GiLoCatur could not follow very closely the first Malaysian Women Masters held during this weekend starting on Friday. It is because GiLoCatur was busy with work and own routines. Tonight, after everything is settle, GiLoCatur has the free time to check on the updates of the Masters that can be the first milestone for the growth and development of chess for the ladies and girls. Lots of controversies, comments and feedbacks regarding the selection of the sixteen players for the Masters. GiLoCatur does not want to comment much on that. What’s important is such tournament to identify and find the best women players for Malaysia MUST be held every year to make sure that Malaysia is not lacking in women chess players. Based on GiLoCatur’s observation since being in the chess fraternity a couple of years ago, not many women are interested in playing chess. Many talented girl players leave the chess scene after completing their high school, get married and work.
Below are some of what GiLoCatur observes or thinks :
- We do not have many chess tournaments specifically for women or girls except the age groups. Or maybe a ladies category in a chess tournament. In USA, Susan Polgar is doing this.
- The prize for Best Lady category is not good enough to attract the lady players.
- There should be a reward when a lady or a girl player when she beats her higher rated opponent.
- Parents should encourage their daughters to play chess and keep playing chess like Cikgu Zull does to WCM Shazwani eventhough she is really busy with her medical studies, just to name one example.
Here is the full article.
I agree. Women need their own events. The problem is the bozos at the USCF don’t understand this simple concept.
What drivel. Women can be just as good at men at chess, as they are at mathematics and other tests of brain power rather than muscle power. Abolish all patronising ‘woman’ titles and tournaments, please.