Survey results

First of all, this blogger would like to THANK those who actively participated in the survey "Who do you think will win the Battle of GMs 2009?" Thank you for the time and efforts.

So here are the results:

A total of 44 votes were received, already a decent number although some 150 votes were expected.

So topped the suvey -- as expected -- with 25 votes (56%), followed by Antonio (5), Torre (3), Bitoon (3), Nolte (3), Gomez (2), Dableo (2), and Paragua (1).

Laylo, Buenaventura, Gonzales and Sadorra received no votes.

Interestingly, let's compare the survey results with the actual final rankings.

If you would notice, the top three players in the survey were also the top three finishers in the tournament. And then, the two bottom-last players were also among the four players who received no votes in the survey.

What does this survey really tell us?

Simple: that the chess community is really in-the-know. Nobody, no institution, can fool them around.

The draw in So-Antonio Round 6 match? ONLY the chess community can fool itself around.

Chess eyesore

The major dailies and online sites have already reported the final results in the Battle of GMs 2009.

But as you all know it, the ultimate winner in that tournament was already known as early as GM Wesley So had decided to join.

That’s why, I repeat, the survey question “Who do you think will win the Battle of Grandmasters 2009?” was a blunder.

Kind of a monotonous tournament in the Men’s Division, particularly when the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) did nothing to bring the actions to the chess community. If not for the efforts of NM Glenn Bordonada over the kibitz page in chessgames.com, the Battle of GMs 2009 would have been nothing but a press release in the newspapers.

I’m sure that the NCFP already knew how to bring the actions to the chess fans all over the world. They CAN do it. I just can’t understand why they are not doing any move to ACT on it.

Is the NCFP that hard-headed? Is it that snobbish to the clamor of the chess community?

My gosh, they can easily set up a FREE blog for that particular event. Hire a two or three people to do it, and that’s it.

Add the ‘distinct’ antics to replay the So-Antonio Round 6 match.

Ahhh, a headache. What a way to show to the global chess community the kind of people we are.

Calling the attention of the NCFP. Your website is an eyesore. If you can’t attune it to the needs of the time, KILL it.

The NCFP official website, where the NCFP people like it or not, projects something about the whole Philippines. It somehow stands, in one way or another, for what the Filipinos CAN and CAN’T DO.

Nakakahiya to those who visit the site. Paki-tanggal n’yo na po.

Good signs

For National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero Pichay to order a replay of Antonio-So Round 6 match exploded like a bomb that rocked not only Philippine chess but the global chess community.

That's the power of technology nowadays. What you say here this moment could be known -- and reacted upon -- by the whole world with an awesome speed.

Which only means that because of that order of Pichay, Philippine chess became the talk of global chess in an instant.

It is not within the sphere of this blog to judge the correctness or incorrectness of Pichay's order.

What is of interest to this blogger is the way that the chess community here and abroad actively participate in an issue that directly affects CHESS as a sport.

The signs are good. People are talking -- bravely.

How good it is to see that all people who love chess expose the wickedness in this beautiful sport and then ACT pro-actively to make chess a respectable and fun sport.

Cua nears crown

A very exciting, neck-to-neck race between three players highlights the pace leading to the 11th and final round in the Women's Division of the Battle of Grandmasters 2009.

In the lead after 10 rounds is WFM Shercila Cua (2155) with 7.5 points (15 points), closely followed by WIM Beverly Mendoza (2045) who has 7.0 points, or 14 points and Sherily Cua (2143) who piled up 6.5 points, or 13.0 points.

Shercila, the elder sister of Sherily, has held on the lead up to the penultimate round after drawing her Round 10 match against Mendoza, her closest pursuer.

Not to be counted out yet is Sherily whose win in the last round against WNM Kimberly Cunanan (1991) is a must to have a chance to win the tournament.

For the last round, Shercila is pitted against WNM Ylem Rulp Jose (2054), while Mendoza will face WNM Jedara Docena (2001).

Chardine Cheradee Camacho

This blog previously made a post asking why Chardine Cheradee Camacho did not participate in the Battle of GMs 2009.

A reader of this blog provided the answer.

According to that reader, Camacho is down with a chicken pox. We're really sorry upon learning that news.

We pray for the fast recovery of this another bright hope of Philippine chess.

MERALCO Day chess photos

Photos of the National Masters who held simul exhibitions during the MERALCO employees' day celebration:

GM Torre poses with MERALCO kids.

