Movement seen

Hey there!

After months of non-visits to NCFP Website, I gave it a try and peeped into the sight and was surprised to have seen some addition into the site. Most articles posted dealt on the April month of Philippine Chess. They posted the results from three regional qualifying tournaments for the Philippine Chess Team to Dresden 2008.

An update calendar of activities was there too... Am expecting the page to be modified hopefully on a daily basis by next week for the day by day accounts of the age group. Crossing my fingers now!

The Sydney International Open is heating up and you can visit the official site here.Looks like the organizers did their job preparing for this event. Congratulations!

Your thoughts about the PhP 5.00 blitz games in Luneta and wherever chess park you've been to? Check out Chess and Gambling in the Old days by Bolyston Chess CLub blog.

To refresh your chess mindedness (as if you need to) with finding combinations, why don't you visit Chess Teacher? Amazingly, at first glance I saw the Bxf7+ but I slapped my face to check if I was possessed by the soul of Bobby Fischer. Hehehhe! I wasn't... must be the long hours of mate in blah-blah drills. Speaking of the Great Intellectual Irony, let me share you this post from Chess for All Ages which did a post called Four Fischer Analytical Errors and send me your thoughts.

In the US of A, they bring down buildings to put up chess parks... can we do that here?

Finally, do you have one of the five best chess books in the world? Or you have all of them? Five Best Chess Books in the world and on top of the list is My 60 Memorable Games. Of course you'd argue that these so-called best in the and world's best a subjective thingy but hey, we are entitled to such subjectivity right?

Preparing for the Age Group

Hey there!

The National Age Group here in the Philippines is next week, April 1-6 at at Mandaluyong City (hall?) and I am sure all those serious age groupers have been preparing for this annual event.

How do age groupers prepare for a national tournament?

For one, they are supported and monitored by their parents, chess parents. These age groupers are either representatives or players of the schools they go into and have access to other school based tournaments. They are or might be players for the prestigious Palarong Pambansa and this gives them the competitive edge against other players. Others are members of active chess clubs which conducts year round activities. They too have the edge against other players who are either super-busy with their schooling or plain lazy about their chess training.

Remember the late Bobby Fischer who once said "chess is life?" Maybe he meant he was born to live life in the chess world. There is no other way to greatness in chess but the road less travelled by the legends. 16 hours of chess study? For sure only a handful can give that kind of effort.

Of course, tactics, end-game theory and practice are there to provide these preparing players the necessary skills and training needed for the tough times ahead. Visualization drills and understanding of principles of chess a must.

Physical fitness plays a major role too. Imagine having to play for 9 rounds spread out in 6 days with a time control of 1 hour and 30 minutes? Stamina, stamina stamina! Not to mention that these players will be spending time to travel from home to the venue and back home. Traffic on EDSA and everywhere! Whew! Nightmarish guys!

TO end this post, I'd like to direct you to Chess Inputs, Filters and Results by Robert Pearson. A good thought on how other elements play a role in the results of a chess tournament. I will print out the diagram and give it out to everyone I meet along the way. Heheheh!

Earth Hour

I received this email from my mom and it deals with save the earth theme. I wish that all the readers and critics of this blog would join in this simple yet very effective endeavor. Attached is the letter that came with the invitation:

Dear Everyone,

This is a personal appeal for you to join EARTH HOUR.

29 March 2008 : the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 pm on Sat, 29 Mar. 2008. Join us and participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this mail to your friends, workmates and family. 6750, 6811, MSE and Tower One will join by shutting off common areas, along with Ayala Center malls and carparks. Other companies that have pledged support are SM Mall of Asia, 130 Starbucks Outlets, Cities of Pasay, Paranaque and Manila ( Roxas Blvd street lights will be shut off) , Canon, Philipps, HSBC, McDonalds, Coca-Cola.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

I guess I would need to give one copy of this in our Baranggay and Homeowners Office and help in spreading the news...

What about you?

This one's for John

Hey there!

Mr. John M., thanks for the email you sent me and I hope you read my reply I sent via email too.

Rapid King Vishy Anand drew his blindfold game but lost on a blunder against Ivnachuk.A clear display of irony and twist of fate here. Here's another article onAmber Chess .

And Wanyama is East Africa chess King! The Olympiad-bound Wanyama beat defending champion Hassan Mulambe, George Mwanga, Davis Agaba, Emma Baligeya and drew with Bob Bibasa and Nguku.

And here's a Idaho's milestone move for chess in education, State of Idaho approves Statewide Chess Program using First Move Chess Curriculum.

Check out Streatham and Brixton Chess Club's blog about Ultimate Ultimate Blunder and see for yourself why. Exact feeling I had when I lost a won game at chessDOTcom which I posted here called One for my regrets!

Ever heard about Hook and Ladder Trick? Me? my first time and I read about it at Dana Blog's chess...check it here.

Chessbase run an interview with Veselin Topalov with a catch "Kasparov's retirement helped everybody"

Chess news from the southern part of the Philippines, Iligan elimination on.

Last two articles which you'd love to read: Chess playing computers and Academic Chess Instructors.

All this, for a good online friend, John!

Marc Nazario, of things to come

Hey there!

Last year, Marc Christian Nazario placed 5th over-all in the 14 and Under category. A prodigy and a veteran campaigner in the local and international tournaments, I am really expecting him to land within the top three or probably take the gold in his age group this coming National Age Group Tourney.

With his year round training and tournament games plus the arrival of his Syrian IM coach, I would be one of those fans who'd be delighted to know he gets the top plum! Watch the game below as he dominates his oppponent over the board:

2nd PGMA Cup International Open
B07: Pirc Defense, Miscellaneous Systems
Duty Free Fiesta Malls, Paranaque City
Philippines

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The Weekender Vol II # 41

Enjoy the labour of love of Mr. Manny Benitez!

The Chess Plaza Weekender
Sunday, 23 March 2008 Quezon Memorial Circle,
Quezon City Vol. II No. 41

Hou tops Int’l Women Masters

CHINESE prodigy Hou Yifan captured the International Women Masters crown with a
round to spare early this week in Ataturk, Turkey (see earlier story on pages 10-11).
Hou, who turned 14 on February 27, ensured her victory with a penultimate eighth-round win against Turkish IM Ekaterina Atalik. In the final round, she clinched it with a short draw against Georgian IM Lela Javakhishvili. Veteran Swedish GM Pia Cramling, 35, took the second prize with a final-round draw against Anna Ushenina of Ukraine. In third place was Chinese IM Zhao Xue. IM Anna Ushenina of Ukraine.
Cramling was gunning for the plum until the penultimate eighth when she lost to IM Javakeshvili in what could be the biggest upset in the event.

So wins Candon Cup

FRESH from his sophomore class in St. Francis de Assisi High School in Bacoor,
Cavite, 14-year-old Grandmaster Wesley So captured the Candon Cup last Sunday in
his first outing to Ilocandia this summer vacation.

A press report said the world’s youngest GM first GM Wesley So with his prize watched the final round of the super featherweight title bout between Filipino
challenger Manny Pacquiao and Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez at the Stern Mall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. After the split decision awarding the title to Pacquiao
was announced, So went back to his game and settled for a draw with Candon’s Ronald
Adaya. Wesley scored 6.0 points from the seven-round Swiss tournament, followed by
National Master Ronald Llavanes and Adaya, who had 5.5 each to share the second and third prizes with P8,500 each. Adaya also won the Best Ilocos Surian award.

Meanwhile, NM Mirabeau Maga of Quezon City ended up in fourth place on tiebreak over NM Rustum Tolentino, International Master Chito Garma, IM Richard Bitoon, NM Nicomedes Alisangco, and NM Eduardo Aragon. They had 5.0 points each. The Best Under-16 Player award went to Patrick Dulay of Vigan City and the Best Under-12 to Philip Ian Balbin of Candon.

Sadvakasov whips Mark in Foxwoods

KAZAKH GM Darmen Sadvakasov outwitted Filipino GM Mark Paragua in the third round of the Foxwoods Open in New York to join three others in the lead Thursday. With perfect 3.0 points out of three games each were GMs Sadvakasov and Keith Arkell
along with IMs Alex Lenderman and Robert Hess. Hess had upset GM Alexander Ivanov in a wild and wooly game in the third round. Lenderman and Sadvakasov face off Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Here is how Sadvakasov (White)outwitted Paragua:

D. Sadvakasov – M. Paragua
Rd 3, Foxwoods Open, NY 2008
Sicilian Najdorf (B90)

1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 d6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 a6
6.Be3 e5
7.Nb3 Be6
8.f3 h5 8...d5!?
9.exd5 Bxd5
10.Nxd5 Nxd5 would have equalized 9.Qd2 Nbd7
10.Nd5 Bxd5
11.exd5 b6
12.Be2 g6
13.0–0 Bg7
14.a4 0–0
15.a5 b5
16.c4 bxc4
17.Bxc4 Rb8
18.Rac1 Ne8
19.Na1 Nc7
20.b3 Nb5
21.Nc2 Nd4
21...Re8 should be considered, says Fritz
22.Nxd4 exd4
23.Bg5 Bf6
24.Bh6 Re8
25.b4 Ra8
26.Bb3 Re7
27.h3 Qb8
28.Ba4 Ra7
29.f4 Bh8
30.f5 Nf6
31.fxg6 fxg6
32.Bc2 Kh7
33.Qg5 Qe8? 33...Ne4 was better
but it would also help White 34.Bf8!!
After 34.Bf8!!

A stunning sortie deep into enemy turf!

34...Re2 Not 34...Qxf8 because of
35.Qxg6+! 35.Qh6+ Kg8
36.Bxd6 Rxc2
37.Rxc2 d3
38.Rc4 Bg7
39.Qc1 Kh7
40.Bc5 Rd7 41.d6! 1–0

My thanks to Hugo Villanueva of Los Angeles, California.

U.A.E. TOURNAMENT DURING HOLY WEEK

Pinoy teams put up a good fight DESPITE overwhelming odds, four teams of overseas Filipino workers have stayed within striking distance of the leaders and were said to be among the top 16 after three rounds in the United Arab Emirates Championship during the Holy Week. Of the four Philippine teams, one, identified only as INT, ranked No. 9 and tied for eighth to 16th places with the three other groups. At least they were the only foreign teams that were giving the Arabs a good run for their money. The three other Filipino squads were World, with NM Robert Arellano, Jobannie Tabada, Gilbert Taopa, and Rafael Natividad; Global, with FM Tony Molina, Ronald Fernando, Ernesto Yap, and Francis Aldeguer; and Network, with Alexius Valerio, Segismundo Melvin, Axel John Valerio , and Jose Matutino (the first three of
each squad are the regular players from first to third boards and the fourth is an alternate). World had 11 game points, Global, 10.5, and Network, 8.0. The rankings, however, were in match points, and the three leading teams were all Arab squads each with a perfect score of 3.0 match points from three rounds of play. They were Sharja Club A, Suleyman Al-Fahim Group and Sharja Club B, in that order on tiebreak.
The tournament was held from March 20 (Maundy Thursday) to March 22 (Black Saturday) under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation under its president, Sheikh Al Nahyan, the UAE Chess Federation and the Dubai Chess Club. The games were played at the Dubai Chess Club. My thanks to Emmanuel Marbella of FCPL.

‘ONE AGAINST 25’
So shuts out rivals in Candon simul

LIKE most boys his age, the world’s youngest grandmaster played his favorite game as soon as school was over—up north, in Candon City. Unlike most boys, however, he was alone against 25 adversaries, the best and strongest players in the entire province of Ilocos Sur. GM Wesley So, the 14-year-old Boy Wonder from Bacoor, Cavite, was invited by Candon City Mayor Allen Singson to do a simultaneous exhibition billed as “One Against 25.” As expected, the Chosen One beat them all, not even drawing a
single game. Despite not having played serious chess since the Asean Masters Circuit in Tarakan, Indonesia last January, Wesley showed that his “killer instinct” was as
sharp and active as ever. Now that school is over—he was a sophomore at St. Francis
de Assisi High School in Bacoor in the just-ended school year 2007-08— Undaunted, he swept all 25 of them off the boards! he plans to play actively during the summer holidays. His immediate goal? “To become a super grandmaster” by the age of 15. A super GM is one who has an Elo rating of 2600 and above. Now rated at 2526, Wesley has a lot of work to do between now and October 9 to attain the super-GM status.
In the meantime, he practices daily against strong software chess programs like Fritz 11 and ChessBase 9, GMA News has quoted his father William as saying. William serves as his personal manager.

Mayor Lim Cup Rapid tilt on April 6

THE Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Cup plus P20,500 in cash prizes are up for grabs when the Manila City Government in collaboration with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines holds a Rapid Chess Tournament on April 6 at SM Manila near City Hall.
The one-day event is open to all non-masters in good standing with the NCFP under the leadership of chairman and president Prospero Picha y Jr. and secretary general Abraham Tolentino.

