5th NATIONAL JUNIORS 2012, Summary

The 5th NJCC concludes today.

It was the first time that the kids are participating in the NJCC event.
hAnA played true to ratings I.e. Losing against higher rated players and winning against lower rated ones.
Having played in the 4th Penang International Heritage City Challenger tournament last week I'd expected a slightly better performance than this from hAnA. I guess it's back to the drawing board then. Her theoretical aspects needs to be addressed since competition alone is not giving the expected outcome. On this matter, she concurs with me - there needs to be a balance between competitions and the theoretical aspects of chess.

As for the cHEss pIRATE, what can I say? He finished last in the field of 56 with only 1point. The 1point however was earned in Round 6 against a player rated at 1330. Thus, maintaining his record of at least an upset per tournament. He also received the token recognition of being the Youngest Participant in the Boys category (the Youngest Girl is 7years old. So, I guess Amir Faiz IS the Youngest Player in the 5th NJCC).

My own analysis of the NJCC is that for Boys...exposure aside, a Malaysian rating of at least 1400-1500 is required to put up a "credible" challenge and finish 'mid-field". Otherwise, one will just be making-up the numbers and end-up as a "Point-Giver".

In the Girls event, a Malaysian Rating of 1300-1400 should be sufficient to put up a credible mid-table/field challenge.

Najib Wahab stated in his blog The Chess Connections that the 5th NJCC 2012 has the lowest turnout ever (BOYS: 2012@56 v 2011@54boys / GIRLS: 2012@19 v. 2011@22players). Since the kids are basically starting from Ground-Zero in the NJCC, hopefully they can only move up with each participation. Looking forward to next year's NJCC...my only wish is for the event to be advertised...MUCH, MUCH Earlier instead of at the last minute.