Game fixing... networking... selling of points... giving up points for those who can pay for it...
These are the common words and statements that come to life if we try to scan the sports columns and articles about Philippine Chess lately.
IM Ronald Dableo... IM Chito Garma... even the young ones, as in 14 and Under lady chessers were implicated into this bruhaha!
Anyone? any opinion? your thoughts? You are all welcome to post your comments here... Please send me yourthoughts on this and I will compile them here and post them all together. You've got balls to have your thoughts posted and be read worldwide? then include your name and email-ad so that anyone interested to send you their all agreeing love notes will be directed towards you. You alone.
Anyone?
As for me, I guess I would be lucky enough to be able to meet these players and hear their side. No more, No less.
fabph76. Insights maybe but not answers.
Wika Para sa Lahat
Magandang araw! Magandang hapon! Magandang gabi! If you understood any of the words or phrases I used, chances are that you know they come...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Reyes rules January edition of MCC Kiddies
Top seed Narquinden Reyes downed Marc Christian Nazario in the fifth and final round to rule the January edition of MCC Kiddies (14 & Under) Standard chess tourney held over the weekend at the Upper 2/F of St. Francis Square (SFS) in Mandaluyong City.
The 14-year old Reyes of Rizal recorded a perfect score of five points after five rounds of play to claim his first MCC title. Nazario, who ended up with a final score of four points with four wins and one loss, tied in 2nd-4th places along with Kristian Cristobal and Arvie Jongko but Nazario took the runner-up honor via tie break.
Cristobal, who beat Aaron Sopungco, occupied the third slot while Jongko who upended Miguel Lahoz placed fourth in the overall standing. Adjudged Best 6-under player was Krizzelle Erika Cortuna of Angeles City; Best 8-Under was Marie Antoinette Sandiego of Dasmariñas Cavite and Best 10-Under was Jose Marti Caniones of Quezon City.
Rounding off the top ten finishers were: Michael Angelo Manansala II of Batangas (5th); Jared Cruz of Taytay (6th); Vincent Joseph Fuerte (7th); John Mark Dimaliwat (8th); Sopungco (9th) and Jerome Villanueva of Pasig (10th).
Meanwhile, the February edition of MCC Executive 2000 below kicks off on Feb. 3 and the 1900 below on Feb. 4 at the same venue. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712.
The 14-year old Reyes of Rizal recorded a perfect score of five points after five rounds of play to claim his first MCC title. Nazario, who ended up with a final score of four points with four wins and one loss, tied in 2nd-4th places along with Kristian Cristobal and Arvie Jongko but Nazario took the runner-up honor via tie break.
Cristobal, who beat Aaron Sopungco, occupied the third slot while Jongko who upended Miguel Lahoz placed fourth in the overall standing. Adjudged Best 6-under player was Krizzelle Erika Cortuna of Angeles City; Best 8-Under was Marie Antoinette Sandiego of Dasmariñas Cavite and Best 10-Under was Jose Marti Caniones of Quezon City.
Rounding off the top ten finishers were: Michael Angelo Manansala II of Batangas (5th); Jared Cruz of Taytay (6th); Vincent Joseph Fuerte (7th); John Mark Dimaliwat (8th); Sopungco (9th) and Jerome Villanueva of Pasig (10th).
Meanwhile, the February edition of MCC Executive 2000 below kicks off on Feb. 3 and the 1900 below on Feb. 4 at the same venue. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
FIDE Update
FIDE is publishing the Press Release of the 1st quarter FIDE Presidential Board that was held in Antalya, Turkey from 26-29 January 2007 at the invitation of the Turkish Chess Federation.
Presidential Board Meeting
January 26-28th, 2007
The Presidential Board held its meeting at the invitation of the Turkish Chess Federation at Antalya, Turkey between January 26-28th, 2007.
The key issues in the crowded agenda were:
1. The goals and tasks of FIDE in the year 2007.
Apart from the change in the management style of FIDE introduced last year in the Elista Board meeting and the fruitful results of which can be already seen, President Kirsan N. Ilyumzhinov gave a positive summary of the work of FIDE of the last year. He emphasized that the President and the Board members should be more active in connection with the national federations. Since his re-election, he has visited more than 20 chess events and 12 national federations and in the year of 2007, he will visit and consult around 25 national federations, particularly in Latin America and Africa for exchanging views and collecting suggestions. Among the important practical tasks for FIDE, he mentioned the amendment of the Statutes, the revision of the membership, the increased activity of the work of the Commissions and Committees, more intense consulting with the professional players on playing conditions etc., and a more efficient communication of FIDE toward and with the chess players, international sport organizations, global chess audience and IOC. In the last respect, he emphasized the importance of the forthcoming meeting with Mr. J. Rogge, President of IOC. A special part of his speech was devoted to the most important chess events of the year, the World Chess Championship process, which will culminate in Mexico City in September-October this year.
2. World Championship Match proposal (separate announcement)
3. World Chess Championship Tournament in Mexico City
The Presidential Board listened to and approved the report of the Organizer regarding the preparation for the World Chess Championship tournament to be held on September 11 – October 1st, 2007 in Mexico City. All the key conditions in the contract have been fulfilled, the website of the event is: www.chessmexico.com.
The Presidential Board gladly took note of the announcement that current World Chess Champion, Mr. Vladimir Kramnik will play in the Mexico City tournament. A special committee has been established for reviewing the processes of the world chess championship system. The committee will forward its report on the options of improving and stabilizing the system as well as its recommendation to the President for decision after gaining the views of about 160 top chess players and the national federations. The decision will come in due course that all the players be prepared for the next WCCh cycle.
4. World Cup 2007
The final contract between FIDE and the Organizer of the World Cup 2007 to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk region has been signed. The preparation for the 2007 event has been made in the proper manner and the Cup will take place at November 23-December 14th, 2007 in Ugra, Siberia, Russia. The website of the 2007 World Cup is: www.ugra-chess.ru
5. Candidate Matches
The Candidate Matches will be held on May 26-June 14th, 2007 in Elista and sponsored jointly by the President and FIDE. The Presidential Board reviewed the Rules and Regulations of the Matches, the process of the preparation and the media plan for the event. The Internet communication channel can be found on the FIDE official website: www.fide.com
6. Other tournaments and bids for tournaments
The Presidential Board reviewed preparations and decided on bids regarding the following chess tournaments:
- Women`s World Team Chess Championship 2007 will be held on May 19-30th, 2007 in Yekaterinburg, Russia
- Women`s World Chess Championship 2008 will be held on March 8-25th, 2008 in Prague, Czech Republic
- World Junior Chess Championship 2008 will be held on August 2-16th, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey
- World Youth U-16 Chess Championship 2008 will be held on August 15-24th, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey
- World Amateur Chess Championship 2007 will be held on August 10-19th, 2007 in Predeal, Romania
- the Presidential Board set-up a committee to conduct on-site inspection regarding the offers of the 8 bidders for the World Youth Chess Championship 2009 and will present its recommendation to the next Executive Board/General Assembly meeting for final decision
- established a June 30th, 2007 deadline for submitting bids for the World Amateur Chess Championship 2008,
- established a December 31st, 2007 deadline for submitting bids for the World Junior Chess Championship 2009
7. Review of the 2006 Turin Chess Olympiad and the preparations for the 2010 Chess Olympiad
The Presidential Board reviewed the Turin 2006 Olympiad and drew conclusions regarding the quality of the organization, accommodation, the participation level, etc. The Board took note of the report that the preparations for the 2010 Chess Olympiad are in line with the time schedule and the contract was signed between FIDE and the organizer.
8. Development of FIDE Chess Academy
The Presidential Board reviewed the development of the Chess Academy and found it satisfactory, emphasizing the excellent work done in Singapore and further encouraged the people involved to extend the activities of the Chess Academy.
9. Title applications
The approved title applications can be seen of the official website: www.fide.com
10. Procedure for the Ethics Commission
In order to make the work of the Commission more effective, its chairman Mr. Rivello presented several modifications in the working procedure of the Commission. The Board decided for additional consultations before the changes can be introduced.
11. FIDE 2007 budget and administrative issues
The Board approved the budget for the year 2007 with the request to some Commissions and the PR and Marketing Directorate to modify their needs within the accepted limit.
The Presidential Board decided to open a branch FIDE office under the guidance of the General Secretary in Singapore.
12. Tournament regulations
The Presidential Board finalized the changes of the Tournament Regulations and Rules initiated at the Turin General Assembly meeting. The Rules will be in effect after July 1st, 2007 and can be soon downloaded from the FIDE website.
13. Global Chess company
The Presidential Board expressed its satisfaction that the initial meeting and discussion between FIDE and Global Chess company about the marketing and organization of world chess events were successful and that the company has been registered and the share-capital paid. The negotiations will continue between the representatives of FIDE and the company.
14. Greeting Honorary President Florencio Campomanes on his 80th birthday
The Presidential Board warmly greeted Mr. Florencio Campomanes, Honorary President on the occasion of his forthcoming 80th birthday and wished him good health, energy to be able to work for the interest of chess for a long time. A blitz tournament among the Board members has been organized to honor Mr. Campomanes.
Antalya, January 29th, 2007
http://fide.com/news.asp?id=1233
Presidential Board Meeting
January 26-28th, 2007
The Presidential Board held its meeting at the invitation of the Turkish Chess Federation at Antalya, Turkey between January 26-28th, 2007.
The key issues in the crowded agenda were:
1. The goals and tasks of FIDE in the year 2007.
Apart from the change in the management style of FIDE introduced last year in the Elista Board meeting and the fruitful results of which can be already seen, President Kirsan N. Ilyumzhinov gave a positive summary of the work of FIDE of the last year. He emphasized that the President and the Board members should be more active in connection with the national federations. Since his re-election, he has visited more than 20 chess events and 12 national federations and in the year of 2007, he will visit and consult around 25 national federations, particularly in Latin America and Africa for exchanging views and collecting suggestions. Among the important practical tasks for FIDE, he mentioned the amendment of the Statutes, the revision of the membership, the increased activity of the work of the Commissions and Committees, more intense consulting with the professional players on playing conditions etc., and a more efficient communication of FIDE toward and with the chess players, international sport organizations, global chess audience and IOC. In the last respect, he emphasized the importance of the forthcoming meeting with Mr. J. Rogge, President of IOC. A special part of his speech was devoted to the most important chess events of the year, the World Chess Championship process, which will culminate in Mexico City in September-October this year.
2. World Championship Match proposal (separate announcement)
3. World Chess Championship Tournament in Mexico City
The Presidential Board listened to and approved the report of the Organizer regarding the preparation for the World Chess Championship tournament to be held on September 11 – October 1st, 2007 in Mexico City. All the key conditions in the contract have been fulfilled, the website of the event is: www.chessmexico.com.
The Presidential Board gladly took note of the announcement that current World Chess Champion, Mr. Vladimir Kramnik will play in the Mexico City tournament. A special committee has been established for reviewing the processes of the world chess championship system. The committee will forward its report on the options of improving and stabilizing the system as well as its recommendation to the President for decision after gaining the views of about 160 top chess players and the national federations. The decision will come in due course that all the players be prepared for the next WCCh cycle.
4. World Cup 2007
The final contract between FIDE and the Organizer of the World Cup 2007 to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk region has been signed. The preparation for the 2007 event has been made in the proper manner and the Cup will take place at November 23-December 14th, 2007 in Ugra, Siberia, Russia. The website of the 2007 World Cup is: www.ugra-chess.ru
5. Candidate Matches
The Candidate Matches will be held on May 26-June 14th, 2007 in Elista and sponsored jointly by the President and FIDE. The Presidential Board reviewed the Rules and Regulations of the Matches, the process of the preparation and the media plan for the event. The Internet communication channel can be found on the FIDE official website: www.fide.com
6. Other tournaments and bids for tournaments
The Presidential Board reviewed preparations and decided on bids regarding the following chess tournaments:
- Women`s World Team Chess Championship 2007 will be held on May 19-30th, 2007 in Yekaterinburg, Russia
- Women`s World Chess Championship 2008 will be held on March 8-25th, 2008 in Prague, Czech Republic
- World Junior Chess Championship 2008 will be held on August 2-16th, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey
- World Youth U-16 Chess Championship 2008 will be held on August 15-24th, 2008 in Ankara, Turkey
- World Amateur Chess Championship 2007 will be held on August 10-19th, 2007 in Predeal, Romania
- the Presidential Board set-up a committee to conduct on-site inspection regarding the offers of the 8 bidders for the World Youth Chess Championship 2009 and will present its recommendation to the next Executive Board/General Assembly meeting for final decision
- established a June 30th, 2007 deadline for submitting bids for the World Amateur Chess Championship 2008,
- established a December 31st, 2007 deadline for submitting bids for the World Junior Chess Championship 2009
7. Review of the 2006 Turin Chess Olympiad and the preparations for the 2010 Chess Olympiad
The Presidential Board reviewed the Turin 2006 Olympiad and drew conclusions regarding the quality of the organization, accommodation, the participation level, etc. The Board took note of the report that the preparations for the 2010 Chess Olympiad are in line with the time schedule and the contract was signed between FIDE and the organizer.
8. Development of FIDE Chess Academy
The Presidential Board reviewed the development of the Chess Academy and found it satisfactory, emphasizing the excellent work done in Singapore and further encouraged the people involved to extend the activities of the Chess Academy.
9. Title applications
The approved title applications can be seen of the official website: www.fide.com
10. Procedure for the Ethics Commission
In order to make the work of the Commission more effective, its chairman Mr. Rivello presented several modifications in the working procedure of the Commission. The Board decided for additional consultations before the changes can be introduced.
11. FIDE 2007 budget and administrative issues
The Board approved the budget for the year 2007 with the request to some Commissions and the PR and Marketing Directorate to modify their needs within the accepted limit.
The Presidential Board decided to open a branch FIDE office under the guidance of the General Secretary in Singapore.
12. Tournament regulations
The Presidential Board finalized the changes of the Tournament Regulations and Rules initiated at the Turin General Assembly meeting. The Rules will be in effect after July 1st, 2007 and can be soon downloaded from the FIDE website.
13. Global Chess company
The Presidential Board expressed its satisfaction that the initial meeting and discussion between FIDE and Global Chess company about the marketing and organization of world chess events were successful and that the company has been registered and the share-capital paid. The negotiations will continue between the representatives of FIDE and the company.
14. Greeting Honorary President Florencio Campomanes on his 80th birthday
The Presidential Board warmly greeted Mr. Florencio Campomanes, Honorary President on the occasion of his forthcoming 80th birthday and wished him good health, energy to be able to work for the interest of chess for a long time. A blitz tournament among the Board members has been organized to honor Mr. Campomanes.
Antalya, January 29th, 2007
http://fide.com/news.asp?id=1233
Monday, January 29, 2007
And another one...
an excerpt from Chess Piece of Mr. Bobby Ang...
GAME-FIXING?
All this recent talk about “networking”, game-fixing, is distressing, not because they are true, but because someone is obviously trying to advance his own agenda, trying to bring down his chess rivals, and use well-meaning people to do it.
Let me quote some commentary by an informed chess observer, Mr. Herky del Mundo:
“The current controversy of game-fixing in local chess tournaments appears to be a shocking news, not because its anything new but it involves the cream of the crop, current as well as future, of Philippine chess.
