RP's Strongest Region?

Hey there!

Lately, I have been asking myself as to which region in our country has the strongest chess team if ever we would form one for each?

Let's do a review of our geographic know-how of our motherland first. I just don't want to find out that I'm clueless of my own country's geography.

"The Philippines consists of 17 regions. The regions are geographically combined into the three island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Following is a list of the regions in their island groupings. To get overviews of the regions, see the respective articles on the island groups. The regions CALABARZON, MIMARO/MIMAROPA, and SOCCSKSARGEN are capitalized because they are acronyms that stand for their component provinces or cities.[1]" (wikipedia)

FromWikiAnswers:

As of 2002, the Philippines consists of 17 regions. The regions are geographically combined into the three island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Following is a list of the regions in their island groupings.

Luzon

Ilocos Region (Region I)
Cagayan Valley (Region II)
Central Luzon (Region III)
CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Bicol Region (Region V)
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
National Capital Region (NCR) (Metro Manila)

Visayas

Western Visayas (Region VI)
Central Visayas (Region VII)
Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Mindanao

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Davao Region (Region XI)
SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Caraga (Region XIII)
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

I'd like to list some guidelines as to who belongs to where:

1. First and foremost, period of residency of not less than 5 years.

2. If the first rule cannot be met, then we classify the player as to where he has lived in the last 5 years prior to his new residency.

3. If the first two does not meet one's situation, maybe birthplace would and can be used... Such as the case for GM Bong Villamayor and GM candidate Ino Sadorra who spent his childhood days in Bacoor but lived most of his adolescence in Singapore.

4. Yes, we will include titled players from GM's to NM's.

5. COMELEC certification or any other proof of residency will not be considered. Reason? AS to what my British friend told me, "everything is possible here in the Philippines...You can have a driver's licence (Brit spelling guys)here even if you don't know how to drive, you can buy and get your college diploma here in 30 minutes or less" to which I replied, "I think that has some truth to it but le' me tell what you guys can't really have in a so short time... lovely Filipinas! You have to win their heart!"

Anyways, who do you think has the strongest regional team? Do you think NCR will win this one without any effort? or CALABARZON IV-A will give them a tough time in the championship round?

NCR has GM's Eugene Torre and Bong Antonio. CALABARZON IV A boasts of GM Wesley So (but of course!!!) IM Sadorra, NM's Suelo and Agagon among others. Mindanao has who? I think they have of course and so does the Visayas regions too.

Hmmmm... maybe I can do a study on this.

And why did I suddenly had thoughts on this? It's because chess scene has really exploded here in our country with my inbox receiving chess news from different regions of the Philippines.

Davao and Cagayan de Oro's chess is active, Cavite province too. In fact this summer alone, the province has hosted three major tourneys namely Cavite Open, NCFP Regionals and the ongoing dual meet between the Philippines and Myanmar in Tagaytay City. If plans pushes thru, there will be a round robin qualifyers for the Vietnam Age Group players.

Who do you think it will be?

Anyways, for chess news in the south, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro's

CDO retains overall chess plum in Lanao

and Tandag City chess newswhich is located in Surigao del Sur.

Araw ng Bandila

Mga Kababayan!

Isang mapulang pagbati sa lahat ng Pilipino na nagmamahal sa bayang sinilangan, aking ipinaaabot ang isang maligaya at makahulugang araw ng bandila, saan man kayo naroroon sa sulok ng mundo!

Mabuhay ang Bandila ng Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Bayang Pilipinas! Ibalik ang Pilipinas sa mga tunay na pilipino!

Sulyapan ang mga nasusulat sa internet tungkol sa kasaysayan ng Bandila ng ating Bayan!

1. Wikipedia
2. Flags of the World
3. Philippine Country Guide

RP vs Myanmar

Hey there!

As I expected it, the dual match between the Philippines and Myanmar will favorably go to our side. All three rounds went to ours!

The team: GM-elect Jayson Gonzales, IM candidate Rolando Nolte, 1st Subic Open surprise performer Rolando Andador, NM Oliver Barbosa, Dino Ballecer and Reggie Olay.

Yahoo! Our players pool getting bigger and stronger after each major NCFP tourneys! Very good!

Imus Cavite's Wagayway Festival

Hey there!

The Local Government of Imus Cavite will be gunning for a world record when Imuseno's will try to form a human Philippine Flag tomorrow from SM Bacoor to SM Dasmarins Cavite along Aguinaldo Highway!

This will be the culmination of the Wagayway Festival which started last Saturday, May 24!

Wagayway Festival is a celebration to correct history, which until now needs alot of clarification!

As we all learned from the history books and what we were told by our teachers, General Emilio Aguinaldo first waved the Philippine Flag in his Mansion (yes my dear readers, even in their days, the rich and influential peeps get to lead the poor Filipinos!) in Kawit Cavite.

This goes contrary to the "real Imus history" as what Mayor Manny Maliksi and Vice Mayor Mandy Ilano proclaimed to us last Saturday!

Am celebrating this with tears inside my eyes ready to flow out.... BECAUSE TRAFFIC TO THE MAX tomorrow!!!!

Photo courtesy of http://masterbetong.net.

Anyways, this blog posted something I have been screaming about in silince, that''s why maybe I found myself moving away from my acer notebook whenever I wish to, and that's more often than before... Check out: Pawned, For the Love of the game blog at Bloggers are like pawns.

Nevermind those ratings, page ranks and index ranks... all that matters is the love for the game. I remember getting these nasty emails from another Filipino blogger (who trumpets his difficulty in speaking Tagalog, amoy bulok na bangus ka mare!) whenever I do a cut and paste writing here at PCC. Now I know what one feels when you suddenly find your "originals" in another blog or forum. Tsk tsk!

