1st Treelane II Exclusive Chess Tournament

Hey there!

The 1st Treelane II Exclusive Chess Tournament is set to happen on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at the Clubhouse I. Games are set to begin by 8:30 in the morning right after the ceremonial formalities.

Tournament details:

7 round Swiss System
25 minutes per player or Rapid

EXCLUSIVE TO TREELANE II RESIDENTS!

A total of PhP 7,500.00 is at stake with 3,000.00 going for the champion, 2000.00 for the 2nd place and 1,000.00 for the 3rd placer. Top lady wins 500.00, Top junior gets 500.00 and Top Kiddie gets 500.00.

Thank you so much for the support from the Treelane II community!

Special thanks goes to Mr. Norlito Bersamina and Family for lending us technical assistance and some clocks. Thanks goes to the Imus Sports Council, Mayor's Office, Treelane II Subdivision Homeowners Association and the president of Imus Chess Association.

Wish us luck, the organizers and players and yes, this one is for the entire Treelane II Community!

Our Condolences!

The PCC and our readers would like to send our sincere prayers for the bereaved family of Truman Hernaez whose mother, Aling Nene, died last week due to complications of lymphoma.

Truman Hernaez, one of the Luneta mainstays and Tagaytay City Chess Team, veteran of many chess wars in the local and foreign scene, has laid low the past two years to concentrate on providing economic stability for his wife and son.

Le' me direct you to some write-ups I found when I googled the name Truman Hernaez:

1.Truman Hernaez' FIDE Rating Card
2. Tagaytay City Chess Team @ 2006 Merdeka Chess Team Championship
3. Tagaytay City B with then FM Wesley So 2005
4. Tagaytay City Chess Team with GM Bong Antonio

It's been awhile since he last played in a major tournament. If my memory serves me right, he won the challenge category of the Pichay Cup last 2006.

IM's Sanchez and Young

We received news about IM Joseph Sanchez, currently based in Europe and IM Angelo Young who is based in Chicago, USA:

"EUROPE based Filipino International Master Joseph Sanchez trounced Spanish IM Garbisu de Goni Unai in the eight and penultimate round to create a triple tie for second place going to the final round of 2008 Torneo de San Juan Chess Championships yesterday in Pamplona, Spain..... In North American Fide International in Chicago, Illinois was ended yesterday, US based Pinoy IM Angelo Young finished in a tie for third to 5th placers with 2.5 points, bested two 2.5 pointers---FM Albert Chow of the United States and IM Kiril Kuderinov of Kazakhstan in a tie breaker."

Good luck and congratulations!

Here's an email from one of MERALCO Chess Club's Officers:

The meralco chess club can be contacted for goodwill matches with its employees and their children through the ff:

rjsolcruz@meralco.com.ph

aguilarromy@yahoo.com

grandmasterlet@yahoo.com

NCR Leg of 16th Shell Active Chess

The NCR edition of the 16th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship at SM Manila has successfully ended today with 10 year old Paulo Bersamina of La Salle Greenhills winning the 14 and under division while 13 year old Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Ateneo de Manila University takes the crown of the juniors division.

For kiddies division, Paulo won on tiebreaks with 6.5 points against Christian Nanola and Jan Jodilyn Fronda. The three qualifies for the grandfinals set on November. Highlight of the games today was the match between two La Salle NCAA players, Bersamina and Galan in the crucial 6th round with both players going into the game with perfect score of 5 out of 5 rounds. Their 6th round match were watched by onlookers and players alike thru the two widescreen provided by the organizers.

In the juniors division, Jan Emmanuel "Jem" Garcia won on tiebreaks against rival Mari Joseph Turqueza of San Sebastian College. Both ended the tourney with a score of 6.5. Third qualifier for the grandfinals is Patrick Erle Florendo of University of Santo Tomas.

Special awards:

Ateneo de Manila University - Most Represented in the Kiddies and Juniors division

Jan Jodilyn Fronda (Colegio de San Juan de Letran) - Overall Top Female Player

Jeane Axcel Dione Carredo - Youngest Player at 3 years old

Daryl Unix Samantila (Adamson University) - Top 8 year old and under

Sheider Nebato - Sportsmanship Award

Congratulations to everyone!!!