”Ironically, the timing of identifying the suspects raises more questions than the scandal itself. It was totally inappropriate since the most prominent suspects are currently representing the country in Vietnam and are not in the country to defend themselves.
”There is no doubt that the resurgence of the young players has been the envy of the old guards, and anything to bring them down would be a sufficient vengeance. Since both the young and the veterans are competing against each other as well as with foreign players in the Asian Zonal, the scandal is bound to affect the performance of the young players.
”The charge that befalls these named players is "networking" or game fixing of several games so that a desired outcome would be determined. Their participation allegedly allows them to partake of the winner's prize money.
”The only problem with the situation is that it took so long before this was exposed to the limelight, that it has become suspect.
”With the advent of so-called "networking," why would the federation be suddenly indignant when wrong practices have largely gone unpunished in the past? If the current NCFP leadership review the alleged ‘networking’ scam it might as well put itself and its players under the microscope. How many alleged improprieties have blown over in the federation while insufficient accounting should suffice for prosecution?
”Has the federation also been irresponsible for revealing the names in the "networking" controversy which obviously would distract its representatives to the zonals. This is not just any tournament. This is the road to big money in chess. Everyone one should know what is at stake. It is the path towards becoming a world champion.
”Isn't the premature announcement of the suspect's names tilting the balance in favor of those participants not implicated in the scandal as well as foreign players? Some of the alleged suspects are excellent players who can make their run for the zonal -- likely candidates to the world championships if they succeed. Something that talent and not networking will catapult them to the championship.
”Now, they have the burden of achieving their individual successes with the scandal hovering over their heads. The investigations, if it has any merit, should at the very least be held privately so as not to influence the outcome of the games.
”Is the expose a real case of indignity or were there other motives? It is a widely-held belief in local chess circles that corruption in chess tournament is common practice since some players will give up their game to assure themselves of income. It has happened in the past, at present, and will in the future as long as the players do not sense any form of moral leadership from the federation.
”The federation professed to provide this leadership after the scandal broke. But can one exact moral standards to a community where the federation for the most part has not led a good example? Would we say that the practice in the past of dropping games in favor of a potential candidate for an international title justifiable? Is this any less abhorring than selling a game for money?
”Do I see any denial on this practice? Are some of the titled players so confident of their ability that they feel they deserve their victory despite participating in a locally-held international tournament designed for their success?
“The problem with local chess is nobody cares about ethics when it comes to titles or money. When a player does not have a chance for the money pot, he would be too willing to give up his game for some form of consideration or ‘balato’. This is easily justified because in some cases any type of winning might mean the next meal.
”Somewhat in their mind the practice is totally acceptable. For the offender, it just means that he is losing the game, and does not really look farther on how it would affect the outcome of other games. Prizes in the form of cash are so desired because it will be easy to divide it among willing players.
”It will be total irony if we are not able to produce any Filipino zonal candidates because of this scandal and the bickering it involves. Stiff competition among players have polarized them into groups and the alleged networking, whether true or not, might just be a consequence of these differences.
”Even if the charges are not proven, it would have done the harm already. The premature announcement of names and trial by publicity would only setback not only these rising stars but also in effect the future of Philippine chess.”
* * * * *
I will not deny that there are incidents of players who no longer have a chance at qualification or a big prize throw their games and share in whatever prize their partner-in-crime gets. But to claim that there is a networking scheme where people throw games to one another to get a desired result is to assume an organized group is pulling the strings, calling the shots. This is ridiculous.
And then to announce the names of the suspects while they are smack in the middle of zonal competition, then it becomes obvious why these issues are coming out. Pay particular attention to the 3rd paragraph of the above commentary, and there you may see a hint of who the people are behind this.
I have said my piece, and this is the last comment you will hear from me about this “networking”.
......
GAME-FIXING?
All this recent talk about “networking”, game-fixing, is distressing, not because they are true, but because someone is obviously trying to advance his own agenda, trying to bring down his chess rivals, and use well-meaning people to do it.
Let me quote some commentary by an informed chess observer, Mr. Herky del Mundo:
“The current controversy of game-fixing in local chess tournaments appears to be a shocking news, not because its anything new but it involves the cream of the crop, current as well as future, of Philippine chess.
”Ironically, the timing of identifying the suspects raises more questions than the scandal itself. It was totally inappropriate since the most prominent suspects are currently representing the country in Vietnam and are not in the country to defend themselves.
”There is no doubt that the resurgence of the young players has been the envy of the old guards, and anything to bring them down would be a sufficient vengeance. Since both the young and the veterans are competing against each other as well as with foreign players in the Asian Zonal, the scandal is bound to affect the performance of the young players.
”The charge that befalls these named players is "networking" or game fixing of several games so that a desired outcome would be determined. Their participation allegedly allows them to partake of the winner's prize money.
”The only problem with the situation is that it took so long before this was exposed to the limelight, that it has become suspect.
”With the advent of so-called "networking," why would the federation be suddenly indignant when wrong practices have largely gone unpunished in the past? If the current NCFP leadership review the alleged ‘networking’ scam it might as well put itself and its players under the microscope. How many alleged improprieties have blown over in the federation while insufficient accounting should suffice for prosecution?
”Has the federation also been irresponsible for revealing the names in the "networking" controversy which obviously would distract its representatives to the zonals. This is not just any tournament. This is the road to big money in chess. Everyone one should know what is at stake. It is the path towards becoming a world champion.
”Isn't the premature announcement of the suspect's names tilting the balance in favor of those participants not implicated in the scandal as well as foreign players? Some of the alleged suspects are excellent players who can make their run for the zonal -- likely candidates to the world championships if they succeed. Something that talent and not networking will catapult them to the championship.
”Now, they have the burden of achieving their individual successes with the scandal hovering over their heads. The investigations, if it has any merit, should at the very least be held privately so as not to influence the outcome of the games.
”Is the expose a real case of indignity or were there other motives? It is a widely-held belief in local chess circles that corruption in chess tournament is common practice since some players will give up their game to assure themselves of income. It has happened in the past, at present, and will in the future as long as the players do not sense any form of moral leadership from the federation.
”The federation professed to provide this leadership after the scandal broke. But can one exact moral standards to a community where the federation for the most part has not led a good example? Would we say that the practice in the past of dropping games in favor of a potential candidate for an international title justifiable? Is this any less abhorring than selling a game for money?
”Do I see any denial on this practice? Are some of the titled players so confident of their ability that they feel they deserve their victory despite participating in a locally-held international tournament designed for their success?
“The problem with local chess is nobody cares about ethics when it comes to titles or money. When a player does not have a chance for the money pot, he would be too willing to give up his game for some form of consideration or ‘balato’. This is easily justified because in some cases any type of winning might mean the next meal.
”Somewhat in their mind the practice is totally acceptable. For the offender, it just means that he is losing the game, and does not really look farther on how it would affect the outcome of other games. Prizes in the form of cash are so desired because it will be easy to divide it among willing players.
”It will be total irony if we are not able to produce any Filipino zonal candidates because of this scandal and the bickering it involves. Stiff competition among players have polarized them into groups and the alleged networking, whether true or not, might just be a consequence of these differences.
”Even if the charges are not proven, it would have done the harm already. The premature announcement of names and trial by publicity would only setback not only these rising stars but also in effect the future of Philippine chess.”
* * * * *
I will not deny that there are incidents of players who no longer have a chance at qualification or a big prize throw their games and share in whatever prize their partner-in-crime gets. But to claim that there is a networking scheme where people throw games to one another to get a desired result is to assume an organized group is pulling the strings, calling the shots. This is ridiculous.
And then to announce the names of the suspects while they are smack in the middle of zonal competition, then it becomes obvious why these issues are coming out. Pay particular attention to the 3rd paragraph of the above commentary, and there you may see a hint of who the people are behind this.
I have said my piece, and this is the last comment you will hear from me about this “networking”.
......
Friday, January 26, 2007
MCC Kiddies
11-year old Marc Christian Nazario and Malcolm Kwok lead the early entries in the January edition of MCC Kiddies (14 & Under) Standard chess tourney that kicks off at 12:00noon today, Jan. 27, at the Upper 2/F of St. Francis Square (SFS) behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
The two-day event is open to kiddie players who are born 1993 onwards, regardless of sexes. The event will adopt the 5-round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes play-to-finish to select the top four winners who will receive cash prizes and medals.
Likewise, the top performers in the following age-groups, namely: 6-under, 8-under, 10-under and 12-under will also be awarded medals.
Interested parties are advised to register at MCC office located at the lower 2F of SFS at least thirty minutes before the games start at 12nn. New registrants must submit their birth certificates upon registration. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712.
Meanwhile, the Checkmate Phils. by Metropolitan Chess Club and sponsored by MILO will hold additional Saturday-only chess classes starting today at Jollibee-Harrison Plaza from 8am-12nn and at Chowking-Anonas, Proj. 3, Quezon City from 2-6pm.
The two-day event is open to kiddie players who are born 1993 onwards, regardless of sexes. The event will adopt the 5-round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes play-to-finish to select the top four winners who will receive cash prizes and medals.
Likewise, the top performers in the following age-groups, namely: 6-under, 8-under, 10-under and 12-under will also be awarded medals.
Interested parties are advised to register at MCC office located at the lower 2F of SFS at least thirty minutes before the games start at 12nn. New registrants must submit their birth certificates upon registration. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712.
Meanwhile, the Checkmate Phils. by Metropolitan Chess Club and sponsored by MILO will hold additional Saturday-only chess classes starting today at Jollibee-Harrison Plaza from 8am-12nn and at Chowking-Anonas, Proj. 3, Quezon City from 2-6pm.
Another fuel-ish article
Here's another thingy thing for the fire to grow even bigger. Fuel in the fire! Fuel in the Fire....
Pichay: Result of chess probe out soon
Inquirer
Last updated 01:42am (Mla time) 01/26/2007
THE NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines is expected to announce in the next few weeks the result of its investigation of the game-fixing scam and the penalties for the guilty players.
NCFP president and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said he would immediately convene the NCFP board once the investigating group finalizes its report.
“The board will hear the side of the accused. They will be given their day in court, and we will make sure that justice will prevail,” said the Surigao del Sur lawmaker.
Meanwhile, International Master Jayson Gonzales, a member of the five-man investigating team, said evidence is strong against the eight accused players based on the reviewed score sheets of the 1st PGMA Cup, the National Inter-Provincial in Cagayan de Oro City and the National Championship last month in Manila .
Gonzales identified the players as International Master Ronald Dableo, National Master Oliver Barbosa, WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao, WNM Enerose Magno, 12-year-old WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales, Dino Ballecer, Rainier Labay and Merben Roque.
Grandmaster Mark Paragua and IM Darwin Laylo were not in the list, Gonzales pointed out, because the score sheet of last year’s Tanauan Open was not submitted.
However, NCFP executive director lawyer Samuel Estimo said that he would push for a probe of the Tanauan Open results, adding that he had strong evidence proving the players were guilty of game-fixing.
The probe team is headed by NCFP tournament chair Willie Abalos with international arbiter Gene Poliarco, national arbiters Elias Lao and Patrick Lee and Gonzales as members.
According to Estimo, it would require a two-thirds vote of the 15-man board to declare a player guilty.
He said the players will be given 30 days to refute the charges even as he assured fair treatment for the involved parties.
Meanwhile, Lomibao also denied the game-fixing charge, adding she’s ready to prove her innocence before the NCFP board.
Also denying their involvement were Paragua, Magno and Ballecer. Tara Jade Aurelio-Dableo said her husband Ronald also was not guilty of game-fixing. Jomar Bernales had also cleared his daughter Christy Lamiel.
Pichay: Result of chess probe out soon
Inquirer
Last updated 01:42am (Mla time) 01/26/2007
THE NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines is expected to announce in the next few weeks the result of its investigation of the game-fixing scam and the penalties for the guilty players.
NCFP president and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said he would immediately convene the NCFP board once the investigating group finalizes its report.
“The board will hear the side of the accused. They will be given their day in court, and we will make sure that justice will prevail,” said the Surigao del Sur lawmaker.
Meanwhile, International Master Jayson Gonzales, a member of the five-man investigating team, said evidence is strong against the eight accused players based on the reviewed score sheets of the 1st PGMA Cup, the National Inter-Provincial in Cagayan de Oro City and the National Championship last month in Manila .
Gonzales identified the players as International Master Ronald Dableo, National Master Oliver Barbosa, WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao, WNM Enerose Magno, 12-year-old WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales, Dino Ballecer, Rainier Labay and Merben Roque.
Grandmaster Mark Paragua and IM Darwin Laylo were not in the list, Gonzales pointed out, because the score sheet of last year’s Tanauan Open was not submitted.
However, NCFP executive director lawyer Samuel Estimo said that he would push for a probe of the Tanauan Open results, adding that he had strong evidence proving the players were guilty of game-fixing.
The probe team is headed by NCFP tournament chair Willie Abalos with international arbiter Gene Poliarco, national arbiters Elias Lao and Patrick Lee and Gonzales as members.
According to Estimo, it would require a two-thirds vote of the 15-man board to declare a player guilty.
He said the players will be given 30 days to refute the charges even as he assured fair treatment for the involved parties.
Meanwhile, Lomibao also denied the game-fixing charge, adding she’s ready to prove her innocence before the NCFP board.
Also denying their involvement were Paragua, Magno and Ballecer. Tara Jade Aurelio-Dableo said her husband Ronald also was not guilty of game-fixing. Jomar Bernales had also cleared his daughter Christy Lamiel.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Lingering Issues
I dont really know when this will stop, where this will go or headed and what good will it bring to Philippine Chess... tsk! tsk! tsk!
Chessers protest official’s role in game-fixing probe
The Philippine Star 01/25/2007
Chess players have protested the inclusion of Willie Abalos in the committe tasked by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines to investigate the game-fixing issue.
This after Abalos was found to have a personal grudge with International Master Ronald Dableo, one of the players he has implicated in the scandal that has rocked RP chess.
"Out of delicadeza, Abalos should resign as member of the group investigating the game-fixing scandal because he has a quarrel with Dableo," said a source close to Dableo in Filipino.
"He’ll definitely influence the investigation because he has a personal grudge with Dableo," added the same source.
Reports showed that Abalos had been at odds with Dableo for years but their quarrel reached its height during the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Abalos accused Dableo, an Air Force man, of throwing a game to Vietnamese Grandmaster Dao Thien Hai in a foreign tournament last year. To-date the former failed to substantiate the charges.
"How can he (Dableo) throw that game when a win meant IM Oliver Dimakiling would end up champion and IM Darwin Laylo second place.
"You can’t do that to friends and especially when you’re playing for flag and country, that’s completely preposterous," explained the same source.
The NCFP has tasked Abalos to spearhead the probe in the President Arroyo Cup in November and the Pichay Cup in December last year while NCFP executive director Sammy Estimo was assigned to the tournament in Tanauan, Batangas also last year.
Allegations of selling of points in Tanauan where IM Chito Garma won, games won quickly in the President Arroyo Cup and fishy final round games in the Pichay Cup were the issues raised that prompted the NCFP probe. — Joey Villar
Chessers protest official’s role in game-fixing probe
The Philippine Star 01/25/2007
Chess players have protested the inclusion of Willie Abalos in the committe tasked by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines to investigate the game-fixing issue.