Anyways, I was surprised to be reading more about Borris Spassky's human side, the side where he knows how to balance the essentials in one's life. I've read somewhere that he is so good when it comes to human relationships, something the late great Bobby Fischer sorely lacking (they say).

Well... Wagayway Festival tomorrow... But i still need to go to MGIS to work!

Powerhouse RP

Hey there!

From the NCFP President Prospero Pichay Jr:

"...the Philippines is poised to become a world chess power and aims to beat the number 1 in the world..."

This will for sure raise eyebrows from the international chess community but definitely, it's worth a try!

For the complete story, visit SunStar Davao here.

Just a thought here sir, before NCFP set it's sights on becoming a world number 1, can we at least have a corporate like federation? In ideals and in action please. Maybe then, we can...One more though, I believe our young stars will carry on to it's completion.

Here's I (and the whole world) believe is the anchor of Philippine chess hopes to achieve world supremacy,GM Wesley So, published by Agora Vox, The Citizen Media.

38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden

The 38th Olympiad is happening on November 12-25 at Dresden Germany. Wish I have the dough to go there. My former co-teachers from the German School Manila have always expressed their desire and willngness to host me in their country of origin which they prefer to call Deutschland. Having finished the level one of Goethe Institute's DAF or Germans for Non-German Speakers, I believe I'll get by for a week or two staying there. Although that's November, winter time and Octoberfest has passed, not much to see except of course some beautiful castles and countryside.

Anyways, what is NCFP up to about our team's preparation?

I believe the players who have shown good performances this year will have a shot at the Olympiad team. of course, there is the Qualifying tournament for the team. Seeded system is still there guys!

For a complete info about the Dresden Olympiad, go to chessbase.

According to GK

Hey there!

According to Garry Kasparov, organizers made bad moves in the 80's and 90's. What about? Check out Gulf News article titled Organizers made wrong moves.

Still with Garry, there is an interview-article at Gulf News which was called "Russia is like a police state: Kasparov". After last week's "below the belt" incident, I guess the former world champion will never be silenced about his (ill) feelings against the Russian administration specially Vladimir Putin.

Here's the former world champ's vision for Russia:

What's your vision for Russia?

I want my country to be strong, flourishing and free. But I think Russia is now in imminent danger. The survival of Putin's regime could mean the end of my country. So, that's why I have to do everything to defend my country. We are now trying to build the opposition from scratch. The coalition that we created contains elements from the entire political spectrum, based on our beliefs that every major issue is to be decided by the people and not by a chosen few. We are doing something which could take a long time - it might be slow, it might be frustrating, but you have to create an atmosphere that is different from these lawless jungles in Russia. Our supporters are increasing rapidly.

Enough of the vision, let me show the visions of the mystery of the flying genital from theage.com.au, Canada's National Post and the sci-fi effect news title "Russia: Years Ahead Of Us In Remote Control Flying Penis" by Deadspin of New York.

Whew!

Let me end this with a psychology thingy about life and chess. Here's Bill Kerr's error in chess and life. Enjoy reading!

Chess...World's Cure

Hey there!

Got a link from GM Nigel Davies Tiger Chess wordpress and in there he wrote something about chess (of course!) and the growing body of evidence it gives about preventing Alzheheimer's disease. Ironically, scholastic chess has been trumpeted about in all corners of the earth but the therapeutic effect of chess on the brains cell (re)generation remained a secret, heheheh! Just like GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor's Chess Development Program, it remained a secret in the NCFP office until Mr. Manny Benitez published it during the golden days of The Weekender.

Central Oregon Chess Journal is a new discovery for me, it got me interested because a "good friend of mine" Jim Mitch (aka Professor Chess) is based there. Working in the same world as mine, special education-rehabilitation and chess education. I recently subscribed myself to his Professor Chess website and it has a very good collection of training materials for scholastic level chess players. Very nice!

And in ThaiIndian news, former world champion Boris Spassky will be playing in a "simul" against 20 opponents at the Hay Festival in Antartica. For the complete write up, visit

this.

Quazen shares us something about improving our chess games rapidly, visit here.

Another news of death in the world of chess, chessbase reports about Bukhuti Gurgenizde, 1933–2008.

Check out the blog called Playing Chess With Pigeons at http://pigeonchess.wordpress.com and read up on anti-evolution theories and other stuff you might be interested in.

That's all for now.

Pinoy Chessers Abroad

Hey there!

Here's news about GM Mark Paragua:

GM MARK PARAGUA TOPS ST JOHN'S MASTER IN USA CHESS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FILIPINO GM Mark Paragua split the point with American GM Alexander Stripunsky in the final round to emerge over-all champion in the recently concluded St. John's Masters Chess Championships last May 20 at the famous Marshall Chess Club in New York, New York, USA.

The former 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete with three golds, finished undefeated here in Marshall Chess Club with 3.5 points in four outings, half point ahead with GM Stripunsky, GM Michael Rohde, IM Justin Sarkar, IM Jay Bonin and US Master Adam Samuel Maltese with 3.0 points each.

According to eng'r Ric Paragua, his son Mark playing right now in the on-going 17th annual Chicago Open being held at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Paragua, the 1998 World Rapid Under-14 champion notch 3.0 points here in Chicago Open after four rounds of play to climbed into a tie for 4th to 10th place in the company of compatriot GM Darwin Laylo, GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Alexander Yermolinsky of the United States, GM Gilberto Hernandez of Mexico, GM Tigran Petrosian of Armenia and fifth round opponent GM Yuri Shulman, the 2008 US Open Champion. Laylo, meanwhile takes fellow GM Petrosian in the fifth round.

GM Alonso Zapata of Mexico, GM Nikola Mitkov of Macedonia and GM Atanas Kolev of Bulgaria share the leadership board after tallying 3.5 points apiece.