The champion will get P5,000, the second winner P4,000, third P3,000, fourth P2,000, fifth P1,000, sixth P800, and seventh P700. The eighth to 10th will get P600 each.
Special prizes worth P500 each will go to the top lady, top unrated, top junior (20 years old and younger), top kiddies (12 years old and younger), and top senior (60 years and above).

Interested parties may contact the Manila Sports Council through City Sports Director Niño de la Cruz or Assistant Director Bong Teodosio at Tel. 3026599 or 5261914. They may also call up the NCFP headquarters at Tel. 536-8507 or
831-7224, or NCFP executive director Wilfredo Abalos at 0929239064.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
‘Double check your beliefs’

By International Master Satea al-Husari
and Candidate Fide Master Mark ChristianNazario

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Weekender is proud to present this game (written in long
algebraic) with analysis by the authors—a visiting Syrian IM-trainer from Harvard
University and his local ward, a well-known prodigy—for the many lessons it teaches
to all players, beginners and masters alike, with the title as its central theme: “Double check your beliefs.” These are beliefs based on certain principles we may have learned from our books and CDs, each of which must be reviewed by us as players time and time again in actual play over the board.

1.e2-e4 e7-e5
2.Ng1–f3 Nb8-c6
3.Bf1-c4 Nc6-d4
4.Nf3xe5

After 4.Nf3xe5 In the November 2007 issue of Chess Life, 4.Ne5 was considered
a blunder with “??”. I say it is not and in fact, Black needs a lot of work to do to get into just a clear advantage mixed with unclear play. In fact, he must pass two difficult tests to get a clear advantage with some complications. Therefore, I say
with confidence that 4.Ne5 is dubious and chess beginners and intermediates, even some advanced players, should know a lot more than just 4...Qg5 for Black.
In one college tournament in the United States, one team played this line as Black and was prepared that if White captures e5 pawn, he should lose immediately but I have played this line as White in many blitz games and won all of them.
In this article I will show one of the training rapid games and analysis that some of my students and I played in Manila in February 2008. This is the fullcover
analysis for this funny sideline. [4.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 5.d2-d3 this is what we may call the professional reply for White.]

4...Qd8 -g5 5.Bc4xf7+ Ke8-e7?

I have shown this position to many masters and most of them think that they have to play this move because if they do 5...Kd8, then White can play Ng4 followed
by Ne3. But if the king is on e7 then Ng4 is not possible because Black will capture the white bishop with his king. But now I will proceed with some important notes and I will say firstly that after 5...Ke7 White has more than enough compensation. [5...Ke8-d8!! 6.0–0 (6.Ne5-g4 Ng8-h6!! 7.c2-c3 (7.Ng4-e3 Nh6xf7 8.c2-c3 Nd4-e6 9.d2-d4
Ne6-f4 10.Qd1–f3 d7-d6 (10...Nf4-d3+? 11.Ke1–d2 Nd3xc1 12.Qf3xf7) 11.0–0 Qg5-
f6! Black is now threatening 13... Ng5 (idea of GM Torre, E.) and Black has a better game .) 7...Nd4- c2+!! (7...Nh6xg4 8.c3xd4 Ng4- h6 9.Bf7-h5!+ Qg5xg2 10.Bh5-
f3) 8.Qd1xc2 Qg5xg4 9.Bf7-c4 Qg4xg2 10.Rh1–f1 Nh6-g4 11.d2-d4 Ng4xh2 12.Nb1–d2 h7-h5
13.e4-e5 d7-d5!–+ 14.e5xd6 Bf8xd6 15.Bc4-d3 Rh8-e8+ 16.Ke1–d1 Bc8-g4+ Avendaño –
Nazario Training game 25 Rapid 02-24-2008.) 6...Qg5xe5 7.c2-c3 Nd4-e6 8.d2-d3 but White has some compensation (IM Husari, S.)].

6.0–0! Qg5xe5
7.Bf7xg8 Rh8xg8
8.c2-c3 Nd4 -e6
9.d2 -d4 Qe5-f6
[9...Qe5xe4 10.d4-d5 Ne6-c5
11.Rf1–e1]
10.f2-f4 b7 -b6 11.f4-f5 Ne6-d8
[11...Ne6-g5 12.e4-e5+]
12.e4-e5 Qf6 -f7
13.d4 -d5

This is the biggest pawn storm I ever played, I will add one more pawn to it then I will wake up my pieces, all of them are sleeping now in the last rank. 13...Ke7-e8

14.c3-c4 Bc8-b7
15.Nb1 -c3 a7-a6
16.Nc3-e4 Bf8 -c5+
17.Kg1-h1 h7-h6
18.Qd1 -g4+ Bc5-d4
19.Bc1-f4 Bb7xd5
20.c4xd5 Nd8-b7
[20...Qf7xd5 21.Bf4xh6 Bd4xe5 22.Ra1–e1+-]

21.f5-f6 Qf7xd5
22.f6-f7+!!
After 22.f6 -f7+!! 22…Ke8xf7 Black is in time trouble.
[22...Qd5xf7 23.Bf4 -e3 Qf7-d5 24.Be3xd4 Qd5xd4 25.Ne4-f6+]

23.Bf4 -g5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qg4-h5+ g7-g6 25.Ne4-f6+ Ke8-d8 26.Nf6xd5+ h6xg5 27.Qh5xg6 Rg8xg6 28.Rf1-f8# 1–0

SIMULTANEOUS IN LUZON, VISAYAS & MINDANAO

Hundreds join Nat’l Team elims

HUNDREDS of players from the grassroots are competing over the weekend in the
provinces for the opportunity to join the National Team that will represent the
country in the 38th World Chess Olympiad to be held in Dresden, Germany in
November this year.

The nationwide regional series is being organized by the National Chess Federation of
the Philippines under former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., chairman and president, and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, secretary
general.

A press release said that after the successful National Capital Region elimination tournament the other Sunday, March 9, national attention had shifted to the ountryside where tworegions, I and VI, began their elimination tournaments yesterday, Black Saturday, in Dagupan City and in Kalibo, Aklan. The games are being played at the CSI City Mall-Atrium in Lucao District, Dagupan City and at the Cabagnot Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo. The tournaments in both regions will end tomorrow, Monday. The Region I event is being sponsored by the Dagupan
City Government under Mayor Alipio Fernandez and the Region VI event by the Aklan
Provincial Government under Governor Carlito Marquez.

Meinard Pulido, with mobile phone No. 0919-3085708, is the coordinator for Region I
and Wilfredo Neri, Aklan provincial sports director, with mobile phone No. 0920-
5636732, is for Region VI. Meanwhile, the Region X series will start today, Easter
Sunday, at the St. Michael’s High School Auditorium in Barangay San Miguel, Iligan
City. The event ends on Tuesday, March 26. The Iligan City Government headed by Mayor Lawrence Cruz is sponsoring the Region X event. Coordinating it are Freddie Siao, city sports director, with mobile phone No. 0817-7190000, and George Villaflores, mobile phone No. 0916-7840381. Starting this Friday, March 28, there will be simultaneous tournaments in Regions II and IX/Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. No details have been posted yet on the NCFP website.

The regional elimination series will be interrupted in the first half of April by the
National Age Group and National Junior Championships as well as the Mayor Alfredo Lim Rapid Chess Cup.

The rest of the regional tournaments are spread over the second half of April and in
May, in time for the semifinals in June. Among the regions that have yet to stage the qualifying series are Caraga (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del orte, and Surigao del Sur), Cordillera Autonomous Region, Regions II, IV, V, VIII, XII, etc.

The five top finishers in each region will qualify for the National Championship
semifinals to be held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City from June 22 to 27.
With the NCR producing 30 and each of the 14 regions five qualifiers, there will be 100 participants from the preliminaries plus about 100 masters who will compete in
the semifinals in June.

Only 24 of them will qualify for the finals—12 from among the non-masters and 12 from
the masters. The Olympiad Team selection finals will be held at the Tagaytay City International Convention Center from June 30 to July 14. Members of the men’s and
women’s teams will undergo nearly four months of training for the Dresden Olympiad.
The 30 NCR qualifiers are led by champion Christopher Dejayco of Las Piñas City and
his runners-up, namely, Noel de la Cruz, Edmundo Gatus, Allan Macala, Raymundo
Salcedo, Edmund Abas, and Christopher Castellano.

Among the others is Alfredo V. Chay, The Weekender’s circulation manager.

AMBER BLINDFOLD AND RAPID IN NICE

Topalov off to an early lead

BULGARIAN superstar Veselin Topalov got off to an early overall lead on tiebreak
after four rounds of the Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament in Nice on the
French Riviera last Wednesday when the 12 participants had their first rest day.
Topalov (2789), a former world champion, had 5.0 points along with two others, Levon Aronian (2739) of Armenia and Vassily Ivanchuk (2799) of Ukraine. Ivanchuk was No. 1 in Blindfold with 2.5 points on tiebreak over three others—Magnus Carlsen (2733) of
Norway, Vladimir Kramnik (2755) of Russia and Topalov, in that order.

In the Rapid, Aronian was in solo No. 1 with 3.0 points. Half a point behind him were four other superstars—Viswanathan Anand (2799) of India, Peter Leko (2753) of Hungary, Topalov, and Ivanchuk. As one can see, only Topalov and Ivanchuk were among the top leaders in both categories.

The two superstars to watch in both events, judging by their performance in two previous major tournaments this year, are Carlsen, who is currently No. 2 in
Blindfold, and Aronian, solo No. 1 in the Rapid.

The two had tied for the first two places in the Corus Super GM in Wijk aan Zee last January, and with Carlsen in solo No. 2 in the recent Linares-Morelia Super
GM. In Nice, Carlsen showed his fighting spirit and stout heart: after losing in the first round in Blindfold with White, he recovered quickly to win big in his next game—with Black!

After a dismal performance in Linares-Morelia, Topalov played solidly in both Blindfold and Rapid to emerge as the most consistent player of them all in
Nice.

V. Topalov (2780) – P. Leko (2753)
Rd 1, Amber Blindfold, Nice FRA 2008
Open Catalan (E05)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0–0 6.0–0 dxc4 7.Qc2 a6 8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 Fritz suggests 11...Nxf6!? as a viable alternative, e.g., 12.Rd1 Qd6, with equal chances 12.Ng5 Threatening …Qxh7#! Bxg5 13.Bxb7 Rb8 14.Bc6 Not
14.Bxa6 Rb6 15.Bxb5 Rxb5! Nb6 15.Rd1 Qd6 16.Bg2 e5 17.Nc3 f5 17...exd4!? has some apparent merit, Fritz notes: 18.Ne4 Qe5! 18.dxe5 Qxe5 Opening the d-file gets White a lot of play 19.Nd5 mounting pressure on the backward c7- pawn Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Qf6
21.e3 22.Rad1 Surging ahead Bh6 23.Rd7 Bg7 24.b3 Qc3 25.Qxc3 Bxc3 26.Rxc7 Rbc8
27.Rcd7 Bb4 Not 27...a5 28.R7d5! 28.Bb7 Rc2 29.Bxa6 Rxa2 30.Bxb5 Bc3 30...Rfa8
31.Bc4+ Kh8 32.h4 gives White tremendous advantage 31.Kg2 Raa8 Not 31...Kh8 because of 32.Bc4! 32.h4 32.Rc1 seems even better, says Fritz, trotting out 32...Ba5 33.b4 Bd8, and White is winning Bf6 33.Bc4+ Kh8 34.b4 Rab8 35.b5 Rfc8 36.Bd3 Rd8 37.Be2 Rxd7 38.Rxd7 Rd8 39.Rf7 Rd6 40.h5 Bg5 41.f4 Bh6 42.Rc7 Rd2 42...Bf8 does not improve anything because of 43.Kf3! 43.Kf3 Rb2 44.Rc6 Kg7 45.Bd3! After 45.Bd3! Black resigns because of White’s extra pawn, e.g., 45…g5 46.Bxf5 gxf4 47.gxf4 Rxb5 48.Rc7+ Kf6 49.Rxh7 Bxf4 50.Bd7! 1–0

It is a tribute to Topalov that he held on to the top position despite an early loss—with Black to Morozevich in Blindfold.