Rolly Cruz (leftmost) with NMs Legaspi, Andador, Cabellon, Bagamasbad, Vazquez. Also in photo are 11-yearld old Paulo Bersamina and GM Torre.

NM Rolando Andador

NM Efren Bagamasbad

NM Cabellon

NM Rhobel Legaspi

Bersamina tops PLSCA

Here are the final results of the recently concluded Philippine La Sallian Chess Association (PLSCA) Rapid Chess Championship.

Grade School Division: TEAM

1st - La Salle Greenhills

2nd - R. Ibañez School of Chess

3rd - La Salle Lipa

INDIVIDUAL:

1st Paulo S. Bersamina 6 pts.

2nd Giovanni Mejia 6 pts.

3rd Vince Angelo Medina 5.5 pts

4th Jerad Docena 5.5 pts

5th Daryl Unix Samantila 5.5 pts

6th Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar 5.5 pts

7th Paul Benjamin Casiano 5 pts

8th Carlo Caranyagan 5 pts

9th Jean Karen Enriquez 5 pts

10th Bernadette Galas 5 pts

High School Division: TEAM

1st La Salle Greenhills

2nd Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School

3rd University of the East

INDIVIDUAL:

1st John Alcon Datu 6 pts

2nd Jan Nigel Galan 6 pts

3rd Ahvix Alfonso 6 pts

4th Haridas Pascua 5.5 pts

5th Christian Nanola 5 pts

6th Cherry Ann Mejia 5 pts

7th Niño Datu 5 pts

8th Gladyz Haselle Romero 5 pts

9th Kristian Paolo Cristobal 5 pts

10th Marc Christian Nazario 5 pts

The individual champions in the grade school and high school get a free registration fee to the Pichay Cup.

Paulo Bersamina receiving the award. With him are Bro. Rolly Dizon (L) and Mr. Vic Lahoz (R).

Pau vs Vince Angelo Medina

La Salle Green Hills Team

MERALCO chess

The MERALCO Chess Club (MCC) celebrated the 106th anniversary of MERALCO with a special chess treat for its employees last March 22.

Five National Masters namely NM Efren Bagamasbad, NM Rhobel Legaspi, NM Rolando Andador, NM Andrew Vazquez, and NM Gerry Cabellon (in photo above) held simul exhibitions for MERALCO employees. (NOTE: The one in orange shirt, leftmost, is Mr. Rolly Cruz, MCC president.) Notably, some anniversary activities did not push through but the chess event was retained to highlight the celebration of MERALCO Employees' Day.

No lesss than GM Eugene Torre graced the ceremonial move with MERALCO's "Boss Ferdie." (MORE PHOTOS TO COME)

Wrong question

This blog erred.

The question “Who do you think will win the Battle of GMs 2009?” for its ongoing survey simply turned out to be a blunder.

Why? The precise question should have been this: “Who do you think will win the second place in the Battle of GMs 2009?”

Oh yes, with the way GM Wesley So is playing his games in this tournament, there seems to be nobody in the field who could provide the real opposition.

The question: “Who can topple GM Wesley So?” also needs to be rephrased. The correct question should be: “Who can draw with GM Wesley So?” Or, “Who will have the highest number of moves against GM Wesley So?”

The wizardry is transforming right in front of our very eyes. This young chess superstar is making the Battle of GMs 2009n as his private playground.

As if not satisfied with the thrill in this tournament, he could still manage to play online blitz games with truly strong international players up to the wee hours of the night – what a mental stamina!!

You could really feel his passion for chess. And indeed, he continues to amaze us again.

Cua sisters

So much talk about the Men’s Division of the Battle of GMs.

Let’s re-focus our attention to the Women’s, although less glittering without the participation of young chess sensation Chardine Cheradee Camacho.

After four rounds of play, the Cua sisters (Shercila and Sherily) are showing their strength occupying the top and third spot respectively.

Shercila (2155) has 3.5 points (7.0 points) while Sherily (2143) has 2.5 points (5.0), decent performances indeed so far.

Did you know that the Cua sisters have been visiting players at the Malibay Chess Club recently? They were always being accompanied by their highly supportive father.

They play blitz games with our top club players – in favor of the sisters.

Both are young and beautiful, and of course, intelligent. Both command respect from male opponents.

The way this blogger watch them play, this blogger could not win a game against them even with the 5:1 odd.

There was a time when they were accompanied by another strong player Raymond Salcedo who once received the Best Coach Award during the NCAA Season 82 as coach of the Philippine Christian University chess team.