In Italy, Fide Master Virgilio Vuelban, who hails from Cagayan de Oro City finished tenth with 5/9 in the just concluded XXVI FESTIVAL INTERNAZIONALE ISOLA D'ELBA in Italy. Vuelban also placed second in the blitz version of the tournament. MARLON BERNARDINO.

Remember Xavier "Doods" Busig? One of Imus Chess Association INC's founding board member? Well I had a long chat with him just now and check im out in the Irish Chess Union's website here.

In almost all the blitz games he joined in, he won as the champion, defeating IM's and GM's. In the Armstrong Cup, he won 9 games out of 9 rounds and he was called "The Terminator". People were even saying that he is a GM. Hahahahah! Pinoys, Pinoys!

Philippine Chess activities goes south. FIDE Rated Open Chess Tourney is underway. Check out Sun Star's Davao site here.

GILA Chess wrote something about the recently held Philippine Tournaments in Subic. The blogger's observation, well, has truth to it. Check it out here.

Lastly, enjoy the Youth, Chess and YouTube post by JROBICHESS.

Jayson Wins 1st Subic International Open

Hey there!

GM-elect Jayson Gonzales, the FEU head coach for their chess team, won against Rolando Andador to score 7 points out of possible 9 points and wins first place in the recently help 1st Subic International Open.

On second spot,we have GM's Wesley So, Yurif Kuzobov, Eugene Torre and Bong Villamayor.

Or surprise performer, Rolando Andador placed 3rd solo. The only untitled player to mix it up on top slots after 9 rounds!

Congratulations to all of you!

Rolando Andador

Hey there!

Filipino chesser Rolando Andador won against GM Susanto Megaranto and is now sharing the top spot GM's Wesley So, Yurif Kuzobov and Jayosn Gonzales.

I don't really know if he'll qualify for any norm here but for sure, he is making a name for himself.

Much of the national papers dealt with GM-elect Jayson Gonzales exploits but hardly there's none about Rolando Andador's. Go Rolly and take this one!

Good luck!

Veronica Decides To Die

I missed one of Paolo Coelho's masterpieces which I have in my collection, Veronica Decides To Die.

It's one of the best, although I believe all his works are great though....

I'm dedicating this post to one of my good friends, Veronica Coronel. Hope your doing well in that part of the planet!

Paolo Coelho and Chess

One of the greatest writer ever of our time, Brazilian Paolo Coelho, wrote an interesting piece about chess in his blog which he aptly called "The Chess Game".

Just in case you're wondering who Paolo is, let me tell you the books he has written I've loved dearly and made sure are in my collection of "Greatest Books Collection' of mine:

1. The Alchemist
2. The Pilgrimage
3. The Valkyries
4. By the river Piedra I...
5. The Devil and Ms. Prym
6. 11 Minutes
7. The Fifth Mountain

And here's the list of his books.

Happenings in the 1st Subic International Open, GM elect Jayson Gonzales leads the event with 6 points closely pursued by GM's with five points. Interestingly, an untitled Filipino, Rolando Andador is in the group of 5 pointers.

We'll find out today after round 8 whether Andador teaches GM Megaranto of Indonesia his know-how of the game or vice versa.

Chess in Education Series

Hey there!

Before logging off after another day writing narrative reports for my students, I thought I'd give myself a reward.... surf and check out chess blogs while waiting for the May sundown rainshowers in this tropical country of ours.

And yes, I chose to check on The Retired Pawn's blog which had the post about China earthquake, prayers to all the victims.

I found out he has finished his Chess in Education Series(CES) with his posts of CES-V and CES-VI. I didn't agree with his fifth offering though when he said:

"...Chess is not physically demanding, but it requires a cognitive ability of the highest order and an astonishing degree of concentration to play the game well."

Physically, a serious chess player must have the physical strength and stamina if he or she aims for a top performance.

Aside from that, the series is a winner! Cheers to you!

ABS-CBN Online

Hey there!

ABS-CBN Online News tagged our blog and yes, felt so gooooooood! Check it out here.

So please, do send your Chess Club details and we'll make sure it will be part of the club registry.

Sun Star Baguio writes about a young and upcoming chess sup'star, Brena Mae Membrebre.

FIDE got me reading their newsletter now. They have a good informative story about GM Andor Lilenthal of Hungary. FIDE says he is the oldest grandmaster today who clebrated his 97th birthday last May 5, 2008. Here's a copy of the write-up from FIDE newsletter:

He learned to play chess at the age of 16, when he was an apprentice at a taylor’s shop. Soon he defeated his ’master’ even in handicapped games.

In the spring of 1930 he moved to Paris, „the center of chess life” as he told where he played games in cafés to make his living and to learn. He made friends with Alekhine, Bernstein and , first of all, with Tartakower. After many achievements, he defeated Capablanca in the Hastings tournament of 1934/35.. The exf6 move he introduced in the game became famous worldwide as he sacrificed his queen and won the game after a couple of moves.

At the 1935 Warsaw Olympic Games, he reached 15 points out of 19 games and won a gold medal on the 2nd. board. In the 1937 Stockholm Olimpic Games he performed 70% on the 1st board and his performance helped the Hungarian National Team to become second behind the USA.

From 1935 to 1976 he lived in the Soviet Union, won several tournaments and local championships, and was the captain of the Soviet national chess team several times. In 1940, he was the champion of the Sovietunion and also that of the Moscow championship. He trained Smyslov, Petrosian and some other to players. He participated in the Candidates Tournament in Budapest in 1950 and achieved 7 points (he had many draws).

In 1976, he returned to Hungary where he has been living since that time. In 1985 he published his book ’Chess is my life’ that has been received with great interest all over the world.

Nowadays he spends his days by the chessboard analyzing actual games and regularly goes swimming to keep his physical fitness. In summers, he enjoys the sun and the sea on his residence on the Crimean peninsula.