This after Abalos was found to have a personal grudge with International Master Ronald Dableo, one of the players he has implicated in the scandal that has rocked RP chess.
"Out of delicadeza, Abalos should resign as member of the group investigating the game-fixing scandal because he has a quarrel with Dableo," said a source close to Dableo in Filipino.
"He’ll definitely influence the investigation because he has a personal grudge with Dableo," added the same source.
Reports showed that Abalos had been at odds with Dableo for years but their quarrel reached its height during the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Abalos accused Dableo, an Air Force man, of throwing a game to Vietnamese Grandmaster Dao Thien Hai in a foreign tournament last year. To-date the former failed to substantiate the charges.
"How can he (Dableo) throw that game when a win meant IM Oliver Dimakiling would end up champion and IM Darwin Laylo second place.
"You can’t do that to friends and especially when you’re playing for flag and country, that’s completely preposterous," explained the same source.
The NCFP has tasked Abalos to spearhead the probe in the President Arroyo Cup in November and the Pichay Cup in December last year while NCFP executive director Sammy Estimo was assigned to the tournament in Tanauan, Batangas also last year.
Allegations of selling of points in Tanauan where IM Chito Garma won, games won quickly in the President Arroyo Cup and fishy final round games in the Pichay Cup were the issues raised that prompted the NCFP probe. — Joey Villar
Recent Bobby Ang Articles on Philippine Chess
WESLEY SO IS PHILIPPINE CHAMPION
by Bobby Ang
It looks like Wesley So is bent on breaking all Philippine chess records (the good ones only – some other titled players are taking care of the bad ones). Already the Philippines’ youngest ever Olympian at 12 years of age, youngest ever International Master at 13, and now he enters the record books once again as the youngest ever Philippine champion at 13.
Do you know whose record Wesley broke?
Ramon Lontoc, Jr. was born on August 27, 1917. At the age of 5 he learned the rudiments of the game from his father and elder brothers who were themselves strong players. In 1925, at the age of 8 (!!), he was crowned National Junior Champion. In 1931 he won the Metropolitan Championship, the unofficial Philippine championship and later that year he defeated the reigning national titlist, Adolfo Gutierrez in an official challenge match with the score of 4-2 and 6 draws to become champion at 14. In 1932 he drew his game (this was in consultation with Dr. Ariel Mencarini, but it is acknowledged that Lontoc was the one calling the shots) with Dr. Alexander Alekhine in a simultaneous blindfold exhibition during the world champion’s visit to Manila.
Lontoc was to win the national crown seven more times and, at the age of 57, came back from retirement to qualify for the “dream team” (Eugene Torre, Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, Renato Naranja, Rosendo Balinas Jr., Ramon Lontoc, Jr., and Glenn Bordonada) to the 1974 Nice Olympiad. This was the high point of Philippine chess, for in the Olympiad the Philippines made history: it placed 11th, defeated powerful chess squads from Hungary and Czechoslovakia and Eugene Torre got his grandmaster title – he was also silver medalist on top board, second only to Anatoly Karpov.
2nd Cong. Prospero A. Pichay Cup
National Open Chess Championship
December 2006
1 IM Wesley So, 7.5/9
2 IM Ronald Dableo, 7.0/9
3-9 IM Darwin Laylo, GM Mark Paragua, IM Oliver Dimakiling, GM Nelson Mariano, Julius Joseph de Ramos, IM Yves Ranola, Oliver Barbosa, 6.5/9
10-15 John Paul Gomez, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Fernie Donguines, IM Barlo Nadera, Jerome Balico, IM Jayson Gonzales, 6.0/9
16-25 Rhobel Legaspi, IM Richard Bitoon, Arlan Cabe, Emmanuel Senador, IM Petronio Roca, Efren Bagamasbad, Adrian Pacis, IM Chito Garma, Rolando Nolte, FM Mirabeau Maga, 5.5/9
Total of 80 players
Here is Wesley’s last round game against Richard Bitoon which sealed the title for him.
So,Wesley (2411) - Bitoon,Richard (2433) [B42]
Pichay Cup National Op SM Manila (9), 12.2006
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Ne7 6.Nc3
GM John Emms thinks that 6.0–0 is more accurate here so as to answer 6...Nec6 with 7.c3 but I think it is only a matter of taste. Some people don't like to dabble with positional subtleties and prefer to go straight for the throat, people like Wesley So.
6...Nec6 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0–0
The recommended line in "Beating the Sicilian 3" against Black's Sicilian Kan formation is 8.Qh5! d6 9.Be3 Nd7 10.f4 b5 11.0–0–0 b4?! 12.Na4! e5 13.f5 0–0 14.g4! and White has an automatic attack. This is Mikhalchishin,A (2465)-Dorfman,J (2540)/ Lvov 1983 1–0 (45).
8...0–0 9.f4 d6 10.Qf3 Nd7 11.Bd2 Nc5 12.Nxc5 dxc5 13.Be3 b5 14.e5 Qc7 15.Ne4
The sequence Nf6+ followed by Bxh7+ is in the air. Both sides must have considered the threat carefully with differing conclusions.
15...c4
"I dare you" says Richard.
16.Nf6+ Bxf6
Of course 16...gxf6 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Rf3 is forced mate.
17.Bxh7+! Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.exf6 Ne7!
The only way to keep the game going. 19...gxf6 20.Qg4+ Kh8 21.Rf3 gives us the same mating theme as in the variation given above.
20.fxe7 Re8
[20...Qxe7? 21.Bc5]
21.Rf3 Qxe7 22.Rh3 f5 23.Bd4
Threat is Qh8+ followed by Qxg7 mate.
23...e5 24.Bxe5 Qc5+ 25.Kh1 Rxe5 26.fxe5 Qxe5 27.Rf1
Wesley is still winning, but more accurate is 27.Rd1! Bb7 (If 27...Qe7 then 28.Rd8+ Qxd8 29.Qh8+ snares the queen) 28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Rg3 Bc8 30.Qg6+ Ke7 31.Qc6 Rb8 32.Rxg7+!
27...Rb8 28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Rhf3
[29.Rh6! finishes quicker]
29...Rb6 30.Qh5+ Kg8 31.Qg5 Rf6 32.Re3 Qd6 33.Re8+ Rf8 34.Re7 Rf7 35.Re8+ Rf8 36.Rfe1 Bd7 37.Rxf8+ Kxf8 38.Qd8+ Kf7 39.h4 Kg6 40.Re7 Qd1+ 41.Kh2 Qd6+ 42.Kh3 1–0
I must say that I have noticed the maturity of Wesley’s over-all game. From being an occasional brilliancy prize winner he has already grown to a stable performer who can contend on equal terms in the opening, middlegame and endgame.
Immediately after annexing the Philippine crown Wesley went to Singapore to play in the Masters’ Open. I will show you his game vs China’s 19-year old Li Chao, one more from the never-ending gallery of young promising players that they have. Li is much higher rated and despite his youth has played in a ton of tournaments in china. Wesley pulls out an opening novelty from his bag of tricks, gets the advantage, and then vigorously forces home the advantage. He made a 2500+ rated player look like a beginner (excuse me for gloating, but we don’t encounter these situations regularly these days).
So,Wesley (2411) - Li Chao (2508) [C47]
Singapore Masters (7), 29.12.2006
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 0–0 8.0–0 Re8
Li Chao avoids the main lines. After 8...d5 9.exd5 (9.e5? Ng4 10.Bf4 f6 is favorable for Black. Mieses,J-Rubinstein,A/ Berlin 1924 0–1 (37)) 9...cxd5 10.Bg5 c6 11.Qf3 Be7 it looks like black has [ completely equalized. Of course, if you are higher rated than your opponent and want to play for a win, you sometimes avoid the main lines which have the drawback of being heavily analyzed.
9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 Rb8?!
In his notes to the game Reinderman vs Ivan Sokolov from the 1995 Dutch championship, Viktor Korchnoi criticizes this move and suggests that the best course of action for Black would be to set up counter-action against white's e4 with 10...d6 11.f4 Bb7 12.Kh1 Bxc3 13.bxc3 c5 with a very playable game.
11.f4!
A theoretical novelty, and a good one. White wants to put pressure on f6 but the previous try 11.Qf3 didn't work. Black can immediately break the pin with 11...g5 12.Bg3 d6 and there is nothing wrong with his position. To illustrate just how quickly matters can come to a head: 13.Na4? (better is 13.h3! ) 13...c5 14.c3 Ba5 15.Rfe1 Bg4 16.Qe3 Bd7 17.Bc2 Bxa4 18.Bxa4 Rxe4 19.Qxe4 Nxe4 20.Rxe4 f5 Black has won material and soon wraps up. 21.Re6 f4 22.Rae1 Rxb2 23.Bb3 Rxb3 24.axb3 Kf7 0–1 Reinderman,D (2440)-Sokolov,I (2645)/ NED-ch 1995.
11...Be7 12.b3 Bc5+?
The start of a faulty maneuver. 12...d5 was indicated.
13.Kh1 Bd4 14.Ne2!
Maybe Black's idea was 14.Qe1 Bxc3 15.Qxc3 Nxe4 16.Bxd8 Nxc3 17.Bxc7 Rb7 18.Be5 Nd5 but even here White has a big advantage - two bishops, two pawn islands to Black's three, and a dark-squared weakness for the enemy which his bishops will no doubt exploit. Anyway, Wesley's move is much stronger.
14...Bxa1 15.Qxa1
caption: position after 15.Qxa1
Taking stock, we see that Black sorely misses his dark-squared bishop. The pressure against f6 is very strong and in fact the rest of the game looks like a forced win for White.
15...d6
The normal Sicilian maneuver 15...g5? 16.fxg5 Nh7 does not work here because of 17.g6!
16.Ng3 Re6 17.f5 Re5 18.Nh5 Kh7 19.Qe1
The main threat is 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qh4.
19...d5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qh4 Qe7 22.Qg3 1–0
Li Chao resigns because the only move to prevent checkmate, 22...Qf8, allows 23.Nxf6+ Kh8 24.Qxe5.
Here Botvinnik’s lecture seems relevant:
“If you are going to make your mark among masters, you have to work far harder and more intensively, or, to put it more exactly, the work is far more complex than that needed to gain the title of Master. To begin with, you find yourself up against experienced, technically well-trained tournament players. And then, if your advance is swift, others play against you far more energetically.
“And, thirdly, every successive step up the ladder grows more difficult.
“At this stage you have to learn how to analyse and comment on games, for that enables you to criticize your own failures and successes. You have to accustom yourself to practical study at home, you have to devote time to studies, to the history of chess, the development of chess theory, of chess culture”.
I hope whoever is Wesley’s present coach takes note of the next step in his development – the analyzing and commenting on games.
Reader comments/suggestions are urgently solicited. Email address is bangcpa@gmail.com
"This article first appeared in Bobby Ang's column in Businessworld (Philippines) on 15 January 2007"
TOP PHILIPPINE PLAYERS
by Bobby Ang
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has issued the January 2007 rating list. Following are the top ten Filipino players:
1 GM Mark Paragua 2573
2 GM Rogelio Antonio Jr 2551
3 GM Eugenio Torre 2547
4 IM Joseph Sanchez 2482
5 IM Oliver Dimakiling 2481
6 IM Darwin Laylo 2476
7 IM Jayson Gonzales 2458
8 IM Idelfonso Datu 2457
9 NM John Paul Gomez 2455
10 IM Ronald Dableo 2453
The player who made the biggest rating gain is John Paul Gomez, who started with a 2387 rating in October 2006 and is now 2455. Usually a 68 point jump like that would be considered incredible, but remember that John Paul has always been a very strong player but limited opportunities to play. As soon as he got the chance to participate in rated tournaments then the rating lists now start to reflect his true strength.
The one who made the biggest drop in ratings is IM Petronio Roca, who lost 27 points and crashed down from ELO 2408 to 2381. But don’t read too much into this – Roca has made a career out of peaks and valleys and his steep rating swings has become a habit. Also the strong medicine he often has to take to control blood pressure naturally affects his playing results.
Roca is respected as one of our best players and indeed he is among the very few who have positive lifetime scores against both Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio. His chess is strong and aggressive and once Roca gets on a roll with a few wins put together then he becomes hard to stop.
Take a look at the following game from the GMA Cup. Even off-form he still can flog the occasional up-and-comer.
Roca,Petronio (2408) - Diez,Boris Michael [B59]
1st GMA Cup International Open CC Duty Free Fiesta Mall (5.25), 20.11.2006
Boris Diez is a junior standout from Cagayan de Oro. He is one of our young players who is computer literate and trains regularly in the Internet Chess Club.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2 e5
The Boleslavsky Variation.
7.Nb3
In contrast with the Sicilian Najdorf, moving the knight to b3 instead of f3 offers Black good chances, and is hardly used by strong players nowadays. The knight on b3 is badly placed and serves as a target for Black's a-pawn. However, on the plus side, the white f-pawn is free to advance, and for many white players of the Sicilian this is enough justification.
7...Be6
The normal sequence of moves here is 7...Be7 followed by 8.0–0 0–0. However Diez has a different idea which he wants to try on Roca.
8.f4 exf4 9.Bxf4 d5!? 10.e5 Nd7 11.Nd4 Ndxe5?!
Clearly 11...Qb6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 is the better choice, after which Black gets the upper hand due to his better-secured king. However, the text is definitely in keeping with Boris' style, which is to provoke tactical complications. It might not be a good way to play against Roca, though.
12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Bb5+ Ke7?!
[13...Nd7? is definitely a mistake which is refuted by 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Qh5+ Ke7 16.Nxd5+!, but 13...Bd7 can be considered]
14.Qe2 Qd6 15.0–0–0 g6 16.Rhe1 Bg7 17.Nf3 f6 18.Bc4?!
An inaccuracy. White should exchange knights first on e5 before putting his bishop on c4, because now 18...Nxc4 gives Black a chance to resist.
18...Nxc4 19.Nxd5+ Kf7 20.Qxc4 Rhd8?
Loses an important tempo. Best is 20...Rhc8 21.Qb3 Kf8 which tales his king away from the dangerous a2-g8 diagonal.
21.Rxe6! Qxe6 22.Ng5+ fxg5 23.Rf1+
The point. Black's queen is lost.
23...Bf6
[23...Kg8 24.Ne7+]
24.Rxf6+ Qxf6 25.Qc7+ Ke6 26.Nxf6 Kxf6 27.Qxb7
Two rooks is usually better than the queen, but Black's exposed king gives Roca the edge to capture a few pawns and advance his passed pawns.
27...h5 28.b4 Rab8 29.Qc6+ Kf5 30.a4 Rb6 31.Qc5+ Kf6 32.a5 Rbb8 33.c3 Rbc8 34.Qf2+ Ke5 35.Qe3+ Kf5 36.Kb2 Rd7 37.h4! Rg8
[37...gxh4 38.Qh3+; 37...g4 38.Qg5+ Ke4 39.Qxg6+ Kf4 40.Qxh5]
38.Qxg5+ Ke4 39.Kb3 Rgg7 40.Qg3 Rdf7 41.b5 Rf1 42.Kc4 Rf5? 43.Qd3+ 1–0
Boris Diez resigns. After 43...Kf4 44.Qd4+ followed by 45.Qxg7 is too painful to watch.