MERALCO's FLAMES Cup

"NM Marlon Bernardino makes the ceremonial move against Mel Diokno, President of MERALCO's Supervisory Union, in the FLAMES Cup, a one day blitz tourney for MERALCO employees and children organized by the MERALCO Chess Club last May 31, 2008. JC Andan of Ateneo de Manila annexed the Grade School Group, Miguel Vergara of Sto. Ninio Academy milked the High School Group, and 2008 National Champion 10 & Under Bracket Paulo Bersamina of La Salle Green Hills "separated the boy from the men" by topping the Seniors Group. The other winners were GS 1st Runner-up Paul Casiano, the
2008 Central Luzon Champion, GS 2nd R-up Earl Cabugao, HS 1st R-up Justin Lim, HS 2nd R-up Sandy Casiano, Srs 1st R-up Darryl Mata, and Srs 2nd R-up Abet Casiano. NM Bernardino played as a guest in all the three groups.

God bless !

Rolly Sol Cruz
MERALCO Chess Club

And here is a reminder about the Philippine La Sallian Chess Association's Tournament:

Calling all Filipino students who are chess enthusiasts! The Philippine La
Sallian Chess Association (PLSCA) invites you to join its First Chess
Champions League to be held on July 12-13, 2008 at the St. Benilde
Cafeteria of La Salle Green Hills, Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City. A
registration fee of P1,000 gives you the chance to play 7 rounds of rapid
chess and win a medal and any of the following prizes: (1) P30,000 cash
for the champion in each of the age groups: 20 and under, 16 under, 14
under, and 12 under; (2) P7,500 cash for the second place winner of each of
the age group divisions; (3) a cellphone for each of the third place winner
in the 16 under, 14 under, and 12 under divisions; and (4) a gift
certificate for free domestic travel for the third place winner in the 20
and under category. Medals will also be awarded to the top three schools or
teams for each age group based on the total score of their top five
players. The overall school/team champion shall be awarded the Champion
League’s Cup. Deadline for registration and payment is on July 7, 2008.
This tournament is sponsored by URC and Cebu Pacific. For more details,
please send an email to the tournament director, Mr. Alex Dinoy, at
aedinoy@yahoo.com

PLSCA is a SEC-registered non-stock, non-profit corporation organized to
promote chess as a sport to enhance and develop the minds and character of
the Filipino youth. PLSCA was formed by Bro. Rolando Dizon, FSC, in the
hope of addressing the need to develop the skills and values most needed by
the youth today and prepare them to function effectively in a highly
competitive global knowledge society. Undeniably, chess develops the
player’s ability to plan ahead, to anticipate the best possible moves for
attack and counterattack, to make sacrifices in order to gain positional
advantage, and to capture the opponent’s king while defending one’s own.
Chess also develops the values and abilities of patience, foresight, good
timing, risk taking and clear thinking even under severe time pressure.

Pray For Us!

Let us all offer a moment of prayer for all the victims of MV Princess of the Stars!



This is not a work of God but rather, the work of Sulpicio Lines!



They are so good at killing people!



Stay away from them! PERWISYO Lines!

A Time To Pray

When I posted an article here about the typhoon Frank, I didn't know it would cause me tears and a sleepless night on a cold rainy night.

That night, having sent the kids to sleep, I had the chance to watch late night news with my wife and it simply brought us to tears as we saw the relatives of the sunken MV Princess cry as they wait for word about the victims.

Later, we glued ourselves watching the HARAPAN TV show by Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez and I really thought the people behind the Sulpicio Liners should have, well, another day in court. It was so menacing to hear the company lawyer discuss previous maritime mishaps which they were involved in. Randomly citing all the legal decisions favoring their way out of each mishaps. Such a heartless-way of dealing with the victims families.

Ok, MV Dona Paz was Sulpicio's first and it tops the list of the 10 worst maritime tragedies in the last 20 years. Also under its belt, the Sulpicio Lines' MV Dona Marilyn sunk with its 600 people.

And the latest, MV Princess of the Stars!!! Once is enough... but Sulpicio had four!!! Only in the Philippines... we should have learned from the Dona Paz!!!

Let us all pray for the souls of this tragedy but please pray even more for justice to be served to all!!!

2nd LETRAN-CALAMBA NON-MASTER ACTIVE CHESS

Another one, this time from NM MARLON BERNARDINO:

The Laguna Chess Association (LCA), in cooperation with the Physical Education, Athletics and Sports Department (PEAS-D) of Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calmba will be holding the 2nd Letran-Calamba Non-Master Active Chess Championships inside the Letran-Calamba Campus on July 5, 2008.

The successful tourney last year which attracted 181 players from Laguna, National Capital Region & nearby provinces was dominated by Christian Arroyo of Far Eastern University.