He is a living chess legend, keeping friendship with Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Averbakh, Najdorf, Smyslov, Petrosian, Botvinnik, Tal and many other famous chess players of that time. When Bobby Fischer was living in Budapest, temporarily he stayed at Lilienthal’s home in Buda. However, on the chessboard, there is no friend just opponent for him.

He is the only living person, who has been the witness of the whole 20th century chess history.

Imagine having a nice sip of cold tea with him while watching the famous Manila Bay sunset or a cool December night of chess history and trivias... Whew!

Garry's Mistakes

I found this on YouTube. GM Garry Kasparov reflecting on his chess career. Very nice!

In Davao chess scene, 3 divisions are entered in the Kabasan Festival 2008 Open Chess Tournament on May 28 at the Babak Gym of the Island Garden City of Samal. Still in Davao, Trajera wins chess tourney!

In between moves

Hey there!

In between my drowning paper works is my blog life. Although I believe I hav gotten over my need to be number in both yahoo and google search "Philippine Chess", I still feel it adds to PCC's glam and fame. Hahahahah!

With all the things happening in my work (especially a month before our summer break), blog life has to take a break and let those page ranks and smorty's rating slip down.

Anyways, this is one of those chess moves we have to make in order to accomplish a goal, reach a superior position against your opponent. Doing an in between move makes your pieces take the advantage... to your own delight and your opponent's tears.

Enough about me.

Let's help out candidate master Paolo Bersamina in his campaign for the Vietnam Age Group Championship this June. Financial support is badly needed!

Important Announcement

Hello to everyone!

I lost my phone last Friday morning. The mobile phone number 0917-3820958 is no longer in my possession.

To reach me, please send me an email at philippinechess@gmail.com.

UP College of Medicine

Hey there!

I'm proud to introduce, the UP College of Medicine Royal Chess Club:



Make no mistake about the members of this club. These young guns we have are enrolled in probably the toughest medical school program in the Philippines, if not in Asia.

Michael Co, the founding president of the club and the rest of the club members are part of the UP INTARMED Class 2012. What is INTARMED? Basically, it is a program offered only to the top 40 UPCAT passers and they would have to complete the usual 8 year med school into 7 years. The premed course is integrated into 2 years instead of 4.

Chess playing skills? Take away all those med books, medical researches and time consuming medical outreach programs and you'll have a player ready to slug it out with anyone.

Here's their ad/poster:

Chess and Freudian Theory

Hey there!

I have considered myself as an ex-big time fan of one of the world's courageous man who ever walked the earth. The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. During my college days and graduate schooling, I have often referred to his works in silence as the basis of all human developmental theories.

In one of the only two graduate classes I've mentored in my very young 8 year career as an academician, there was one student who pointed to me and the rest of the class how obsolete and outdated Freud's works are in the 20th century.

She tasked herself on proving my veneration for the man as one of the "best thing ever happened" in psychology and education as a mistake.

Fast forward, I have come across this article about chess and it's relationship with Freud's theory. It's called Chess, psychoanalysis, evolutionary psychology and the nature of pseudoscience. You can read this rather lengthy read at Scientific blogging. Give it some time and you'll find some weird correlation to psychology and chess. Although there is the usual

...got to the chapter dealing with the dark side of chess: the fact that a small but significant number of top players throughout history have gone off the deep end -- including the famous American world champion Bobby Fisher...

which intimidates non-chess playing brainies.

What was my reaction to the article? Not much. Thought of playing the game when time allows me and reminded to mak sure I enjoy this beautiful game.

On to local chess...

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Summer Chess Festival and Summer Youth Chess Festival will get going on May 19 to 21 at the Gaisano South Citimall. Visit Sun Star Davao for further details. Still in Davao scene, the Primovit Rapid Age Group Chess Championship is set from June 27-28 at the Gaisano South Citimall. Check it out here.

2nd Philippine Open Updates

Hey there!

Check out these links here and here for the updates.

And there's a three-way tie in the 43rd Capablanca Memorial Cuban Chess Tourney. At first place are Cuban GM's Walter Arencibia and Leinier Dominguez and one German, GM Igor Khenkin.

For a complete story, visit Cuba News Headlines.

And there's the advice to chess parents by fpawn. Avoiding blitz and bughouse in between rounds but rather have your kids bring a ball to play outside etc are ideas worth looking into.

And check out this series called More than you ever wanted to know about chess 1 and 2.

One minute for Hersh!

Hey there!

This grade 8 student of ours, Hersh A., well, tells me he wants to be part of the chess club but has not shown up in any of our meetings for the whole school year.

Anyways, he is the main character in the email sent in to me by their teacher for english, John Havan.

Now here's the email:

Here's a litte gem I'd like to share with everyone.

Grade 8, Friday May 9, 3" oral dissertation on Harriet Tubman, a fat, black, very determined slave in 19th century America who saves many slaves by running an "underground railway" from the USA to Canada. The students are appalled by the inhuman way black slaves are treated on plantations, but find speaking on the subject for 3 minutes very taxing, especially in the closing minute.

It is Hersh A.'s turn. He grimly wades his way through the story, trying desperately to remember what Harriet did and when and where she did it, looking at me every now and again with large, pleading eyes. After two minutes, he runs out of words. He turns to me, "How much time left, sir?". I raise one finger. He thinks desperately for a couple of seconds, then says in his inimitable deep adult voice, "Let us observe a minute of silence in memory of those slaves."

I say nothing. We all sit in absolute silence for 1 minute. Then the class explodes into laughter and, thank Heavens, it is recess time.

John Havan

Hersh! Hersh! You'll definitely survive college life!

16th Shell NYACC

Hi there!

With the 16th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship about to culminate by June, it's good to note that our 14 and under players and Juniors were given enough opportunities to further their games this summer which is almost over.