We have several players who entered the rating list for the first time due to their good performance in the 1st GMA Cup. They are:
Hamed Nouri ELO 2418
Sander Severino ELO 2405
Rhobel Legaspi ELO 2328
Efren Bagamasbad ELO 2295
Sander Severino is listed as “no title” in the FIDE lists. This is a mistake. Sander Severino earned the FIDE Master title when he topped the 2000 Asian Continental Under-16 Championship which the Philippine Chess Society organized in Bagac, Bataan. Sander did not enter the rating lists then because he had not played enough rated games, but the title in his case was given because of result, and not rating. I remember seeing his name with the “FM” in the FIDE website when it listed the titled players of the Philippines. This is another issue which the NCFP has to clear up.
Rhobel Legaspi is a former college standout from UST and was a one-time rival of John Paul Gomez for the Philippine junior title. He is an extremely strong player and I am happy that he has successfully passed his first international outing via the GMA Cup.
As to Efren Bagamasbad, a good friend of mine, what can I say. He is likewise a UST graduate from its Faculty of Engineering, and he rose up his profession to become a Quality Control Engineer in Coca Cola, this is a senior manager position. While going up the corporate ladder in the 80s Efren was also monopolizing all the Executive Chess tournaments in the country. He got his National Master title from the 1990 Far East Bank International tournament (the one that Anand one) together with Barlo Nadera, Fernando Latoza and Venerando Malinao.
Hamed Nouri, the controversial star of the 1st GMA Cup, has jumped out of nowhere to land in 17th place with an ELO rating of 2418. You may recall that he defeated three GMs in succession during the Cup (Joey Antonio, Bong Villamayor and Vladimir Belov) and the Russian GM accused him of cheating with a computer during his games.
I treated the accusations with a great deal of skepticism. Belov had implied that such an unknown player could not have played so strongly without the use of external assistance, but I had seen Nouri in action during the 1999 Philippine National Team Championships and can vouch that his tactical skill is of a high level.
GM Bong recently emailed me the score of his game against Nouri in the GMA Cup. You judge for yourself whether he was cheating or not.
Nouri, Hamed - Villamayor,Bong (2430) [A45]
1st PGMA Chess Cup (7), 22.11.2006
1.d4 e6 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 b6 4.Ne2 Bb7 5.0–0 c5 6.Nd2 cxd4 7.exd4 Be7 8.Re1 Qc7 9.Nc4 d6 10.Nf4 Nbd7
Black should already have castled.
11.Ne3
The threats start. White has the intention of continuing 12.d5 e5 13.Nf5 with an attack on the king in the center.
11...g6 12.a4 e5
caption: position after 12...e5
Having defended the square f5, GM Bong thought that the coast was clear for his pawn thrust, but Hamed had a resource in mind.
13.Bb5!? exf4 14.Ng4 Kf8
Simply 14...Nxg4 15.Qxg4 is better. Black will follow through with ...a6 and ...Nf6 and he starts emerging from the woods.
15.Qe2 Qd8
[15...Re8? is a blunder. After 16.Nxf6 Black loses material]
16.Bxf4 h5 17.Bh6+! Kg8 18.Qxe7 hxg4 19.Bg5 Qxe7 20.Rxe7 Bc8 21.Bc6 Rb8 22.Bf4 Rb7?
His coaching chores must have dulled his sixth sense, because GM Bong usually has a nice feel for when the game has reached the critical phase and he is obliged to seek counter-chances. The text is way too passive. Much more preferable is 22...d5! 23.Bxb8 Nxb8 24.Bb5 a6 25.Bf1 Kg7 Black has two knights for rook and pawn, but more important than that his pieces have lots of weak squares to work on.
23.Bxd6!
The rook is not going away. Nouri wins first the d6-square after which his passed pawn gets dangerous
23...Kg7 24.c4 Rd8 25.Bxb7 Bxb7 26.d5
Just a little care is needed now - the game is won.
26...Ng8 27.Re3 Rc8 28.b3 a5 29.Rae1 Ndf6 30.Be5 Kf8 31.f3 gxf3 32.Rxf3 Nd7 33.Bd4 Re8?
A blunder in a lost position.
34.Bg7+ Kxg7 35.Rxe8 1–0
Reader comments/suggestions are urgently solicited. Email address is bangcpa@gmail.com
"This article first appeared in Bobby Ang's column in Businessworld (Philippines) on 19 January 2007"
by Bobby Ang
It looks like Wesley So is bent on breaking all Philippine chess records (the good ones only – some other titled players are taking care of the bad ones). Already the Philippines’ youngest ever Olympian at 12 years of age, youngest ever International Master at 13, and now he enters the record books once again as the youngest ever Philippine champion at 13.
Do you know whose record Wesley broke?
Ramon Lontoc, Jr. was born on August 27, 1917. At the age of 5 he learned the rudiments of the game from his father and elder brothers who were themselves strong players. In 1925, at the age of 8 (!!), he was crowned National Junior Champion. In 1931 he won the Metropolitan Championship, the unofficial Philippine championship and later that year he defeated the reigning national titlist, Adolfo Gutierrez in an official challenge match with the score of 4-2 and 6 draws to become champion at 14. In 1932 he drew his game (this was in consultation with Dr. Ariel Mencarini, but it is acknowledged that Lontoc was the one calling the shots) with Dr. Alexander Alekhine in a simultaneous blindfold exhibition during the world champion’s visit to Manila.
Lontoc was to win the national crown seven more times and, at the age of 57, came back from retirement to qualify for the “dream team” (Eugene Torre, Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, Renato Naranja, Rosendo Balinas Jr., Ramon Lontoc, Jr., and Glenn Bordonada) to the 1974 Nice Olympiad. This was the high point of Philippine chess, for in the Olympiad the Philippines made history: it placed 11th, defeated powerful chess squads from Hungary and Czechoslovakia and Eugene Torre got his grandmaster title – he was also silver medalist on top board, second only to Anatoly Karpov.
2nd Cong. Prospero A. Pichay Cup
National Open Chess Championship
December 2006
1 IM Wesley So, 7.5/9
2 IM Ronald Dableo, 7.0/9
3-9 IM Darwin Laylo, GM Mark Paragua, IM Oliver Dimakiling, GM Nelson Mariano, Julius Joseph de Ramos, IM Yves Ranola, Oliver Barbosa, 6.5/9
10-15 John Paul Gomez, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Fernie Donguines, IM Barlo Nadera, Jerome Balico, IM Jayson Gonzales, 6.0/9
16-25 Rhobel Legaspi, IM Richard Bitoon, Arlan Cabe, Emmanuel Senador, IM Petronio Roca, Efren Bagamasbad, Adrian Pacis, IM Chito Garma, Rolando Nolte, FM Mirabeau Maga, 5.5/9
Total of 80 players
Here is Wesley’s last round game against Richard Bitoon which sealed the title for him.
So,Wesley (2411) - Bitoon,Richard (2433) [B42]
Pichay Cup National Op SM Manila (9), 12.2006
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Ne7 6.Nc3
GM John Emms thinks that 6.0–0 is more accurate here so as to answer 6...Nec6 with 7.c3 but I think it is only a matter of taste. Some people don't like to dabble with positional subtleties and prefer to go straight for the throat, people like Wesley So.
6...Nec6 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0–0
The recommended line in "Beating the Sicilian 3" against Black's Sicilian Kan formation is 8.Qh5! d6 9.Be3 Nd7 10.f4 b5 11.0–0–0 b4?! 12.Na4! e5 13.f5 0–0 14.g4! and White has an automatic attack. This is Mikhalchishin,A (2465)-Dorfman,J (2540)/ Lvov 1983 1–0 (45).
8...0–0 9.f4 d6 10.Qf3 Nd7 11.Bd2 Nc5 12.Nxc5 dxc5 13.Be3 b5 14.e5 Qc7 15.Ne4
The sequence Nf6+ followed by Bxh7+ is in the air. Both sides must have considered the threat carefully with differing conclusions.
15...c4
"I dare you" says Richard.
16.Nf6+ Bxf6
Of course 16...gxf6 17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Rf3 is forced mate.
17.Bxh7+! Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.exf6 Ne7!
The only way to keep the game going. 19...gxf6 20.Qg4+ Kh8 21.Rf3 gives us the same mating theme as in the variation given above.
20.fxe7 Re8
[20...Qxe7? 21.Bc5]
21.Rf3 Qxe7 22.Rh3 f5 23.Bd4
Threat is Qh8+ followed by Qxg7 mate.
23...e5 24.Bxe5 Qc5+ 25.Kh1 Rxe5 26.fxe5 Qxe5 27.Rf1
Wesley is still winning, but more accurate is 27.Rd1! Bb7 (If 27...Qe7 then 28.Rd8+ Qxd8 29.Qh8+ snares the queen) 28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Rg3 Bc8 30.Qg6+ Ke7 31.Qc6 Rb8 32.Rxg7+!
27...Rb8 28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Rhf3
[29.Rh6! finishes quicker]
29...Rb6 30.Qh5+ Kg8 31.Qg5 Rf6 32.Re3 Qd6 33.Re8+ Rf8 34.Re7 Rf7 35.Re8+ Rf8 36.Rfe1 Bd7 37.Rxf8+ Kxf8 38.Qd8+ Kf7 39.h4 Kg6 40.Re7 Qd1+ 41.Kh2 Qd6+ 42.Kh3 1–0
I must say that I have noticed the maturity of Wesley’s over-all game. From being an occasional brilliancy prize winner he has already grown to a stable performer who can contend on equal terms in the opening, middlegame and endgame.
Immediately after annexing the Philippine crown Wesley went to Singapore to play in the Masters’ Open. I will show you his game vs China’s 19-year old Li Chao, one more from the never-ending gallery of young promising players that they have. Li is much higher rated and despite his youth has played in a ton of tournaments in china. Wesley pulls out an opening novelty from his bag of tricks, gets the advantage, and then vigorously forces home the advantage. He made a 2500+ rated player look like a beginner (excuse me for gloating, but we don’t encounter these situations regularly these days).
So,Wesley (2411) - Li Chao (2508) [C47]
Singapore Masters (7), 29.12.2006
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 0–0 8.0–0 Re8
Li Chao avoids the main lines. After 8...d5 9.exd5 (9.e5? Ng4 10.Bf4 f6 is favorable for Black. Mieses,J-Rubinstein,A/ Berlin 1924 0–1 (37)) 9...cxd5 10.Bg5 c6 11.Qf3 Be7 it looks like black has [ completely equalized. Of course, if you are higher rated than your opponent and want to play for a win, you sometimes avoid the main lines which have the drawback of being heavily analyzed.
9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 Rb8?!
In his notes to the game Reinderman vs Ivan Sokolov from the 1995 Dutch championship, Viktor Korchnoi criticizes this move and suggests that the best course of action for Black would be to set up counter-action against white's e4 with 10...d6 11.f4 Bb7 12.Kh1 Bxc3 13.bxc3 c5 with a very playable game.
11.f4!
A theoretical novelty, and a good one. White wants to put pressure on f6 but the previous try 11.Qf3 didn't work. Black can immediately break the pin with 11...g5 12.Bg3 d6 and there is nothing wrong with his position. To illustrate just how quickly matters can come to a head: 13.Na4? (better is 13.h3! ) 13...c5 14.c3 Ba5 15.Rfe1 Bg4 16.Qe3 Bd7 17.Bc2 Bxa4 18.Bxa4 Rxe4 19.Qxe4 Nxe4 20.Rxe4 f5 Black has won material and soon wraps up. 21.Re6 f4 22.Rae1 Rxb2 23.Bb3 Rxb3 24.axb3 Kf7 0–1 Reinderman,D (2440)-Sokolov,I (2645)/ NED-ch 1995.
11...Be7 12.b3 Bc5+?
The start of a faulty maneuver. 12...d5 was indicated.
13.Kh1 Bd4 14.Ne2!
Maybe Black's idea was 14.Qe1 Bxc3 15.Qxc3 Nxe4 16.Bxd8 Nxc3 17.Bxc7 Rb7 18.Be5 Nd5 but even here White has a big advantage - two bishops, two pawn islands to Black's three, and a dark-squared weakness for the enemy which his bishops will no doubt exploit. Anyway, Wesley's move is much stronger.
14...Bxa1 15.Qxa1
caption: position after 15.Qxa1
Taking stock, we see that Black sorely misses his dark-squared bishop. The pressure against f6 is very strong and in fact the rest of the game looks like a forced win for White.
15...d6
The normal Sicilian maneuver 15...g5? 16.fxg5 Nh7 does not work here because of 17.g6!
16.Ng3 Re6 17.f5 Re5 18.Nh5 Kh7 19.Qe1
The main threat is 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qh4.
19...d5 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qh4 Qe7 22.Qg3 1–0
Li Chao resigns because the only move to prevent checkmate, 22...Qf8, allows 23.Nxf6+ Kh8 24.Qxe5.
Here Botvinnik’s lecture seems relevant:
“If you are going to make your mark among masters, you have to work far harder and more intensively, or, to put it more exactly, the work is far more complex than that needed to gain the title of Master. To begin with, you find yourself up against experienced, technically well-trained tournament players. And then, if your advance is swift, others play against you far more energetically.
“And, thirdly, every successive step up the ladder grows more difficult.
“At this stage you have to learn how to analyse and comment on games, for that enables you to criticize your own failures and successes. You have to accustom yourself to practical study at home, you have to devote time to studies, to the history of chess, the development of chess theory, of chess culture”.
I hope whoever is Wesley’s present coach takes note of the next step in his development – the analyzing and commenting on games.
Reader comments/suggestions are urgently solicited. Email address is bangcpa@gmail.com
"This article first appeared in Bobby Ang's column in Businessworld (Philippines) on 15 January 2007"
TOP PHILIPPINE PLAYERS
by Bobby Ang
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has issued the January 2007 rating list. Following are the top ten Filipino players:
1 GM Mark Paragua 2573
2 GM Rogelio Antonio Jr 2551
3 GM Eugenio Torre 2547
4 IM Joseph Sanchez 2482
5 IM Oliver Dimakiling 2481
6 IM Darwin Laylo 2476
7 IM Jayson Gonzales 2458
8 IM Idelfonso Datu 2457
9 NM John Paul Gomez 2455
10 IM Ronald Dableo 2453
The player who made the biggest rating gain is John Paul Gomez, who started with a 2387 rating in October 2006 and is now 2455. Usually a 68 point jump like that would be considered incredible, but remember that John Paul has always been a very strong player but limited opportunities to play. As soon as he got the chance to participate in rated tournaments then the rating lists now start to reflect his true strength.
The one who made the biggest drop in ratings is IM Petronio Roca, who lost 27 points and crashed down from ELO 2408 to 2381. But don’t read too much into this – Roca has made a career out of peaks and valleys and his steep rating swings has become a habit. Also the strong medicine he often has to take to control blood pressure naturally affects his playing results.
Roca is respected as one of our best players and indeed he is among the very few who have positive lifetime scores against both Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio. His chess is strong and aggressive and once Roca gets on a roll with a few wins put together then he becomes hard to stop.
Take a look at the following game from the GMA Cup. Even off-form he still can flog the occasional up-and-comer.
