tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664536249159695564.post3812405424424914068..comments2023-07-30T02:24:36.653-07:00Comments on The Chess Connections: Of Parents and Players....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664536249159695564.post-22385301146013541772011-07-07T05:38:57.162-07:002011-07-07T05:38:57.162-07:00Hi Chess Ninja
Totally agree with your comments t...Hi Chess Ninja<br /><br />Totally agree with your comments that one of the reasons parents/players moved away from chess is because of our "hostile" environment. Whilst you have cited chess officials as one, the general chess community also has to take the blame for "scaring" our talented players from continuing to play chess.<br /><br />I had one parents who visited DATCC chess blog and immediately after, SMS me on how shocked she was when reading the comments in the shout box. She continued mentioning that she never thought that the chess community is "so scary". And although she ended her SMS on a good note - that she would still support the development of her child in chess, I can't help but felt that her "expectation", "impression" and "perception" about chess has been tarnished.<br /><br />I can't agree more as most of our shout boxes today contained mostly destructive comments and blame games. There is always someone out there who wants to see another someone fail, blaming anyone for failure. To the Malaysian Chess Community, everything is wrong even when it is right.<br /><br />Although most of the "old guards" have slowly left the chess scene, the system is still "plagued" by their ways. But it takes time to heal and the chess community should accept the fact that some changes are happening, some things are improving but some are still the same. It takes time to put wrong to right.<br /><br />Open forums and discussion are some of the good ways to open channels and provide opportunities for improvement but then again, there are people who are so eager to make the changes that they are putting conditions for the changes - "its either my way or the highway".<br /><br />Let us start with what we can and let others do what they can but, spare the destruction.... its the construction (and development) that we need and whilst everyone should contribute, do not despair if someone else has better ideasSomeDaysLikeThesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16736125268208499341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664536249159695564.post-35256792931753200602011-07-06T19:03:49.802-07:002011-07-06T19:03:49.802-07:00Najib,
What you described is a more or less accur...Najib,<br /><br />What you described is a more or less accurate picture of what is going on but I think you have missed out a crucial deterrent in the Malaysian chess scene. It is not because our young guns were coerced into other career paths by their parents, but it is the environment that turned them and their parents away from chess. <br /><br />I have personally witnessed the rise and disappearance of the many talents as you described above. It is true that these people go on to other fields and are successful at what they do as well. However, I think one of the reasons that you overlooked is the prolonged "resistance" by some of the powers that be that have hampered the growth of our juniors. Achievements not rewarded. Vested interests of some officials. All in all, a "corrupt" system well guarded by the "elite". <br /><br />Those who are on the good side of the system will be supported, while those who are not shall perish. Maybe this is an exaggeration of events that have happened over the last 20 years or so, but I am sure you understand what I mean. I have seen demoralized juniors and parents alike. People who invest a substantial portion of their savings on their children without much results not because the children were not talented or did not try hard. <br /><br />Chess does not have to be lucrative to support a GM. We can see GMs not only in rich countries, but also in poorer countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. We often complain that Singaporeans are rich, so they can afford coaching etc. But we have conveniently chosen to ignore the success stories from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. What did they do right? Rather, what didn't they do wrong?The Chess Ninjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07913044279092928324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664536249159695564.post-18678531861889553372011-07-06T01:38:18.528-07:002011-07-06T01:38:18.528-07:00Chess provides an opportunity for both the player ...Chess provides an opportunity for both the player and the parent to grow. It is difficult for the parent to see their child lose. But that is a part of life and of growing up. It provides the parent an opportunity to help the player grow by improving and overcoming challenges if the parent can overcome their own feelings of protectiveness. Another level of growth occurs when the parent realises that the child can only grow in a strong environment and that helping their childs opponent to grow is also a way of helping their child grow ie Healthy competition.Raymond Siewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07365430395857434429noreply@blogger.com