Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club

chess in hong kong

Caissa Youth Represent Hong Kong in School Chess World Championship in Greece May 6-15 2013

April 28th, 2013

Caissa is proud to see two of its pupils as Hong Kong’s official delegation to participate in the FIDE School World Chess Championship in May 2013.

Miguel Angel Garceran Wang, Hong Kong’s number 4 in the U8 group and National Champion blitz in U8 will play in the U9 category facing tough competition from around 80 top class players from Russia, Colombia, Turkey, England and dozens of other countries.

Mei Jing Garceran Wang, Hong Kong’s highest ranking girl in the U8 group will play in the U7 Girls category facing some 20 girls from 20 different countries.

We will be reporting regularly on this major event from next week.

Hong Kong Youth in 2013 Cross-Straits Four in Shenzhen End Results

April 7th, 2013

After 3 days and 11 rounds of chess the 2013 edition of the cross-straits tournament ended with very decent results for our Hong Kong youth.

left to right: Harold, James, Miguel Angel, Mei Jing, Adrian and Gerent

In U10, James Kwong ended on the 11th place, earning an Award of Honour with 7.5 points and by himself as one-man-team he also managed with these 7.5 points to get 3rd prize for best team! Well done, James.

Everybody Celebrating James' U10 Team 3rd Prize

Everybody Celebrating James’ (all the way in the back) U10 Team 3rd Prize

In U8, Gerent Lee, who recently joined Caissa as a member (welcome Gerent!), scored 7 points, just outside the top 16 who would receive an Award of Honour.

With 7.5 points for both Adrian Leung and Miguel Angel Garceran Wang they ended 12th and 9th respectively, both earned the Award of Honour with Miguel Angel just outside reach of a medal (given to the top 8 of 16) in addition to the Award.

Adrian (red maws) Ready for Round 11 with White Pieces

In U7 Mei Jing Garceran Wang had a strong comeback on the last day winning 2 out of 3 to end with 5 points on the 9th place of the girls in this age category. Harold Kwong, with true fighter spirit achieving an amazing draw with a queen down in one of the last rounds, ended comfortably with 6.5 points in this age group.

Mei Jing before Round 11 (saving her smiles for after the game: her quickest win in less than 5 minutes …)

In this field of hundred or so players in each of these age groups, of whom the (top) players from China receive training from Masters and Grand Masters and are introduced to chess at schools already, as we understood from the organizer, the disadvantage for our youth not receiving any of these opportunities in Hong Kong, was handsomely compensated by their talent and interest for the game.

It is time that in Hong Kong chess for youth is taken to the next level to nurture our players to develop their talents to the maximum possible. This is not done by small scale (semi-)private lessons, an occasional holiday chess clinic and a handful of tournaments here and there: this requires a structural approach to build a chess infrastructure of clubs, teaching programs, introducing chess to schools and other well coordinated activities that take part in a well designed pipeline of chess education and motivation.

This tournament proved to be a good opportunity to have established first contact with the organizers (and especially a thank you to Mr. Lui the organizer in charge for his warm welcome to the Hong Kong players and parents) to explore further ways of cooperation for Hong Kong youth. You will be kept posted on this.

David Garceran Nieuwenburg (standing 3rd right) Invited as Caissa Hong Kong President to Hand Out Prizes – More Cooperation to Come and Hopefully Handing Out Prizes to More Hong Kong Youth Next Year!

Hong Kong Youth in Cross-Straits Four Open Chess in Shenzhen

April 5th, 2013

From early morning April 4 to late afternoon April 6 youth from Shenzhen, Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong are meeting in the Shenzhen Foreign Language School to play chess over 11 rounds.

A Massive Set-Up with over 500 children in the Playing Hall

Given the fact it is Easter holidays in Hong Kong some parents took the initiative to bring their children into this event for practice at higher levels than possible in Hong Kong only and after the first day Hong Kong is doing really fine.

Hong Kong Youth and Parents with Chief Organizer in Middle (Yellow Jacket)

Hong Kong Youth and Parents with Chief Organizer Mr. Liu in Middle (Yellow Jacket)

On day 1, James Kwong playing in U10 scored 2.5 out of 4 games. In U8 Gerent Lee scored 3 points out of 4 and both Adrian Leung and Miguel Angel Garceran Wang, playing a draw between themselves (!), finished day 1 with 3.5 points out of 4. In the U7 group Harold Kwong scored 3 and Meijing 2 points out of 4.