A. Morozevich,A (2765) – V. Topalov (2780)
Rd 2, Amber Blindfold, Nice 2008
Queen’s Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav (D31)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 c6 6.e3 Bd6 7.Nge2 Ne7 8.Bxd6
Qxd6 9.Ng3 0–0 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.Qc2 Nf6 12.0–0–0 Bd7 13.Kb1 c5 14.dxc5 Qxc5 15.e4 d4 16.Nce2 Qb6 17.Nxd4 Ng4 18.h3 Rac8 19.Qe2 Ne5 20.Bc2 N7g6 21.Bb3 a5 22.Ngf5 a4 23.Bd5! a3 24.b3 Nf4 25.Ne7+ Kh8 26.Qe3 Nxg2?? 27.Nxc8 Rxc8 28.Qg3 Qc5 29.Qxe5 Qc3 Threatening …Qb2#! 30.Nc6! Qf3 31.Nb4 Nf4 32.Rhg1 f6 33.Qe7 Bg4 34.Rc1!
After 34.Rc1! If 34…Ra8 35.Rxg4! 1–0

Ivanchuk, Carlsen, Kramnik, and Topalov were in a tight race after four rounds in the
Blindfold race. Despite playing without sight of the pieces (they only had an empty board onscreen in their computers), the four superstars managed to execute brilliant
moves and combinations just the same.

Experience prevailed over youth in this encounter between the 17-year-old
Norwegian wunderkind and the Ukrainian icon who, at 38, is more than twice his age.

M. Carlsen (2733) – V. Ivanchuk (2751)
Rd 1, Amber Blindfold, Nice.2008
Open Ruy Lopez (C80)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Be3 Qd7 10.c3 Nc5 11.Bc2 Bg4 12.Nbd2 Ne6 13.h3 Bh5 14.a4 Rb8 15.axb5 axb5 Not 15...Rxb5? 16.Rxa6 Ra5 17.Rxa5 Nxa5 18.Qa1!, and White surges on 16.Bf5 Be7 17.Nb3 Not 17.Qc2 Bg6,
and Black has equalized 0–0 18.Nbd4 Ncxd4 19.cxd4 Bg6 20.Bg4 Ra8 21.Qd2 h6 22.Nh2 c6
22...Be4 23.f3 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 would have equalized 23.Rfc1 Best was 23.Rxa8!? Rxa8 24.f4! Rfc8 24.Rxa8 Rxa8 25.f4 h5 26.Be2 Ra2 27.g4 Be4 28.f5 Nf8 29.Rf1 Fritz says
29.Bf3!? would keep the balance Ba3 30.Qe1 Rxb2 30...Bxb2 was more precise, e.g., 31.gxh5 Bc3 32.Qf2, and Black would have tremendous advantage 31.gxh5 Bb4 32.Qf2
Qxf5! 33.Qg3 Rb1 34.Ng4 Rxf1+ 35.Bxf1 Kh7 36.h6 Ng6 36...g6 37.Nf6+ Kh8 38.h4 would benefit White 37.hxg7 Restoring the balance Kxg7 38.Be2 38.Nf6 Be7 39.Bg5 Bxf6 40.Bxf6+ Kh7 could favor Black Be7 39.Nh6 Qd7 40.Qf2 40.Bg4!? must definitely be onsidered, e.g., 40...Qa7 41.Nf5+ Kf8 42.Nxe7 Kxe7 43.h4! Bh4 41.Qf1 b4 41...f5
42.exf6+ Bxf6 43.Ng4 favors White 42.Bg4 Fritz suggests 42.Bf3!? Qe7 43.Nf5+ Bxf5 44.Qxf5 b3 45.Qh5?? Missing 45.Qb1 Qa3 46.Qd3 Qa1+ 47.Qf1, although Black stays ahead
Qb4 46.Qh6+ Kg8 47.e6 Qe1+ 48.Kg2 Qg3+ 49.Kf1 b2 50.exf7+ Kxf7 51.Qh7+ Kf6 52.Qb7 52.Qg7+ hardly improves anything: 52...Kxg7 53.Bh6+ Kxh6 54.Ke2 Nf4+ 55.Kd2 Qd3#! Qxe3 53.Qxc6+ Kg5! After 53…Kg5! White resigns. 0–1

The Norwegian prodigy, however, quickly recovered and in the next round crushed the
Dutch champion.

L. Van Wely (2681) – M. Carlsen (2733)
Rd 2, Amber Blindfold, Nice 2008
Nimzo-Indian, Classical Variation (E36)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 c5 7.dxc5 d4 8.Qg3 Nc6 9.b4 e5 10.e4 0–0 11.Bd3 b6 11...Nh5 12.Qf3 Qh4 13.g3 would give White the edge 12.Nf3 issing 12.b5 Na5 13.Bh6 Nh5 14.Qxe5 f5, with White having a distinct advantage bxc5
13.b5 Nh5 14.Qg5 Qxg5 15.Bxg5 Na5 16.Rb1 f6 17.Bd2 Nb7 18.h3 If 18.Rg1 Bg4 g5 19.Ke2 Nd6 20.g4 Ng7 21.a4 Fritz suggests 21.Nh2!? as a viable alternative to keep the
balance Bb7! 22.h4 Nxe4 23.hxg5 Nc3+ Missing 23...Ne6!? 24.Bxe4 Bxe4, and Black surges ahead 24.Bxc3! e4 25.Bxe4? 25.Bc2! and White can hope to survive, e.g.,25...dxc3 26.Ke3! Bxe4 26.Bd2 26.Nxd4 Rae8 27.f3 Bxb1+ 28.Kf2 cxd4 29.Bxd4 gives Black a huge advantage Rae8! 0-1 After 26…Rae8! The other youngster, Sergey Karkjakin of Ukraine, also scored a win against Boris Gelfand of Israel.

B. Gelfand (2737) – S. Karjakin (2732)
Rd 1, Amber Blindfold, Nice.2008
English Opening (A11)

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 c6 4.0–0 Bg4 5.c4 e6 If 5...dxc4 6.Na3! 6.Qb3 Qb6 7.Qc2 Nbd7 8.b3 Be7 9.Bb2 0–0 10.d3 a5 11.a3 Qa6 12.Nbd2 b5 13.h3 Bh5 14.g4 Bg6 15.Nh4 Rfc8 16.Ndf3 a4 17.Nxg6 hxg6 18.b4 c5 19.bxc5 Nxc5 20.cxb5 Qxb5 21.Rab1 Nb3 22.Qd1 Qe8 23.Nd2 Nxd2 24.Qxd2 Qf8 Attacking the isolated pawn on a3 25.e4 dxe4 26.dxe4 Opening the d-file gets Black a lot of play Rd8 27.Qe2 If 27.Qe3 Rdb8! Rab8 Missing 27...Bxa3!? 28.Bxf6 gxf6! 28.Qc2 Bxa3 29.Bxf6 gxf6 30.Rxb8 Rxb8 31.Qxa4 Bd6 32.f4 Qh6 33.Qd4 Bxf4 34.Qxf6 e5 35.h4 Qf8 36.h5 Qc5+ 37.Kh1 Rb6 38.Qd8+ Kg7 39.Qd5 Fritz suggests 39.Qh4! Qe7 Threatening a mating attack via …Qh4+! 40.Qd3 Qh4+ 41.Qh3 Qd8 42.Qc3 Rc6
43.Qh3 Rd6 44.Qc3?? 44.Rf2! was the only saving move Rd3 45.Qe1 Bg3 46.h6+ Kh8!
After 46…Kh8! The clincher, e.g., 47.Rf2 Rd1 48.Qxd1 Qxd1+ 49.Rf1 Qd2! 0–1

Armenian superstar Aronian captured the solo leadership by posting 3.0 points from four games, with four others—Anand,

Leko, Topalov, and Ivanchuk— snapping at his heels just half a point behind. Farther down were Gelfand and Mamedyarov with 2.0 each, followed by Kramnik, Carlsen and Karjakin with 1.5 each. At the bottom of the heap was the luckless Morozevich with
only a point.

L. Van Wely (2681) – L. Aronian (2739)
Rd 1, Amber Rapid, Nice 2008
Gruenfeld Defense (D80)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.b4 0–0 6.Qb3 c6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 a5 10.bxa5 Rxa5 11.Bd2 11.Qxb7 dxc4 12.Bxc4 c5 gives Black a chance to equalize c5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.cxd5 cxd4 14.e4 Nd7 15.Bb5 d3 Not 15...Ra7 16.h4! 16.0–0 16.Rc1 Ne5 17.Bxa5 Qxa5+ 18.Kd1 Nxf3 19.Qxd3 allows Black to equalize Bxa1 17.Rxa1 Ra8 18.Qxd3 18.Bh6 Re8 leads to equality Ne5 19.Qb3 Qb6 20.Kg2? Best was 20.Rb1!?, e.g., 20...Rfd8 21.a4, with equal chances Nxf3! After 20…Nxf3! Demolishing the pawn shield. 21.Bh6 Not 21.Kxf3 Qf6+!, winning the rook on a1 Qf6 22.Rb1 Nh4+ 23.Kf1 Rfc8 24.Qb2 Rc3 25.Bd2
Raa3 Missing 25...Rxh3 26.Qxf6 exf6! 26.Bxc3³ Rxc3 27.Rc1 Rc5! 28.Qd2 If 28.Rxc5 Qxb2 Nf3! 29.Qe3 Rxc1+ 30.Qxc1 Qd4 31.Qc8+ Missing 31.Qe3!? Qxe3 32.fxe3 Nd2+ 33.Ke1 Nxe4 34.Bd3! Kg7 32.Qxb7?? 32.Kg2 Qxe4 33.Qg4 Ne1+ 34.Kf1 Qh1+ 35.Ke2 Qxd5 also gives Black overwhelming advantage Nd2+ Fritz cites this mating ling: 32...Qd1+ 33.Kg2 Nh4+
34.Kh2 Qf3 35.Bf1 Qxf2+ 36.Kh1 Qxf1+ 37.Kh2 Qg2#! 33.Ke2 Nxe4 34.Bc6?? Qxf2+ Black resigns. If 35.Kd3 Nc5+ 36.Kc4 Nxb7 37.Bxb7 Qxa2+ 38.Kc5 Qa7+ 39.Kc6 Kf6! 0–1

Dutch champion van Wely suffered his second straight loss in the next round with Black against Carlsen.

M. Carlsen (2733) – L. Van Wely (2681)
Rd 2, Amber Rapid, Nice 2008
Semi-Slav (D43)

1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 dxc4 7.e4 g5 8.Bg3 b5 9.Be2 Bb7 10.0–0 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Bg7 11...b4 12.Na4 Nxe4 13.Bh5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 would have equalized 12.b3 cxb3 13.axb3 If 13.Qxb3 Qb6 13...0–0 Fritz recommends 13...b4, e.g., 14.Nc4 Bf8! 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.e5 Nd5 16.Ne4 Qe7 17.Qc1 a5 18.Rd1 b4 19.Bh5 Rfd8 20.Nd6 f5 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.Nf7 Nc3 23.Re1 Better than 23.Nxh6+ Kf8 24.Qe3 Nxd1 25.Rxd1 a4 26.bxa4
Rxa4, with equality Bxd4? Better was 23...Rxd4, e.g., 24.Nxh6+ Kf8! 24.Nxh6+ Kf8 25.Nf5! Decisive, demonstrating the power of the pin as a tactical weapon. 25...Qc5 26.Nxd4 Rxd4? 26...Qxd4 27.Qxg5 Qg7 28.Qc5+ Kg8 also gives White a big boost 27.Be5 Not
27.Rxe6?! Ne4 28.Qe3 Qc3, and White forges ahead Rf4 27...Ne2+ 28.Rxe2 Qxc1+ 29.Rxc1 Rd3 also benefits White 28.Bxf4 gxf4 28...Qd4 cannot undo what has already been done:
29.Bxg5 Kg8 30.Rxe6! 29.Qxf4+ Qf5 30.Qh6+! The end: 30…Ke7 31.Qg7+ Kd6 32.Bg4 Qxg4 33.Qxg4! 1–0

In a repeat of their 2005 classical title fight in Brissago, Kramnik once again outclassed Leko in Nice.

