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Chess 4 Life! 
By Candidate Master Collin Madhavan

Where have all the players gone? - Predictions

In the last issue, we broached on the subject on why our junior players don't seem to achieve their earlier chess ambitions after their great successes as a junior player. In this issue, Andrew Ooi (Chess Crazy) gives his views on the question. 

Strangely, we now seem to be faced with a similar 'problem'. Eight-year old Yeoh Li Tian emerged joint fourth at the recent World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey. It is indeed a fantastic result as he fared very well against his much fancied opposition. In fact, it is probably the best result by a Malaysian player at this Championships. [By the way, Fide Master Ooi Chern Ee's (issue 20) result may have actually been joint second instead of joint fifth - CM].

The final results for the top 6 players in the Boys under-8 category were as follows:

Now let's make a few predictions about Li Tian and the other 5 players. If nothing changes, here are a few likely scenarios:

• In 10 years time, the top 3 players, along with the fifth and sixth players, become International Masters or Grandmasters. 
    
• Li Tian on the other hand, becomes National Master at an early age. 
    
• Li Tian becomes a FIDE Master or even an International Master by the time he reaches his 17th birthday.
    
• Li Tian goes for further education. He may even be given some form of scholarship based on his excellent academic results. (:.   
    
• By the way, from our past Malaysian Chess history, medical students usually never return to Chess! Okay I know, there are exceptions, with the late Dr Foo Lum Choon being one of them.
    
• Li Tian completes his studies and begins his career. He still manages to play in a few  international tournaments. 
    
• Li Tian marries ):. 
    
• Li Tian still plays in a number of local tournaments, usually rapid style ones, but of course! However, he is sometimes seen in the Merdeka Team Tournaments (longer time control) playing for the Astro team or one of the Kids for Chess teams!
    
• Is his dream already over by then?  

Is there something that can be done to help him, from now? Well, in our next issue, some of your views will be published. If you'd like to share your views on this question, please drop me a line at geodat@yahoo.com.