This year's event is divided into three (3) categories, namely: senior category (19 years old & up), junior category (18 years old & under) & kiddie category (12 years old and under). Prizes are the following: Senior Category - P5000 + trophy (Champion), P2,500 + trophy (2nd), P1500 + trophy (3rd), P750 (4th), P500 (5th), P1,000 (top lady), P500 (top letran) Junior Category P3000 + trophy (Champion), P1,500 + trophy (2nd), P750 + trophy (3rd), P500 (4th), P300 (5th), P800 (top lady), P500 (top letran) Kiddie Category P2000 + trophy (Champion), P1,000 + trophy (2nd), P750 + trophy (3rd), P500 (4th), P300 (5th), P700 (top lady), P500 (top letran)

Registration fees: P250 (Senior Division), P200 (Junior Category), P150 (Kiddie Category) Players are advised to register thru text or e-mail before the event. On-site registrants will not be entertained. Deadline of registration is July 4. Players are also advised to be in proper dress code. Players wearing under-shirts, slippers, shorts will not be allowed to play.

For registrations and inquires, pls contact Dr. Alfred Paez ( LCA President) at (049)8320795 / (0921)2728172 / rightmove2006@yahoo.com or Mr. Frederick Dalena (PEAS-D Director) at (049) 5455453 / (0917) 8874466.MARLON BERNARDINO

NAPCA-ARBITERS' SEMINAR in PANGASINAN

Another one in my inbox:

NCFP-NAPCA will conduct again the Chess Arbiters Seminar on July 12-13, 2008 at the Seminar Room of Joyland School Inc., Sison St., San Fabian, Pangasinan. This activity is a joint project of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters, Inc. (NAPCA).

This activity is a continuing project under the leadership of NCFP President Prospero "Butch" Pichay and Secretary GeneralAbraham "Bambol" Tolentino. The seminar aims to discover qualified Arbiters capable to officiate in CHESS activities nationwide.

Facilitators of this prestigious seminar are INTERNATIONAL ARBITER WILLY ABALOS, NCFP Executive & Events Director and FIDE ARBITER/INSTRUCTOR ATTY. ROMMEL TACORDA, . Registration fee is only Php 1,500.00 inclusive of food, materials, Seminar Uniform,
accommodation and other paraphernalia. Certified Arbiters will receive Certificate of Completion signed by NCFP President andSecretary- General.

For registration and inquiries please contact NA Meinard Pulido 09193085708 or FA Ilann Perez, NCFP 3817224 or NAPCA Teddy Sarmiento (Baguio City) 09203931815 / 09296212288 or Rolando Suarez (Central) 757-9253 / 09167716369 or Rolando Liñan (West) 671-7256 /09179934851 or 8863478 / 09215307050 / 09166169586 or Avelino Carredo (East) 4305342 or Norberto Rigor(North) 09285023604 or Leo Erazo (South) 09206460671. Registration Form is available at NCFP or NAPCA offices.

1st UPCM Champion

The UP College of Medicine-Royal Chess Club held it's first ever chess tournament and yes, another Bersamina, Joshua Bersamina, claimed the championship belt!

The eldest among the chess playing Bersamina's, Joshua is currently a 3rd year Political Science student at UP Manila. His younger brothers Joseph and Paolo are student-athletes for UE Juniors chess team and LSGH elementary chess team respectively.

Here's more:

Congratulations to the UP Royal Chess Club for its successful first OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT yesterday at the Medstones!

Special thanks to the Council (CO, Carol, Lee, and Me) for organizing the event.

The tournament assembled at the stones at around 5:30pm, and religiously started at 6pm. We had twelve players all in all, most from the classes of 2011 and 2013. We also had guys from LaSalle and from the College of Arts and Sciences from across the street.

After two hours of tension and thrill, three players were hailed,

Champion: Joshua Bersamina (PolSci, CAS)
1st runner up: Alex Dy (class 2012, CM)
2nd runner up: Daniel Hofilena (LaSalle, Business Management)

We hope to attract more players and avid woodpushers for our next activities. It was amazing to see quite a number of interested passers-by yesterday, who either stopped to ask how they could join or simply stood by the players' boards to watch and concentrate.

Yay!

Luisa Carmela Goyena Bragais
University of the Philippines Manila
College of Medicine
Class of 2012

Funds For Chess

Hi there!

While my neighbor-chessmate Gilbert Gante and I were neck deep in raising funds for our very first Treelane II Exclusive Chess Tournament, he uttered in disgust:

"Pre, mula't sapul nagka-interest ako sa chess, laging pondo ang problema ba't kaya?"

And yes, I didn't need to give any replies to his "why is the sky blue" type of question. Hahahaha!