P. Leko (2753) – V. Kramnik(2799)
Rd 2, Amber Rapid, Nice 2008
English Opening, Four Knights
(A29)
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.0–0 Be7 8.a3 0–0 9.b4 Be6 10.Rb1 f6 11.d3 Nd4 12.Nd2 c6 13.Nde4 Bf7 14.Be3 14.Nc5 Rb8 lets Black equalize a5 15.Nc5 axb4 16.axb4 Ra3 17.N3e4 17.Nxb7? is no good because of 17...Qb8 18.Na5 Rxc3!, and Black surges ahead Qc7 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Bh3 Rfa8 20.Qc1 Nd5 21.Qb2 Nc3
Not 21...b6 22.Ne6 Qe5 23.Qxd4! 22.Nxc3 Not 22.Ra1 Nxe2+! 23.Kg2 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Rxa1 25.Qxa1 Bd5! dxc3 23.Qc2 Qe5 24.Rfc1 24.Nxb7? won't work because of 24...Ra2 25.d4 Qxd4! b5 25.Ne4 Ba2 Not 25...R8a4 26.Nxc3 Rxb4 27.Nd1 Rxb1 28.Rxb1! 26.Ra1 Bxb4
26...Bb3 27.Rxa3 Rxa3 28.Qxc3 Qxc3 29.Nxc3 Bxb4 leads to a level game 27.Rxa2! Eliminating a major defender Rxa2 28.Qb3+! Kh8 29.Qxb4 c2 30.Bf1 Better was 30.Kg2! Qb2 31.Qxb2 Rxb2 32.Nd2 c5 33.f4 c4 34.Nf3? Fritz suggests 34.Kf2! b4! 35.dxc4 Rd8
36.Ne1 b3 37.Kf2 37.c5 should be White’s last effort to resist the inevitable:
37...Rb1 38.Rxc2, and Black pushes on to victory Rd1 38.Nd3 38.Nxc2 cannot alter
the course of events: 38...bxc2 39.Rxc2 Rxc2 Rxd3! After 38…Rxd3! The killing blow. Now, if 39.exd3 Rb1 40.Rxc2 bxc2! 0–1

NECK-AND-NECK RACE IN ATATURK

Cramling takes solo lead in 7th

SEASONED campaigner Pia Cramling, the Swedish amazon who has dominated women’s chess in the West for over a decade now, finally grabbed the leadership in the seventh round of the Super Women’s Tournament in Ataturk, Turkey. But it was a tenuous lead as the Swedish GM had the same score, 5.5 points, as that of 13- year-old WGM Hou Yifan of China. Pia was ahead by only 3.5 tiebreak points—19 as against Yifan’s 15.5.
Cramling (2524), the second seed, took the solo lead with a scintillating win over the sixthround leader, WGM Ekaterina Atalik (2408) of the host country Turkey.
With her first loss, the Turkish champion sank to third place after a day’s reign as
tournament leader. Strangely enough, former women’s world champion Zhu Chen (2574) of Qatar, the top seed, was left struggling near the bottom of the heap, having
had four straight losses in earlier rounds before posting her first win in the sixth round. Chen, however, could not rise any further, having had two draws, in the fifth and seventh. Cramling had been at the helm in the opening rounds but was bumped off after being held to two draws in succession—by Hou and then by IM Zhao Xue, both from China. The seventh round saw three wins—all by White—and two draws. Besides Cramling, the winners were WGM Hou and upand-coming Turkish teenager Betul Cemre Yildiz, against US women’s champion Irina Krush, an international master, and
Georgian IM Lela Javakhishvili, respectively.

Ukrainian IM Anna Ushenina and GM Chen as well as WGM Xue and Indian WGM Harika
Dronavali battled to draws. Swedish GM Cramling’s finest effort yet was her win with White against Dronavali.

P. Cramling – H. Dronavalli
Rd 5, Isbank Ataturk Super
Women, Istanbul ’08
Exchange Gruenfeld (D85)

1.d4 Nf6
2.Nf3 g6
3.c4 Bg7
4.Nc3 d5
5.cxd5 Nxd5
6.e4 Nxc3
7.bxc3 c5
8.Be3 Qa5
9.Bd2 0–0
10.Be2 cxd4
11.cxd4 Qd8
12.Rc1 Bg4
13.d5 Nd7
14.h3 Bxf3
15.Bxf3 Rc8
16.0–0 Rxc1
17.Qxc1 f5
18.exf5 Ne5 Better than 18...Rxf5
19.Bg4 Rf8
20.Qa3!, when White would be way ahead 19.Bd1 gxf5 20.Bb3 Qd6 20...Kh8
21.Bh6 Bxh6
22.Qxh6 would still leave White with a clear lead 21.Bf4 Qf6?
Fritz suggests 21...Qd7! 22.Bg5 Qd6 22...Qg6 23.Bxe7 Re8 would boost White’s advantage
23.Bxe7!!
A powerful blow that crushes all resistance, e.g., 23…Qg6 24.d6+ Kh8 25.Bxf8 Bxf8 26.Rd1! 1–0

Here is how WGM Atalik outclassed her compatriot, Yildiz, in the sixth round to take temporary leadership.

E. Atalik – B.C. Yildiz
Rd 6, Symmetrical English (A39)

1.c4 c5
2.Nf3 Nf6
3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nc6
5.g3 5.Nc3 e5
6.Ndb5 Bc5! could favor Black g6 6.Bg2 Bg7
7.0–0 0–0
8.Nc3 Ng4
9.e3 d6
10.Nde2
10.Bxc6!? might be a viable alternative, says Fritz, e.g., 10...bxc6 11.Nxc6! Bd7
11.b3 a6
12.h3 Nf6
13.Bb2 Rb8
14.a4 Ne8
15.Ba3 b6
16.Rc1 Nc7
17.Nf4 Na7
18.b4 b5
19.cxb5 axb5
20.a5 The passed pawn on a5 quickly leads to threats Nc6
21.Ncd5 Nxd5
22.Nxd5 Stronger than 22.Bxd5 Nxa5
23.bxa5 Qxa5! Ne5 23.Nb6 If 23.Bb2 Be6 Be6 23...Nc4!? is noteworthy, says Fritz,
citing 24.Nxc4 bxc4 and the balance is restore
24.Bb2 Nc4
25.Bxg7 Kxg7
26.Qd4+ f6
27.Nxc4 bxc4
28.a6 Rxb4
29.a7 White gets strong play along the open b-file d5
30.e4 Qd7
31.exd5 Bxh3
32.Bxh3 Qxh3
33.d6 33.Rxc4 Rxc4
34.Qxc4 keeps the edge Rb7?? Criticized by Fritz, which pointed out that here were
better ways to keep up the pressure, such as 33...Qd7! 34.Rb1 Qd7
35.Rxb7 Qxb7
36.d7 Rd8
37.Ra1 Qa8
38.Qb6 Rxd7
39.Qb8! After 39.Qb8! The clincher: 39…Rd8
40.Qxd8 Qxd8
41.a8=Q Qxa8
42.Rxa8. 1–0

Never in her career has former women’s world champion Zhu Chen suffered as terribly as in Ataturk where even much weaker players outwitted her in the first four rounds.
The first to draw blood against Qatar’s superstar was US champion Irina Krush, who
played superbly and refuted all attempts by the former pride of China to blunt her attack.

Irina Krush – Zhu Chen
Rd 1, Slav Defense (D15)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 e6 8.Ng5 Be7 9.h4 h6 10.Nge4 b4 11.Nb1 Ba6 12.Qg4 White gets the initiative Kf8 13.Nbd2 b3 14.Bxc4 Nb4 15.0–0 Bxc4 16.Nxc4 Qxd4 16...Nc2
17.Rb1 Qxd4 18.Qe2! benefits White 17.Qe2 Restoring the equilibrium Qd3 17...Nd3!? 18.Rd1 Qxc4 (18...Nxc1?? would be a horrible blunder: 19.Raxc1 Qd5 20.Qf3!) 19.Rxd3 Nd7, with equal chances 18.Qxd3 Nxd3 19.Rd1 Nb4 20.Ra3 Nd5 21.Rxb3 Nd7 21...f5!? has some apparent merit, says Fritz, citing
22.exf6 gxf6! 22.Rb7 N7b6 23.b3 Bxh4 23...f5!? 24.exf6 gxf6 gives White the edge 24.Ba3+ Kg8 25.Na5 f5 If 25...c5 26.Bxc5 f5 27.exf6 gxf6 28.g3!, and White surges ahead 26.exf6 26.Nc5 Rh7 27.Nxc6 g6 28.Rxh7 Kxh7 sends White soaring gxf6 27.g3 Bg5 28.f4 f5 29.fxg5 fxe4 30.g6 Re8 30...Ne3 31.Rc1 h5 32.Nxc6 Nf5
favors White 31.Nxc6 31.Rf1! and White can already relax: 31...c5 32.Bb2! e3 32.Bb2 e5 33.Bxe5 Rxe5 34.Nxe5 h5 34...e2 35.Rc1 Nc3 gives White a huge advantage 35.Rf1! Mate is in the air, e.g., 35…Nf6
36.Rxf6 Nd7 37.Rxd7 e2 38.Rd8+ Kg7 39.Rf7+ Kh6 40.Rxh8+ Kg5 41.Nf3+ Kxg6 42.Ne5+ Kg5 43.Rg8+ Kh6 44.Rg6#! 1–0


Still reeling from her defeat at the hands of the American champion whom she had thrashed in 2002, GM Zhu faced GM Cramling in the second round and lost miserably again.

Zhu Chen – Pia Cramling
Rd 2, Slav Defense (D11)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.h3 Bh5 6.cxd5 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 cxd5 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.Bd2 e6
10.Bd3 Bd6 11.Qe2 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.Qf3 a6 15.Ba4 b5 16.Bb3 Not 16.Nxd5
Ne5 17.Nxf6+ gxf6! Ne5 17.Qe2 Nc4 18.a4 0–0 Instead of 18...Nxb2 19.axb5 axb5 20.Qxb5+ Ke7
21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.Nxd5+ Nxd5 23.Qxd5 Qxd5 24.Bxd5±; Worse is 18...Nxd2 19.Qxd2 Bb4 20.0–0!
19.axb5 axb5 20.Rxa8 Qxa8 21.0–0 Qb7 Less advisable is 21...Nxb2 22.Qxb5 Nc4 23.Bxc4 dxc4 24.Qxc4!
22.Bc1 Rd8 23.Rd1 Rd7 24.Qc2 Rc7 24...Be5 25.Qf5 Bxc3 26.bxc3 helps White 25.Qf5 25.e4!? must
definitely be considered, says Fritz Rc5! 26.Ne2 Be7 If 26...Qc7 27.Ba2! 27.Nd4! g6 28.Qf3 Ne4 29.Bc2 Rc8 30.Bxe4 30.b3!? Ne5 31.Qf4 leads to equality dxe4! 31.Qf4 Rc5 Fritz suggests 31...Qd5! 32.Ne2? 32.f3 would keep White in the game Ne5! 33.b3 Nd3 34.Qg3 Rg5 35.Qh2 Rd5 35...Qc8 36.Bd2 Qc2 37.Qb8+ Bf8 38.Nc3! gives White overwhelming advantage 36.Nd4 36.Nc3 Rd7 37.Rf1 also benefits Black Bd6 37.g3 Qc7 38.Qg2 Nxc1 39.Qxe4 Ne2+ 40.Kg2 Nc3 41.Qe8+ Kg7 42.Ra1 Re5 43.Qa8 Bc5! 0–1


Meanwhile, here is GM Zhu’s first win.

Zhu Chen – Zhao Xue
Rd 6, Open Catalan (E04)


1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.Ne5 c5 6...Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nd5 8.Bd2! would favor White
7.Na3 7.Be3!? should be investigated more closely, says Fritz cxd4 8.Naxc4 Ra7 9.Bd2 b6 10.Qb3 Bb7
11.Bxb7 Rxb7 12.Na5 Re7 13.Rc1 Rc7 13...bxa5 14.Qa4+ Nbd7 15.f3! also favors White 14.0–0 Bc5
15.Nd3 0–0 16.Nxc5 bxc5 16...bxa5? is no good, Fritz notes, citing 17.Bxa5 Ne8 18.Rfd1! 17.Bf4
Rc8 18.Nb7 Forking the queen and the backward pawn on c5 Qd7 19.Nxc5! Qb5 Best was 19...Qe7!,
e.g., 20.Nd3 Qa7!, with equality 20.Qxb5 axb5 21.Be5 Nc6 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Nd7 Rfd8 24.Nxf6+! Kg7
25.Ne4 d3 26.exd3 Nb4 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.Nd6 Rb8 29.Rc1 Rb6 30.Nc8 30.Ne8+ Kf8 31.Nf6 keeps the lead
Rb8 31.Rc7 Nxd3 32.Nd6 Ra8 33.Rxf7+Kg6 34.Re7 Kf6 35.Rxh7 Rxa2 36.Rf7+ Kg6 37.Rb7 Rxb2
38.Rxb5 Rxf2 39.Rb3 Rd2 40.Nc4 Rd1+ 41.Kg2 Nc5 42.Rb5 Nd7 43.h4 Kf6 44.g4 Rd3 45.Kf2 Rh3 46.h5 e5
47.Nd2 Kg5± 48.Rb4 Ra3? 49.Nf3+ Kf6 50.Rc4 Ra6 51.Kg3 Ra3 52.h6 Kg6 53.g5 Ra6 54.Rc8 Rd6 55.Rg8+
Kh7 56.Rg7+ Kh8 57.Re7 57.g6 seems even better: 57...e4 58.Ng5! Nf6 58.gxf6 Rxf6 59.Nxe5!
After 59.Nxe5!It’s all over, e.g, 59…Rb6 60.Kg4! 1–0


PINOY GEMS WITH A HISTORY

Time for GM Joey to go for it

FOR the past few years, most of our older grandmasters have not accomplished
anything spectacular either on the domestic or international scene. In fact, when was
the last time any of them won the national crown, open or otherwise? Since 2006, the NCFP under the presidency of Butch Pichay has held several international open ournaments, all of which were won by foreign participants, usually the Chinese.

