When we do these interviews, we find out amazing stories. We hear about the players perspectives and are provided with a glimpse of what is like for a junior from another country.  

Imagine what you would do if attending the Olympiad would mean you get an ‘invalid’ on your report card and miss out on scholarships, because you miss the exams? Would you choose school or chess?

Imagine if you would go to school from 7am to 4-5pm and still need to do homework. Would you sacrifice time with your friends to study chess?

Imagine if you had to enlist to the army for two years after high school, would you chase a chess career early so you could hopefully return to chess when your service time is over?

These choices sound difficult and we are amazed by the commitment these young players have made. Even though Singapore is pretty close to Australia, it is clear that life as a chess player is very different.

So, lets introduce them:

17-year-old FM Qing Aun. Some of you may already be familiar with Qing Aun as he played in the Lidums Young Masters IM norm event in 2017. In fact, he had such a great time, he is scheduled to return to Adelaide in 2018! 

We are also talking to 17-year-old CM Jun Wei who is keen to also chase an IM norm. He would like to obtain this before he turns 19 and needs to enrol for the army.  The two-year compulsory army service sees an end to most chess careers, so the best approach is to have yourself established before your duty starts.

And then there are 15-year-old Eunice and 17-year-old Emmanuelle. The two women are a little more reserved, but don’t be fooled as these two have some real determination. With only four women playing in the team this year, none of the players in the Women’s team get a day off, they need to play all rounds, which is an incredible tough thing to do. The team tells us they all try to stay physically fit by stretching in the rooms and making good use of the table tennis table in the hotel. 

So where did it all start for them?

Emmanuelle and Eunice both started playing around the age of 7 and while Eunice started getting more formal training when she was 8 or 9, Emmanuelle did not get formal coaching until she was 11 years old.

 FM Qing Aun started playing chess when he was about 6 years old and his father taught him the rules of the game. At the age of 9 he started receiving formal training at the chess academy.

Jun Wei started a little bit later than the other guys, with learning the basics at the age of 8 and formal training commencing at the age of 10. He immediately tells us that his major achievements are not those that we can find in his chess rating or scores against players, but in himself. His confidence has grown, and he is now living a life he could have never imagined.

When we ask the young players what kind of chess player they are and what some of the openings they play, they fall quiet. They are reluctant to share this as this may give an opponent an unfair advantage. At first, we are a little surprised as games are played on DGT boards and downloadable at the end of each round. Surely, if their opponents want to do research, that would be a better place to look! However, during the interview it becomes clear why they are reluctant to talk about their playing styles. The kind of sacrifices these players have made are very different than what we go through in Australia. As we mentioned earlier, making very long school days and taking time away from friends to study chess is not something every teenager would do. Risking your scholarships and missing your exams is also a huge decision for these young players. To obtain the level of chess these youngsters are playing at takes some serious commitment and we totally understand!

They also tell us that to qualify for the Olympiad team, there are several tournaments, including the nationals held in December. The top players from this tournament are selected over a two-year period. The Open team for Singapore features WGM Qianyun Gong, which is also great to see!

When we asked what some of the most memorable game were they ever played, they were keen to share as this is exactly what brings that magic to chess – memorable games that make you proud of your achievements.

Eunice – Round 4 in the Bangkok Open in April. I played against a much higher rated player and I was a pawn down in the middle game. With about 20 minutes left on the clock, my opponent blundered, and I won. Was the best day of my life!

Qing Aun – In an IM norm event, I played against a GM. It was a great fight and we ended up drawing.

Emmanuelle – Also in Bangkok in round 1. I played against an IM, my first time playing against an IM and was able to threaten mate a few times.

Jun Wei – My most memorable game was in a simul against none other then Anand. We were fairly equal, but after 4 hours of play, Anand blundered, and I won the game.

What advice do you have for Australian Juniors?

Eunice – Enjoy, no Love the game!

Jun Wei – Do not let other things fight your game. It doesn’t matter what else is going on in life, focus on your current game. Remember, every player is only as strong as their last game.

Emmanuelle – Play the board, not the player. Be immersed in the game

Eunice – Love the game. Try your best and don’t measure yourself to others. Just take one step at the time.

So next time you don’t feel like studying for a tournament, keep in mind the amazing work of these guys. Let them inspire you to make your choices!