A neighboring town, which I didn't know, has the all the clocks and chess sets to run a tournament. When my contact tried to borrow the tools from the president (a questionable, shady, irritating character), he said.

"No way, if it's for Imus!"

Hey hey hey! Is it your war against the Imus Chess Association president? Is it personal in nature? Or PESONAL one?

Anyways, check out the write up about Philippines' newest chess sensation from Davao, John Ray Batucan . I heard this 12 year old boy is a newly minted FIDE Master... not sure though.

Well, chess life is all about funding. Funding for your training, for your trip abroad, for your trip to tournament venues etc.

Something could be done about this... But yes, the quality of play and players would have to be filtered.

Chess funding and a world class chess... they go together!

1ST SATURDAY MAGNOLIA CHESS TOURNAMENT SET JULY 5

This was inbox sent:

Non-Master 1950 Below NCFP Rapid Rating unfolds on July 5, 2008 9:00am at 4th Floor Doña Soledad cor. Australia Sts, Better Living, Parañaque City. A representative from Magnolia Health Tea Drinks will grace the opening of the event.

At stake in the tournament will be P 3,000 for the champion, 2nd 2,000 and 3rd 1,000. Category winners are the Top kiddie, lady, senior to receive cash and medals. Tournament format shall apply the seven round swiss system the rate of play will be twenty five minutes per player to finish the game.

The tournament will be officiated by the National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters, Inc. (NAPCA) and will be sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). Registration Standard fee is Php 250 and Kiddies is only Php 150.00. For details pls. contact Club’s President Roland Roselada at 09178916190 or VP Cecil Padua 09229638274 or Dr. Bong Perez 5463714 or 09197227552.

Frank The Staller

Hey there!

The 2nd day of the NCR Leg of Shell's 16th National Youth Active Chess Championship was postponed yesterday because of typhoon Frank. Frank's rampage killed at least 103 people with an estimate of 800 missing in a ferry sinking and hundreds of thousands displaced due to floods and landslides.

In the city of Manila, the powerful typhoon caused floodings in areas near SM City- Manila where the games are held. The fact is, the heavy downpour and strong winds started early morning of Saturday but it was not enough to stop the organizers the the hundreds of players and parents to brave the streets of Manila.

As early as 9 in the morning, hopeful players were lining up the entrance of the mall but had to wait for the security to open the gates.

By 10 in the morning, the lower ground floor were filled by youngsters wearing that iconic shirt with "Are you the next Pinoy Grandmaster?" You'll get the feel that Shell has once again helped these players as young as five years old to fulfill their dream of becoming the next chess superstar of the Philippines.

The games began before 1 in the afternoon after the opening ceremonies. Familiar faces were there lke IA Gene Poliarco, Edna Suede, Daisy Rivera and Roy. These are the CAAP (Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines) people helping in the tournament officiating. Mr. Alex Dinoy, the leg coordinator was there too...busy as a bee!

Most schools sent in their UAAP and NCAA chess players confirming the buzz that NCR Leg of Shll is the strongest of it all. MERALCO Chess Club sent their players too and yes, you can see the support the parents of these players give.

Ateneo de Manila, I was told, sent in 40 players for both division while La Salle Greenhills sent 20 players. San Sebastian College, San Beda College, University of Perpetual Help, Xavier University, University of Manila and other schools were represented too.

SO far so good. The 5th to 7th rounds will be played on June 28, Saturday at the fifth level of SM Manila.

By the way, Sir Rolly, here is my email ad: philippinechess@gmail.com.

Also, the semi-finals for the Dresden Olympiad Team of the Philippines was set to begin yesterday at the Hiyas ng Lahi, Mandaluyong City. Not sure though if it was also cancelled.

The semis will feature the qualifiers from the nationwide regional tournaments held in the early part of the year.

Good luck to all!

Ces Drilon Freed

Hey there!

At last, ABS-CBN's big time newscaster/newsjourn Ces Drilon freed today after more than a week of being held capture by Abu Sayaf Group!

Thank God for chess and sports news writing, one is not exposed to such hazards.

I have not had the urge to write for Philippine Chess Chronicles or Pulso ng Makabagong Cavitenyo, local community newspaper where I write a weekly sports column, for the past 2 weeks. Somehow it gives me the impression that I'm missing a lot on my personal writing skills development goals. It feels quite boring at times when I think about it. And yes, the call of my son's playtime never ends.

Well let's see...

My inbox has gathered 2,000 + unread messages most of which has something to do with chess, basketball and boxing news. Chess google alerts making up half of it and there's at least 5 emails from NM Marlon Bernardino.