The dismal showing of our older GMs can best be illustrated by their Elo ratings.
Instead of steadily going up as in the case of those of global stars like reigning champion Viswanathan Anand, the ratings of our GMs have been fluctuating, dipping more frequently than rising.

That our No. 1 player, GM Joey Antonio, has Elo 2521 speaks volumes of the current standard of play of our stars compared with those of China, India and Vietnam.
It is in this context that we welcome GM Joey’s plan to embark on a quest for honor,
glory and dollars and cents abroad, first with the Sydney International Open, which gets under way this weekend in Australia, and the Bangkok Open next month in Thailand.

His games show he has got what it takes to shine abroad.

Rogelio Antonio Jr (2539) - Roy Jean Noel Phillips (2252)
Rd 1, 37th Olympiad,. Turin,
ITA 2006
Modern Defense (B06)

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 a6 5.h3 b5 6.a4 b4 7.Nb1 Bb7 8.Bd3 Nd7 9.0–0 c5 10.d5 Ngf6 11.Nbd2 0–0 12.Nc4 Nb6 13.Re1 Nxc4 14.Bxc4 Nd7 15.a5 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.f4 Bd4+ 18.Kh2 f5 19.exf5 Rxf5 20.Qd3 Bg7 Not 20...Bxd5?? (That pawn is poisoned!) because of 21.Bxd5+ Rxd5 22.Qc4! 21.c3 bxc3 22.bxc3 Bh6 23.g3 Bc8 24.Qe2 Zeroing in on e7 Ra7 24...Rf7 25.Bd2 keeps the balance 25.Bd3 Rf6 Not 25...Rxd5?? 26.Bc4 e6 27.Bxd5 exd5 28.Qe8+ Qxe8 29.Rxe8+ Kf7 30.Rxc8! 26.Qg2 Bg7 27.Bd2 Qc7
28.Reb1 Rb7 29.Rxb7 Bxb7 30.Bc4 Bc8 31.Qf1 Qa7 32.Rb1 Rf8 33.Rb6 Bb7 34.Qe2 Bf6?? 35.Qe6+ Kg7 35...Rf7 36.Qd7 e6 37.dxe6 boosts White’s lead 36.Qd7 Rb8 37.Rxd6 Qa8 38.Rxf6! After 38.Rxf6!
A decisive sacrifice of the exchange that exposes the enemy king. 38...Kxf6 39.Qe6+ Kg7 40.Qxe7+ Kg8 41.Qe6+ 41.f5! leads to mate: 41…Rc8 42.f6 Rc7 43.f7+ Kg7 44.f8=Q#! Kg7 42.Qe5+ Kf8 43.f5! Black resigns in the face of certain checkmate. 1–0


The following game gives the lie to criticisms that GM Joey’s play with Black leaves
much to be desired.

Johann Hjartarson (2619) - Rogelio Antonio Jr (2539)
Rd 7, 37th Olympiad Turin,
ITA 2006
Nimzo-Indian, Leningrad
Variation (E31)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bg5 c5 5.d5 5.Nf3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 h6 leads to equality d6 6.e3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 e5 8.Nf3 Qe7 9.Nd2 h6 10.Bh4 Nbd7 11.Bd3 Kd8 12.f3 Kc7 13.Qc2 g5 14.Bf2 Rg8 15.0–0–0 Nb6 16.e4 Bd7 17.Qb2 Ba4 18.Rde1 h5 19.Kb1 h4 20.Ka1 Nh5 21.g4 Nf4 22.Bf1 Rgb8 23.h3 f6 24.Be3 Be8
25.Rh2 Kd8 26.Rb1 Qc7 If 26...Na4 27.Qc2! 27.Qc1 Na4 28.Nb3 a6 29.Rc2 b5 30.Nd2 Rb7 31.Bxf4 exf4 32.e5 fxe5 Seizing the lead 33.Ne4 Qe7 34.Qe1 Rab8 35.cxb5 axb5 35...Bxb5?! 36.c4 Be8 37.Rxb7
Qxb7 38.Bd3 restores the balance 36.Rcc1 Bg6 37.Rb3 c4 38.Ra3 Not 38.Rbb1 Ra8! Bxe4 39.Qxe4 39.fxe4 Nc5 40.Rb1 Qf6 favors Black Nc5 40.Qg6 Kc7 Missing 40...e4 41.fxe4 b4 42.cxb4 Qe5+ 43.Rac3 Rxb4 44.Qg8+ Kc7 45.Qf7+ Kb6 46.Bxc4 Rxc4 47.Qe7 Qxe7 48.e5 Qxe5 49.Rb1+ Kc7 50.Rbb3
Qe1+ 51.Kb2 Qxc3+ 52.Ka3 Ra4#! 41.Rb1 e4 42.fxe4 b4 Not 42...Nxe4 43.Re1 Re8 44.Bg2! 43.Ra5 bxc3
44.Rxb7+ 44.Rxc5+ dxc5 45.Rb3 cxb3 46.e5 also favors Black Rxb7! After 44…Rxb7! It’s mate in five: 45.Bd3 c2 46.Qxd6+ Kxd6 47.Ra6+ Nxa6 48.a3 c1Q+ 49.Ka2 Rb2#! 0–1

MY FAVORITES

Wang Hao comes of age

SINCE his spectacular international debut at the age of 16 when he won the Dubai Open, Chinese superstar Wang Hao, 18, has come a long way. For now, he has established himself as the most promising grandmaster ever to come out of China. His latest feat in tying for first to third in the star-studded Reykjavik Open held in memory of chess icon Bobby Fischer shows that Wang at 18 has indeed come of age.

In the Asian Individual Championship held last September in Cebu, Wang finished second to his compatriot, GM Zhang Pengxiang. But in the World Junior Championship in Yerevan, Armenia two weeks later, Wang Hao (2643) finished third to champion Ahmed Adly (2494) of Egypt and runner-up Ivan Popov (2539) of Russia.

I won’t be surprised that because of his excellent performance in Reykjavik, Wang Hao (2665) will rise in China’s rankings on the next Fide ratings list to be issued on Tuesday, April 1. GM Wang ranked fourth in the January 1 listing, behind Wang Yue (2698), Bu Xiangzhi (2691) and Ni Hua (2680). In Reykjavik,
Wang took first place on tiebreak over GMs Hannes Stefansson of Iceland and Wang Yue.

I don’t think he will overtake Wang Yue but he will certainly jump over Ni Hua. His games over the past year show Wang Hao has come of age.

Wang Hao (2624) – Artyom
Timofeev (2650)
Rd 2, Russia vs China Match,
Moscow 2007
Sicilian, Moscow Variation
(B51)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3² Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.0–0 Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ng8 11.e6 11.Nbd2 e6 gives Black a chance to equalize Bxe6³ 12.Rxe6 12.Qb3!? must definitely be considered, says
Fritz, suggesting 12...b5 13.Bd3! fxe6μ 13.Qb3 Na5 14.Qe3 Rc8 15.Nc3 Qd6 16.g3 g6 17.Bh3 Bh6 17...Rc6 18.Ne5 Nc4 19.Nxc4 Rxc4 20.Bxe6 might benefit White 18.Qe2 18.Qxe6!? looks like a viable alternative
Rc6 19.Bg5 Kf8 20.Re1 Piling it up on e6 Kg7 20...Nc4 might also benefit White 21.Bxh6+ Nxh6 22.Bxe6 Re8 23.Nxd5 Ng4? 23...Rf8 24.Ng5 favors White 24.Qd2 24.b4 Qxe6 25.Qxe6 Rxe6 26.Rxe6 would have boosted White’s advantage Nf6? Best was 24...Nc4 25.Qg5 Nf6! 25.Qxa5 b6 26.Nxf6 exf6 Not 26...bxa5?? 27.Nxe8+ Kf8 28.Nxd6 exd6 29.Ng5! 27.Qd2 Re7 28.Kg2 b5 29.h4 h5 30.Bb3 Rcc7 31.d5 !
After 31.d5! It’s all over: if 31…Rxe1 32.Qxe1! 1–0


Ruslan Ponomariov (2705) – Wang Hao (2643)
Rd 3, World Cup, Khanty-
Mansiysk, RUS 2007
Slav Defense (D15)

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.Bg5 a5 7.e3 Na6 8.Bd3 Nb4 9.e4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Be7 1.Nxf6+ gxf6 12.Bh4 e5 13.0–0 Be6 14.Re1 Qc7 If 14...exd4 15.Bf5 d3 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Rxe6 Qd7, with equality 15.Qb1 0–0–0 15...Qd7 equalizes 16.Bf5² Bxf5 17.Qxf5+ Qd7 18.Qb1 18.Qe4 Rhg8 favors White Rhg8 19.Bg3 exd4 20.Nxd4 Bc5 Not 20...Qxd4 21.Rxe7! 21.Nb3 Ba7 22.c5 Not 22.Rd1 Qg4 23.c5 Qg6 24.Qxg6 fxg6, and Black equalizes Nd3 Not 22...Qd5 23.Ra3! 23.Re3 Qd5! 24.Qf1 Qxb3! 25.Rd1 25.Ra3!? Qxb2 26.Raxd3 Bxc5 27.Re2 Qxd1! After 25…Qxd1! Brilliant. 26.Qxd1 Nxb2 27.Qf1 Rd1 Missing 27...Bxc5!? 28.Re1 Rd2! 28.Re1 Rxe1 29.Qxe1 Rd8 30.Bd6 Bxc5! 31.Bxc5 Rd1! 34.Qxd1 Nxd1 33.Bd4 b5 34.axb5 cxb5 35.Kf1 b4 36.Ke2 Nc3+ 37.Kd3 f5 37...Nb5 38.Bxf6 Nd6 39.h4 gives Black a huge advantage 38.Bb6?
a4 Black is now way ahead 39.Bc5 Na2 40.Kc4 a3? Ruining his own position; 40...b3 was better, e.g.,
41.Ba3 f4! 41.Bd4! Kd7 42.Kb3 Nc1+ 43.Kxb4 a2 44.Ba1 44.Kc4!? may be tried Nd3+ 45.Kb3 Nxf2 46.Kxa2 Ng4 47.Kb3 Ke6 48.Kc3 If 48.h3 Ne3! Nxh2 49.Kd3 Ng4 50.Bc3 Kd5 51.Ba5 Ne5+ 52.Ke2 f4 53.Bc7 Ke4
54.Kf2 h5 55.Bd6 Ng6 56.Bc7 Nf8 57.Bd6 Ne6 58.Be7 Kf5 59.Kf3 Ng5+ 60.Kf2 Kg4 61.Bd8 Ne4+ 62.Kg1 f3
63.gxf3+ Kxf3 64.Kh2 Kg4 65.Bb6 f5 66.Bd4 h4 67.Bb6 Ng3 68.Bc5 f4 69.Kg2 Nf5 70.Bb4 Ne3+ 71.Kh2 h3
72.Kg1 Kg3 73.Bd2 Kf3 74.Ba5 Ke2 75.Bc7 f3 76.Bg3 Nf5! Black resigns rather than be mated. 0–1

GAMES OF GIFTED KIDS
Harbin’s Wunderkind

IT comes as no surprise that China’s most amazing child prodigy in chess grew up in Harbin, the picturesque capital of the far northeastern province of Heilongjiang, also known as the “Ice City” that still resonates with its distinctively Russian past. In fact, Harbin used to be ruled by Russia as Heilongjiang itself shares its borders with its European neighbor. To this day, Harbin serves as the trading post between China and Russia. Wang Hao was born in Harbin on August 4, 1989. Most likely he was introduced to chess early in life because he was only nine when he took the bronze in the World Under- 10 Youth Championship in Oropesa del Mar in Spain. In 2002, Hao was not yet 13 $when he captured the gold on board four in the U-16 World Olympiad held in Kuala Lumpur.

Two years later, he was 15 when he took the gold in the same event in Kozhikode in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was in the 2005 Dubai Open, however, that he astounded the world by finishing clear first with 7.0 points out of nine and a performance rating of 2731, ahead of 53 grandmasters and 30 international masters, according to Wikipedia. And he had no title then! Yes, like Garry Kasparov, Wang Hao became a GM without getting the IM title first. He earned his first GM norm at the Aeroflot Open in February 2005, the second in Dubai in April and the third in the Dato Arthur Tan Open in Malaysia in August of the same year—all within five months! Let his games show his mettle as a kid—like his win with Black in 2004 against the Norwegian wunderkind, Magnus Carlsen.