Roca,Petronio (2408) - Diez,Boris Michael [B59]
1st GMA Cup International Open CC Duty Free Fiesta Mall (5.25), 20.11.2006
Boris Diez is a junior standout from Cagayan de Oro. He is one of our young players who is computer literate and trains regularly in the Internet Chess Club.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2 e5
The Boleslavsky Variation.
7.Nb3
In contrast with the Sicilian Najdorf, moving the knight to b3 instead of f3 offers Black good chances, and is hardly used by strong players nowadays. The knight on b3 is badly placed and serves as a target for Black's a-pawn. However, on the plus side, the white f-pawn is free to advance, and for many white players of the Sicilian this is enough justification.
7...Be6
The normal sequence of moves here is 7...Be7 followed by 8.0–0 0–0. However Diez has a different idea which he wants to try on Roca.
8.f4 exf4 9.Bxf4 d5!? 10.e5 Nd7 11.Nd4 Ndxe5?!
Clearly 11...Qb6 12.Nxe6 fxe6 is the better choice, after which Black gets the upper hand due to his better-secured king. However, the text is definitely in keeping with Boris' style, which is to provoke tactical complications. It might not be a good way to play against Roca, though.
12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.Bb5+ Ke7?!
[13...Nd7? is definitely a mistake which is refuted by 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Qh5+ Ke7 16.Nxd5+!, but 13...Bd7 can be considered]
14.Qe2 Qd6 15.0–0–0 g6 16.Rhe1 Bg7 17.Nf3 f6 18.Bc4?!
An inaccuracy. White should exchange knights first on e5 before putting his bishop on c4, because now 18...Nxc4 gives Black a chance to resist.
18...Nxc4 19.Nxd5+ Kf7 20.Qxc4 Rhd8?
Loses an important tempo. Best is 20...Rhc8 21.Qb3 Kf8 which tales his king away from the dangerous a2-g8 diagonal.
21.Rxe6! Qxe6 22.Ng5+ fxg5 23.Rf1+
The point. Black's queen is lost.
23...Bf6
[23...Kg8 24.Ne7+]
24.Rxf6+ Qxf6 25.Qc7+ Ke6 26.Nxf6 Kxf6 27.Qxb7
Two rooks is usually better than the queen, but Black's exposed king gives Roca the edge to capture a few pawns and advance his passed pawns.
27...h5 28.b4 Rab8 29.Qc6+ Kf5 30.a4 Rb6 31.Qc5+ Kf6 32.a5 Rbb8 33.c3 Rbc8 34.Qf2+ Ke5 35.Qe3+ Kf5 36.Kb2 Rd7 37.h4! Rg8
[37...gxh4 38.Qh3+; 37...g4 38.Qg5+ Ke4 39.Qxg6+ Kf4 40.Qxh5]
38.Qxg5+ Ke4 39.Kb3 Rgg7 40.Qg3 Rdf7 41.b5 Rf1 42.Kc4 Rf5? 43.Qd3+ 1–0
Boris Diez resigns. After 43...Kf4 44.Qd4+ followed by 45.Qxg7 is too painful to watch.
We have several players who entered the rating list for the first time due to their good performance in the 1st GMA Cup. They are:
Hamed Nouri ELO 2418
Sander Severino ELO 2405
Rhobel Legaspi ELO 2328
Efren Bagamasbad ELO 2295
Sander Severino is listed as “no title” in the FIDE lists. This is a mistake. Sander Severino earned the FIDE Master title when he topped the 2000 Asian Continental Under-16 Championship which the Philippine Chess Society organized in Bagac, Bataan. Sander did not enter the rating lists then because he had not played enough rated games, but the title in his case was given because of result, and not rating. I remember seeing his name with the “FM” in the FIDE website when it listed the titled players of the Philippines. This is another issue which the NCFP has to clear up.
Rhobel Legaspi is a former college standout from UST and was a one-time rival of John Paul Gomez for the Philippine junior title. He is an extremely strong player and I am happy that he has successfully passed his first international outing via the GMA Cup.
As to Efren Bagamasbad, a good friend of mine, what can I say. He is likewise a UST graduate from its Faculty of Engineering, and he rose up his profession to become a Quality Control Engineer in Coca Cola, this is a senior manager position. While going up the corporate ladder in the 80s Efren was also monopolizing all the Executive Chess tournaments in the country. He got his National Master title from the 1990 Far East Bank International tournament (the one that Anand one) together with Barlo Nadera, Fernando Latoza and Venerando Malinao.
Hamed Nouri, the controversial star of the 1st GMA Cup, has jumped out of nowhere to land in 17th place with an ELO rating of 2418. You may recall that he defeated three GMs in succession during the Cup (Joey Antonio, Bong Villamayor and Vladimir Belov) and the Russian GM accused him of cheating with a computer during his games.
I treated the accusations with a great deal of skepticism. Belov had implied that such an unknown player could not have played so strongly without the use of external assistance, but I had seen Nouri in action during the 1999 Philippine National Team Championships and can vouch that his tactical skill is of a high level.
GM Bong recently emailed me the score of his game against Nouri in the GMA Cup. You judge for yourself whether he was cheating or not.
Nouri, Hamed - Villamayor,Bong (2430) [A45]
1st PGMA Chess Cup (7), 22.11.2006
1.d4 e6 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 b6 4.Ne2 Bb7 5.0–0 c5 6.Nd2 cxd4 7.exd4 Be7 8.Re1 Qc7 9.Nc4 d6 10.Nf4 Nbd7
Black should already have castled.
11.Ne3
The threats start. White has the intention of continuing 12.d5 e5 13.Nf5 with an attack on the king in the center.
11...g6 12.a4 e5
caption: position after 12...e5
Having defended the square f5, GM Bong thought that the coast was clear for his pawn thrust, but Hamed had a resource in mind.
13.Bb5!? exf4 14.Ng4 Kf8
Simply 14...Nxg4 15.Qxg4 is better. Black will follow through with ...a6 and ...Nf6 and he starts emerging from the woods.
15.Qe2 Qd8
[15...Re8? is a blunder. After 16.Nxf6 Black loses material]
16.Bxf4 h5 17.Bh6+! Kg8 18.Qxe7 hxg4 19.Bg5 Qxe7 20.Rxe7 Bc8 21.Bc6 Rb8 22.Bf4 Rb7?
His coaching chores must have dulled his sixth sense, because GM Bong usually has a nice feel for when the game has reached the critical phase and he is obliged to seek counter-chances. The text is way too passive. Much more preferable is 22...d5! 23.Bxb8 Nxb8 24.Bb5 a6 25.Bf1 Kg7 Black has two knights for rook and pawn, but more important than that his pieces have lots of weak squares to work on.
23.Bxd6!
The rook is not going away. Nouri wins first the d6-square after which his passed pawn gets dangerous
23...Kg7 24.c4 Rd8 25.Bxb7 Bxb7 26.d5
Just a little care is needed now - the game is won.
26...Ng8 27.Re3 Rc8 28.b3 a5 29.Rae1 Ndf6 30.Be5 Kf8 31.f3 gxf3 32.Rxf3 Nd7 33.Bd4 Re8?
A blunder in a lost position.
34.Bg7+ Kxg7 35.Rxe8 1–0
Reader comments/suggestions are urgently solicited. Email address is bangcpa@gmail.com
"This article first appeared in Bobby Ang's column in Businessworld (Philippines) on 19 January 2007"
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
MCC Kiddies Standard chess tourney Jan. 27-28
The January edition of MCC Kiddies Standard chess tourney reels off on Jan. 27-28 at the Upper 2/F of St. Francis Square (SFS) behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
The two-day event is open to kiddie players who are 14 years old and below and must be born on the year 1993 onwards. The event will adopt the 5-round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes play-to-finish.
Up for grabs are cash prizes and medals for the top four finishers. Top performers in the various age-groups, namely: 6-under, 8-under, 10-under and 12-under will also be awarded medals.
Interested parties are advised to register at MCC office located at the lower 2F of SFS at least thirty minutes before the games start at 12:30pm. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712. Meanwhile, the 2050 below active will be held on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the same venue.
The two-day event is open to kiddie players who are 14 years old and below and must be born on the year 1993 onwards. The event will adopt the 5-round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes play-to-finish.
Up for grabs are cash prizes and medals for the top four finishers. Top performers in the various age-groups, namely: 6-under, 8-under, 10-under and 12-under will also be awarded medals.
Interested parties are advised to register at MCC office located at the lower 2F of SFS at least thirty minutes before the games start at 12:30pm. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069 or 0916-6608-712. Meanwhile, the 2050 below active will be held on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the same venue.
Monday, January 22, 2007
More chess...
from Sun.Star Cebu
NATIONAL Master Emmanuel Senador came up with a big game in the penultimate round to grab the over-all leadership from International Master Chito Garma in the Congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Sinulog Open Chess tournament yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.
Senador tripped fellow NM Mirabeau Maga in 26 moves of a Reti opening to collect seven points after eight rounds.
IM Garma, who led after the sixth round, absorbed an upset from FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, who jumped to take a share of second place with 6.5 points.
Makinano stopped Garma in 39 moves of a King’s Indian defense.
IM Barlo Nadera and NM Efren Bagamasbad also took shares of the second place after inking contrasting victories.
Nadera downed fellow IM Ronald Bancod in 43 moves of a London defense, while NM Bagamasbad crushed fellow NM Elias Lao Jr. in 31 moves of a King’s Indian defense.
Third spot
IM Richard Bitoon, Garma, NM Rustum Tolentino, Rhobel Legaspi, Ravel Canlas and Kim Steven Yap share the third spot with six points each.
Bitoon defeated Richard Natividad in 29 moves of a Bird’s opening, Tolentino stopped Mardonio Fuentes in 48 moves of a Sicilian defense, while Legaspi downed Jesus Bitoon in 39 moves of a Nimzo Indian defense.
Canlas halted Rex Androe Cabuncal in 36 moves of an English open, while Yap lambasted Carlo Magno Rosaupan in 38 moves of a Sicilian defense.
Eight woodpushers are also locked in a tie at fourth with 5.5 points each. They are IM Bancod, NM Maga, NM Wilfredo Neri, Francisco Abugho, Christopher Castellano, Edmundo Gatus, Mario Mangubat and Voltaire Sevillano.
The champion will get P50,000, while the first runner-up will pocket P30,000 and the second and third runners-up will take home P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
The tournament, which is rated and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is a nine-round straight Swiss System. (JGC)
NATIONAL Master Emmanuel Senador came up with a big game in the penultimate round to grab the over-all leadership from International Master Chito Garma in the Congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Sinulog Open Chess tournament yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.
Senador tripped fellow NM Mirabeau Maga in 26 moves of a Reti opening to collect seven points after eight rounds.
IM Garma, who led after the sixth round, absorbed an upset from FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, who jumped to take a share of second place with 6.5 points.
Makinano stopped Garma in 39 moves of a King’s Indian defense.
IM Barlo Nadera and NM Efren Bagamasbad also took shares of the second place after inking contrasting victories.
Nadera downed fellow IM Ronald Bancod in 43 moves of a London defense, while NM Bagamasbad crushed fellow NM Elias Lao Jr. in 31 moves of a King’s Indian defense.
Third spot
IM Richard Bitoon, Garma, NM Rustum Tolentino, Rhobel Legaspi, Ravel Canlas and Kim Steven Yap share the third spot with six points each.
Bitoon defeated Richard Natividad in 29 moves of a Bird’s opening, Tolentino stopped Mardonio Fuentes in 48 moves of a Sicilian defense, while Legaspi downed Jesus Bitoon in 39 moves of a Nimzo Indian defense.
Canlas halted Rex Androe Cabuncal in 36 moves of an English open, while Yap lambasted Carlo Magno Rosaupan in 38 moves of a Sicilian defense.
Eight woodpushers are also locked in a tie at fourth with 5.5 points each. They are IM Bancod, NM Maga, NM Wilfredo Neri, Francisco Abugho, Christopher Castellano, Edmundo Gatus, Mario Mangubat and Voltaire Sevillano.
The champion will get P50,000, while the first runner-up will pocket P30,000 and the second and third runners-up will take home P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
The tournament, which is rated and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is a nine-round straight Swiss System. (JGC)
Metropolitan Chess Club Updates I missed
Insurance man Erven Perlas downed Orlando Pascual in the fifth and final round to rule the January edition of MCC Executive Active chess tourney held over the weekend at the upper second floor of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City .
Perlas of BPI/MS Insurance Corp. finished with a total output of 4.5 points with four wins and one draw after five rounds to claim his second MCC executive title. After ruling the tourney, Perlas earned also the first of five qualifying slots to finals in the selection of the top two executives who will earn the right to join the Milo Checkmate team's campaign to US,
Following Perlas was Romeo Talavera of PNB who occupied the second spot via tiebreak with 4.0 points and took the next qualifying berth after beating garment supervisor Balden Corpuz.
The last two of the three contested slots were taken by Leo Ricaña, retired SMC executive and Manuel Morato of Manila City Hall who wound up also with 4.0 points apiece and placed third and fourth places respectively. Ricaña prevailed over lawyer Quirino Sagario while Morato outplayed businessman Ernesto Barro of Kalookan City.
Barro who ended up in fifth place with a final score of 3.5 points took the last qualifying slot. The next executive tourney will be held on Feb. 3 at the same venue and will serve as the last elimination leg where the top five winners will join the first five qualifiers in the finals set on Feb. 10-11. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
Youngsters Rommelle delos Santos of Angelicum College and Ruel Agbin of NU lead the early entries in the MCC Open Standard 90-minute chess tourney which kicks off at 12:30pm today, January 20, at the lower 3F of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
Open to all players- beginners, unrated, rated and titled, the two-day event will adopt the five round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes per player.
The top five winners will receive cash prizes with the champion getting the top purse of P3,000. Likewise, the top performer in the unrated, kiddies and ladies categories, will be given special prize of P500 each.
Interested parties are advised to register at least thirty minutes before the games start. For details, call MCC at 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069. Meanwhile the kiddies (14 & Under) standard chessfest is set on Jan. 27-28 at the same venue and time.
Perlas of BPI/MS Insurance Corp. finished with a total output of 4.5 points with four wins and one draw after five rounds to claim his second MCC executive title. After ruling the tourney, Perlas earned also the first of five qualifying slots to finals in the selection of the top two executives who will earn the right to join the Milo Checkmate team's campaign to US,
Following Perlas was Romeo Talavera of PNB who occupied the second spot via tiebreak with 4.0 points and took the next qualifying berth after beating garment supervisor Balden Corpuz.
The last two of the three contested slots were taken by Leo Ricaña, retired SMC executive and Manuel Morato of Manila City Hall who wound up also with 4.0 points apiece and placed third and fourth places respectively. Ricaña prevailed over lawyer Quirino Sagario while Morato outplayed businessman Ernesto Barro of Kalookan City.
Barro who ended up in fifth place with a final score of 3.5 points took the last qualifying slot. The next executive tourney will be held on Feb. 3 at the same venue and will serve as the last elimination leg where the top five winners will join the first five qualifiers in the finals set on Feb. 10-11. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
Youngsters Rommelle delos Santos of Angelicum College and Ruel Agbin of NU lead the early entries in the MCC Open Standard 90-minute chess tourney which kicks off at 12:30pm today, January 20, at the lower 3F of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.
Open to all players- beginners, unrated, rated and titled, the two-day event will adopt the five round Swiss and time control of 90 minutes per player.