One by one now....

Roderick Nava gained his 1st IM norm and shared 2nd place finish with Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam while David Elorta failed to get his 2nd IM norm and placed 3rd in the
2nd ASEAN Masters Chess tourney.

Our Age Groupers, well, not as successful as I expected them to be, We placed 2nd behind Vietnam though. As I thought it would, the battle was really between the 1st and 2nd place finishes for Vietnam and Philippines. Here's one question that could prob'ly tickle your fancy... What would've been the results if it was played here in the Philippines? As originally planned?

The 16th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship NCR Leg is set to happen this weekend at SM Manila.

NCAA Chess Tourney is set to culminate by July 19, SUnday, which showcases most of the Philippines' future chess stars with the scheduled July 12 eligibility meeting, I guess chess activites in the country is a year-round thingy. Of course UAAP shares much of the chess talents we have for the Philippines.

But before NCAA and UAAP lights up their opening fireworks, there is one majoy tournament to happen and that is:

PHILIPPINE LA SALLIAN CHESS ASSOCIATION

1st Chess Champions League
2008 Grand Prix

TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES

1. Organizer: Philippine La Sallian Chess Association, Inc.
2. Eligibility: Open to Filipino chess players who are bonafide students (not necessarily members of school or other chess teams)
3. Date and Time: July 12 and 13, 2008 (Saturday, 9AM - 4PM and Sunday, 9AM – 2:30PM). Technical meeting to be held on Saturday at 9AM.
4. Venue: St. Benilde Cafeteria, La Salle Green Hills, Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
5. Age groups/divisions:

5.1 12 years old and under (born not earlier than 1996)
5.2 14 years old and under (born not earlier than 1994)
5.3 16 years old and under (born not earlier than 1992)
5.4 20 years old and under (born not earlier than 1988)

6. Type Competition:

6.1 Open grand prix style
6.2 No limit to the number of participants per team or school
6.3 Participants will be grouped according to their year of birth
6.4 The organizer reserves the exclusive right to increase or decrease the number of participants and teams for each division to make the tournament feasible.

7. Participants and Teams:

7.1 The team or school may field any number of players per division.
7.2 The tournament is open to both boys and girls.

8. Documentary Requirements:

8.1 Completed registration form per player/group of players/school and copies of the players’ birth certificates.
8.2 All participants are required to present any of the following documents: certification of enrolment by the principal/school registrar on the tournament registration form, validated school registration form or official receipt/proof of payment of enrolment fees for the current year/semester.
8.3 The organizer reserves the right to disqualify a participant due to non-submission of required documents or submission of altered/inadmissible documents.

9. Tournament format & Time Control:

9.1 The FIDE Laws of Chess, particularly the Laws on Rapid Chess, shall govern the tournament.
9.2 Swiss system of Seven (7) rounds with 25 minutes per player to complete one game.
9.3 Recording of moves is optional.
9.4 Only players and tournament officials will be allowed inside the playing area.

10. Tie breaks:

The following tie-break systems shall be applied in descending order to determine the final ranking of players after the tournament:

10.1 Direct encounter, Buchholz System, Sonnenborne-Berger (S.B.) System, Sum of
Progressive Score , More number of games won
10.2 Team tie-breaks Total Buchholz tie-break of individual players, Total Sonnenborne-Berger (S.B.) , Total sum of progressive scores Total number of wins

11. Prizes & Awards:

11.1 The Individual Champion in each Division will receive a medal and a cash prize of P30,000.
11.2 The second place winner in each Division will receive a medal and a cash prize of P7,500.
11.3 The third place winner in the 20 Under Division will receive a medal and a gift certificate for domestic travel as a prize.
11.4 The third place winner in the 16, 14, and 12 Under Divisions will each receive a medal and a cellphone as prize.
11.5 Medals will be awarded to the top three teams for each age group/division, based on the total score of the top five players of the team.
11.6 The overall school/team champion shall be awarded the Champion League’s Cup.

12. Appeals Committee:
12.1 The members of the Appeals Committee will be decided during the technical meeting.
12.2 An appeal, accompanied by a deposit of P1,000.00 must be submitted within 15 minutes of the completion of the relevant playing session.
12.3 In the event of any disputes outside the laws of chess, the organizer’s decision shall be final and no further correspondences shall be entertained.
13. Registration Fee, Deadline, Penalty and Discounts:
13.1 PhP1,000 per person net of all bank charges. Meals, snacks, board and lodging are not provided/not included. Registration fees are non-refundable.
13.2 Deadline for submission of entries and fees - July 7, 2008 12:00 noon. All late entries will be subject to P500 penalty fee. No entries will be accepted on July 12 and 13, 2008.
13.3 Teams and schools who will be sending ten (10) or more participants for the tournament are entitled to a (10%) Ten percent discount for each player. However they must submit their entries and registration fee payment on or before June 30, 2008.
13.4 A slot becomes automatically reserved upon receipt of completed registration forms, supporting documents and payment.

