Expanding GilaChess

Posted by GilaChess

December 7, 2007

Being part of the ASEAN+ tournament with the organisers as well as the parents and coaches has given me new insights into scholastic chess. I got to listen to WGM Zhang Jilin and Joseph Toh views on chess learning as well as from soon-to-be International Arbiter Alberto from Spain.

The blogging section (GBN) is taking off nicely with a few great bloggers joining me soon. I’m playing with the idea of a “learning” section in GilaChess. The reasons I want to do this is:-

Weak chess kids
After entering games and scores from the ASEAN+, I’ve seen how the Under 9, Under 12, and Under 15 players perform. Malaysia kids at this standard has potentially a lot to improve on. There were more than half the games where the kids lost and dropped pieces before the 10th moves. I also saw a 5 year old play with an interactive chess CD and improved so surprisingly fast that it gave me confidence that we can at least prepare courseware on the internet or computer to teach kids.

Technology is here
As can be seen from the online play as well as chatting facilities from Stonemaster.biz, which are just the tip of the iceberg on what web technology can offer today. I had the opportunity to learn from WGM Zhang Jilin that she gives coaching services using ICC facilities. With Skype, you can talk to your trainer. With the online live chess board you can discuss positions. There are numerous other features when amalgamated into one collection of services makes the internet a powerful teaching tool connecting international coaches with students. I remember using “Blackboard” when I was teaching pre-university students several years back. I gave assignments, quizzes, short tests and other evaluations purely online. Grading was 100% paperless and recorded in online report cards. It’s truly efficient and fast. However, we have not even begun using these powerful e-learning features for chess. I want to explore this potentially useful facility.

Big interest now than ever
There were so many non-chess players who I don’t know wanting to know where they can improve and meet more chess players the game, I’ve lost count. I want to have a website to cater for those who are interested but not avid chess fans yet. We need to infect these people with the GilaChess bug . With a bigger pool of chess fans, it can only be a good thing.

So much content!
There is a wealth of information on chess in books and websites. All
that is needed is to consolidate and collect this into a more
systematic fasion in one centralised website offering the learning
materials via video, audio and text.

This will be my mini personal project for next year..

Personal, Scholastic

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