Our Hong Kong Heroes Posing (left to right): Miguel Angel, Mei Jing, Gerent, James, Harold and Adrian

Our Six Hong Kong Heroes Posing (left to right): Miguel Angel, Mei Jing, Gerent, James, Harold and Adrian

Hong Kong Youth in Action …

Today another long day, again 4 rounds. Not only a long day for the players …

The Hong Kong Parents’ Waiting Area

Hong Kong Macao Interport: Hong Kong Youth Keep Pearl Delta Cup in Hong Kong!

March 3rd, 2013

The 2013 edition of the Hong Kong – Macao Chess Interport, held on Saturday March 2 at Caissa Chess Club in Discovery Bay, took place in a competitive but very pleasant atmosphere underlining the roots of a friendly event between the two sister cities, going back many decades.

The 16 players from Macao were accompanied by 17 supporters in the form of parents, chess officials and a trainer. The 16 players from Hong Kong, having the home advantage, had at least as many supporters visiting and contributing to a great ambiance.

Although a friendly match, at stake was the Caissa Pearl Delta Cup which today would either stay in Hong Kong or would go to Macao: the city with most points today would keep the Cup until the next match.

The Payers: Hong Kong Team Left - Macao Team Right

The Players: Hong Kong Team Left – Macao Team Right

The Pearl Delta Cup

Exchanging Formalities between Macao Chess Federation and Caissa Chess Club

Exchanging Formalities between Jose Silvereinho President of Macao Chess Federation and David Garceran Nieuwenburg of Caissa Chess Club

Exchanging plaques between Macao Chess Federation and Hong Kong Chess Federation

As mentioned in an earlier post, the match would evolve between four players in each age category Under 8, Under 10, Under 13 and Under 14-18 in a rapid chess double round robin format. Each player would play two opponents twice.

Under 8 Category

Hong Kong U8 Players (left to right): Miguel Angel, Gerent, Harold, Mei Jing

In team B Harold Kwong and Mei Jing Garceran Wang (Caissa) scored 3 and 2 wins out of 4 games respectively. Both Harold and Zheng Hai Ming from Macao ended with 3 points and in a decisive blitz Zheng Hai Ming secured the win and the top scorer prize of this group.

For team A Gerent Lee and Miguel Angel Garceran Wang (Caissa) played very strong and scored 3 and 3.5 points respectively, resulting in the top scorer prize for Miguel in this group.

Results Hong Kong Macao Interport Pearl Delta Cup 2013 U8

Gerent Lee and Leung Ian Kei Shaking Hands

Harold and Meijing Ready

Under 10

Hong Konng U10 (left to right): James, Richard, Edrien, Bryant

Hong Kong U10 (left to right): James, Richard, Edrien, Bryant

In team B Edrien Borigas and Bryant Chong (Caissa) scored 3 and 2 points respectively contributing to a 5-3 win for Hong Kong in this subgroup. As Edrien and Macao’s Gong Ka Yi both ended with 3 points also here the top scorer prize winner had to be determined by a blitz game. The first blitz ended in a draw by stale mate but the second game was won by Gong Ka Yi.

In team A Richard Takasumi and James Kwong faced strong Macao players and scored 1.5 and 3 points respectively to secure the sub group win by 4.5-3.5. The 3 points for James were enough to also win the top scorer prize.

Results Hong Kong Macao Interport Pearl Delta Cup 2013 U10

U10 in Action

Under 13

Hong Kong U13 (left to right): Michael, Benjamin, Wilson, Sophie

Hong Kong team B, Sophie Whalley and, actually U10 Wilson Mueller, (both Caissa), faced a very strong girl duo from Macao who managed to win all their games! As a consequence, a blitz game was required between Macao’s Luo Yihua and Wong Kit to determine top scorer prize which was won by Luo Yihua.

Team A with Michael Yang and Benjamin Oh did very well, scoring 3.5 and 2.5 points respectively. The 3.5 points for Michael was enough to get him the top scorer prize in this group.