Kindly submit original registration forms, supporting documents and evidence of payment on or before the deadline stated to Mr. Alex Dinoy, with address at 707
Victoria St., San Juan City. Advanced copies should be sent by email to aedinoy@yahoo.com or via fax to ATTN: Alex Dinoy at fax no. (02)744-1664. Please note that registration forms received after the deadline and/or without the required supporting documents and/or registration fee payments shall not be accepted.
14. Mode of Payment of Registration Fee:
14.1 Preferred mode is via online deposit direct to Philippine La Sallian Chess Association Inc. Peso Checking Account No. 2898010809 Banco de Oro (Greenhills Roosevelt Branch). If paid via online deposit, attach the validated deposit slip to the registration form.
14.2 Payments in cash and Cashier’s Check for Metro Manila clearing (payable to Philippine La Sallian Chess Association Inc.) are also accepted provided these are received prior to the stated deadline.
14.3 Regional clearing checks are not accepted.

15. Tournament Coordinator:

For further clarifications, please contact Alex Dinoy at telephone no. (02)744-1664, cellphone no.(0922)8288510, or via email at aedinoy@yahoo.com

Information has been updated as of June 12, 2008.

Yes, the tournament coordinator is the same for Shell Active Chess and Philippine La Sallian Chess. Expect as well organized event people!

I thought I would end this post with the publication of the file sent to me by Mr. Lilet Bersamina's labour of love summary of a chess training book but he had it in a Word file format and I have a hard time posting the diagrams here. Sorry peeps!

It's a good 24-page document discussing key mating patterns. I myself feel bad about this though.

Just in case your wondering who Mr. Lilet is, he is the father -trainer of candidate master 10 year old Paolo Bersamina.

Also, the 1st Treelane II Exclusive Chess Tournament is happening on July 6, 2008 at the Clubhouse 1, Treelane II Subdivision, Imus Cavite. My first try guys in organizing such event together with a neighbor, Mr. Gilbert.

Don't worry of you wont be able to register before the deadline because the tourney is only for the certified residents of our village. Hahahahah!

Mr. William So

Hey there!

As you all know, I am on my 1st week of my summer vacation!!! Hooray!!! Of all the people I'll come across with, why would I bump into the father of world's current youngest GM?

Heheheh!

Mr. William So, thank you for providing me some details about the grandfinals for the Dresden Olympiad Team Selection.

GM Wesley So is seeded in this event and he has a fat, fat, monstrous chance of qualifying to represent the country come November Olympiad!!!

Good luck!

Check out tje performance of our Philippine team in Vietnam thru chess-results.

The NCFP Inter-Cities Chess Team Tournament has began with GM Bong Villamayor heading the entire field!!!

Good luck to all of you and especially to come backing GM Bong V, considered by many as one Philippine Chess gentleman!

While I was away

Hello there!

While I was away, the Palawan Chess Open took place and ended without a single posting here. Sadly....

And The ASEAN Age Group began and is currently taking place in Vietnam. NCFP sent the following players:

Boys 18 and under

Karl Victor Ochoa
Leo Daylo Jr.
Bryan Cyril Martinez
Richilieu Salcedo

Boys 16 and under
Alcon Datu
Loren Brigham Laceste
Narquingden Reyes


Boys 14 and Under

Prince Mark Aquino
Jan Nigel Galan

Boys 12 and under

Vince Medina Angelo
John Batucan
Christian Nanola
Carl Angelo Perez


Boys 10 and under

Paulo Bersamina
Elijah Aliam
Daryl Unix Samantila


Boys 8 and under

Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa
Haince Patrick de Leon
John Danile Lemi


From NM Bernardino:

Other members of the team were

In the girls' division, QATAR ASIAD bet Woman NM Jedara Docena will carrying the good fight for the Filipina pawnpushers along with Nikki Apinpin and Akiko Chairmaine Suede in the Girls' 16 and under.

In the Girl's 18 and under our representative are Woman NM Kimberly Jane Cunanan, Lovelyn Medina and Ronna Rei Ner Senora.

