Wu Goes Checkered!

Hey there!

I've never really heard any of Wu Tang Clan songs although the name decibels' on my ears during my college time because my younger bro, Ferdie, happens to be a dancing scholar (hip-hop) in his school and Wu Tang Clan figures prominently in the cross-culture world of hip-hop.

And today, I found out about this newly created chess website called Wuchess! First 500 members receives the title "Founders" of the website. Not really sure yet if it goes for free guys!

Chess cheats have been unsuccessful lately so don't you dare try it anywhere. Except maybe when your playing against a friend, you can cheat him or her by looking scared (like when you've seen for the first time this death-bed make-up guy you usually see in Tito,Vic and Joey films!) coupled with a frozen stare behind your opponent... the moment he looks behind him, do that classic take-a-piece-while he's-not-looking move! Anyways, Iranian chess player was caught doing a rather eggheaded tactical cheating in the recently held Dubai Open. Good thing the tournament King, GM Wesley So was not affected! here's the Iranian cheat story and from last year, Indian chess cheat.

I wonder what would have been if he played in Lunet Chess Park and be caught? Will he be beaten to death by our very own park masters? Heheheheh! Or his mobile phone be snatched away by onlookers who has nothing to do with chess.

NM Trajera wins April Open Blitz Chess Championship! Story here.

Local chess, ACCEL-SMC head the list of cast in Taguig Chess team Tourney. The team is made up of veterans and are all ready for a royal rumble 24-7! Six-time executive chess champion Dr. Jenny Mayor (oohh! I'd love to have a look into your chess library doc!) leads the team together with engineer Ali Branzuela, Chester Caminong, journalists Noli Cruz and Elech Dawa.

The 1st Taguig City Rapid 2050 below Open Chess Team Tournament gets going on April 30 at the Global City, Market, Market Mall.

I got news from NM Bernardino that this is an NCFP sanctioned tournament and is open to all team and squad, composed of five players with an average team rating of 2050.

Mayor Freddie Tinga, vice-mayor Jorge Ellias, congressman Jun Duenas and councilor Erwin Manalili, sponsors this one.


Important details sent in by Marlon:

The champion team will receive a whopping P40,000 cash prize; the second placer P20,000; third place P10,000; fourth place P6,000; and fifth place P4,000.

Special category prizes are also at stake. The Top Collegiate Team, Secondary, Kiddie, Ladies and Best Uniform will receive P5,000 each.

For inquiries, call or text 0918-440-3956, 0916-856-6980, tel.no.628-1999 or email at leeto_sulit@yahoo.com, for complete details.

The Catanduanes Tribune writes something about the Bicol Regionals which is to happen a month from now! Wow! I wonder who'd take notice of the Region IV leg to happen in Bacoor Cavite? Although I've posted notes about it here and at Pulso Ng Makabagong Cavitenyo, not really sure if there's anybody else giving thoughts about the qualifying events.

WNM Catherine Perena

(smiling chick wearing a light blue jacket)

More photos at Chess Pictures Galore!

I didn't know there is a WGM chess event happening in our neighbor Indonesia and that our very own WNM Catherine Perena is placed on the second spot with 2.0 points after 3 rounds behind tournament leaders WGM Li Ruofan of Singapore with 2.5 points.

Again, from NM M Bernardino:

Individual Standings after round 3:

Woman Grandmaster Tournament, six player's round-robin format, Rating Average: 2317, WGM Norm: 6.5 points while WIM Norm: 4.5 points

2.5 points---WGM Li Ruofan (2423, Singapore)

2.0 points---WNM Catherine Pereña (2234, Philippines)

1.5 points--- WGM Regina Pokorna (2352, Slovakia)

1.5 points---WIM Irine Kharisma Sukandar (2243, Indonesia)

1.0 point---WGM Jana Krivec (2362, Slovenia)

0.5 point---WFM Thandar Aye Win (2291, Myanmar)

WOMAN National Master (WNM) Catherine Pereña (2234) of the Philippines turned back Woman Fide Master (WFM) Thandar Aye Win (2291) of Myanmar using the disadvantageous black pieces to grabs the solo second place after the third round of Japfa Chess Festival 2008, Woman Grandmaster Tournament at the Indonesian Sports Council's hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday.

The Caloocan City based Pereña, whose stint here is being supported by NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. accumulate 2.0 points on account of two draws and one win after three games of play.

Pereña held into a draw with top seed Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Li Ruofan (2423) of Singapore in the opening round on Tuesday then split the point with Woman International Master (WIM) Irine Kharisma Sukandar (2243) of Indonesia in the second round on Wednesday.



WGM Li, on the other hand, defeated WGM Jana Krivec (2362) of Slovenia using the white pieces yesterday to seize the lead with 2.5 points.

Meanwhile, WGM Regina Pokorna (2352) of Slovakia nipped WIM Sukandar with the black pieces to raise her total 1.5 points, the same output of WIM Sukandar.

In related stories, the match between RP's recent Dubai Cup winner grandmaster Wesley So and local GM Susanto Megaranto get it's first move yesterday in Jakarta according to NCFP director Willie Abalos. So hold an Elo rating of 2540 while Megaranto had a higher 2561, both player is ranked No.1 in their country.

"Dumating si Wesley (So) pati ang kanyang amang si William (So) kagabi (Miyerkoles) na galing sa Dubai at sapat para makapag-pahinga. Ngayong Huwebes ang first match niya kay (Susanto) Megaranto sa kanilang six games standard play, one-on-one duel." said Abalos.

Wesley's spokesman businessman Reginald Tee said that the 14-year-old campaigner will return to the country on April 21 to participate in the Philippines Battle of the Grandmaster which starts on April 22. MARLON BERNARDINO

And since I've visited indochess.com for the first time in months, let me link you to Mr. Bobby Ang's articles I missed:1 Bad Dude!, Novelty of the Year, and of course, his story about Fischer's Best Games. The Bang's writing style gives me this feeling that he's talking to me directly, like I'm inside a cafe and seated in front of him with my mouth wide open and eyes popping out as I listen to chess stories that never ends.

That's all for now peeps!