Wang Hao (2215) – Magnus Carlsen (2450)
Rd 5, Boys U-14, World Youth,
Halkidiki 2003
Sicilian Defense (B31)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Nd7 8.Be3 e5 9.Qd2 h6 10.0–0 Qe7 11.a3 Nf8 12.b4 Ne6 13.bxc5 f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.Qe1 0–0 16.d4 16.Rb1 Nxc5 17.Bd4 Nd7 leads to equality e4 17.Ne5 f4 Better was 17...Nxd4, e.g., 18.Bxd4 Bxe5, with equal chances 18.Ng6 Qf7 19.Nxf8 Kxf8 19...Qxf8 20.Nxe4 b6 21.Qb4 bxc5 22.Qb3 gives White the edge 20.f3 20.Nxe4 should give White a tremendous advantage, e.g., 20…Qg6 21.Nd6 Bxd4 Kg8 20...Nxd4!? 21.Bxf4 exf3 reduces White’s lead 21.fxe4 Qg6 22.Rd1 22.Bd2!? Nxd4 23.Qh4 boosts White’s lead fxe3 23.Qxe3 Bd7 24.Kh1 Re8 25.e5 Ng5 26.Qd3 Qh5 27.Ne2 Be6 27...Nxh3 28.gxh3 Bxh3 29.Nf4 Bxf1+ 30.Nxh5 Bxd3 31.Rxd3 gives White a huge
advantage 28.Ng3 Qh4 29.Qe3 Nf7 30.Rf4 Qg5 31.Ne4 Qg6 32.Rdf1 h5? 33.R1f3 33.Rf6!? makes it even
easier for White: 33...Bxf6 34.Nxf6+ Kf8 35.Nxe8 Bd5 36.Rxf7+ Kxf7 37.Nd6+! Qh6 34.Rg3 Kh8 35.Qf2
Nxe5 36.dxe5 Bxe5 37.Rg5 Bxf4 38.Qxf4 Bd5 39.Nf6 Bxg2+ 40.Kh2! After 40.Kh2! Black resigns in the face of a mate in four: 40…Qh7 41.Nxh7 Re7 42.Qf6+ Kxh7 43.Qxe7+ Kh6 44.Qg7#! 1–0

Tomas Oral (2565) – Wang Hao (2456)
Rd 11, 36th Olympiad, Calvia
ESP 2004
French Tarrasch (C07)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.0–0 Nf6.7...Nc6 8.Ne4 Qb4 9.Qe2 restores the balance 8.Re1 Nc6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Rxe4 Be7 11.Nxd4 e5 12.Bf4 exf4 Not 12...Nxd4? 13.Bxe5 Qg6 14.Qxd4, and White surges ahead 13.Nxc6 Qxd1+ 14.Rxd1 Threatening 15.Rxe7+! Kf8 16.Rd8#! bxc6 15.Rde1 Kf8 16.Rxe7 Be6! 17.R1xe6 fxe6 18.Rc7 h5 19.Kf1 Instead of 19.Bxe6 Re8 20.Rf7+ Kg8 21.Re7+ Kh7 22.Bf5+ Kh6 23.Rxe8 Rxe8! Rh6 20.Rxc6 Rd8 21.Bd3 Not 21.Bxe6? Ke7! Ke7 22.Ra6 Rd7 23.Ra5 h4 24.h3 g6 25.Ra6 g5 26.Ke2 Kf6 27.b3 Rh8 28.Bc4 Re7 29.Rc6 Rb8 30.a4 Rb6 31.Rc8 e5 32.Rf8+ Kg6
33.Rg8+ Kf5! Black is in command 34.a5 Rd6 35.Rf8+ Rf6 36.Rb8 e4 37.a6 Rd6 38.Rb5+ Kf6 39.Rd5 40.Bxd5 Ke5 41.c4 Rd7 42.Bb7 Rd3 43.b4 Rb3 44.b5 Kd4 45.Bd5 Rb2+ 46.Kd1 e3! After 46…e3! White resigns in the face of certain defeat. 0–1

CHESS MAGIC

Sparkling Gems of Joey & Hao

IN a sense, GMs Joey Antonio and Wang Hao have similar styles of play: both are
pragmatists who always want to win—no matter what! Hence, it is correct to say
that both have a spellbinding, mind-over-matter style that tends to overcome all odds. There is also one outstanding aspect of their games that distinguishes them instantly: their sense of timing in overthe- board play. This nearly flawless sense of rhythm has served both in good stead. It would seem, however, that GM Joey, who turned 46 last February 19, has peaked while GM Hao, who turns 19 on August
4, is still on the ascendancy. Of late, Joey has had bouts of poor health that has affected his play. Whether he has recovered fully or not, nobody knows. How he performs in Sydney and later in Bangkok will be a good indicator. One goal that he has set for himself is to raise his Elo rating. There is no doubt that if he sets
his mind to it, he can attain the status of a super GM in no time at all. Will he be up to it? In the following game, Antonio appears to be on the verge of a loss as lack, but with a few deft strokes, he turns the tide around and forces a win—just in the nick of time!

Aleksander Wojtkiewicz –
Rogelio Antonio Jr.
Bacolod, 1991
Fianchetto Gruenfeld (D78)

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7
4.Bg2 0–0 5.d4 c6 6.Nc3 d5
7.Qb3 dxc4 8.Qxc4 Bf5 9.0–0
Nbd7 10.h3 Ne4 11.Rd1 a5
12.e3 Qc8 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 14.Bd2
h6 15.Qe2 Re8 16.Rac1 Nb6
17.Ne1 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 e5
19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Nd3 Bg7
21.Bc3 Bxc3 22.Rxc3 Nd5
23.Rc4 Qe6 24.Rd4 Re7 25.a3
Rae8 26.Qf3 h5 27.Nf4 Nxf4+
28.Qxf4 Qe5 29.Qxe5 Rxe5
30.Rd8 If 30.Rd7 R8e7 Kf8
31.Kf3 31.R8d6 Rb5 32.R1d2
Ree5 is playable although it could
benefit Black Rb5 31...Rxd8
32.Rxd8+ Ke7 33.Rd2 keeps the
balance 32.Rxe8+ Kxe8 33.Rd2
Ke7 34.g4 a4 35.Ke4 Ke6 36.f4
hxg4! Black gets the initiative
37.hxg4 f5+ 38.Kf3 Rb3
39.gxf5+ gxf5 40.Rh2 c5
41.Rh6+ If 41.Rc2 b6! Kf7
42.Rh7+ Kg6 43.Rc7 b6 44.Ra7
b5 45.Ra6+ Kf7 46.Ra7+ Kf6
47.Ra6+ Ke7 48.Ra7+ Ke6
49.Ra6+ Kd5 50.Rf6 Rxb2
51.Rxf5+ Kc4 Preparing b4
52.Re5? Safer was 52.Rg5 Ra2
53.f5! b4 53.axb4 cxb4
53...Rxb4!? was more precise,
e.g., 54.Re8 a3 55.f5!, and Black
surges on 54.f5 Rb1 55.Ke2?
55.Ra5 a3 56.Kg2 also favors
Black a3 56.Ra5 b3 56...Rg1
makes it even easier for Black:
57.f6 Rg6! 57.f6? Good moves
are hard to come by, e.g.,
57.Ra4+ Kd5! b2 58.f7 Re1+!!
After 58…Re1+!!
A very elegant sacrific e that
saves the day for Black!
59.Kxe1 b1=Q+! 60.Ke2
Qb2+! White topples his king,
seeing that further play is useless:
61.Kf3 Qb7+ 62.Ke2 Qxf7 63.Rxa3
Qh5+ 64.Kf2 Qf5+ 65.Ke2 Qb5!,
and wins. 0–1

In Wang’s case, he builds up a good game as White and keeps the pressure until Black
blunders in a bad position

Wang Hao (2512) – Wu
Shaobin (2510)
Rd 7, 2nd Dato Arthur Tan
Open, KL ’05
Sicilian Najdorf (B90)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4
4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5
7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 0–0
10.0–0–0 Nbd7 11.g4 Qc7 12.g5
Nh5 13.Kb1 b5 14.Nd5 Bxd5
15.exd5 Nb6 16.Rg1 Rab8 17.Rg4
g6 18.Na5 Nxd5 19.Qxd5 Qxa5
20.c4 20.Bd3 Qc7 merely equalizes
Ng7 21.f4 Nf5 22.Bf2 Qc7 23.Rc1
b4 23...Qb7 24.Qxb7 Rxb7 25.fxe5
dxe5 26.c5! could favor White 24.Bd3
Qc8 25.Qf3 Better than 25.fxe5 Ne3!
26.Bxe3 Qxg4 27.exd6 Bxd6 28.Qxd6
Rbd8! b3 26.a3 Re8 27.Be4 Nd4 Fritz
suggests 27...Bf8!? instead 28.Bxd4
exd4 29.f5 Bf8 30.fxg6 fxg6 31.h4
Bg7 32.h5 Rxe4 33.Rxe4 gxh5
34.Rce1 Qf8?? A blunder in a bad
position. Best was 34...Qc6, but it
would also lead to a huge advantage
for White 35.Rf4 35.Qxh5?! would
be much worse, Fritz warns Qc8
36.Qxh5 d3 36...Qd7 otherwise it's
curtains at once, according to Fritz:
37.g6 h6 38.Qd5+ Kh8! 37.Rh1!
After 37.Rh1!
The clincher, forcing Black to
resign right away because of 37…h6
38.Qf7+ Kh8 39.Qg6! 1–0

BOBBY ANG’S BUSINESSWORLD COLUMN, CHESS PIECE

Be Afraid

Super GM Tournament

1st Half – Morelia, Mexico Feb 15-23, 2008

2nd Half – Linares, Spain Feb 28-Mar 7, 2008

Final Standings

1 GM Viswanathan Anand IND 2799, 8.5/14
2 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2733, 8.0/14
3-4 GM Lev Aronian ARM 2739, GM Veselin Topalov BUL 2780, 7.5/14
5 GM Teimour Radjabov AZE 2735, 7.0/14
6 GM Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2751, 6.5/14
7-8 GM Peter Leko HUN 2753, GM Alexei Shirov ESP 2755, 5.5/14
Category 21, Average ELO 2755

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway is shooting up in the world rankings. Last January he played in the top group A of the Corus chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee and scored 5 wins (including beating the unbeatable Vladimir Kramnik with the Black pieces), 2 losses and 6 draws to share first place with Armenian hope Levon Aronian. This was a bit of history – Magnus became the youngest person ever to win a category 20 tournament. Another piece of history: he is the first player ever to
complete the cycle. The Corus chess tournament takes place every year, usually in January, in a small town called Wijk aan Zee, part of the larger Beverwijk in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It was called the Beverwijk tournament from 1938 to 1967, after which it moved to the location of the sponsor’s main offices in Wijk aan Zee. From that time up to 1999 it went under the name of
“Hoogovens Tournament” (you know, as in “Huge Oven”, the big furnaces where they melt steel), after which the Dutch steel and aluminum producer Koninklijke Hoogovens merged with British Steel to form the Corus Group on October 6, 1999. The tournament has always been held in January and it is organized as a huge chess festival with many tournaments going on simultaneously. On the elite side they would have three large round-robin tournaments. The lower-rated, called the “C” tournament, usually includes a fairly large contingent of young up-comers. This is not to say it is
weak. For example, the 2008 edition was a Category 10 and had seven grandmasters.
The “B” tournament is very strong and usually in the range of Category 15-16. This year some of the famous names participating were former world championship candidates Nigel Short and Etienne Bacrot. The “A” edition is one of the strongest in the world, usually at least Category 20. The first big result Carlsen registered in his life was winning the C group at the 2004 Corus chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee with 10.5/13, losing just one game (against the highest rated player of the C roup, Dusko Pavasovic), taking his first Grandmaster norm, and achieving an Elo tournament performance rating of 2702. His closest rival was the Dutch GM Sipke Ernst, who had to content himself with being second after being demolished in the
penultimate round thus:

Carlsen, Magnus (2484) – Ernst,
Sipke (2474) [B19]
Corus-C Wijk aan Zee (12),
24.01.2004

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6
7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3
10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Ngf6 12.0–0–
0 Be7 13.Ne4 Qa5 14.Kb1 0–0
15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.Ne5 Rad8
17.Qe2
The theoretical line nowadays is
17.Qg3 Kh8 18.c4 c5 19.Qf3 cxd4
20.Qxb7 Bd6 21.Rhe1 Rb8 22.Qf3
Rb6! (in Shirov vs Kacheishvili Black
played 22...Nxh5? hoping for
23.Bxh6? gxh6 24.Qxh5 when Black
has the mating sacrifice 24...Rxb2+!
But of course Shirov saw through
that and instead played 23.Bd2!,
after which he wins material and
Black's attack is not enough) 23.g4
Ra6 24.a3 Rb6 25.Ka2 Qa4 with a
very exciting game.