Results Hong Kong Macao Interport Pearl Delta Cup 2013 U13

Benjamin and Michael in deep thought

Under 14-18

Hong Kong Under 14-18 (left to right): Marcus, Christopher, Fung Ting, Saloni

Our team B was Hong Kong’s girl duo team with Fung Ting and Saloni Anandpara playing very well, scoring 3 and 2 points respectively. Fung Ting had enough with these 3 points to become top scorer in this group.

Team A with fine players like Christopher Masters and Marcus Ho, scoring 2.5 and 3.5 points respectively, played strong and Marcus’s 3.5 points were worth top scorer prize.

Results Hong Kong Macao Interport Pearl Delta Cup 2013 U14-18

Under 14-18 Players

Prize Winners

In summary, the prize winners:

U8 Team B: Macao – Zheng Hai Ming
U8 Team A: Hong Kong – Miguel Angel Garceran Wang
U10 Team B: Macao -Gong Ka Yi
U10 Team A: Hong kong – James Kwong
U13 Team B: Macao – Luo Yi Hua
U13 Team A: Hong Kong – Michael Yang
U14-18 Team B: Hong Kong – Fung Ting
U14-18 Team A: Hong Kong – Marcus Ho

Hong Kong keeps the Cup in town.

Pearl Delta Cup 2013 Winners Hong Kong Team

All Players Deserved a Medal

Time to Relax and Have Fun. Well Done Boys and Girls!

Caissa Youth Take Home Prizes from Overseas Tournaments

January 2nd, 2013

17-21 December

The 29th Singapore National Open Championship took place in the week before Christmas. In the 9th and last round Miguel Angel Garceran Wang, in the Open Under 8 Category, unfortunately lost his game and consequently could not gain a top position but ended with 6 points on the 9th place.

Miguel Angel Garceran Wang (2nd from right) 9th Prize in 29th Singapore National Chess 2012

However, some of Miguel Angel’s games were very convincing, a prelude of what was to come in following 2 weeks.

Mei Jing Garceran Wang (4th from left) 6th Prize in 29th Singapore National Chess 2012

In the Girls Under 8 Category Mei Jing Garceran Wang started well with 4 points out of 4 games but ended after 9 rounds with 5 points on the 6th place and a nice trophy.

Mei Jing Celebrating Her First Overseas Prize

28 December

A city renowned in the Netherlands for strong youth players is Rotterdam of which the adjacent small town Capelle aan den IJssel once had a strong youth section conquering titles in Dutch national championships. And still now in 2012 the prestigious Open Capels Jeugdschaak Kampioenschap attracts good and promising youth players.

In the Open Category D (Under 10 years) both Miguel Angel and Mei Jing participated. Mei Jing scored 4 points and ended 16th but Miguel Angel was crowned Champion Under 10 years with the very impressive score of 10.5 out of 11 games. Well done!

It is very clear that such a small country like Holland, ending 6th in the latest Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, just behind some former USSR states, China and the USA, knows how to organize and attract young players. It is difficult to exactly describe how or why this “child friendly atmosphere generating” youth tournament differs from the “clinical and no-nonsense atmosphere” in youth tournaments held in this part of the world; but it could well be a contributing factor in keeping youth players interested even after they turn 14 years old – the moment in various places in this part of the world chess participation collapses.

02 January

Chess club Tornado, in the Dutch small town Druten held its regional IJSCO “jeugd schaaknacht” (youth chess night) on 2 January 2013 that attracted over 80 participants from around the region of East Holland. Again, in an ambiance attractive to and motivating for children, Miguel Angel (7 points out of 7 games in group H) and Mei Jing (5 points in group J) won 1st and 3rd prize respectively after a night of hard work (final ranking).

Miguel Angel Garceran Wang Overcoming Opponents of Different Size and Age

Meijing Garceran Wang Awaiting Her Prize

It is good to see that Caissa youth is internationally competitive and it is highly recommendable to play chess in different settings. In 2013 Caissa will aim to coordinate participation in overseas or international tournaments for a larger group of Caissa youth.

Stay tuned.