Alex Dinoy sent me the following infos:

June 21-22 NCR Leg at SM Manila
July 5-6 Brickstone Mall Tuguegarao
July 19-20 SM City Batangas
August 2-3 LCC Mall Naga City

Registration forms available at www.shell.com.ph by 2nd week of May. THIS WEEK!

Good luck to all of you!

Denzyl Amar is the 14 and Under Chess Champion in the Blue Knight Chess Tournament, organized by director Ronnie Tabudlong.

The blog called Philosophy of Science Portal featured Einstein, Laskers and Chess. Read along!

And yes, I found this blogpost interesting, Chess Study - Chess Blogging Business - Startup. Try and find out if you can be the next online millionaire!

Laguna Chess

Hey there!

Candidate master Paulo Bersamina placed 2nd in the recently held Laguna Chess Tournament at SM Santa Rosa. His rumored teammate to be for La Salle Greenhills, Giovanni Mejia finished first. From what I received, 5 kiddies shared first place with 5 points but after tiebreaks were applied, Giovanni Mejia came out as the winner of the kiddies category.

Congratulations to all of you!

2nd RP Open Updates

Hey there!

GM Wesley So losses and it's big news!

But hey, our wonderboy still has a shot at the top post! He drew his game against GM Rogelio Antonio too.

In the open challenge, the leaders are Edsel Montoya, Rainier Labay and Mari joseph Turqueza.

Malibay Chess Club

Hi there!

Malibay Chess Club is alive! Here is an email from one of their members:

Sir KIKO,

Good day, Sir! Could you please introduce our club (Malibay Chess Club) in your blog? We have our own blog http://malibaychessclub.blogspot.com. Thank you very much. More power!!!

Our address:
Malibay Chess Club
Malibay Multi-Purpose Gymn
C. Jose. St., Malibay, Pasay City

Contact Person:
Resty Par (rusticbull)
Publicity Director

P.S. What about the idea that all chess bloggers in the Philippines form a group/networking/association/ (anything you call it) for the advancement of chess in the country? You could take the lead, Sir!

BPI's Ziegfried Borja

Hi there! Our man from BPI Chess Club, Mr. Ziegfred Borja sent us a masterpiece together with a picture of his with GM Onishuk but am sorry coz I'm having problems posting them here. Check below:

Carpe Diem!

By: Ziegfred C. Borja

My favorite player during GMA Cup!

It was a gloomy day for Filipino GM's that nobody among them got to the top ten finish at the GMA Cup held recently at Duty Free shopping complex. Instead, an unknown Chinese super GM Zhang Pengxiang dominated the event.

Aside from our Filipino GM’s competed, I mostlikely bet US Champion Onischuk to win the event. Witnessing the event midway up to the awarding ceremonies with our GM’s no show because of their poor performance perhaps Here is a Rd 3 game between Onischuk and Torre at Turin Olympiad 2006 for which Torre used his experience and expertise in endgame battle that escapes him from defeat and ends in a draw.

White: Onischuk, Alexander
Black: Torre, Eugenio

Tartakower System and Modern Defence

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4 3. c4 Bxf3 4. exf3 c6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be2 Bg7 7. Be3 Nf6 8. O-O d5 9. Qb3 Qb6 Black should quickly conclude development 10. Qa3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Rfc1 O-O 14. Qxe7 Rad8 15. Rc2 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Qxd4 17. Rd1 Qa4 18. b3 Qa5 19. Qg5 Nb6 20. h4 Rc8 21. Rcd2 Increasing the pressure on the isolated pawn on d5 21... Rfe8 22. h5 Qa3 23. f4 Qe7 [23... Rc1 24. Bf3=] 24. Bf3 The pressure on the isolated pawn grows 24... Qxg5 25. fxg5 Re5 25... gxh5 26. a4 with advantage for white] 26. Bg4 [26. a4 a5 27.Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. Rxd5 gxh5 30. Rxa5+-] 26... Rc3 27. f4 Re4 28. Rd4 Rxd4 29. Rxd4 gxh5 30. Bxh5 Kg7 31. Bf3 Rc7 32. Rb4 [32. Bxd5?? doesn't work 32... Rd7-+] 32... f6 33. gxf6+ Kxf6 34. a4 Rc5 35. Kf2 Ke6 36. Ke3 Kd6 37. Kd4 h6 38. Rb5 Rxb5 39. axb5 Ke6 40. g4 Kd6 41. g5 hxg5 42. fxg5 The passed pawn on g5 will quickly become a dangerous weapon 42... Nc8 [42...Ke6!?] 43. Bxd5+- b6 44. Bc4 Ke7 45. Ke5 Nd6 46. Bd5 Ne8 47. Bg8 Ng7 48. Bc4 Ne8 49. Kf5 Nd6+ 50. Kg6 Ne8 51. Bd5 Kf8 52. Bc6 Ng7 53. Bd7 Kg8 54. Bg4 Kf8 55. Be2 Ne8 56. Bc4?? letting the wind out of his own sails [56. Kh6 Kg8+-] 56... Ke7 57. Kh7 Kf8 58. Bd5 Nc7 59. Bc6 Ne6 60. Kg6?? throwing away the advantage [60. g6 Ng5+ 61. Kh8 Ne6+-] 60... Ke7?? Eugene is ruining his position, must be tried [60... Ng7 61. Kf6 Nh5+ 62. Ke6 Kg7+-] 61. Kh6 Kf8 62. Bd7 Ng7 63. Kg6?? Oni lets it slip away [63. g6 Kg8+-] 63... Kg8 64. Bc6?? White loses the upper hand [64. Bh3 Ne8+-] 64... Kf8 65. Kf6 Nh5+ 66. Kf5 Ng7+ 67. Kg6 Ne6 68. b4 Nf4+ 69. Kf6 Nh5+ 70. Kg6 [70. Ke6 Nf4+ 71. Kd7 Nd3] 70... Nf4++ 71. Kf5 Nh5 72. Bf3 Ng7+ 73. Kg6 Ne6 74. Bg4 The mate threat is Bxe6 74... Ng7 75. Bd7 Kg8 76. Kf6 Nh5+ 77. Ke7 Kg7 78. Bf5 Nf4 79. Kd6+ Kf8 80. Be4 [80. Kc6 Ke7+-] 80... Nh5 81. Bc2 Kf7 82. Bd1 Ng7 83. Bg4 [83. Kc6 Ke8+-] 83... Ne8+ [83... Kg6!?±] 84. Kd7 Ng7 85. Bh3 Nh5 86. Be6+ Kf8 87. Bg4 Nf4 88. Kd6 [88. Kc7!? Kf7 89. Kb7+-] 88... Kf7± 89. Bf3 Nd3 [89... Kg6!? 90. Kc7 Kxg5+-] 90. Kc7+- Nxb4 91. Kb7 [91. Bh5+ and White is on the road to success 91... Ke6 92. Kb7+-] 91... Kg6= 92. Kxa7 Na2 93. Kxb6 Nc3 94. Kc5 Nxb5 95. Kxb5 1/2-1/2
-o0o-