17...c5?
The losing move. 17...Qb6 or
17...Nd5 is better.
18.Ng6!! fxg6 19.Qxe6+ Kh8
20.hxg6! Ng8 21.Bxh6! gxh6
22.Rxh6+! Nxh6 23.Qxe7 Nf7
24.gxf7! Kg7 25.Rd3 Rd6
26.Rg3+ Rg6 27.Qe5+ Kxf7
28.Qf5+ Rf6 29.Qd7# 1–0

This tournament victory in the C group also “graduated” him to the “B” group, which he won two years later at the age of 15. And so, with his January 2008 triumph, Magnus Carlsen has now won all groups of Corus. Playing in a super-tournament is not all glory, of course. There have been more than one occasion where the debutante is
overmatched and relegated to the cellar.

Remember the fate of the first and only GM from Costa Rica Alejandro Ramirez? He made a name for himself as an unknown by almost beating Alexander Morozevich in the 2002 Bled Olympiad. Soon he got the GM title and a bright future was predicted for him. Well, Ramirez was invited to the Hoogovens “B” tournament but was winless in 13
games and was last place. He then quit chess. Another Dutch superGM tournament laimed American superstar Tal Shaked, the 1997 World Junior Champion? By virtue of this victory he got himself invited to the super tournament in Tilburg Fontys later that year and got a big whopping – 7 straight losses (not a disgrace, actually, his opponents were Kramnik, Van Wely, Kasparov, Shirov, Svidler, Michael Adams, and tier).

Three draws and another loss later, they finally allowed him to go home. Shaked then gave up all ambition of competing on the world stage and is now in semiretirement. Luis Rentero, the organizer of the super tournaments in Linares tells the story of Maia Chiburdanidze. The then women’s world champion was invited for the sixth staging of Linares in 1988. Rentero thought this was a good opportunity for her to prove that women can also play chess, but it had the opposite effect. Although her rating was not that far behind the other competitors, she lost very badly and would cry herself to sleep most nights. From that time on Don Luis only invited established
stars to his annual event.

Anyway, back to Magnus Carlsen. After winning Corus “A” he rushed back into action to prove that it was no fluke and his 2nd place in Morelia/Linares more than ustifies his new stature as one of the world’s top players. The ELO points gathered from his two recent achievements would bring his rating up to around 2766 by the time the FIDE April 2008 list is published, which would put him at around 4th or 5th in the world pecking order. Let me show you his exciting victory over former world champion Veselin Topalov.

Carlsen, Magnus (2733) – Topalov, Veselin (2780) [A28]
SuperGM Morelia/Linares
MEX/ESP (12), 04.03.2008

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6 7.Be2 Be7 8.0–0 0–0 9.a4
White is playing the Boleslavsky Variation of the Sicilian with colors reversed, characterized by the combination of pawn on e4 and a4. On the normal Black side it would have been pawn on e5 in tandem with another one on a5. To correct the erroneous
impression of many young players, Boleslavsky, not Najdorf was the pioneer of putting the Sicilian e-pawn on e5.

9...Be6 10.Be3N Nd7 11.d4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4
The other recapture 13.Bxd4 is fine, but attacking players like Carlsen like to put
their queen in the center so long as the exposed queen cannot be forced to
retreat ignominiously.

13...c6 14.a5 Nc5 15.Qe5 Nb3 16.Ra4 Bd6 17.Qh5 g6 18.Qh6 Be5 19.Bg5 Qc7
20.Be3 Nxa5 21.f4 Bg7 22.Qh4 Bb3 23.Rd4!? White figures that his bishop is more
important than the rook in this position.
23...Rad8
If Topalov had taken the exchange then
23...Bxd4!? 24.Bxd4 f5! 25.exf5 Qd8!
26.Qf2 Rxf5 with chances for both sides.
24.e5 Rxd4 25.Bxd4 c5 26.Be3 f6
27.Nb5!
The obvious target square for this
knight is on d6. There is another threat
which Black misses:
27...Qd8
After 27...Qd8
28.f5!? fxe5 29.Bg5! Qb6 30.f6
c4+
After 30...Bh8 comes 31.f7+!? Rxf7 (if
31...Bxf7 , then White attacks by 32.Be7
c4+ 33.Kh1 Qe3 34.Bf3) 32.Bd8!
winning the knight on a5 because the
queen cannot defend it anymore:
32...Qa6 33.Nd4, although to be fair
White's chances might be better, but
Black still has a lot of fight in him.
31.Kh1 Qxb5 32.fxg7 Rxf1+ 33.Bxf1
Kxg7 34.Bd8 Nc6??
Centralizing the queen with 34...Qd5
seems to be a much better chance. Now
he succumbs to a mating attack.
35.Qf6+! Kg8
Or 35...Kh6 36.Qf8+ Kh5 37.Be2#
mate.
36.Qe6+ Kf8 37.Bg5! 1–0
Black resigned because of 37...Kg7
38.Qf6+ Kg8 39.Bh6.
So Magnus has now made a habit of
winning super tournaments, beating
former world champions, being rated
among the top 5 in the world, and is still
only 17 years old. What will he do next?
Reader comments and/or suggestions
are urgently solicited. Email address is
bangcpa@gmail.com.
This column was first published in
BusinessWorld on Monday, March 17,
2008.

FROM MY SWIVEL CHAIR
Happy Easter to everyone!

IT’S Easter, let’s all be happy! It is indeed the happiest time in Christendom as it celebrates the Resurrection of the Son of God. After the gloom of Lent, the joy of Easter! Alleluiah! For us players, it’s the start of another season of hope—hope
for more wins and draws than losses, hope for a greater understanding of the game that will lead to full mastery, hope for the emergence of a future Filipino world champion.

LATE-BREAKING NEWS: Macmac Paragua seems to have recovered from his third-round loss to GM Darmen Sadvakasov and is now one of 10 players jockeying for position behind
his Kazakh nemesis and Robert Hess, the new leaders in the fifth round. Leading the 10 is the defending champion, GM Alexander Shabalov.


IT’S good to know that 14- year-old GM Wesley So is bent on entering tournaments here
and abroad in an effort to become a super grandmaster with an Elo rating of above
2600 before he turns 15 on October 9. He has seven months to do that and we hope
he will have a corporate sponsor. Why not Shell since he is its “Champion of
Champions”? Attention, NCFP boss Butch Pichay!

APRIL is the month for youngsters aspiring to become a star someday like Eugene Torre, Macmac Paragua or Wesley So. Let’s hope they will get parental support and encouragement, not parental bullying or, worse, parental networking. I hope the NCFP will also lower the boom on cheating parents! Just let the best and brightest win!

LET’S hope that there will be less friction within the NCFP ranks this season. It has drawn up a very comprehensive year round calendar of activities. So far so good, and the successful staging of the Candon Cup bears witness to regional cooperation. Needless to say, much depends on the local government units (LGUs) for the success of the propagation of chess in the grassroots.

It’s all systems go for Milo Checkmate IT’S all systems go for the early
offerings of Milo Checkmate summer chess clinics in five venues in Metro Manila and
two in the provinces.

These clinics will open tomorrow, Monday, March 24. The venues are Greenhills
Learning Center at No. 20 Roosevelt Street and Ortigas Avenue, La Salle Greenhills in
San Juan; MacDonald’s-Binondo branch in Manila; Chowking- Buendia-Pasong Tamo branch in Makati; Metropolitan Mall- Alabang; St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall; Vigan
City; and Dagupan City. — Marlon Bernardino

The Weekender
Quezon Memorial Circle
Quezon City
Manuel O. Benitez
Editor & Publisher
Alfredo V. Chay
Circulation Manager
=================================
Published every weekend
NOT FOR SALE!
==============================

Third Term for MGIS

Hey there!

The final push for the school year is here! After a rather tiring but satisfying Easter break, all systems go for the final term and everyone's raring to go.

With all the benchnarks and developmental domain skills laid down for my SPED students, I believe we're right on schedule. The importance of an assessment and evaluation as a source of baseline of information before the schoolyear is very much felt in the latter part of the curriculum.

One of my favorite assessment guide is the Brigance System, check it out!

Blogger tips, tricks and your brain!

Hey there!

I found a blog which deals with what I need... you probab'ly might too. Here's Peter Chen's Blogger Tips and Tricks.

In my times of serenity and isolation, I heard this song played on the radio some years ago and now I stumbled upon a live video at The Rat Squeaks. Check out the video of From Both Sides Now at Joni Mitchelle's Getting Older. Hair raising moment for me, I felt like crying over my youthful mistakes in life!

Here's Chessie on an article about women and chess... and that quote from Garry K "Women, by their nature, are not exceptional chess players:..." Hmm! Gender-biased in a modern thinking world from a modern thinking man? Can't really blame the former world champion guys. If you get to the scholastic, age group level, you'll know that the number one player in the girls division will have a difficult time winning against your second rate player in the boys division. Now I'm saying this not to degrade the female species but to promote this non-exclusion scheme tournament for both girls and boys. The Polgar's have shown it can be done... let's do it!

Speaking of the Polgar's, here's something from Secrets of a Grandpatzer Chess and his Polgar Error post. Check it out! Here's a mother's blog post on playing chess with her son at Rational Jenn. Still on women, here's Mommy Warriors and their post on Idaho Turns to Chess as Education Strategy.

Here's a post regarding personal chess trainer, harmful or helpful? And yes, the eternal armchair comparison between the left-brain and right-brain learners and learning styles, this time it goes like Chess in the classroom, left brained, right brained... The real question could be "Will it give them the necessary skills to survive school and the real world?

That's all for now and yes, Easter Sunday is hours away. The malls are now open and guess life is back to the normal rat race.

Chess Calendar

National Chess Federation of the Philippines

Calendar of Events

March 12-16 Inter-Government Chess Team

March 7-9 Regional Elimination NCR

March 22-24 Regional Elimination Region I
Regional Elimination Region VI
Regional Elimination Region X

March 28-30 Regional Elimination Region II
Regional Elimination Region IX
Regional Elimination Region VII

April 1-6 National Age Group

April 9-14 National Juniors

April 18-20 Regional Elimination Region III
Regional Elimination CARAGA
Regional Elimination Region XI

April 25-27 Regional Elimination Region IV
Regional Elimination Region VIII
Regional Elimination Region XII

APRIL ASEAN MASTERS CIRCUIT

May 2-4 Regional Elimination Region V
Regional Elimination Region ARMM
Regional Elimination CAR

May 7-13 Philippine International Open

May 16-22 Philippine International Open

May 26-31 Davao International Open

June 1-10 ASEAN Youth

June 12-19 National Inter Province Chess Team

June Regional Elimination SEMI-FINALS

June Regional Elimination FINALS

July National inter Cities & Municipalities

August ASEAN Circuit

August 2-16 World Junior Championship

August 15-24 World Youth U-16 Olympiad

September 1-8 PGMA Cup

September 11-17 Pichay Cup

October 3-18 Mind Games

October 19-31 World Youth

November 12-25 38Th Chess Olympiad

December 1-6 National Inter-Collegiate & Universities
Chess Team Championship

December Singapore Open

I don’t know if this calendar will be followed to a T but let’s hope it will be.

The Master doesn't know?

This week , we Christians are celebrating the Holy week. The time when we remember the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. Philippine Catholic tradition shows us a variety of ways to remember Christ’s passion. We have the “Pabasa” wherein folks and children read the story of Christ’s life thru singing non-stop, or what we call a vigil. These old folks are pros guys and they have been doing this ritual almost half or more than half their lives.

The modern Filipino families are entirely different. Gone are the days when you see families doing the “Bisita Iglesia”. Bisita Iglesia is visiting churches and praying the 14 Stations of the Cross in memory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In my case, since this week is a break from teaching work and an overtime work with my own family, I made sure I borrowed one of my favorite “reflection” book I’ve ever had in my life. This is the time when I can read it all over again, and again and again.

Written by the late Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello called The Song of the Bird, it was given by a Jesuit priest and a recipient of Ten Outstanding Filipino Award Fr. Ruben Tanseco to my Dad. Fr. Ruben is Magis Deo community Spiritual Father which I am blessed to be part of because of my parents’ involvement in the Marriage Encounter program of Magis Deo.

I have always wanted to have a personal copy of this book because of its In-your-face teachings which goes against the traditional spiritual teachings. I don’t want to call it Catholic teachings but rather Spiritual teachings.
Let me share one of Fr. Mello’s Obras:

The Master Does Not Know

The Seeker approached the Disciple and asked respectfully, “What is the meaning of human life?”

The Disciple consulted the Works of his Master and confidently replied: “Human life is nothing but the expression of God’s exuberance.”

When the Seeker addressed the same question to the Master himself, the Master said, “I do not know.”

The Seeker says, “I do not know.” That takes honesty

The Master says, "I do not know.” That takes a mystic’s mind that knows through things through non-knowing. The Disciple says, “I know.” That takes ignorance in the form of borrowed knowledge.