World Youth Chess Championship in Maribor, Slovenia

November 12th, 2012

After 4 rounds, Hong Kong’s delegate to the Youth World Championship U8, James Kwong Wing Ki, is showing strong performance: with 3 points out of 4 games James is number 20 out of 136. Today rounds 5 and 6 will be played.

Daily updates are on the WYCC site.

After 4 rounds James is in the top 20 of the World Youth Chess Championship U8 IN an interview

From Hong Kong we tried to interview James and his supporting family for an interim update.

Question 1: How does James feel?

James feels very excited to have this invaluable opportunity to play with those strongest chess player from the world in his age category. In addition, he also has good moments playing with those players from England And Scotland who stay in the same place, Hotel Arena, a 5 minutes walk from the 2 tournament venues, Hotel Habakuk (where U8 play) and Hotel Dras (for the rest of the age categories).

Question 2: How is the environment?

The environment in Maribor is excellent. Here is a photo taken in the city with 2 female arbiters there. Lovely weather and not too cold. People are very nice too.

James in Maribor with Two Lady Arbiters

Question 3: excited that Kasparov will visit?

James is of course very excited about the coming of Kasprov. We heard that he will be here for 3 days. Hope we will have the opportunity to take a photo with him or even chat with him.

Question 4: Were you preparations in Hong Kong useful or is it all different here at the top?

We think the preparation was to provide a solid base for James as far as possible. I hope this trip is a chess learning journey for James which will open his eyes to the chess world.

Question 5: We wish you good luck in the second half of the tournament. Any message for your friends at home?

We hope that we could share this wonderful experience and hi Miguel, hope you will be the next one to go.

Caissa Prepares for Friendly Match Against ISF School

November 9th, 2012

Caissa 5-squad youth will meet the renowned-for-chess ISF School at the Active Kids Learning Center (AKLC) in Wan Chai for a friendly match on Sunday 11 November from 2pm-6pm.

In Caissa’s team we have lined up our members who are students from both international schools in Discovery Bay, DBIS and DC:

Board 1: Miguel- Angel
Board 2: Ruaidhri
Board 3: Bryant
Board 4: Franz
Board 5: Mei Jing

We wish our squad success and good luck. Stay tuned for the results of this exciting unique event.

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9 November 2012 18:06h – BREAKING NEWS – Chor Wei is also joining the team.

Chor Wei Tang in Deep Thought (Photo: Collin Mahadvan on www.Kids4Chess.com)

Hong Kong Youth doing well in 1st ASEAN in Singapore

August 10th, 2012

From 6-12 August Singapore hosts the first ASEAN International Youth Chess Championships which attracted about 200 youth players from around 16 different countries.

The participants from Hong Kong are:

Category Under 14: Wong Yee Chit, with a FIDE rating of 1803 is serious contender and his 3rd place after 6 rounds with 4.5 points proves this point.

Wong Yee Chit, Hong Kong Participant U14 in 1st ASEAN Chess in Singapore

In the same category Under 14 Jeffrey Lam Ting Hei is in 16nd position with 2.5 points.

Jeffrey Lam Ting Hei Hong Kong Participant U14 in 1st ASEAN Chess in Singapore

In the category Under 11 Benjamin Oh Yau Teng is the only player to defend Hong Kong and with 3 out of 6 he is decently placed 37th out of 72 participants.

Benjamin Oh Yau Teng Hong Kong Participant U14 in 1st ASEAN Chess in Singapore

In the category Under 8 Hong Kong has three participants: the brothers Harold Kwong Wing Shun and James Kwong Wing Ki and our Caissa Club’s own Miguel-Angel Garceran Wang.

left to right: Harold, James and Miguel Angel in 1st ASEAN chess in Singapore

Harold, who is at least a year or 2 younger than the average of this group scored 1 out of 6 but in experience points he is collecting a lot more.

James started off very well with 3 wins in a row, but stayed on this score after 6 rounds, on 19th place.

Miguel Angel collected 4 wins after 6 rounds and ranks 12th. Miguel Angel’s 4th win was an interesting Philidor exchange with a very daring check mate plan.

Good luck to all our Hong Kong boys tomorrow and Sunday for the last 3 rounds. Below the ranking in the group Under 8 in a cross table after 6 rounds:

1st ASEAN Chess Championship Singapore Under 8 Ranking after 6 Rounds