CHEAH ON PROSPECTS
Who are your role models and idols?
I am a cynic. There are people I do admire but they all have their flaws.
Fair enough. In that case who do you rate as the best in World right now?
In this part of the world, unquestionably Nigel Richards, although there are people who can give him a good workout.
How are you rated in Singapore and is a WSC (World Scrabble Championship) appearance likely?
As of this moment, and since you asked, I am a precarious #1. I am not an oddsmaker but I expect that Singapore's WSC representatives will be two out of about a dozen possibilities.
What are the qualification criteria in Singapore?
1. The National Champion, 2. The highest rated player (leaving aside the National Champion) at the end of the qualifying period.
Okay, do you have any hot tips for the WSC? Any up-and-coming stars we may not have heard of?
I doubt you will get any complete unknowns from this part of the world. Last I heard, Nigel Richards would not be meeting the qualification criteria. Nigel has to go back to NZ if he wants to qualify and he is virtually part of the Malaysian landscape now. If you have been following the mailing lists, Mark Nyman will also not be qualifying. (see Weekly Round-up 28 March 2001)
How do you rate your own chances if you make it there?
I will not win.
 A high scoring game as Cheah took on Tony Sim in the 1998 Kallang Championship.
Final score: Cheah Siu Hean 575, Tony Sim 439
Jim Geary has given you fairly good odds of 50:1 to win the WSC.
I think Jim needs to update! Ganesh Asirvatham, now, has a real shot at the World title.
David Webb [Current joint top rated in the UK] . That is an interesting story. He was at Pembroke same time I was at Christ's. Actually met him a couple of times back then through a mutual friend. However, I didn't recognize him in Bangkok. What I did recognize was his voice, curiously enough. I asked him if we had ever met before and when we worked it out we realized we had.
Who are the strongest Far Eastern players, who do you think will finish highest from the region?
Well, Jakkrit Klaphajone, Naween Fernando, and Odette Rio did quite well last WSC. I understand Pakorn Nemitrmansuk was distracted by work last time out and therefore did not play well. Understandably. Life intrudes. Ganesh has improved with Nigel setting the pace and he should do a lot better than last time. Pui Cheng Wui said last time he would not be aiming for another WSC even if he qualified since it involved too much work.
The task I am going to lay before the two Singapore reps is very simple. Both to finish in the top half of the cut.
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