The Malibay Chess Club is hoping to see new faces of visitors. It is their grandest wish to be visited by their idol GM Wesley So in the future.

Ah, back to the Cua sisters. They are always welcome to the Malibay Chess Club.

We wish them good luck in the Battle of GMs 2009.

GM Wesley So beats GM Hikaru Nakamura

Why is this blog talking about the game between GM Wesley So and the famous US-based GM Hikaru Nakamura when in fact GM Wes is playing in the Battle of GMs 2009?

It's because a kibitzer over Barangay Wesley made a request for this blogger to post the online game between GM Wes and GM Nakamura at the Internet Chess Club (ICC).

And so I oblige.

Notably, GM Nakamura (aka Smallville) is considered the blitz king in ICC. He is treated as god in blitz chess.

Our very own Chairman Wes (aka Wesley16) has been playing in ICC recently, for just roughly over a week in that site. Yet, his rating has instantly rocketed to the 3400+ mark, putting him on the 8th best player in ICC.

And what about punishing an opponent known as the blitz king?

Watch this game, and enjoy.

Wesley16 (GM So)-Smallville (GM Nakamura)

Blitz 3-minute game. ICC.

Final position after 42.Qa2+

Click HERE to watch the full game.

GM So with the French Tarrasch

GM Wesley So defeated GM John Paul Gomez in Round 2 of the Battle of Grandmasters 2009 after 26 moves of a French Tarrasch opening.

This opening is close to my heart because it's my favorite as White.

So-Gomez

Round 2. Battle of Grandmasters 2009

Final position after 26.Rad1

PGN (Courtesy of Regge, a Barangay Wesley citizen at chessgames.com)

[Event "BAttle of Grandmasters 2009"]
[Site "Dapitan City"]
[Date "25.03.2009"]
[Round "2"]
[White "So,Wesley"]
[Black "Gomez,John Paul"]
[Result "1-0"]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7 4.c3 c5 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Qe2 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Be7 9.Nf3 Nbd7 10.O-O Qc7 11.Rd1 O-O 12.Bg5 Nd5 13.Bc2 Bxg5 14.Nexg5 N7f6 15.Qe5 Qc5 16.Rd4 b6 17.Ne4 Qe7 18.c4 Nb4 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Be4 Qxe5 21.Nxe5 Rb8 22.a3 Na6 23.b4 f6 24.Nd7 Bxd7 25.Rxd7 Rf7 26.Rad1 1-0

WATCH this exciting game HERE (Java required).

PLSCA 2009 Rapid Chess Team Championship

2009 Rapid Chess Team Championship
PHILIPPINE LA SALLIAN CHESS ASSOCIATION
2nd Floor, E. Razon Sports Center, De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila
March 28 and 29, 2009

Tournament format : 7 rounds-Swiss
Participating Fee : P 500.00/EACH PARTICIPANT
Divisions : 2 Divisions – Elementary and High School

Eligibility

This tournament is open only to bonafide Elementary and High School students currently or recently enrolled in SY 2008-2009 in any public or private schools.

Students must only present 2008-2009 Student Identification Cards or Original Certification of the school registrar that the student is/was enrolled for SY 2008-2009.

Prizes

Top ten players in each division will be given a medal and cash prize and are as follows

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Champion Gold Medal P 10,000
1st Runner-Up Silver Medal P 6,000
2nd Runner-Up Bronze Medal P 4,000
3rd Runner-Up Bronze Medal P 3,000
4th Runner-Up Bronze Medal P 2,000
5th to 9th Place Bronze Medal P 1,000/EACH

TEAM AWARDS

Championship Gold trophy
1st Runner Up Silver trophy
2nd Runner Up Bronze trophy

Rules
Same rules will be applied as in the July PLSCA Rapid Chess Championship.

PLEASE CONTACT ALEX DINOY 09228288510
OR EMAIL agkramos2008@yahoo.com

THE VENUE

Missing Star in the Battle of GMs 2009

It was previously reported that the country’s female chess sensation Chardine Cheradee Camacho would play in the ongoing Battle of Grandmasters 2009.

But when I browsed over the list of participants in the Women’s Division, her name was missing.

What happened? Can somebody in-the-know please provide some information for our enlightenment?

Can you still remember that it was this young Camacho who, among the Philippine Team members to the Dresden Olympiad, provided the most points?