“Modern Chess is too much concerned with things like Pawn structure. Forget it, Checkmate ends the game” - Nigel Short

GM TORRE OPENS INTON CHESS CUP

From NM Marlon Bernardino:

MAJORITY Floor Leader and Quezon City Councilor Ariel Inton (right) opens the
Grand Finals of 2008 Ariel Inton Chess Cup dubbed as Quezon City Inter-Barangay Chess Tournament with the usual ceremonial moves with Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) yesterday at the Entertainment Plaza of SM North Edsa in Quezon City in the sports tourism event which is the brainchild of Inton and backed up by mayor Sonny Belmonte, Eurotel, SM City North Edsa, Federal Land, Fianchetto Construction Corporation, Shell, Gold Edge's Realty Development Corporation, Informatics and Trans Equipt Motor Sales.

Joining the in the photo were Councilor Dante de Guzman of third district, youngest participant 7-year-old Samson Lim III, SM Marketing Supervisor Rey Quiazon, Tournament director Tito Estaris, Tournament Secretary Dimple Dagasdas, chief arbiter IA Gene Poliarco and different barangay officials

BANGKAL CHESS WINNERS

SK BANGKAL Open Non-Master Chess winners pose with the SK officials in the awarding ceremonies held recently at the Bangkal Community Complex, Makati City. Starting from left: Kgwd. Mario Montanez, Daniel "Boy" Francisco, SK Chairman Virgilio "Rovir" Hilario III, Christopher Castellano (3rd place), Councilor Virgilio Hilario, Merben Roque (Open Champion), Ali Branzuela (2nd place), Kgwd. Richard Saquialyan (partly hidden) and Kgwd. Fernando Hilario.

Lies and Spice in Chess

Hey there!

I got this write up about a new chess book and it's called True Lies in Chess. You can check it out and find out if it's a good read or not.

There's a new blog and it's called Begin Chess. Talks about some of the books I have read when I started playing chess again back in 2003. Feels like he's writing about my chess reading/training experience. It really is a good read when you get to connect with the author and his ideas.

BPI Chess Club

Hey there!

Bank of the Philippine Islands or BPI has a chess club and one of their officers' kind enough to send in their address and possibly in the nearest future, news articles from their club and other infos we all can read and learn from. Here it is:

BPI Chess Club
BPI Main Bldg.cor Paseo de Roxas
Makati City

Ziegfred Borja
Club Officer

Mr. Borja, you can email me at philippinechess@gmail.com.

Blog Readers and Participants

Hi there!

Here at Philippine Chess Chronicles, we have basically two types of visitors, readers and participants.

Readers read our posts, comment, react violently, outrageously, critically and annoyingly (true!).

Participants are those who send in their thoughts for others to read and learn from. Participants are those who thinks out of the box and sends in their help (announcements etc.)

Both are welcome to do so with open mind and heart!

Please send in your concerns. Announcement, articles, news etc. Of course most will be posted if not, as long as it meets the concerns of our readers.

John, where art thou?

John M... pls email me... I can't find your contact details in my phonebook and email directory.

Thank you!

International Chess Tournaments

We're hours away from the opening of one of the major tournaments in the Philippines for this year!

The 2nd Philippine Open International Chess Championship is schedule on May 7 - 14, 2008 at the Lounge Area of the Subic Bay International and Convention Center, in Subic Freeport Zone, Olongapo City. The 3rd Philippine Open International Chess Championship will be held from May 16 - 23, 2008 in Clark, Pampanga.

Just visit the Official Website of the NCFP for details and daily bulletin(hopefully!). ABS-CBN News Online has something to say about this twin-tournament here.

Just a thought and suggestion from Grandmaster Let... "The Age Group Champions could be fielded in the Chess Challenge Category of International Open Chess Tourneys to give them an over-the-board-games training"

Hmmmm! I think it's a good idea!

SUPPORT our Age Grouper: Asean Age in Danang, Vietnam from June 9-19, 2008. Paulo Bersamina is the official representative of RP for winning the 10-under crown. All expenses paid for him but hey, he is a minor and need a chaperon in the name of Sally Bersamina, the mother.


In other local news, NM Marlon Bernardino reports:

CRISOLOGO-CALALAY CHESS CUP GETS GOING

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE Crisologo and Calalay Cup Chess 1850 Tournament gets underway on May 18, 8:00am at the Barangay Damayan Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City.

The champion will be receiving P3,000 plus trophy, the runner-up gets P2,000 plus trophy and third placer will pocketed P1,000 plus trophy. Fourth to tenth placers will likewise to receive P200 plus medal. Free Registration fee in the first-come-first serve basis.

Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing said that said chessfest is open to all woodpushers with an average rating of 1850 and open to all bonafide resident of District I in Quezon City in the event backed up by representative Bingbong Crisologo and councilor Boy Calalay. For inquiries, contact Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing at 0920-479-8160 for complete details. MARLON BERNARDINO

And in foreign news, The fourth international chess tournament M-Tel Masters starts on May 7 2008 in Sofia's Military Club and will last till May 18.

Six of the world's best will take part in the tournament this year. Last year's champion Vesselin Topalov and Ivan Cheparinov will play for Bulgaria. They will meet Armenia's Levon Aronian, Ukraine's Vassily Ivanchuk, Azerbaijan's Teimour Radjabov and China's Bu Xiangzhi.

Well they are making a big deal out of the fact that the official website will have three language versions, Bulgarian, English and Chinese. Yes, they want to capture the Chinese Chess community. Ever heard of Google's Babel Translator?

Chessdom has a live games coverage and commentary here.

Chessbase' Edward Winter Explorations (1) is a nice read and if your hungry for more, check out this another site called Chess Notes by Edward Winters .

And before ending this piece, check out fpawn's blog and learn a lot from his writings and teachings.

Diabolical Chess World?

Hey there!

Someone sent me this info:

Before the final game of our age grouper named David Cook (not a real name) the parents of his opponent approach his mother and asked if David can draw the game against their son. Whew! David's mom of course declined and sighted a lot of reasons for this.

Game-fixing at an early age, promoted and made reasonably acceptable to the eyes of the youngsters!

As a result, David played the game superbly! Sabi nga nung tatay "sa asar ng anak ko, pinisak nya kalaban nya...pag nag investigate ang NCFP, we will stand as a witness!"

Whew! The things that happen behind the scences...

Cheatings abound. Here's the Indian story about cheating guys. It has something to do with age groupers too.Over age in the 9 and under category as declared by the Delhi Chess Association.

When I joined the CAAP seminar two years ago, IA Gene Poliarco claimed "ang pinakamahirap i-handle na player eh chess player...iba iba ang takbo ng utak nyan!" Hehehehe!

It is really true. I believe chess is not really that bad and you'll agree with me I know.

These stories will definitely tell you why:Chess redeems, Chess lessons in classrooms... and lastly, that FUNdamental issues about chess : Basic Strategies and Tactics which can be applied in real life.

Send In Some Help!

Hey there!

The 9th ASEAN Age Group Championships 2008 in Danang, Vietnam is fast approaching and our 10 and Under Champion for boys, candidate master Paulo Bersamina needs help.

Please send your financial support thru his eldest brother's account at

Joshua Bersamina
BDO account # 5290027913

Let's help someone in times of needs. Your support will go a long way!

Iranian Grandmasters and Cebuano Puzzlers

Hey there!

GM's Ehsan Gha’em Maghami and Morteza Mahjoob of Iran are coming to join this May's 2nd Philippine International Open Chess Tournament to be held in Subic Bay. Good luck!

Another link was sent to me, this time the photo featured 2 Cebuanos (and a third one) waiting for takers for their chess puzzles. Do you know them?

Marikina Chess Federation

Hey there!

Someone sent me nice photos from some of Marikina Chess Federation's activities. Astonished and impressed with the build up of their chess plaza, I believe the people behind their progress should be commended! Small steps towards bigger success!

I don't know any of you guys there but I hope you can share your experiences here in Cavite where a generalized chess development is hindered because of individual differences... tsk tsk!

Here are the pictures:

"Simul" Chess Exhibition by National Master Rudy Ibanez

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by GM Eugene Torre and Marikina Vice Mayor Marion Andres

Ceremonial Palm-print on plaster by Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre

The hopefuls in the simul

Giant chess pieces are made of high grade plastic and are light weight even a 4 yr old can carry it.

Giant Chess pieces imported from Village Chess Shop, Thompson st. Greenwich,NYC, National master Rudy Ibanez and former Philippine Chess Federation Director Bu Sanchez trying out the pieces

National Master Rudy Ibanez and former Philippine Chess Federation Director Bu Sanchez

Opening rites of Marikina Chessplaza was witnessed by International Master Chito Garma and National Master Rudy Ibanez and supported by the Marikina City Council

GM Eugene recognition rites at Marikina Chessplaza July 1,2007

For future photos from Marikina Chess Feeration, please visit Best Pandesal and Chess .

The King Wesley So

Here's NM Marlon Bernardino:

WESLEY SO TOPS RP BATTLE OF THE GMS EYES INT'L CHESS TILT
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

Final standings:

Men

8.5 points -- W. So
7.5 – E. Torre, R. Bitoon
7 – J. Gomez
6.5 – R. Antonio
5.5 – R. Nolte
5 – J. Sadorra
4.5 – F. Donguines, O. Barbosa
3.5 – H, Nouri, B. Villamayor
2.5 – J. Gonzales

Women

8 – C. Perena
7.5 – Sherily Cua, C., Camacho
7 – Shercila Cua
6.5 – A. Salvador
6 – Y. Jose
4.5 – C. Bernales, B. Mendoza
4 – E. Magno, J. Docena
3.5 – K. Cunanan
3 – J. Palomo

GM Wesley So added another feather on his cap by winning the "Battle of GMs" chess championship over the weekend at the Bayside Hall of City State Hotel in Mabini St.. cor. Padre Faura, Manila.

The 14-year-old So, currently world youngest GM pocket P200,000 top prize for hia feat. He settled for a truce with three-time national junior champion Jon Paul Gomez in 30 moves of the French to finish the tough, 12-player tournament with 8.5 points on six wins and five draws.

He finished a full point ahead of Asia's first GM Eugene Torre and IM Richard Bitoon. So next stop were the 2nd Philippine Open International Tournament on May 6 to 15 May at the La Legenda Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport followed immediately by the 3rd Philippine Open on May 15 to 24 May in nearby Pampanga.