The top five winners will receive cash prizes with the champion getting the top purse of P3,000. Likewise, the top performer in the unrated, kiddies and ladies categories, will be given special prize of P500 each.
Interested parties are advised to register at least thirty minutes before the games start. For details, call MCC at 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069. Meanwhile the kiddies (14 & Under) standard chessfest is set on Jan. 27-28 at the same venue and time.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Headline News for Philippine Chess
Hi guys!
I took a break from blogging for two reasons from the last post (THe BANG Opening) I've had. 1st, I wanted The BANG to be the first page of my blog to be seen when it is visited for as long as I can help it and the second is that I feel about blogging about the recent NETWORKING - GAME FIXING news that keeps on coming out. Its not that I don't agree with the NCFP's aim of cleaning up Philippine Chess. The thing is, is there really a fool-proof way of knowing, thru the scoresheets that there is really a scam?
Even the BANG (Bobby Ang), when I asked him about it, he told me "it will really be hard, because you don't know what breaks, blunders and distractions can happen before, during and after each games/rounds in a tournament"
As for my humble Philippine-chess-virginesque-uninitiated thinking, all I know is that it will really be super-difficult to prove that there is a scam. A lot of Filipino chess players will attest to its existence, but none, as of this date, have been proven. Even the Torre vs Alaan-Roca-Maga back in the early 80's incident, it was not at all proven. It was only a hush-hush thing. Even GM Eugene, when a lifetime ban was given to these Alaan-Roca-Maga "game-fixing" thing, he, GM Torre, asked for the reversal of the punishment.
That's the point. If we cannot prove it, we cannot punish anyone, but it does not mean that nobody's at fault.
About Alaan, one of the talent that Philippine Chess threw away. Why? he is such a talent. He learned chess today, a year after he is the Junior Champion and the following year he is the National Champion. Where is he now? Maybe for those who knows him, he is in a place where his mind only knows.
Too much of the hush hush! It's time for the headlines...
- Oliver Dimakiling guns for a share of the lead against pacesetter GM Le Quang Liem (8th round)
- The Whiz, Wesley So, stays in solo 2nd.
- The event, Asian Zone 3.3 Championships has been regarded as The Philippines vs Vietnam Showdown. I really hope we get to avenge our SEA Games loss to the Vietnamese.
- The Chess Journalists Association of the Philippines was formally established recently with Ed Andaya of People's Tonight as president and Gus Villanueva of the Journal Group Publications as adviser.
That's it for now. Good luck to our nation!
I took a break from blogging for two reasons from the last post (THe BANG Opening) I've had. 1st, I wanted The BANG to be the first page of my blog to be seen when it is visited for as long as I can help it and the second is that I feel about blogging about the recent NETWORKING - GAME FIXING news that keeps on coming out. Its not that I don't agree with the NCFP's aim of cleaning up Philippine Chess. The thing is, is there really a fool-proof way of knowing, thru the scoresheets that there is really a scam?
Even the BANG (Bobby Ang), when I asked him about it, he told me "it will really be hard, because you don't know what breaks, blunders and distractions can happen before, during and after each games/rounds in a tournament"
As for my humble Philippine-chess-virginesque-uninitiated thinking, all I know is that it will really be super-difficult to prove that there is a scam. A lot of Filipino chess players will attest to its existence, but none, as of this date, have been proven. Even the Torre vs Alaan-Roca-Maga back in the early 80's incident, it was not at all proven. It was only a hush-hush thing. Even GM Eugene, when a lifetime ban was given to these Alaan-Roca-Maga "game-fixing" thing, he, GM Torre, asked for the reversal of the punishment.
That's the point. If we cannot prove it, we cannot punish anyone, but it does not mean that nobody's at fault.
About Alaan, one of the talent that Philippine Chess threw away. Why? he is such a talent. He learned chess today, a year after he is the Junior Champion and the following year he is the National Champion. Where is he now? Maybe for those who knows him, he is in a place where his mind only knows.
Too much of the hush hush! It's time for the headlines...
- Oliver Dimakiling guns for a share of the lead against pacesetter GM Le Quang Liem (8th round)
- The Whiz, Wesley So, stays in solo 2nd.
- The event, Asian Zone 3.3 Championships has been regarded as The Philippines vs Vietnam Showdown. I really hope we get to avenge our SEA Games loss to the Vietnamese.
- The Chess Journalists Association of the Philippines was formally established recently with Ed Andaya of People's Tonight as president and Gus Villanueva of the Journal Group Publications as adviser.
That's it for now. Good luck to our nation!
The BANG (Bobby ANG) Opening
Hello everyone!
Finally! After the very busy schedule I’ve had during the Christmas break, I am now writing my first ever interview for Philippine Chess Chronicles.
It’s January 2007. The year is new, everyone’s perspectives aimed towards a better year for us Filipinos and the whole world. Everything is new or should I say refreshed. I would like to share with you my very first, major article for Philippine Chess Chronicles.
In chess, one must have a decent and sound opening to get you thru chess tournaments, in life, you would always want to open your day, your year with a BANG! In any undertakings, you always want to start or open up with a BANG! Same here with PCC, I want to open this year with a BANG!
An Interview with Bobby Ang. I call it The BANG Opening! Let’s open the year with a BANG! The last thing you’ll hear from an old year and the first major read for PCC. So here it is... Let’s BANG it away!
The interview happened at Alex III along Tomas Morato, December 28, 2006. Yes! Dinner interview and guys, I’ll let you in on a teaser, Sir Bob treated me with good food and a never-ending, free-for-all chess conversation which can only come from him, Philippine’s Number One Chess Chronicler! He is D’ Number One!
"...chess is suppose to make you a better person"
Yes, he has a column called Chess Piece in BusinessWorld and writes 2 articles a week. I have to tell you guys, I took up chess again in 2003 because of the book he wrote about chess, specifically, about Philippine Chess. Who, in his right frame of mind, would not be inspired to play chess again, read up tons and tons of chess books when you come across an author’s dedication page and say, for his last sentence, “to chess fans all over the world, whose obsession with chess rivals my own”!!! Triple exclamation point for good move.
When I asked him how he started writing about chess, he answered:
Also,
In the book Inside Philippine Chess Volume 1 (IPC), I learned there about Philippine Chess Society and some of its activity, can you tell us more about it?
Sadly, when I asked sir Bob how I’ll be able to join PCS, he replied:
Based from what I have digested in your IPC book, you firmly believe in computer assisted chess training and you have used this tremendously to prepare GM Joey Antonio back in 1999 for his World Chess Championship, what is your formula for chess training?
By this time, the night is getting a little more interesting as we exchange stories behind stories of Philippine Chess. I’m telling you guys, I’d be in jail in a sec if I write them all down. These are stories of corruption, personal level and chess level. Stories that actually happened but remains to be hidden. Known only among the people who were there and of course, for those who get to talk to those “knowledgeable persons” like him. Some of the facts and horror stories from The Dean himself:
-
- The real story about the formation of NCFP and thus getting the recognition of POC.
- The story behind the term “gatusan” wherein there is even a formula and computation of how much one will earn for the tournament etc.
- How he handled the people of chess community and made them be productive as stewards, chess players etc. As what he stated
By now, I am feeling a bit jaded due to the dizzying amount of horror stories I’ve been hearing. I guess it’s time to shy away from chess stories and try to ask some personal questions with our subject.
Philippine Chess Chronicles (PCC): If I may ask you, aside from chess, what are the things you do outside of the royal game? Although in IPC, you wrote there that you consider chess as your job and your businesses as your hobbies.
Bobby Ang (BANG):
Whew! That is just a piece of what we can actually learn about him. Let’s try to ask him now about his thoughts on Scholastic Chess in the Philippines.
PCC: Sir Bob, do you consider UAAP and NCAA as scholastic chess? I mean the chess tournaments they hold there?
BANG:
PCC: So, it’s not scholastic chess, where are we then, Philippines and Scholastic Chess?
BANG:
PCC: With Congressman Pichay’s Leadership, we have seen National tournaments and qualifying tournaments here and there, what are your thoughts and observations on these things?
BANG:
PCC: Is there any plan in the nearest future to open Philippine Chess Society again?
BANG:
PCC: Sir, there are so many players now, mostly are kiddies and juniors who would benefit so much from PCS’s programs, do you really believe PCS and it’s Center will be closed for good?
BANG:
Before we reach the end of our piece, I'd like to share one of Bobby Ang's game at IECG (International Email Chess Group) which appeared in his book Inside Philippine Chess. Somehow, this game easily caught my amazement just like the first time I got a glimpse of Michael Jordan's dunking prowess in front of his defenders in the late 80's.
BANG: IECG Senior Master Floyd Halwick was seeded number one in my preliminary group with a high IECG rating of 2462. By winning this event, I qualified to play in the semi-finals, although pressure of work forced me to drop out of the semis.
This game was also featured in the December 1999 issue of Chess Life Magazinein the yearly miniature collection of Alex Dunne. Unforgettable!
1.e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. f3 Bf5 5. c4 e6! 6.dxe6 Nc6!! 7.exf7+ Kxf7 8.Be3 Bb4+ 9.Nc3 Re8 10.Kf2 Rxe3! 11. Kxe3 Bc2!! 0-1 (sorry guys, my tags and html's aren't working so for you to see the game, play it through...)
After …Bc2 Halwick pondered on his reply for a full 10 days, after which he emailed me back with this message: “Congratulations! I have played competitive chess for more than 20 years, and have never lost this badly!”
And to continue...
By this time, it’s almost 930 in the evening and I was so full in my head and in my tummy. Time for some goodbye questions…
PCC: Sir Bob, what would you like to say to our readers worldwide? Any message that you want to share?
BANG:
Finally! After the very busy schedule I’ve had during the Christmas break, I am now writing my first ever interview for Philippine Chess Chronicles.
It’s January 2007. The year is new, everyone’s perspectives aimed towards a better year for us Filipinos and the whole world. Everything is new or should I say refreshed. I would like to share with you my very first, major article for Philippine Chess Chronicles.
In chess, one must have a decent and sound opening to get you thru chess tournaments, in life, you would always want to open your day, your year with a BANG! In any undertakings, you always want to start or open up with a BANG! Same here with PCC, I want to open this year with a BANG!
An Interview with Bobby Ang. I call it The BANG Opening! Let’s open the year with a BANG! The last thing you’ll hear from an old year and the first major read for PCC. So here it is... Let’s BANG it away!
The interview happened at Alex III along Tomas Morato, December 28, 2006. Yes! Dinner interview and guys, I’ll let you in on a teaser, Sir Bob treated me with good food and a never-ending, free-for-all chess conversation which can only come from him, Philippine’s Number One Chess Chronicler! He is D’ Number One!
"...chess is suppose to make you a better person"Yes, he has a column called Chess Piece in BusinessWorld and writes 2 articles a week. I have to tell you guys, I took up chess again in 2003 because of the book he wrote about chess, specifically, about Philippine Chess. Who, in his right frame of mind, would not be inspired to play chess again, read up tons and tons of chess books when you come across an author’s dedication page and say, for his last sentence, “to chess fans all over the world, whose obsession with chess rivals my own”!!! Triple exclamation point for good move.
When I asked him how he started writing about chess, he answered:
“I owe a lot to Mr. Manolito Ferrer, or Toto Ferrer, the Manager of the Active Chess Center for Asia (ACCA) and also Managing Editor of CHESS ASIA. He encouraged me to contribute to CHESS ASIA, which is a quarterly publication. I wrote a series called ‘Strictly for Amateurs’ with the idea of coming up with an opening repertoire for the amateur player. I had more than enough time to research on each article and thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process. Later on I also co-wrote the ‘BEST OF CHESS’ series where the top 10 players in the world for the previous year were featured. Toto was also the one who referred me to Businessworld when they were looking for a chess columnist in their sports section.
“Toto is one of those people whose contributions to chess were many and varied but somehow gets overlooked whenever we speak about people who make an impact on chess. He organized the weekly Executive Chess Tournaments in the 90s which brought a lot of people back into chess, and also played a major part in the organization of the Torre-Antonio match in 1999. Toto is a real good guy and I wonder why he has not been tapped more by the local chess authorities. There have been too much corruption in the organization of our local chess tournaments and getting him involved would have been a great first step to professionalizing local tournaments.…”
Also,
“You would be surprised at how little integrity there is in the local chess publications. I once wrote a long series in my Businessworld column about the Philippine teams to the Olympiads, and this guy copied large portions of the series and published it in a chess magazine under his own byline. To compound the sin, when one of the readers wrote to compliment him on the article (which was basically mine) he even had the gall to reply ‘boy! I really worked hard on it’ or words of similar effect.
“Another time, when I was Executive Director of the Federation, a publisher came to me asking for help with his chess magazine. I suggested that he publish the official local ratings in his magazine as this is a sure way of increasing his readership. I gave him the official list and imagine my surprise when the magazine was published – this guy had made himself a National Master! And not only that - he made his friends Candidate Masters (at that time this title did not yet exist).
“Incredible.”
In the book Inside Philippine Chess Volume 1 (IPC), I learned there about Philippine Chess Society and some of its activity, can you tell us more about it?
“Well, Philippine Chess Society has sponsored a lot of chess talents, national, provincial, and international tournaments. I was the Secretary General of PCS and we organized the very 1st Age Group championship in the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong. More than 600 hundred players joined in 2001. We had 20 and under, 18-under, 16- under, 14-under, 12- under, 10 and under, with each age group having a boys’ and girls’ section. In other words we had 12 tournaments going on simultaneously under one roof. Nowadays the Age Group championships is a regular event in the tournament calendar, but people forget that the Chess Society pioneered this.”
“Another tournament that I am pretty proud of is the Asian Continental Under-16 Championship which was held in Bagac, Bataan. This was where Sander Severino (winner boys’ section) and Arianne Caoili (winner girls’ section) got their FIDE Master titles. The sponsor of this event was PIKNIK snacks of Mr. Andrew Tan (you know, Mr. Megaworld). I made a solemn vow there never to eat any other brand of potato chips other than PIKNIK, and I have made good on that promise until now.
“The SHELL Grand Finals of 2003 was another good event. This was the first major success of Wesley So, who was then only 10 years old but he ran away with the Under-14 Championship. And his games were so awesome! 10 years old and he sacrifices queens!”
“I can go on and on. As to training, we at the Chess Society always say that ‘Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance’.
“We trained Darwin Laylo for the 1999 Asian Junior Championship, and he came within
an ace of winning it, finishing 2nd half a point behind Krishnan Sasikiran, now a super-GM. In the process he beat the Chinese Champion (Liang Chiong) and the Iranian Champion Ghaem Maghami, now also a super-GM.
“We trained and seconded GM Joey Antonio for the 1999 World Championship. We reached the 2nd round where he almost upset Vladimir Akopian, the eventual silver medalist. In an interview after the tournament a journalist asked Akopian who was his most difficult opponent and his answer was ‘that guy Antonio from the Philippines’.
“Another GM we trained was Bong Villamayor. In fact, the Chess Society made him a scholar. We paid him a monthly allowance so that he can give up his coaching duties and concentrate on playing. We trained everyday and sponsored him on a trip abroad where several international tournaments were lined up. When he came back from the trip he already had two GM norms and was co-champion of the Asian Zone. Another tournament was organized in the Philippines (sponsor: Equitable Card Network, Inc. of Mr. Antonio L. Go) to take advantage of his momentum and he did not let us down. Imagine that – a GM in 41 days!
