, will you not go out with your head held high and with strong fighting spirit? Will the Malaysian team be stronger or weaker when every member of that team knows that every player there is the very best there is in the Country and no one is taking a free ride?

Can we think about this without over-reacting and freaking out? After all this is just a question; an idea. And we are a mental sport. Can we be strong in a mental sport if we are afraid of questions and ideas?

Another question if I may. Who do you think is responsible for taking away the self confidence of those players mentioned on the blogs? Who are the ones making up cheap excuses to remain relevant and continue representing the Country but cannot perform anymore and who are the ones facilitating the back doors with all sorts of devious ways?

Just another question for a mental sport.

Lessons from National Close.

I was told at National Close that Nabila and Najiha elected to play in the tournament rather than take the pre-selected spot at the "Masters". When I heard the news I knew that this was a momentous decision although I did not see the full implications at once. What was obvious was that they had risked their places by taking part in an open selection.

So I asked their dad and mum. They explained that if the both of them are indeed Champions then they need to show it on the table. I think we all already know that they are Champions and so maybe it is more important that our girl Champions know this deep in their hearts too. That they are no fakes.

One word. Respect.

But there is a deeper and more far reaching implication. When we send our strongest fighters out to represent Malaysia and they don't do well, this begs a legitimate question if MCF or the Country is doing enough for them? Doesn't it?

Lets take the case of the men as a counterpoint. I mentioned to one parent that it is possible that Jimmy may not even make top 3 in this field. The parent answered that he definitely won't make the cut in this field. So what is the point? Doubt. When we send out the men, there will still be some doubt that some of them may not deserve the place. And so we will hear the normal story and finger pointing that the players are not committed, they are mentally weak etc. etc.

So will this affect sponsorship? Can the men's team also say that we are sending out the strongest fighters and so the legitimate question can be asked if they don't do well? Is MCF or the Country doing enough to support our toughest fighters?

My feeling is that if such a question were asked of the men's team then the authorities and sponsors can turn around and say, we have done enough. It is just that the players are mentally weak; they are all washed out by 15 etc etc etc.

Does that make any sense?

Let me end here by leaving you with that question and saying to the men, boys and girls who were disappointed with their results. I always say there is no such thing as a bad tournament if you do this. Find out what you did wrong and work to improve yourself. If you do this each and every time eventually you too will succeed. Don't be impatient and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.

What you must not do is to try to put down others or try to use the backdoors. That way you have learnt nothing. It is always about you and what you have put into your game.

Does that make sense?

My belief is that if we can all learn from the examples of Nabila and Najiha, then our first Malaysian GM, WGM won't be far behind.

All my very best in your chess.

Today's Contemplation.

If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.

   --  Brian Tracy

Ref: Here.

Congratulations to our winners of National Close.

Ref: Here.

To the boys.

Congratulations to Aron Teh for slugging it out with Jianwen even though the endgame was drawn to become the undisputed Champion and National Master in the toughest National Close that I have seen and maybe ever in Malaysian history. And a big thank you from the Malaysian chess community for demonstrating to many of us again that fighting spirit trumps technical knowledge.

Congratulations to Yit San for showing your detractors that you are undisputably the strongest boys Junior for the year 2013.

And congratulations to Jianwen and Syazwan for making the playoff for 3rd place. Syazwan, prepare well and fight hard to win that place on the National squad that was taken away from you at the last Olympiad. Show them that you deserve that place by right of result on the table and not by PR campaigns. Good luck to the both of you. May the best mental fighter win.

To the girls.

A big congratulations to Harimau Nabila, Singa Najiha and Puteri. Powerful display of fighting spirit. And for the rest in the playoff for 4th place, good luck and may the force be with you.

It's good to know that....