Actually, the former Promil Kid child prodigy is in on a roll. He also tops the tough Dubai Chess Championships and beat Indon GM Susanto Megaranto in their one-on-one duel in Jakarta.

" Dream ko maging super GM ngayong taon. Alam ko na makukuha ko 'yun kasi full support sina Cong (Butch) Pichay, Mayor (Bambol) Tolentino, Sir Chito (Tagaysay) at Sir Reginald (Tee) sa aking local at international campaign." said So.

"Masayang-masaya po ako dahil hindi nasayang ang mga pagsisikap ko," said So, an incoming third year high school student at St. Francis College (Cavite), who dedicate his triumph to his parents, William and Lenny So

Torre, meanwhile halved the point with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in only 20 moves of the Caro Kann, while Bitoon outduelled comebacking GM Buenevanetura "Bong" Villlamayor in 35 moves of the Queen's Indian to share second to third places with 7.5 points.

Gomez finished in solo fourth place with seven points, followed by Antonio in fifth place with 6.5 points and NM Rolando Nolte in sixth place with 5.5 points.

In the women's division, Catherine Perena bagged the title and the P50,000 top prize.

Perena drew with Kimberly Cunana in 43 moves of the Queen's Indian to finish with eight points, half a point ahead of Sherily Cua and Cheradee Camacho.

Cua stopped Jenny Palomo in 36 moves of the King's Indian, while Camacho upset Shercila Cua in 35 moves of the French.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay awarded the trophies and cash prizes to the winners, assisted by NCFP secretary-general Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, NCFP vice-president Val Rosabal, NCFP director Willie Abalos and FIDE honorary lifetime president Florencio Campomanes..

In the Battle of GMs, So won five matches over IM Julio Catalino Sadorra, in the first round Antonio in the second round, GM Jayson Gonzales in the third round, FM Fernie Donguines in the sixth round, Villamayor in the eighth round and Bitoon in the ninth round..

His four other draws came against Torre in the fourth round, NM Hamed Nouri in the fifth round, Nolte in the seventh round and NM Oliver Barbosa in the 10th round.

The 56-year-old Torre also finished unbeaten in the tournament, posting four wins and seven draws.

Bitoon, the pride of Southwestern University, had six wins, three draws and two losses.MARLON BERNARDINO

MILO CHECKMATE GOES TO SOUTH
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE Milo Checkmate in cooperation with SM Supermalls will hold summer kiddie chess tourneys with free clinics in the south starting on May 17 onwards.

Open to kids who are 5-14 years old, the event will be held during weekends featuring a two-hour free chess lecture; an age-group competition for 8-under; 10-under and 14-under. It will culminate with a simul clock exhibition matches against masters.

The venues and schedules are: SM Muntinlupa-May 17-18; SM Sucat- May 24-25 and SM Bicutan- May 31-June 1 from 10am-6pm.

Entry fee is P300. Registration is accepted only at the ffg. centers: Milo Checkmate -3rd level Metropolis Starmall Sports Center in Alabang 2-5pm TTHS and at the Upper 2F of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall 2-6pm daily. No registration will be accepted on site during the event day. Limited to 36 players, entries will be accepted on a first-come-first serve basis. For details, call 994-5199 or 0916-852-1069. MARLON BERNARDINO

Region IV Qualifiers

Hello there!

Here's the list of ten qualifiers for the Region IV NCFP try-out tournament for the Philippine Team to Dresden Olympiad:

Marohom, DeLeon Jr
Barreto, Franz
Guerrero, Chester Brian
Ingcad, Mark Oliver
Dungca, Ryan
Tunguia, Eduardo
Abelgas, Roel
Villavieja, Butch
Yu, Manny
Hernandez, Lourecel

Originally, it was only the top five who will be given the green light for the semi-finals in June but I learned region IV has one of the most number of participants. Well, good for the players but I don't think it's a good move for the organizers as it only shows how indecisiveness is a culture in the federation.

Here's another issue silently and I bet negatively running in the chess community here in Cavite. One newly formed group took it's oath taking in the opening ceremony of a chess tournament, in front of the federation's main main without permission from the organizing chess club. Hahahahaha! I wonder what their so-called appointed president and treasurer were thinking. Even the Rotarians were surprised at this and one club president who has a young chess playing son was so surprised and felt slighted at this.

Our informant even said "mga walanghiya tong mga to, di man lang ginalang ang mga organizers".

To which I replied "pre, yang diskarte nyang mga yan alam mong palapad papel lang yan kay president ... but in the end, lahat ng hinawakang grupo nyan one-time project lang yan...kita mo naman isa lang ang pananaw, kung hindi man, lito ang paningin nyang taong yan"

Hay naku!

Guys! Let's help candidate master Paolu Bersamina raise funds for his Vietnam campaign this year. He won the NCFP 10 and Under Age Group Championship and he needs support to be able to book a flight to Vietnam. More on this next time.

Develop Intelligence or Methods of Thinking?

While searching the net for artcles relating to chess in the schools concept , I stumbled upon the interview of Vladimir Barsky to GM Ruzy Razuvaev, chairman of FIDE trainer's committee.

The article called How To Develop Intelligence gives us an insight into one of the world's best chess trainer/coach.

Clearly, developing intelligence is different from developing methods of thinking. The age-old contrast between teaching academic content and teaching content acquisition skills would show us the frames of reference the academic scholars are using.

Would you teach theories of the openings first or would you teach decision-making skills first?

And the World Youth Chess Championship website is here for you to feast on!

Bug in Blogspot!

We're having technical difficulties with our blog right now and I'm not sure how long it will go on. Please bear with us. Thank you.

GM Wesley Leads The Pack

Hi there!

GM Wesley So wins the Battle of the Grandmasters with 7.5. Visit NCFP website !here for the final standings and PGN games!

Bravo to NCFP for providing us the games!