Training Squad at Weekenders

Chesskids players have now been present at a number of adult weekenders this year,

• Ballarat
  
• Doeberl
  
• Vic Open
  
• Best in the West
  
• Noble Park Classic
  

One thing I’ve noticed is that players who have a bad tournament seem to bounce back harder at the next event. Take for example Ryan Kam. 

Ryan had a great tournament at the Victorian Juniors and has been awesome for his school at interschool tournaments all year. He went to the Best in the West tournament full of confidence and had a disappointing first day where he lost all his games, and one in tragic circumstances.

Ryan bounced back immediately, winning both his games on the second day, but he kept this momentum going into the Noble Park tournament where he beat 2 1400 players and drew with Gary Lin rated close to 1500. Ryan finished on 3.5 jointly winning the under 1300 rating group prize.

I would like to congratulate Ryan, but also caution him and all players in the Training Squad. When you’ve had a good result, you must not relax. All these tournaments are experience on the way to becoming great players and until you’ve gone as far as you can, perhaps become an IM or GM, then you should not be satisfied with what you’ve done.

Each new performance is a step towards the end, not the end of the road. So Ryan beat 1400 players, he now has to beat 1600 players, and be more consistent against 1000 rated players. Good work on what you’ve all achieved, but don’t relax, and you will achieve more!

Ryan 3.5/7
Rebecca 3/7 Solid with good win against Jamie Yung (1357)
Lachlan 3/7 Solid with good win against Denise Lim (1214)
Haran 3/7 Solid with good win against Jamie Yung (1357)
Gary 2.5/7 ok
Max 2.5/7 ok
Benjamin 1/7 Good first performance in adult tournament with a win
Daniel 0/7 Relaxed a bit after decent Best in the West Performance