“After Bong got his GM title the Philippine Chess Society picked another scholar to train, but this one was a miserable failure – wouldn’t follow his training regimen, violated the ‘concentrate on your chess’ rule, agreed 9-move draws, etc. After this some of the members of the Board of the Society lost interest and they cancelled the program.
“I wonder if this guy knows just how much he cost Philippine chess. A great pity.”
Sadly, when I asked sir Bob how I’ll be able to join PCS, he replied:
“No you can’t. First, it’s by invitation. Second, the Philippine Chess Center, the PCS’ activity center, is closed. With all the politics and mean-mannered people of the chess community, including betrayal from many of the players which the PCS was helping, most of the board of director’s found it useless to continue with the PCS program. We help out, what do we get?”
Based from what I have digested in your IPC book, you firmly believe in computer assisted chess training and you have used this tremendously to prepare GM Joey Antonio back in 1999 for his World Chess Championship, what is your formula for chess training?
“Everything is computer assisted. We give them a computer, load it up with chess software, teach them how to use chessbase, and how to analyze with this. Obviously, having chessbase is not enough – you have to know how to use it.
“We do database study (this position was played in this tournament by this player and the continuation was etc...), opening surveys and then we do a tree of variations for the player to study. After this he would log in to the Internet Chess Club and play chess against GMs and IMs using the lines we are studying. This sequence was repeated over and over again.
“We also look at endgame tablebases, solve problems and studies (there are also special software for this) and then we zero in on a tournament whose opening preparation we would like to copy. We extract all his recent games and study how he plays the opening. This is an interesting shortcut – a lot of the top players have very well-studied openings suited to their style and we copy his repertoire (assuming, of course, that you have the same style as that player).
“It is important, of course, that you develop an opening repertoire which suits you. For example when I worked with Darwin Laylo I noticed that he played a lot of garbage openings with Black and a lot of his losses were due to bad positions he got from the opening. After some study I recommended that he try the Scandinavian and since then his opening results improved and, I daresay, he enjoys the game a lot more.”
“I developed this method of training because of an experience I had in Angeles City. At that time my driver as Ben Flores, a very strong non-master. I was operating an internet café and during the lean hours we would work together and train. After he left my employ he swiftly went up the tournament ladder, became a National Master, and even a member of the national squad to the 1998 Elista Olympiad!”
By this time, the night is getting a little more interesting as we exchange stories behind stories of Philippine Chess. I’m telling you guys, I’d be in jail in a sec if I write them all down. These are stories of corruption, personal level and chess level. Stories that actually happened but remains to be hidden. Known only among the people who were there and of course, for those who get to talk to those “knowledgeable persons” like him. Some of the facts and horror stories from The Dean himself:
-
Filipino GM whose favorite line is “let’s develop young players” but in reality, the GM has not lifted a finger to develop these young players and even blocked our initiatives to include the National Juniors Champion in the National Team to be sent abroad;
- Did you know that one of our GM was a drug addict who learned chess at the age of 16? When he became good at chess he cleaned up his act and has not touched drugs again;
- There was this master who kept writing articles he knew to be false just so as to get publicity. During a meeting of arbiters I could not contain myself and rolled up a newspaper and hit him;
- That one of our GM wrote the modules for the chess school, but would not admit that he did because he found out that each module was made to run for 8 sessions which was originally intended for only 2 sessions.
- The reason why one of our GM is losing to non-GM’s in our country is that he discovered Love. As what Sir Bobby said “For the first time in his life, he is freed from parental monitoring. I assure you, once he shakes it off, he’ll be back in top shape and be a strong as ever”
- The real story about the formation of NCFP and thus getting the recognition of POC.
- The story behind the term “gatusan” wherein there is even a formula and computation of how much one will earn for the tournament etc.
- How he handled the people of chess community and made them be productive as stewards, chess players etc. As what he stated
“these people can really do wonders for chess, the key is to never let them go wayward, always be in control of them”
By now, I am feeling a bit jaded due to the dizzying amount of horror stories I’ve been hearing. I guess it’s time to shy away from chess stories and try to ask some personal questions with our subject.
Philippine Chess Chronicles (PCC): If I may ask you, aside from chess, what are the things you do outside of the royal game? Although in IPC, you wrote there that you consider chess as your job and your businesses as your hobbies.
Bobby Ang (BANG): “I am a Certified Public Accountant, and formerly the Head of Accounting and Compliance of Equitable Card Network, the biggest credit card company in the Philippines. When Henry Sy and his SM Group took over the Equitable Banking Group in a hostile takeover I left and am now the FVP for Finance and Compliance of Equicom, a card processor. I sit on the board of 14 companies engaged in various industries. I am also an Accounting Professor in the College of Commerce of the University of Santo Tomas (presently on leave).
I am also the “Judge”, or Chief Adjudicator of the Internet Chess Club, the leading commercial chess server in the world (35,000 active members, hundreds of GMs and IMs play here) where I have been an Admin since 1996.
PCC: I guess that explains why of all the newspapers we have here in the Philippines, you have your Chess Piece Column for BusinessWorld. During your bachelor years, from grade school to college life, do you think girls we attracted to you because of you chess playing skills? Are they mystified?
BANG: “You know what Francis, during my time, geeks and nerds were out as compared nowadays. Nerd is in. But honestly, the greatest attraction girls have on me is having the Surname Ang. For one, Ang is the only Chinese surname that starts with letter A. In school, I always get to seat in front and most of the students in front rows are the ones who listen to their teachers, always get called and recite, almost always the first one to be remembered by their teachers. While those seated at the back rows, having surnames that starts zillion of light years away from A, are the ones who chit-chats with their classmates, do not listen etc. I have no choice but be good, or the best in class.”
Whew! That is just a piece of what we can actually learn about him. Let’s try to ask him now about his thoughts on Scholastic Chess in the Philippines.
PCC: Sir Bob, do you consider UAAP and NCAA as scholastic chess? I mean the chess tournaments they hold there?
BANG:
“These are tournaments…”
PCC: So, it’s not scholastic chess, where are we then, Philippines and Scholastic Chess?
BANG:
“Well, they say NCFP is now trying to negotiate with DepEd. That’s a good sign but if they will put up a chess school for players and chess teachers, they should make GM Villamayor as the Dean. He studied in Moscow… I know of a good chess teacher for children and he goes by the name Roland Yutuc Also, if ever they are (NCFP) formulating scholastic chess, they better have a year to plan ahead”
PCC: With Congressman Pichay’s Leadership, we have seen National tournaments and qualifying tournaments here and there, what are your thoughts and observations on these things?
BANG:
“Let me tell you this, tournaments are not just for players. Tournaments are for the audience and for other players. It’s a show, showing our best players. Most importantly, tournaments are for the sponsors. Have to make sure that the sponsors are seen and heard. They are the nourishment of the chess development”
PCC: Is there any plan in the nearest future to open Philippine Chess Society again?
BANG:
“None. As what I’ve told you, the directors were discouraged from their horrifying experience before. Besides, I consider myself retired from chess. For three years I did nothing but play chess, look where it got me to (grins!)… Well, I have my book, I’ve reached the World Championship by training our player and I’ve got my revenge…”
PCC: Sir, there are so many players now, mostly are kiddies and juniors who would benefit so much from PCS’s programs, do you really believe PCS and it’s Center will be closed for good?
BANG:
“We’ll see”
Before we reach the end of our piece, I'd like to share one of Bobby Ang's game at IECG (International Email Chess Group) which appeared in his book Inside Philippine Chess. Somehow, this game easily caught my amazement just like the first time I got a glimpse of Michael Jordan's dunking prowess in front of his defenders in the late 80's.
BANG: IECG Senior Master Floyd Halwick was seeded number one in my preliminary group with a high IECG rating of 2462. By winning this event, I qualified to play in the semi-finals, although pressure of work forced me to drop out of the semis.
This game was also featured in the December 1999 issue of Chess Life Magazinein the yearly miniature collection of Alex Dunne. Unforgettable!
1.e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. f3 Bf5 5. c4 e6! 6.dxe6 Nc6!! 7.exf7+ Kxf7 8.Be3 Bb4+ 9.Nc3 Re8 10.Kf2 Rxe3! 11. Kxe3 Bc2!! 0-1 (sorry guys, my tags and html's aren't working so for you to see the game, play it through...)
After …Bc2 Halwick pondered on his reply for a full 10 days, after which he emailed me back with this message: “Congratulations! I have played competitive chess for more than 20 years, and have never lost this badly!”
And to continue...
By this time, it’s almost 930 in the evening and I was so full in my head and in my tummy. Time for some goodbye questions…
PCC: Sir Bob, what would you like to say to our readers worldwide? Any message that you want to share?
BANG:
“If you play chess, you are also learning about life; don’t let it obscure you or your life in general… Chess is suppose to make you a better person” .
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Busy Schedule for Metropolitan Chess Club
Seeded 11-year old Malcolm Kwok will banner the Milo Checkmate team's campaign in the United States and Asia this coming May and June.
Joining Kwok are Roy Aldous Coronel, Lev Abug, Adrian Co, Vincent Joseph Fuerte, Marie Antoinette San Diego, Steven Teves, Tristan Dandan, Jose Marti Caniones, Mary Joyce Fuerte and Carlo Caranyagan.
Coronel of Immaculate Mother School downed Kenneth Co of Xavier School in 25 moves of a Ruy Lopez game in the fifth and last round to rule the 12-under section and gained the first of the eleven contested slots during the finals for the selection of the members of the US- and Asia-bound team that concluded Sunday at St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.
Abug of Cainta Catholic College and Adrian Co of Xavier School shared top honors in the junior division to secure the other two slots while Vincent Joseph Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School and San Diego of Dasmariñas Academy topped the 10-under and 8-under groups respectively to earn another two slots.
Gaining five of the remaining six slots were Teves of Don Bosco Technical Institute and Dandan of Cavite who finished second and third respectively in the 12-under bracket; Caniones of Ateneo and younger Fuerte, Mary Joyce, who wound up second and third spot in the 10-under division and Caranyagan of San Mateo Elem. School who followed San Diego in the 8-under section.
The last slot will still be contested between Co and Claudio Olar Jr. of Quirino High School who ended up in a tie for fourth place in the 12-under with 1.5 points apiece.
The round-robin event is organized by Metropolitan Chess Club to give promising and deserving Milo Checkmate kids the chance to gain exposure abroad at an early age.
Meanwhile...
The MCC Executive 2000 below active chess tourney reels off at 12:00noon on Saturday, January 13, at the lower second floor of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City .
This one-day event is exclusively only for executives holding managerial or supervisory positions in private and government firms, businessmen, professionals with at least two years of practice, military officers whose rank is not lower than a major and executive retirees.
The tourney will also serve as the first of the two elimination series in which the top five winners will advance to the finals to play in a nine-round robin format along with the other next month winners. The finals is also set in February and the top two finalists will earn the right to join the Milo Checkmate team's campaign to US this coming May.
Interested parties are advised to register at least thirty minutes before the games start and are required to bring their proper documents upon registration. Entry fee is P600 with free MCC TS. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
Joining Kwok are Roy Aldous Coronel, Lev Abug, Adrian Co, Vincent Joseph Fuerte, Marie Antoinette San Diego, Steven Teves, Tristan Dandan, Jose Marti Caniones, Mary Joyce Fuerte and Carlo Caranyagan.
Coronel of Immaculate Mother School downed Kenneth Co of Xavier School in 25 moves of a Ruy Lopez game in the fifth and last round to rule the 12-under section and gained the first of the eleven contested slots during the finals for the selection of the members of the US- and Asia-bound team that concluded Sunday at St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.
Abug of Cainta Catholic College and Adrian Co of Xavier School shared top honors in the junior division to secure the other two slots while Vincent Joseph Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School and San Diego of Dasmariñas Academy topped the 10-under and 8-under groups respectively to earn another two slots.
Gaining five of the remaining six slots were Teves of Don Bosco Technical Institute and Dandan of Cavite who finished second and third respectively in the 12-under bracket; Caniones of Ateneo and younger Fuerte, Mary Joyce, who wound up second and third spot in the 10-under division and Caranyagan of San Mateo Elem. School who followed San Diego in the 8-under section.
The last slot will still be contested between Co and Claudio Olar Jr. of Quirino High School who ended up in a tie for fourth place in the 12-under with 1.5 points apiece.
The round-robin event is organized by Metropolitan Chess Club to give promising and deserving Milo Checkmate kids the chance to gain exposure abroad at an early age.
Meanwhile...
The MCC Executive 2000 below active chess tourney reels off at 12:00noon on Saturday, January 13, at the lower second floor of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City .
This one-day event is exclusively only for executives holding managerial or supervisory positions in private and government firms, businessmen, professionals with at least two years of practice, military officers whose rank is not lower than a major and executive retirees.
The tourney will also serve as the first of the two elimination series in which the top five winners will advance to the finals to play in a nine-round robin format along with the other next month winners. The finals is also set in February and the top two finalists will earn the right to join the Milo Checkmate team's campaign to US this coming May.
