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At
the end of every year, the biggest chess celebration in South-East Asia takes
place in Singapore. Between 17th and 31st December 2006, the Singapore
Chess Federation and ASEAN
Chess Academy organised the Third Singapore International Chess Convention
2006. The mammoth event comprises: 2nd Asian Schools, Seminar for Coaches, Seminar
for Arbiters, and Masters & Challengers Open Tournaments. The two earlier
editions of this event attracted a good number of Grandmasters and International
Masters as well as a significant number of chess interested people. Thus the
organisers were optimistic for a good response this time round and they were
not disappointed.
The 2nd Asian Schools Chess Festival was on from 19th December and concluded on 23rd December. It gathered 192 players from twelve territories: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Iran, South Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Among them there were five FIDE Masters, three Women FIDE Masters and two Candidate-Masters.
The players competed in the following on age categories: Girls (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15) and Open (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15). Singapore, the host country, had the largest pool of players (101) and topped the medal standings table with 6 Golds, 5 Silvers, 8 Bronzes, a total of 19 medals. The Philippines followed with 4 medals and India with 3:
Rank. |
FED | Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Total |
1 |
Singapore | 6 |
5 |
8 |
19 |
2 |
Philippines | 0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
India | 2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
Indonesia | 1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
Malaysia | 1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Between 18th and 24th December, ASEAN Chess Academy and Singapore Chess Federation organised a Seminar for Chess Coaches and a Seminar for Arbiters, both under the auspices of FIDE and Singapore Sports Council.
FIDE Senior Trainer and IM Michael Khodarkovsky, President of American Chess University and President of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, delivered the lectures for the 14 chess trainers from Malaysia, Barbados, Russia, Uzbekistan and The Philippines. There were two four-hour sessions daily. Among the topics covered: basic methods of teaching, principles of opening strategy, tactics, mating constructions, art of exchange, preparation for a game, endgame strategy & studies, planning, positional sacrifices, game analysis, decision making, critical moments. Candidates who wished to be assessed for the title of FIDE Trainer were required to submit a written paper on a related topic of their choice.
IA Werner Stubenvoll (Austria), Chairman of the Technical Administration Panel Olympiads, was the lecturer for the Seminar for Arbiters, which was in two three-hour sessions daily. Fourteen participants from South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and The Philippines were given instructive insights in the laws of chess, tie-break rules, Swiss pairings, the use of electronic clocks, title regulations, and organising competitions.
While young pupils’ games and intensive seminars might be boring for some, the Singapore organisers are serving up a remarkable menu for chess playing: from 26th to 31st December 2006, with ASEAN Chess Academy hosting the 3rd Singapore Masters & Challengers International Tournaments with a prize fund of US $18,000.
The strongest chess event in South-East Asia during this year is must-see event with players from 15 countries (Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Vietnam): 14 GMs, 6 WGMs, 17 IMs, 3 WIMs, 14 FMs and 7 WFMs. Below is the starting rating list (top 50) for the Masters Open:
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The Masters and Challengers Tournaments are in full progress and we will return with a more comprehensive report. Meanwhile, details, results and games bulletins can be obtained from the given website links below.
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Singapore Business District
Fountain of Wealth – tThe largest fountain in the world! It is made
of 85 tons of cast bronze and is over 46 feet high. Its design is based on the
principles of Chinese geomancy of 'fengshui' (literally, ‘wind and water’).
Merlion Park, home to the half-lion, half-fish sculpture which is a
national icon. It stands facing the sea on a pedestal of glass sculptured waves
that are illuminated at night.
Singapore’s different races celebrating together
Raffles Hotel. Opened in 1887 and gazetted as a National Monument in 1987,
this grand Old Lady of the East is one of the world's last great 19th century
hotels. The hotel is a favourite retreat for writers and movie stars and home
of the Singapore sling, a celebrated cocktail.
Chinese Gardens. Built in the style of the Imperial Sung Dynasty and mirroring
the grandeur of the Beijing Summer Palace, the aesthetic Chinese Garden features
majestic bridges, pagodas, a stoneboat, a teahouse and a Suzhou-style Bonsai
Garden.
Photo Credits:
Chess Events: NM and FIDE Trainer Eric Gloria
Singapore Sights: All images courtesy of Singapore
Tourism Board
