Mas is 4.5/8 in Dubai Open 2008

Many people are behind Mas to become a GM. However, let’s not forget he is now not even a strong IM and the results show that very clearly. That is like putting the cart before the horse. Even if he manages a couple of GM norms, his low Elo means he will not qualify in a hurry. What is important is for him to play more and improve his rating first, and the title will come naturally. Look at Wang Hao, DATMO Champ 2006.That is grandmaster material. Same with Wesley So. You just can feel they are good when you see their performances. I don’t get that feeling when I see Mas’ games. Let him become a good IM first and then only talk. Then again many players are just IM material and will never make the jump to GM.

A 2400 GM is actually an embarassing propositon. Tell me how long his rating has stagnated at that level and you are still hopeful? Many IM’s/untitled are 2500+ and you still think he is a strong IM? As a comparison, top China players have breached 2700 and they are still not elite GMs.

This mind set/state of denial must change. The problem is largely because Mas has little opportunity/desire to play in local tournaments and there are few strong local tournaments to talk about anyway. He is actually doing the right thing to play overseas to bring up his rating but many people including you are wishing for miracles. You all put undue pressure on him to deliver beyond his current capability and think he is an underperforming GM material.

Not so much the pressure but more of the attitude of many in this blog, chess is mere weekend game and a way for a get together. So the ‘katak bawah tempurung’ is most apt description of the Malaysian and other chess bloggers. Yeah please provide drinks, and the party begins says the mob. Better still get the organisers to organise more under 1600 or 1800 tournaments so that everybody can win prizes, a mediocre mindset but a proud moment for these blog followers. OK please organise one for under 1400, 1200 and below 1000 and who knows I can be a champion too.BTW these under- … tournament are organised by chess players, that speaks for the quality of chess players. No wonder we are a laughing stock of ignatikus of intchess.

If I understand well, his commitment to chess has always been superceded by his obligation to his studies. Never was he able to pursue a similar program to obtain the GM status until recently when he was granted leave by his employees. Now people are dismissing him for the numbers he obtained for many years that he never managed to improve due to circumstances which are honorable, they are comparing him with people who have put more time in chess as professionals would. Mas’ target of 18 months is ambitious but not farfetched; though we still have detractors and naysayers who not only could not match up to him on the chess board, but take cheap shots when he has not even been able to prove himself now that he finally has the time to pursue his ambition of getting the GM status.

Dear all, Lets not forget, Mas’s quest is for the sake of all Malaysian. After his quest were made public, more and more kids are pursuing a dream that was long said by others impossible to achieve, but he made all the kids have the purpose in playing chess! He may take longer time to give us the GM title, but he has definitely inspire us to never forget the dream! The GM project is not juz abt him alone, it is abt Malaysians! About all of us! The dream that will one day come true! And many more to come!

My comments are now straight to the point.

1. Do I support Mas to go for results? YES

2. Is he the best Malaysian for the quest? Probably

3. Is he GM level or thereabouts, NOW? NO

4. Has he shown sufficient promise for GM, todate? NO

5. Is he a strong IM? NO

6. Should he get further support? YES

7. Are we setting our hopes too high too fast? YES

8. Is taking paid leave and getting financial assistance to attain one’s ambition a noble quest? NO

9. Is obtaining a sound education first a good decision? YES

10.Is securing one’s future first a good decision? YES

11. Is securing one’s future before going for GM an honorable act? NO

Please understand that I am not against MAS or what he is doing. We must be realistic and I just comment based on his achievements to date, which unfortunately are nothing to speak of. Other people comment based on hopes and the difficuties he faces, which are not relevant to whether he achieves his dream or not.

Mas is certainly strong, but I think the main reason for his low success rate in the local field is that he takes his opponents too lightly. He is definitely one of the best in Malaysia but I can’t call him the best! Personally, I do think that Nicholas Chan has more stuff in him!

Below are some reasons that I think why Malaysian chess players are still lagging behind:

1. Lack of quality tournaments
2. Lack of support - parents, schools, relevant authorities
3. Lack of international exposure / tournaments
4. Lack of higher level chess coaches
5. lack of motivation - low prizes, less or no media coverage, lack of chess facility