Interested parties are advised to register at least thirty minutes before the games start and are required to bring their proper documents upon registration. Entry fee is P600 with free MCC TS. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
Friday, January 5, 2007
FIDE Ratings of Filipino Chessers
1 Paragua, Mark 2573
2 Antonio, Rogelio Jr 2551
3 Torre, Eugenio 2547
4 Barcenilla, Rogelio 2503
5 Sanchez, Joseph 2482
6 Dimakiling, Oliver 2481
7 Laylo, Darwin 2476
8 Gonzales, Jayson 2458
9 Datu, Idelfonso 2457
10 Gomez, John Paul 2455
11 Dableo, Ronald 2453
12 So, Wesley 2451
13 Salvador, Roland 2437
14 Paciencia, Enrique 2432
15 Villamayor, Buenaventura 2425
16 Mariano, Nelson 2422
17 Martinez, Rolly 2419
18 Nouri, Hamed 2418
19 Nolte, Rolando 2417
20 Mascarinas, Rico 2416
20 Bitoon, Richard 2416
22 Barbosa, Oliver 2413
23 Ranola, Yves 2407
24 Severino, Sander 2405
25 Nadera, Barlo A. 2399
26 De Guzman, Ricardo 2398
27 Donguines, Fernie 2385
28 Bancod, Ronald 2382
28 Senador, Emmanuel 2382
30 Roca, Petronio 2381
31 Sadorra, Julio Catalino 2380
32 Fernandez, Ernesto 2376
33 Cain, Celestino 2371
34 Young, Angelo 2370
35 Chiong, Luis 2364
35 Maga, Mirabeau 2364
37 Vuelban, Virgilio 2363
38 Sales, Jesse Noel 2344
39 Ortiz, Eduardo 2343
40 Nava, Roderick 2339
41 Balico, Jerome 2338
42 Legaspi, Rhobel 2328
43 Perona, Jun 2320
44 Makinano, Anthony 2317
44 Naranja, Renato 2317
46 Tolentino, Rustum 2297
47 Bagamasbad, Efren 2295
48 Banawa, Jouaquin 2293
49 Gloria, Eric 2292
49 Del Mundo, Anton 2292
51 Mayor, Jenny 2287
52 Pialan, Fernandito 2283
53 Estimo, Samuel 2264
54 Maninang, Rafaelito 2261
54 Villanueva, Nelson 2261
56 Mercado, Levi 2257
57 Yap, Kim Steven 2246
57 Villanueva, Hugo 2246
57 Llavanes, Ronald 2246
60 Panopio, Jr Rodolfo 2242
61 Yutuc, Rolando 2239
62 Cua, Shercila 2229
63 Perena, Catherine 2227
64 Tan, Jonathan 2220
65 De Ramos, Joseph Julius 2211
66 Merben, Roque 2197
67 Molina, Antonio 2191
68 Lomibao, Sheerie Joy 2183
69 Mendoza, Beverly 2182
69 Paez, Alfredo 2182
69 Diez, Boris Michael 2182
72 Andador, Rolando 2178
73 Legaspi, Edmundo 2170
74 Magno, Enerose 2169
75 Bernardino J., Al 2166
76 Adoptante, Roderick 2164
77 Dimarucut, Francis Erik 2126
78 Lincoln, Yap 2124
79 De Gracia, Louie 2096
80 Mariano, Cristine Rose 2083
81 Danny, Baltazar 2078
82 Quizon, Lorizel 2077
83 Cua, Sherily 2061
84 Marcial, Augusto S. 2030
85 Jacquias, Percival 2017
86 Glenda, Baylon 1997
87 Marbella, Antonio 1993
88 Cunanan, Kimberly Jane 1978
89 Docena, Jedara 1957
90 Datu, Jesus Alfonso 1906
91 Salvador, Aices 1902
92 Libato, Wilster Lloyd 1886
93 De Ramos, Geneline 1867
94 Valerio, Axel John 1864
2 Antonio, Rogelio Jr 2551
3 Torre, Eugenio 2547
4 Barcenilla, Rogelio 2503
5 Sanchez, Joseph 2482
6 Dimakiling, Oliver 2481
7 Laylo, Darwin 2476
8 Gonzales, Jayson 2458
9 Datu, Idelfonso 2457
10 Gomez, John Paul 2455
11 Dableo, Ronald 2453
12 So, Wesley 2451
13 Salvador, Roland 2437
14 Paciencia, Enrique 2432
15 Villamayor, Buenaventura 2425
16 Mariano, Nelson 2422
17 Martinez, Rolly 2419
18 Nouri, Hamed 2418
19 Nolte, Rolando 2417
20 Mascarinas, Rico 2416
20 Bitoon, Richard 2416
22 Barbosa, Oliver 2413
23 Ranola, Yves 2407
24 Severino, Sander 2405
25 Nadera, Barlo A. 2399
26 De Guzman, Ricardo 2398
27 Donguines, Fernie 2385
28 Bancod, Ronald 2382
28 Senador, Emmanuel 2382
30 Roca, Petronio 2381
31 Sadorra, Julio Catalino 2380
32 Fernandez, Ernesto 2376
33 Cain, Celestino 2371
34 Young, Angelo 2370
35 Chiong, Luis 2364
35 Maga, Mirabeau 2364
37 Vuelban, Virgilio 2363
38 Sales, Jesse Noel 2344
39 Ortiz, Eduardo 2343
40 Nava, Roderick 2339
41 Balico, Jerome 2338
42 Legaspi, Rhobel 2328
43 Perona, Jun 2320
44 Makinano, Anthony 2317
44 Naranja, Renato 2317
46 Tolentino, Rustum 2297
47 Bagamasbad, Efren 2295
48 Banawa, Jouaquin 2293
49 Gloria, Eric 2292
49 Del Mundo, Anton 2292
51 Mayor, Jenny 2287
52 Pialan, Fernandito 2283
53 Estimo, Samuel 2264
54 Maninang, Rafaelito 2261
54 Villanueva, Nelson 2261
56 Mercado, Levi 2257
57 Yap, Kim Steven 2246
57 Villanueva, Hugo 2246
57 Llavanes, Ronald 2246
60 Panopio, Jr Rodolfo 2242
61 Yutuc, Rolando 2239
62 Cua, Shercila 2229
63 Perena, Catherine 2227
64 Tan, Jonathan 2220
65 De Ramos, Joseph Julius 2211
66 Merben, Roque 2197
67 Molina, Antonio 2191
68 Lomibao, Sheerie Joy 2183
69 Mendoza, Beverly 2182
69 Paez, Alfredo 2182
69 Diez, Boris Michael 2182
72 Andador, Rolando 2178
73 Legaspi, Edmundo 2170
74 Magno, Enerose 2169
75 Bernardino J., Al 2166
76 Adoptante, Roderick 2164
77 Dimarucut, Francis Erik 2126
78 Lincoln, Yap 2124
79 De Gracia, Louie 2096
80 Mariano, Cristine Rose 2083
81 Danny, Baltazar 2078
82 Quizon, Lorizel 2077
83 Cua, Sherily 2061
84 Marcial, Augusto S. 2030
85 Jacquias, Percival 2017
86 Glenda, Baylon 1997
87 Marbella, Antonio 1993
88 Cunanan, Kimberly Jane 1978
89 Docena, Jedara 1957
90 Datu, Jesus Alfonso 1906
91 Salvador, Aices 1902
92 Libato, Wilster Lloyd 1886
93 De Ramos, Geneline 1867
94 Valerio, Axel John 1864
Milo Checkmate Team Grand Finals
The finals for the selection of the members of the United States- and Asia-bound Milo Checkmate team begins at 10am tomorrow, January 6, at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.
Eleven final berths will be contested among the 17 semifnalists who qualified in the two eliminations series that concluded Wednesday in this annual event organized by Metropolitan Chess Club.
The first slot in the 12-man Checkmate team has been reserved to 11-year old Malcolm Kwok of Jubilee Christian Academy. Kwok was seeded outright to the team for his fine showing in the World Open (unrated section) last 2005. No Checkmate team was sent to US last year.
Divided into four sections, the following will vie for the top two slots in the 8-under group: Marie Antoniette Sandiego of Dasmariñas Academy, Carlo Caranyagan of San Mateo Elem. School and Isaiah Cerilo of Lawang Bato Elem. School.
In the 10-under bracket, the top three berths will be disputed by Vincent Joseph Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School, Mary Joyce Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School, Jose Marti Caniones of Ateneo and Kyle Massab of JASMS.
Contesting the top four slots in the 12-under are: Claudio Olar Jr. of Quirino High School, Kenneth Co of Xavier School, Tristan Wayne S. Dandan of Cavite, Aldous Coronel of Immaculate Mother School, Steven Teves of Don Bosco Technical Institute and Alfonso Ramos of La Salle Greenhills.
In the junior division, vying for the two final slots are Rommelle delos Santos of Angelicum College, Lev Abug of Cainta Catholic College, Adrian Co of Xavier School and Miguel Lahoz of La Salle Greenhills.
Eleven final berths will be contested among the 17 semifnalists who qualified in the two eliminations series that concluded Wednesday in this annual event organized by Metropolitan Chess Club.
The first slot in the 12-man Checkmate team has been reserved to 11-year old Malcolm Kwok of Jubilee Christian Academy. Kwok was seeded outright to the team for his fine showing in the World Open (unrated section) last 2005. No Checkmate team was sent to US last year.
Divided into four sections, the following will vie for the top two slots in the 8-under group: Marie Antoniette Sandiego of Dasmariñas Academy, Carlo Caranyagan of San Mateo Elem. School and Isaiah Cerilo of Lawang Bato Elem. School.
In the 10-under bracket, the top three berths will be disputed by Vincent Joseph Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School, Mary Joyce Fuerte of Bagong Tanyag Elem. School, Jose Marti Caniones of Ateneo and Kyle Massab of JASMS.
Contesting the top four slots in the 12-under are: Claudio Olar Jr. of Quirino High School, Kenneth Co of Xavier School, Tristan Wayne S. Dandan of Cavite, Aldous Coronel of Immaculate Mother School, Steven Teves of Don Bosco Technical Institute and Alfonso Ramos of La Salle Greenhills.
In the junior division, vying for the two final slots are Rommelle delos Santos of Angelicum College, Lev Abug of Cainta Catholic College, Adrian Co of Xavier School and Miguel Lahoz of La Salle Greenhills.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Philippine Chess Chronicles 2007
Great chess year to all of us this 2007!
I have lined up a lot of feature articles, interviews and photo shoots for Philippine Chess Chronicles (PCC) this year. In fact, I have decided or should I say I have "willed" sometime around the first week of December 2006 that I will make sure to have four major interviews for our blog this year which will focus on major personalities of Philippine Chess. One article interview per quarter won't hurt my professional teaching schedule... hopefully! Or might as well lay low with PCC! Oouch!
Anyways, as a teaser, I have already finished my interview with our MAN, who happens to be the first WebMaster of Bobby Fischer's website and I'm telling you, after meeting him and chatting the night away over dinner somewhere along T.Morato (yep! t'was so engaging) made me long for more of what I have to find out,stories behind each stories in Philippine Chess. You know what guys, it felt like I was in this ancient ceremony where I was an Initiate and receiving secret wisdom from The Royal Scribe of the Chess Universe. I know for sure that whatever stories I have heard from him that night came from the only Authority.
That's it for now. Let's enjoy the wait and while away pushing those pawns! By the way, he wrote me a note (autograph) for my personal copy of his book and he said "keep pushing those pawns"
Who is he?
I have lined up a lot of feature articles, interviews and photo shoots for Philippine Chess Chronicles (PCC) this year. In fact, I have decided or should I say I have "willed" sometime around the first week of December 2006 that I will make sure to have four major interviews for our blog this year which will focus on major personalities of Philippine Chess. One article interview per quarter won't hurt my professional teaching schedule... hopefully! Or might as well lay low with PCC! Oouch!
Anyways, as a teaser, I have already finished my interview with our MAN, who happens to be the first WebMaster of Bobby Fischer's website and I'm telling you, after meeting him and chatting the night away over dinner somewhere along T.Morato (yep! t'was so engaging) made me long for more of what I have to find out,stories behind each stories in Philippine Chess. You know what guys, it felt like I was in this ancient ceremony where I was an Initiate and receiving secret wisdom from The Royal Scribe of the Chess Universe. I know for sure that whatever stories I have heard from him that night came from the only Authority.
That's it for now. Let's enjoy the wait and while away pushing those pawns! By the way, he wrote me a note (autograph) for my personal copy of his book and he said "keep pushing those pawns"
Who is he?
Milo Checkmate Team Selection 2007
The second and last elimination tourney in the selection of the members of 2007 US-and Asia-bound Milo Checkmate team kicks off at 10:15am tomorrow, Jan. 3, at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square (SFS) behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
Open to all 2006 enrollees of the Milo Checkmate clinic who have taken up at least two series in the same year, the 2-day competition is divided into four categories: 8-under; 10-under; 12-under and juniors (13-17 years old).
The winners in each group will advance to the finals and will play in a round-robin format along with the first group of qualifiers whom include Marie Antoniette Sandiego and Carlo Caranyagan (8-Under); Vincent Joseph Fuerte, Mary Joyce Fuerte and Jose Marti Caniones (10-Under); Claudio Olar Jr., Kenneth Co and Tristan Dandan (12-Under) and Adrian Co (juniors).
Meanwhile, Richard Villaseran of DLSU, beat Ronald Llavanes in the sixth and final round to claim via tiebreak the MCC 2000 below active chess held over the weekend at SFS. Both finished with identical score of 5.0 points after six rounds of play and tied on the top spot. However, Villaseran won the title with better tiebreak while Llavanes took the runner-up honor.
Open to all 2006 enrollees of the Milo Checkmate clinic who have taken up at least two series in the same year, the 2-day competition is divided into four categories: 8-under; 10-under; 12-under and juniors (13-17 years old).
The winners in each group will advance to the finals and will play in a round-robin format along with the first group of qualifiers whom include Marie Antoniette Sandiego and Carlo Caranyagan (8-Under); Vincent Joseph Fuerte, Mary Joyce Fuerte and Jose Marti Caniones (10-Under); Claudio Olar Jr., Kenneth Co and Tristan Dandan (12-Under) and Adrian Co (juniors).
Meanwhile, Richard Villaseran of DLSU, beat Ronald Llavanes in the sixth and final round to claim via tiebreak the MCC 2000 below active chess held over the weekend at SFS. Both finished with identical score of 5.0 points after six rounds of play and tied on the top spot. However, Villaseran won the title with better tiebreak while Llavanes took the runner-up honor.
Rizal day Executive Chessfest 2006
Rizal day executive chessfest champion Johny Habla garnered 6.5/7 2nd place Chris Castellano with 6.0 3rd Arnel Pinero 5.5 4th Rolando Yutuc and 5th-9t places Jenny Mayor, Dennis San JuanWilly Abalos, Juancho Caunte, Dandel Fernandez with 5.0.
MCC 2000 Below
The MCC 2000 below active chess tourney kicks off at 11am today, Saturday, Dec. 30, at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square (SFS) behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
The one-day event is open to untitled players- beginners, unrated and rated whose ratings are not over 2000. The tournament will employ the 7-round Swiss and time control of 25 minutes per player.
Up for grabs is a total pot of P12,000 with the champion getting the top purse of P4,000. Cash prizes are broken down to ten places. Top perfomers in the unrated; seniors (60 years old above) and 1900 below categories will likewise be awarded P500 each.
Registration fee is P300 with one free back issue of photocopied Inside Chess magazine. Interested parties are advised to register at least before the start of the game or call MCC at 826-8560 or 0916-852-1069.
The one-day event is open to untitled players- beginners, unrated and rated whose ratings are not over 2000. The tournament will employ the 7-round Swiss and time control of 25 minutes per player.
Up for grabs is a total pot of P12,000 with the champion getting the top purse of P4,000. Cash prizes are broken down to ten places. Top perfomers in the unrated; seniors (60 years old above) and 1900 below categories will likewise be awarded P500 each.
Registration fee is P300 with one free back issue of photocopied Inside Chess magazine. Interested parties are advised to register at least before the start of the game or call MCC at 826-8560 or 0916-852-1069.
Milo Checkmate Team Selection
The first of the two elimination legs in the selection of the members of 2007 US- and Asia-bound Milo Checkmate team gets underway at 10am tomorrow, Dec. 29, at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
Qualified to join are the 2006 enrollees of the Milo Checkmate clinic who have taken up at least two series in the same year.
The 2-day event will employ the round-robin system and 90 minutes time control play-to-finish in selecting the first group of finalists in the following categories: 8-under; 10-under; 12-under and juniors (13-17 years old).
The second elimination is set on Jan. 3-4 while the finals will be on Jan. 6-7. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
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Tristan Wayne S. Dandan qualified for the Grand Finals set on January 6 and 7.
Qualified to join are the 2006 enrollees of the Milo Checkmate clinic who have taken up at least two series in the same year.
The 2-day event will employ the round-robin system and 90 minutes time control play-to-finish in selecting the first group of finalists in the following categories: 8-under; 10-under; 12-under and juniors (13-17 years old).
The second elimination is set on Jan. 3-4 while the finals will be on Jan. 6-7. For other details, call 826-8560 and 0916-852-1069.
-----------
Tristan Wayne S. Dandan qualified for the Grand Finals set on January 6 and 7.
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