Training by IM Ivan

I'm sorry I missed this. Suhairi has been doing a lot to bring training to us. Jasur also works with him. Mark played with Jasur at Maverick and found Jasur very helpful in the post game analysis.

Give Suhairi a call to enquire about future classes. Here.

Techie tips from Andrew.

This is a very good start to improving your chess. We get all our tech stuff and support from Andrew. I got a call from Dr Paul last night asking the very same stuff. Here.

Ceteris parabus

In systems analysis and scientific enquiry you will often come across this term in the starting analysis. Systems are complex often with mutiple changing variables. So we often start by studying the change of one variable and fix the rest. Hence ceteris paribus ie all other things being equal. Definition here.

Now look at this faulty analysis. Here.

What is wrong with this analysis? Look carefully.

Answer: It analyses the past and rolls it forward to a conclusion of the present and future. But it missed the main point. The model does not analyse the changed variable. What will be the impact of the changed variable of written selection or even proper selection criteria in the system?

Faulty analysis leads to faulty conclusions and faulty solutions. With proper selection criteria we should expect better participation in future Fide tournaments in Malaysia.

Note: Remember this analytical tool. It will be used over and over again in competitors analysis later.

Interview with Nakamura

This is a good video on preparation and competitor analysis. Here.

Note: In the interview Nakamura talked about the importance of ideas. This applies to both ideas on the board and outside. What are the ideas for us to improve chess in Malaysia?

Sumant wins at Insofar

Well done Sumant. See you at NAG. Here.

Does MCF have the authority to hear PICA case?

I believe a sacked State Official that is elected have the right of appeal to the Federation, after exhausting all avenues in the State Association, in any proper structure.

However does MCF have the authority to rule on it? My understanding is that PICA just got approved as an affiliate of MCF under COS regulations. In this new structure MCF has disciplinary powers it didnt have before.

A ruling here will lend confidence to the sponsors and other State Officials that they can do the right thing and not fear unconstitutional and arbitrary action. This will be good for chess.

PICA should push for a hearing with MCF.

I have been reading all kinds of accusations on Jimmy's shotbox from someone who appears to come from PICA. Isnt this rather undignified? PICA is a State Association. It has a responsibility to the State of Perak to clear its name under proper channels and protocol not anonymously in shout boxes.

I assert that my sacking not only have bearings to the DKLS sponsorship but also to the KLK sponsorship. At the time of the meeting in DKLS with Dato Tan, President, Treasurer of PICA and me, the KLK sponsorship was also under me. Dato Tan asked me to manage the sponsorship. So I had KLK and DKLS also wanted to sponsor. A few days later I was sacked.

I am visible. I do not hide. I call a spade a spade. My work in PICA is on public record. PICA, ask for the hearing and expose me for a fraud and someone who did not contribute to Perak. I spoke to Greg 2 days ago. Still no response from PICA on the MCF letter of enquiry after more than a year.

Le Quang Liam

Here.

Le used to be beaten by Malaysian Anas when they were juniors. Was there a scenario that Anas would have stayed in chess and be the winner of Aeroflot today? Was there anything we could have done better to support him?

Can we make a difference?

I think the answer lies in the nature of the organisation. In my opinion no amount of reasoning to improve could have moved PICA. Their agenda is different. They are not moved to improve chess.

But I found that it is different with the new MCF. There has been significant change in the last 2 years. So I continue to give MCF the benefit of the doubt.

There is also some confusion to the idea of influencing. I read a comment from an MCF official that he cannot be influenced.

Hmmmm, does that mean he cannot be influenced or intimidated to play favoritism or he cannot be influenced by reason at all?

I think that to be a good official one must always be open to suggestions to improve. But I agree that one should not be open to influence to sabotage, to destroy etc. But one must be open to influence to build. There is a difference isnt there?

Maybe we point fingers because we feel that we cannot change anything and so we attack anything that moves in our frustration. What does the evidence of written criteria show us? I think it showed us that we can make a difference with the right organisation if we present our solutions properly and in the right spirit.

The answer lies inside.

I am always captivated by American Idol. Week after the week the contestants are brought to the stage and asked to unblock. To dig deep inside to find the answers; to own the stage.

I believe the answer to that question of finding our own GM lies there too. For us to look at how we are self sabotaging ourselves.

Finger pointing is not going to get us anywhere. Do we want the same thing? That is the question isnt it? If so then the question becomes what is the best system to get us there? What is the best training and coaching methods? What has worked and what hasnt? What do we need to change?