Here's other list of our representatives for the distaff side,Girls' 14 and under---Judith Pineda, Kaye Ann Sioson Legaspi, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Cherry Ann Mejia, and Chardine Cheradee Camacho, Girls' 12 and under---Rowely Joy Asedo, Maria Ysabelle Joyce Semillano, Jean Karen and Enriquez, Girls' 10 and under---Marie Antoinette San Diego, Samantha Glo Revita and Cyamir Villanueva III and, Girls' 8 and under---Danica Ablang, Alexis Charlotte Suede and Alexis Anne Osena.

And while the Asian chess is focusing on the Vietnam games, the Philippine Inter-ptovincial Chess Team Tournament is set to begin on June 12 in the southern province of Surigao. Cavite will be represented by Tagaytay City, sponsored by Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

Good luck!

Wonderful Seven

Hi there!

The Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines, has always boasted of it's natural resources whether for aesthetic purposes or for economic productivity.

Palawan, touted as the worlds last frontier because of it's untouched natural beauty, has two nominees within top seven in the currently on-going New 7 Wonders of the World Nomination and these are the Tubattaha Reef and Puerto Princesa's Subterranean River National Park. Both are part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Also included in the world nomination are Philippine's Mayon Volcano in the Bicol region and Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

June 6 will be my last working day for the school year that was.... hahahah! I must
get myself a break before I head back here in my room on the 21st of July. Mayon volcano? Tubattaha reef? Chocolate hills or Puerto Princesa's underground river?

Maybe I'll go visit Nayong Pilipino! Hahahaha! Nice work dok'leng!

Visit New 7 Wonders of the World site here and vote for our country's pride! Pilipino, ipagmalaki ang bayang Pilipinas!

1st of 5 for 2008

NM Marlon Bernardino sent us news that GM-elect Jayson Gonzales breaks thru the 2500 ELO rating with 2520.

Congratulations! Jayson is the first of the five grandmasters NCFP president Butch Pichay claimed we'll have for 2008.

1st of 5 for 2008!

Closure for Coach Aguila's Son

Hey there!

After posting Jacjac's comment here yesterday, I got a reply from one of MERALCO Chess Club's member and former employee, the father/trainer of candidate master Paulo Bersamina, Lilet:

nag email na ko sa meralco chess club, walang nakakaalam na namatay na sya, akala nga nila ngayon lang namatay e...

jac jac, we did not know that coach teddy died. kung may nagsabi man lang sana sa amin, o kahit isang chessplayer nasabihan nyo, hindi pwedeng hindi kami pupunta. yung meralco news, unless you inform them, hindi nila ilalagay sa obit ang daddy mo. akala namin buhay pa at nastroke si coach teddy. after his retirement, hindi nya na kami dinalaw sa meralco, wala namang contact number. ang pangako nya sa amin noon, pag retired na raw sya, dadalawin nya kami pag may laro kami, but he did not, kaya malungkot rin kami. one time i and my son waited for hours at the Luneta Chess Plaza kasi sabi ng isang friend ko, darating daw si teddy to get the chess book na binili sa kanya. pero gabi na wala pa si teddy. marami kaming hakahaka kung bakit hindi sya nagpakita sa amin, nagalit yata sya sa mga officemates nya, nadamay lang kaming chessplayers.

i forgot to say that we will hold an AGUILA CHESS Tourney on June 28, for all meralco employees, in memory of our beloved coach, Teddy Aguila.

Coach teddy aguila, may you rest in peace!

From what I heard, Coach Teddy was a model employee too....

Here's what something I got from Mitch Albom's Tuesday's with Morrie book:

"To teach is to touch eternity..."

Jac, I offer that phrase to you and to your dad. He has helped shape lives of his players and now, these players are helping out the younger generation... his teachings are passed on... forever.

What do we remember most about June 10?

1. The launching of The Weekender by Mr. Manny Benitez, June 10, 2006.
2. MERALCO Chess Club Coach Teddy Aguila's death, June 10, 2006.
3. Ok, a bit center of the universe issue here but yeah, June 10, 1976, my natal day!

Former Dolphins Chesser Wins

Hey there!

NM Marlon Bernardino sent me this:

"FORMER Philippine Christian University (PCU) top player Chester Caminong trounced Verth Alora in the eight and final round to dominates the just concluded CAAP 2000 Rapid Chess Tournament at the Ramon Magsaysay High School, EDSA-Cubao, Quezon City, over the weekend... the entire Philippine Chess Community is saddened by the death of former Olympian and NM Celestino Cain due to colon and abdominal complications."

