CENTRALIZED TRAINING FOR MSSM

SJK (T) Pasir Gajah, Kuala Krai

Kelantan's MSSM chess contingent is now having its centralized training at SJK (T) Pasir Gajah, Kuala Krai. The training will be held until this Saturday. The players will be coached by formidable coaches coming from all over Kelantan. It is hoped that they will bring the best out of these players so that the contingent will become a real challenge for the other states.

We Kelantanese wish you

ALL THE BEST!

PPD TUMPAT CENTRALIZED TRAINING HAS FINISHED

After a gruelling 5 days (or half days), the centralized training for the PPD Tumpat chess team has ended. The module for the u-12, u-15 and u-18 has been successfully implemented. The climax - a simultaneous chess display by Cikgu Azizul - was held on the last day against 24 players (u-15 and u-18). The result was never in doubt, but at least all had given their best before succumbing to the head coach. Nevertheless, one managed to squeeze a draw, showing maturity beyond his age. Hopefully, PPD Tumpat will provide more ammunition for the state team, as it already had by providing two of its own, last year. This year, the darling is still hungry for more success, but she is not the only one who is targeted to wear the state colours. But time will tell, whether the PPDT will become more successful than previously.

MAKSAK TRAINING AT SUK

Today we started our training for MAKSAK. It is being held at Kota Darulnaim. Most of the players came, with the exception of two of our most important players from afar. The training was successful; we corrected each others' mistakes and tried to find each others' strengths. It is compulsory that we gather as a team to discuss the strategies. Our manager was helpful enough; all the players need not worry about getting their stomach full! There will be another training tomorrow before we depart for KL.

COACHING STUDENTS

I like to share some tips for coaching primary (under-12 category) or secondary (under-15 and under-18) school students. There are several fun ways to coach them. Many of these training devices I revise from what I took from this interesting website.

1. Use time odds.
I give them 10 minutes to my 1 minute. There are many times where I lose on time, but mostly, I manage to survive. Nevertheless, some of them really use the given time wisely and think hard in order to beat me (I used their thinking time also for my replies). The merits of this device - using time wisely and handling the clock correctly.

2. Play pawn games.
I set up all the white and black pawns on their original squares, minus all the other pieces. Using a simple rule of those who manage to get a passed pawn first wins, I let them play against each other. The merits - learn to get passed pawns with correct handling of pawn formations.

3. Checkmate me.
I set up basic checkmate materials such as Queen and King vs lonely King, Rook and King vs lonely King etc. and ask them to checkmate me in only one minute. Of course most of them manage to checkmate me using the Queen, but many stumble when using a Rook. The merits - learn checkmate patterns, and most importantly, learn to think fast.

4. Puzzles.
I give them positions containing certain lessons learned earlier, e.g. pin, double check, double attack, en passant, and ask them to solve it. This device should be done in groups, so that they will try to beat the other groups for the solution. The merits - learn the fundamental tactics in chess.

5. Simuls.
All the students play against me simultaneously. Students must keep score of their game, and must not consult anybody throughout. Touch move only applies to the students, not me. During 2008 centralised training with the Gua Musang team, I played against all 36 students from all the age categories, winning all but 1 when I lost to a form 5 student from Sungai Asap. The merits - use all that have been learned in a competitive game.

MSS KELANTAN CENTRAL TRAINING

Kelantan players will be hovering around SMK Sri Aman, Pasir Puteh for their central training starting from 23rd - 27th of May, 2010. MSSD Tumpat players know that place very well, for they stayed there during the MSSK, and they ill advised all the other players to bring their own bedsheets, just for precautionary measures.

Good luck to all, and train hard, because training makes perfect!

The MSSM will be held at Kangar, Perlis from 6th - 12th June 2010.

HOPE AT AHMAD MAHER

Last night I went to SMK Ahmad Maher again to visit the Kelantan's chess team centralized training. The training will be held until this Thursday before the team depart for Selangor MSSM on Saturday. Anis, the team manager, wanted me to test the target group - girls under 15 - just to see whether they will be up to the task of defending last year's gold medal. I'm happy to say that these girls were a tough nut to crack and I sincerely think they will need only minor adjustments to become better in their games.


For more pictures of the centralized training, please visit Masterchess91's blog.

KELANTAN CHESS TEAM CENTRALIZED TRAINING

Venue: SMK Ahmad Maher, Kota Bharu

Yesterday I stopped by at the centralized training for Kelantan's chess team who will fly the state's flag at the national MSSM chess championship in two weeks time. The training was conducted by Mr. Sahadi, Mr. Nik Mazlan and Mr. Saufi. The players were given speeches, exercises and tips on chess. There were also sparring sessions between the players. Some of the students were having examinations when their teachers from their schools came with the question papers. This was done at night, while others proceeded with the training. This is to ensure that they will not be left out in terms of completing their academic requirements, thus enhancing the notion that co-curricullar activities and academic excellence do go hand in hand.

The players listened to the speech given by the coach, Mr. Saufi