FGM Chess Tournaments

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Games from FGM's French Thematic.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A small write up on FGM's french thematic.

NM Evan Capel emerged Champion at FGM's thematic for the french defence in Syuen Hotel, Ipoh. Most of the players found that playing the french on both sides provided unique insights into the opening.

I changed the "opening ceremony" into an informal circular sitting where parents and I can interact freely with tea and light refreshment. The interactions were very lively and in fact it continued into the next day and even the players joined in to share their insights as the tournament progressed. One parent and player stayed over into the day following the event and got deeper insights into FGM's approach to training.

Some of the topics covered included the definition between trainers and coaches. I defined it as the coach guides the players on how to win on the battlefield and trainers do offsite training.

We also talked about speed of learning vs just learning in today's rapidly changing chess world where I gave many examples of the different approaches by different Masters who are still competing in today's chess.

Of particular concern to some parents were the suitability of the openings taught and its compatibility to the personality profiles of their children. We spent a lot of time discussing this issue which even went into meals that we shared together outside the event.

Feedback from the players were positive and I think most left with new ideas about the game and what they will need to do to get their game to the next level.

All in all it was a good event and perhaps it was a unique tournament in Malaysia where the emphasis was training and learning as opposed to winning. My argument being train first to win later in relevant tournaments.

So here I would like to give my thanks to our sponsors pappamia and Malaysian intellect development foundation for their support in helping this event take off in Malaysia again.

All my best for Malaysian chess.

ps: Games will follow once I have got the games I requested back from the players.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Starting position for main line French Defence.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Chan Mun Fye

For those wondering who Chan Mun Fye is? Here's some additional information.

He is mentioned in "Stories from the Thematic" below.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Selected Dragon Games

Photos from the Dragon Thematic

Raymond Siew talking about competitor analysis.

Little Dragon Ethan Wong playing Che Hassan.

Amier and Jie Yao.

Jax and Jian Yang, another budding Dragon.

Mark Siew and Kah Heng.

*Note: The feedback has been tremendous. A parent told me her two kids can't stop talking about the Thematic and the amazing learning compressed over just 2 days.

Selected games to follow.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Stories from the Thematics.

It was a refreshing experience to switch to a less formal setting like Jax's after the formal setting at Taylor's University for the Ruy Lopez. I believe one of the added advantage of Jax's is the fact that he has places for the players to sleep over. So sharing can continue into the night. And we had the benefit of both Jax and Che Hassan that are proponents in the Dragon. We even had the guest appearance of Chan Mun Fye who played for Malaysia at the Olympiads in Skopje in 72 and Nice in 74. He came for a day and played a few games with the boys.

The sharing was amazing. You can't do better than having the input of both Jax and Che Hassan after each round for 10 running rounds. At the end of the tournament I asked the players if they now have the confidence to play dragon and many said that the learning over the 2 days have given them just that.

So much more was shared. Resources from their lap tops and even other lines in between games. We also saw a little dragon born from this tournament. Ethan Wong pulled some amazing games and I will show one later against his brother. He also played another one where he had a won game against Jax but tamely took a draw.

I also see that the importance of competitor analysis is being slowly accepted with greater understanding of its application. This helps when you are preparing against an equal or higher rated opponent. At the end of the tournament I spoke on negative self talk and its impact in a tournament environment. Here I could really see the players sitting in rapt attention since they just went through it and I used a few examples from the tournament itself.

I cant help but believe that it is from this type of environment, one of positive sharing and healthy competition, that the GM will come.

Pictures to follow.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Abdullah Che Hassan is FGM Dragon Master

Local Sicilian Master Jax Tham - in his drunken master singlet, which he claims is the latest fashion statement in Paris this summer - presents the pewter trophy to Abdullah Che Hassan.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

FGM THEMATIC CHESS (10.20.30.) JUNE 2011 - Sicilian Dragon

Sponsor:

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Sicilian Dragon1. e4 c52. Nf3 d63. d4 cxd44. Nxd4 Nf6

5. Nc3 g6

….

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Jax Tham emerge as champion of FirstGM Thematic

It was a race between 3 players mainly, Mark Siew, Jax Tham and Foo Chee Kin. The results was not determined until the very last round.

As luck would have it Mark Siew and Foo Chee Kin stumbled against weaker (on paper) players in the second day of the thematic leaving Jax to become champion of 2 day thematic tournament based on the Ruy Lopez opening.

Jax takes home with him RM 300 cash prize and the pewter trophy for his efforts. For the other 11 players, they did not go back empty handed with free T-shirts and a better knowledge of the main line of the Ruy Lopez after having played 10 rounds with it using both colours.

One thing unique about the tournament is that the full results for each participant will not be published except for who is the champion. This is designed to take away the emphasis on the players to play for results and standings but instead to play for the sake of learning.