Mind Reading Technology

Hey there!

What would you feel if your opponent on the other side of the board your playing can literally read your mind?

Let's say, while you were essaying a Semi-slav defense against him, you had this out of the blue flashback of your first taste of Sonia's Garden dine-in and says to you up front, hey, Pansit Malabon's a lot better duh!

Or let's say you were at the crossroads between a knight capture and a queen sac and your opponent calmly says, either way your out of the race!

What would this world be if this mind reading technology reaches it's maturity in the next 10 years?

Chess will definitely be part of the technology's evolutionary terrains.

President's Purse

Hey there!

After some uncertainties, the Kamsky-Topalov Match is scheduled on November 2008 at Lvov, Ukraine. FIDE has just announced this with it's president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov guaranteeing the organizer's offer of $750,000.00 with his, uhh, personal dough.

That is one big money dude!

After all the issues on "neutrality" well, both players agreed on the one most important thing, to play outside of their homelands. Hahahaha! Not US of A and not in Bulgaria.

Vishy Anand defends his crown against Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn, Germany by October this year.

Dates provided by The Week in Chess:

Dates for the match: Gm1: Oct 14th, Gm2: Oct 15th, Gm3: Oct 17th, Gm4: Oct 18th, Gm5: Oct 20th, Gm6: Oct 21st, Gm7: Oct 23rd, Gm8: Oct 24th, Gm9: Oct 26th, Gm10: Oct 27th, Gm11: Oct 29th, Gm12: Oct 31st, Tiebreak Nov 2nd.

I wonder how they'd mix it up with Germany's Oktoberfest and the World Championship games. Hahahahah!

Europe's got all the major tourneys for the year guys! Olympiad, Challenger's Match and the World Title Match.

Beat that!

Ivanchuck Wins!

Hey there!

Ukranian GM Vassily Ianchuk wiins over world champion GM Vishy Anand with a score of 2.5 to 1.5 at the 21st Magistral Ciudad de Leon. Visit Ivanchuk beats Anand in Leon Rapid final with a nice illustrated report from GM Zenón Franco Ocampos.

Philippine La Sallian Chess Association

The Philippine La Sallian Chess Association will be holding a a chess tournament on July 12 and 13 at the SM City Manila.

For details, please call and look for Mr. Vic Lahoz at telephone numbers 729-9771 to 75 or 0918-918-8185 or send an email address to viclahoz@gmail.com.

Details of the tournament:

Age Group of 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 and Under Categories
7 Round Swiss System
25 Minutes per player/Rapid

Registration fee: PhP 1,000.00

I heard the cash prize for the champion won't be lesser than 30,000.00.

Please call the numbers for further details. By the way, Mr. Alex Dinoy will be the tournament Official for this one. Yeah right! He is the able coordinator and Official for the Shell Active Chess Tournaments.

Nolte for RP

IM candidate Rolando Nolte is the leading scorer with six wins and two draws for the RP vs Myanmar Match happening in Tagaytay City. The 12 round match is an NCFP sanction dual meet hosted by Lake Garden Hotel.

And in foreign news, Anand-Ivanchuk meets for the finals of Magistral Ciudad De Leon chess tournament. It will be a four game rapid finals though I'm not sure if Armageddon will be used. Hehehehe! Nothing to cry about though as this adds excitement to chess.

Why worry about something that adds flavor to the royal game?

Lastly, I got a message from the son of former MERALCO Chess Club coach, Mr. Teddy Aguila. "Jacjac" wrote:

hi there everyone,

I am amazed to find this blog when i tried to search for my father's name, teddy aguila, former coach of meralco chess team of which he made meralco a 2 time grandslam champion in the chess olympiad. and, yes, binalewala coz nobody even bothered to write an article or placed him on the obituary of meralco news when he passed away last june 10, 2006.too sad but, it's not that bad coz, he left a mark among the youngsters whom he passed his strategies and brilliancy in the CHESS field.those people became scholars in their colleges and universities because of chess. Those people knew who they are. For those who doesn't even know he passed away, thank u for ur condolences. i know u r gonna reflect a while and pray for his soul.

GOD bless all those who believe in fair dealings and those who believe in filipino talents.
please continue to pass on to the next generations, the virtue and real essence of chess.

GOD BLESS US ALL!!!!

Jacjac, your dad's life works for sure has helped shape live's and that he may not have been given the honor he should have been given, but the fact that he has helped his players become a better person (not just a chess player), he has earned his stripe in Philippine Chess history.

Also, pls send me a profile of your dad, a picture and his games maybe, we'll feature him here.