summary:For $\emptyset \neq M \subseteq \omega^*$, we say that $X$ is quasi $M$-compact, if for every $f: \omega \rightarrow X$ there is $p \in M$ such that $\overline{f}(p) \in X$, where $\overline{f}$ is the Stone-Čech extension of $f$. In this context, a space $X$ is countably compact iff $X$ is quasi $\omega^*$-compact. If $X$ is quasi $M$-compact and $M$ is either finite or countable discrete in $\omega^*$, then all powers of $X$ are countably compact. Assuming $CH$, we give an example of a countable subset $M \subseteq \omega^*$ and a quasi $M$-compact space $X$ whose square is not countably compact, and show that in a model of A. Blass and S. Shelah every quasi $M$-compact space is $p$-compact (= quasi $\{p\}$-compact) for some $p \i...