In that Olympiad, she piled up 8.0 points, on top of GM John Paul Gomez’ 7.5 and GM Wesley So’s 7.0, in their respective divisions.

She was one of the three girls (with Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Cherry Ann Mejia, with Fronda participating in the Battle of GMs 2009) who recently made history in Philippine chess by bringing home the first ever bronze medal from World Youth Chess Championship.

In that same tournament, she made the best finish among 18 RP Team members. She finished 5th overall in the Girls 14 Category out of a total of 79 players.

Holding the Battle of GMs – Women’s Division sans the 14-year old Camacho seems to be incomplete.

It’s incomplete because the real star is missing.

Battle of Grandmasters 2009 poll

Let us know your fearless forecast.

This blog is putting up a survey (on the right side) to find out the pulse of the readers of this blog on who they think will win the Battle of Grandmasters 2009.

You are all encouraged to participate. It's just a click away.

The survey will run until March 30, Philippine time. Thank you very much.

Women's Round 1 Pairings (Battle of GMs)

Battle of GMs 2009 Round 1

Here's the list of match-ups for Men's Division in Round 1 of the Battle of GMs 2009. (Please disregard the match-up colors.)

GM Bong Villamayor vs GM Wesley So

GM Eugene Torre vs IM Rolando Nolte

GM John Paul Gomez vs GM Jayson Gonzales

GM Mark Paragua vs IM Richard Bitoon

GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. vs IM Julio Sadorra

GM Darwin Laylo vs IM Ronald Dableo

GM So, the tournament's topseed, is also the defending champion.

The top prize in men's division is P200,000. The runner-up and the third placer will receive P100,000 and P80,000, respectively. The winner in the women’s category will earn P60,000 and trophy.

Commercial chess, again

Remember the recently concluded 2009 Barley Essential Rapid Chess tournament which was topped by GM Wesley So?

It was sponsored by a commercial firm which is a new name in the chess tournament circle in the country.

And now, once again, the Battle of GMs 2009 which is now running in Dapitan City is being bankrolled by another private business entity - the Phoenix Petroleum.

Well, well, well . . . the signs are good indeed.

With the business sector's huge support which has been gaining in momentum recently, our local chess talents could look forward for brighter days.

More private sponsors means more opportunities for our players.

May we see more new names of private companies sponsoring chess tourneys in the near future.

Battle of GMs 2009

The Battle of GMs 2009 unfolds from March 24 to 31 in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The venue will be the Pavilion Hotel (Dapitan Beach Resort Hotel).

Let's meet the players:

Men's (12 players)

GM Wesley So 2627

GM Eugene Torre 2560

GM John Paul Gomez 2539

GM Mark Paragua 2537

GM Rogelio Antonio 2519

GM Darwin Laylo 2504

GM Buenaventura Villamayor 2471

GM Jayson Gonzales 2466

IM Richard Bitoon 2473

IM Julio Catalino Sadorra 2439

IM Rolando Nolte 2488

IM Ronald Dableo 2342

Women's (12 players)

Catherine Perena

Chardine Cheradee Camacho

Shercila Cua

Daisy Rivera

Christy Bernales

Sherily Cua

Rulp Ylen Jose

Beverly Mendoza

Jedara Docena

Kimberly Jane Cunanan

Jan Jodiyln Fronda

Rida Jane Young

Good luck to all players!

The venue -- Dapitan Beach Resort Hotel (aka Pavilion Hotel) -- is said to be owned and run by the local municipal government.

SOME INFO ABOUT DAPITAN CITY

DAPITAN CITY is also called as Shrine City of the Philippines.

Dialects Spoken: 99% Cebuano. Others include Ilonggo, Subano, Tagalog, Tausog, Ilocano and Chavacano. Majority can speak and understand Tagalog and English Religion 95% Roman Catholics, 5% Prostestants.

Dapitan is derived from the word "Dapit" in Visayan meaning "to invite".

Dapitan City was home to Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country's national hero, during his exile from Manila.

Area Profile: Dapitan City lies on the northwestern coast of the island of Mindanao. It is a double wedge-shaped mass of land bounded on the north by the Sulu Sea and linked on the south by the Municipalities of Mutia and La Libertad, on the east by the Municipalities of Sibutad and Rizal, on the west by Dipolog City and the Municipalities of Polanco, Sibutad, La Libertad and Rizal, all of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

INTERESTING DESTINATIONS: Rizal Shrine - Dapitan's major historical landmark of the City. It is the original estate of the country's nation hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who lived for four years in Dapitan as an exile from July 17,1892 to July 31, 1896.