I chose this one for a number of reasons: As a teacher myself for children with special needs, trainer of teachers to be and practicing teachers, and children wanting to learn the basics of good chess play, this one hit me. Are we a Master of the Royal Game because we have the title or certification from the governing chess body in the world? Are we the Disciple who teaches chess among our friends, neighbors and students? Are we the Seeker who on his own tries to find the Holy Grail of Chess Knowledge?

Who am I in the story? Who are you in the story? Who are we in the story?

Do you see yourself in the clothing of the Master? The one who knows he will never really know the ultimate truth? Are you the Seeker who earnestly and honestly searches for the truth? Or are you the Disciple who, in his longing to get to the truth, when he finds one borrows the “ path” or “enlightenment” and spread it among his neighbors and eager listeners?

Disciples are also called followers, believers, supporters, devotee and students. These are the people who look up to the master and absorb all the Master’s teachings… without abandon.

Seekers are searchers. People who critically asks questions and meticulously check the data or teachings encountered. They are inquirers, they do not stop when they reach the dead-end. Seekers are learned men themselves for they know that they know not, enough!

The Master need not pretend he knows ‘or he does not know. The Master will try out his “knows” and “not know” at every given opening because he is The Master.
So who are you?

-----------------------------

I’ll be going on a self-imposed blog leave from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. I’ll be pressing the vacation button in all of my correspondence games in chess.com. By then, I wish all of you a safe long break and please be with your loved ones… spend those quality precious times with your family!

Chess saves the earth?

Hey there!

After a Saturday marathon blogging I had, I thought I'd rest Sunday (yesterday) and I actually did. No nothing except sending the PGN files to those who requested for it. Spread the news, spread the PGN files it's for everyone!

Two weeks ago, I saw the films 11Th hour by Leonardo de Caprio and Al Gore's award winning An Inconvenient Truth. Both films deal with "Save The Earth" theme which I've been actively involved when I was in high school. The "truths" were horrifying but the cure were too elementary that's why people take it for granted. Here's one alert that brought me back to this save the earth thing, with of course relevance to our Royal game.Chess Saves The Earth by Nikita,Inconvenient Truth,Wacky Life-sized Chess and Climate Change Kids Site . Most of the chess persons I've met are deep thinkers almost always on the reflective side and I wish everyone gives our Mother Earth another chance to survive, for us, for her! Chess people can help save the Earth!

For Women's Chess, check out 2008 Russian Women's First League Final posted at Chess, Goddess and Everything. Women's chess survives but I really think there should never be any separation, remember, Gender bias is a form of discrimination!

Dana blogs chess features The Making of a Chess Lecture and tell you, it's a good read. Going over your games a major part of your training and development caught my attention.

Here's a post which shows us how to deal with our loved ones cockiness when getting an egg over the board. Chess parents can learn a lot from this and future parents too. Oh yes, I like the black and white photo there, somewhat gives the reader a nostalgic feel.

Elsewhere in the world, Vishy Anand wins over Kramnik in Amber Blindfold and Rapid Chess Tournament.

Chess Teacher gives his thoughts on Smothering the King.

That's it for now. The Weekender by Manny Benitez is next.

NOVA PROPER TOPS INTON CHESS TOURNEY

QUEZON CITY Majority Floor Leader and councilor Ariel Inton (right) and International Master Rolando Nolte (left) made the traditional ceremonial moves at the start of Ariel Inton Chess Cup, QC Inter-Barangay district II chess tournament over the weekend at the Barangay Sta. Monica Covered Court, Quezon City. Also in photo were councilor Toto Medalla, Brgy. Capt. Elenita "Baby" Balajonda, Kgd. Arnold Francisco of Sta. Monica, Brgy. Capt. Atty. Roy Osorio of San Agustin, IA Gene Poliarco and tournament director Tito Estaris.

BARANGAY Nova Proper headed by Razel Lagman, Jony Habla, Kirk Jeremias and Juancho Caunte blanked Barangay Culiat "B", 4-0, which are composed of Norvic Jepolan, Rodolfo Azcuna, Marvin Bandiola and Rafael Espejo, to topped the district II qualifying round of Ariel Inton Chess Cup QC Inter-Barangay district II chess tournament over the weekend at the Barangay Sta. Monica Covered Court, Quezon City.


Nova Proper finished with a total of 24.0 points to advance in the Grand Finals set on May 8, 9 and 10 at the SM North Edsa, Entertainment Plaza in the sports tourism project which brainchild of coun. Inton and also supported by QC mayor Sonny Belmonte, Eurotel Hotel, PX2 Enterprises, and Transequip Motors Sales Corp .

Joining them in the tournament proper were Balon Bato (21 pts.), Culiat "A" (17.5 pts.), Commonwealth (15.5 pts.) and Bagong Silangan "B" (15.0 pts).

According to tournament director Tito Estaris assisted by Dimple Dagasdas, the Ariel Inton Chess Cup goes to Barangay Covered Court, Barangay Project 6 for the district I elimination round.

Call or text at tel # 922-29-13 and please look Dimple Dagasdas or Mr.Tito Estaris, the Tournament Director at 0927-9668522 for complete details. MARLON BERNARDINO

Domain Registration

I wish I had a wish-granting machine and my very first wish would be to have my own domain name... and the rest is history! Hahahaha!

But wait, before I make that wish and my machine grants it, I'd like to know more about this Domain Name Registration and why it is wiser to buy at Paylessdomains.

What is a domain? Wiki says ithere and AboutDOTcom says it here. In my own words, Domain Name registration means one thing, it's like family surnames of each person living on earth. Main function: for ID purposes. A domain in the context of Web search is a unique address on the Web that identifies one particular Web site.

So why choose paylessdomains above all? well, the pricing is simply the best.

Member services include detail modification, reports, password change and many more. These "more" means more services and discounts for the buyer but less expenses. Basic options available for the initiates like Register a Domain Name, Domain Transfers, Domain Renewals, Web Hosting, Domain Extensions, Choosing a Domain Name, E-Commerce. But it doesn't mean advanced users won't benefit from what it can offer.

Sorry if I'm a bit excited but honestly, when I learned about the pricing and services for domain registration, I thought I won't let the day pass by without taking advantage of this.

So next time you get a domain for yourself,think of nothing else but paylessdomains. All major credit cards are accepted!

Mc Dominique in 2nd GMA Cup

Hey there!

Remember Mc Do in the 2nd GMA Cup? The little boy from the town of Nueva Vizcaya? Got some of his games in PGN format and I'd like to share them to you.


[Event "2nd PGMA CUP INTERNATIONAL OPE"][Site "Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Parana"]
[Date "2007.11.25"][Round "5.30"]
[White "LAGULA, McDominique"]
[Black "MANON-OG, Ramon Jr"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D27"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2007.11.22"]




[Event "2nd PGMA CUP INTERNATIONAL OPE"] [Site "Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Parana"]
[Date "2007.11.25"][Round "6.28"]
[White "Lagula, Mcdominique"]
[Black "Tolentino, Rustum"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E24"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2007.11.22"]




[Event "2nd PGMA CUP INTERNATIONAL OPE"][Site "Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Parana"]
[Date "2007.11.27"] [Round "8.28"]
[White "PANOPIO, Rodolfo Jr"]
[Black "LAGULA, McDominique"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2212"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[EventDate "2007.11.22"]




[Event "2nd PGMA CUP INTERNATIONAL OPE"][Site "Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Parana"]
[Date "2007.11.28"][Round "9.31"]
[White "LAGULA, McDominique"]
[Black "JAVIER, Nicon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D06"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2007.11.22"]




[Event "2nd PGMA CUP INTERNATIONAL OPE"][Site "Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Parana"]
[Date "2007.11.26"][Round "7.30"]
[White "Nazario, Marc Christian"]
[Black "Lagula, Mcdominique"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B45"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2007.11.22"]




I saw the game between another young star Marc Christian Nazario and I was surprised at how he played against Marc who is a veteran campaigner. Future superstars are here people!

NCAA Chess 2007

[Event "2007 NCAA Chess (JUNIORS)"] [Site "SM Manila"] [Date "2007.08.04"]
[Round "5"] [White "Fronda, Jude Emil"] [Black "Dandan, Tristan Wayne"]
[Result "1-0"] [ECO "C41"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2007.07.22"]
[EventType "team"] [EventRounds "14"] [EventCountry "PHI"]
[WhiteTeam "CSJL"] [BlackTeam "UPHD V"]




I got hold of the PGN file for UAAP and NCAA Chess 2007 just now. A generous soul sent me the file. Thank you sir! I'll post this game of Tristan Dandan against Jude Emil Fronda. As we all know, Colegio San Juan de Letran took home the Juniors Chess Gold in this edition!

I'll try to post the games from both UAAP and NCAA and hopefully. Enjoy!

When Presidents Meet

President Vladimir Voronin today met President of Kalmykia, Russia, President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, on a working visit to Moldova. When president meet, projects and understandings are forged. Sports development was on the agenda and chess was on the list too. The construction modern chess center of was discussed and FIDE will be supporting the project.

Any modern chess center for the Philippines? With support from FIDE maybe? Is it because we don't have the "right" chess program or is it because we don't have those cute, bring-me-back-in-time coat of arms logo like them?

Round d'clock chess news

This 24-hour chess news which serves us by sending them all in my inbox, keeps me and the rest of PCC blog readers updated and informed the minute it happens. So let's start digesting them now.

In US of A, a student leader who has helped young chess players from his school will have to say goodbye for this year because he’s running for KU student body president with the Student Senate coalition ConnectKU.Volunteering for chess.

Here's Denis Monokroussos blog called Chess Mind. I was surprised to have read his post about linking back called A note to linking solicitors because his blog title Chess mind has always flooded my chess alerts and I have always believed he would always receive email request for a link back. Read this:

For a long time, no one expressed much of a desire to have me link to them, but the last few weeks in particular this has changed in a big way. I'm not sure why this is - maybe it started with Peter Doggers of Chess Vibes setting an example. He hasn't been shy about promoting his website whenever something new appears there, and maybe his boldness has been contagious.

Whatever the case, I'm not enjoying the attention, as a steady stream of solicitors, often of truly awful sites, have come knocking on my mailbox. So in case anyone reading this is preparing to request that I mention your website or add it to my blogroll, here are the rules.

So what you think? Well, for one, Denis is an established writer/blogger and he is I believe one of the most sought-after chessman with a chess mind online. His thoughts and writings shows us his clear understanding of the phenomenon. Chill out my dear Denis, I hope it helps soothe down the difficulty of having to deal with fame with the fact that you are getting the attention for good reasons!

Draws in the professional and top level chess games have caused a certain group to make a move and write a letter to FIDE. Here's a
The Chess Dilemna by Stewart Reuben, FIDE chairman of Organizer's committee. What's on your mind?

And here is Kindred's Kaleidoscope blogpost on England’s Czar of Chess... Howard Staunton?

Do you believe Karpov never really played against Fischer? Maybe they never did in front of the cameras or in public view but certainly they could have. One for the secret files? Anyways, I had this thought running while reading Chess legend Karpov visits with Stevenson High School team. One more chess advise for my compilation of sorts courtesy of the former world champ:

"If you forget, it's much better for your chess career."

And here's one article to support any ASA's or After-School-Activity programs in schools: Unlikely Chess Champions Avoid After-School Dangers . Yes my dear readers,one of the main reasons why extra-curricular activities are important. Amen to that!

Chess news from Belize is here. Anywhere in the world the youth is taking on the challenge against their much older, much experienced rivals. The gate has been opened wide and in a year or two we might have a world champion who's age qualifies for a junior chess championship. Here in the Philippines, we have GM Wesley So taking the number 3 spot for the country's Top ten chess players. Wesley also placed 7Th in the world's youngest player to become a GM. The changing of the guards happened earlier and the Internet played the major role for this. Believe it or not!

The Fischer-Marcos connection is a well-known fact and there's a book written by Larry Evans that shows Fischer's letter, in the first chapter which has something to do with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on the latter's offer to host the match Fischer-Karpov! Interestingly, the book is called

The four way chess maybe a lot more confusing than the three-way chess. In anyways, it's far from getting the nod of FIDE and the mainstream chess people. Standard chess is insanity causing game enough to further unsimplify it. No thanks!

Chess, and its applications in life,posted by Eternally Ignorant at chessforums.org. This is D Forum guys and make sure you register asap!

The Serbian Chess Championship 2008 happens March 15-28. Everyone's gearing up for the Olympiad guys. Ten Grandmasters and some IM's are joining in what may also be their qualifiers for their national team. Aren't you scared for our Philippine Team?

If there was one player who never backpedalled against an opponent, it should be this guy. Look in his eyes and you'll see the soul of a warrior who showed the world what a 14 hour a day chess training can do. His games will forever guide the next generation of chess players. Before I end this post, let me share two quotes that caught my inattention:

"Chess is meditation. Chess is communion with the Creator."
Spencer R. Lower

"Chess demands total concentration and a love for the game." Bobby Fischer