Dakak Park and Beach Resort (world-renowned five star resort) - One of the developed beach resorts with complete accommodation facilities. Located at Dakak, Batangay Taquilon, about 9 kilometers from the city proper. The resort is ideally situated in a natural cane of pure sand. Facilities include quite a number of cottages, aquacycles, swimming pools, hobbicats, surf board for windsurfing, a disco house, tennis court, bowling alleys, billiard, horseback riding and a nice chapel. It It also offers the best continental cuisine.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air, one can ride the 1 hour and 20 minute Dipolog plane from Manila and then go by land, 12 km to Dapitan City.

Philippine Airlines flies 5 times a week (Tues to Sun).

GM So rules Barley Rapid Chess

GM Wesley So proved his world-class talent once again by ruling the 1st Barley Essential Rapid Chess tournament over the weekend at Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

So exploded with an impressive performance of 8/9 to finish solo champion in this commercially sponsored chess tournament.

Only needing a draw in the final round, So settled for a truce with another Filipino chess star GM Mark Paragua in the 9th and final round to win the crown.

So's Round 6 game served as the main event of the tournament as the No.1 player in the country lost his Queen due to a touch-move rule.

But despite the no-Queen disadvantage, So still managed to salvage a draw.

TOP 10 finishers:

Wesley So 8.0

Oliver Barbosa 7.5

Bong Villamayor 7.5

Mark Paragua 7.5

Darwin Laylo 7.0

Jan Emmanuel Garcia 7.0

Raymond Salcedo 7.0

Julius Joseph De Ramos 7.0

Emmanuel Senador 7.0

Edsel Montoya, 7.0

Samantila tops Rapid Chess Training Tournament

Daryl Unix Samantila, a 9 year old student of Adamson University was the clear winner in the 2009 RMCHS Kiddies (Under – 12 years old) Rapid Chess Training Tournament held last March 14, 2009 at the Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School (RMCHS) Chess Room.

Samantila finished the tournament with an unscatched record of 5 wins to cap the chess crown.

Tied for 2ND to 4TH places were Jose Carlo Castro of Sta. Quiteria Elementary School , Paulo Bersamina of La Salle Greenhills and Philip Uy of Bloomfield Academy .

Three players were given awards for the top 10 years old and under, namely Alexis Anne Oseña, Noel Geronimo and John Vasilly Datu.

The top 6 years old and under belong to sole winner Liam Ramos of International School . The chief arbiter of the tournament was NM / IA Erwin Carag.

Paul Casiano

Paul Casiano, the young chess sensation from Bulacan, defended his Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) elementary division crown with a 6.5/7 performance.

Another player finished with 6.5 points but Casiano won due to higher tiebreak.

This promising young chess talent will man Board 1 for Central Luzon in the fast approaching Palarong Pambansa on April 27.

Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-JEWM Regional Age-Group Tournament

WORLD youth chess championship veterans John Ray Batucan and Rowelyn Joy Acedo head the list of early registrants for the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-JEWM Regional Age-Group Tournament, which fires off March 21-22 at Gaisano Mall Atrium.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Southern Mindanao director James Infiesto on Thursday said Batucan and Acedo, both from Davao City, are competing in the 14 and under category.

Infiesto announced that the last day of registration for the two-day tournament will be Friday. He called on all chess enthusiasts to beat the deadline since they will be accepting only 300 participants on a first come, first served basis.

Batucan and Acedo, two of Davao's brightest young chess stars today, will be competing against the best in the region.

Giving both of them a run for their money are participants from the cities of General Santos, Digos, and Mati. Woodpushers from Surallah, South Cotabato, Compostela Valley, and Malita, Davao del Sur are also seeing action.

Infiesto said local chess officials are also arriving in Davao to support the tournament like incoming NCFP-Davao del Norte coordinator, Darwin Bermudez of AGR Sports Program, and Dr. Ted Calica of the Kidapawan Chess Club.

Bermudez will be heading the Davao del Norte delegation while Dr. Calica will be bringing the Mayor Rodolfo Y. Gantuangco Chess Kids of Kidapawan City.

Registration is free and interested players are advised to just submit their registration forms to Bonjee Entertainment Services located at the 4th floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao.

All players and coaches will be given free hardboiled JEWM Egg per day.

The chess tournament is one of the highlights of the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-Vice Mayor Inday Sara Araw ng Davaw Sports Festival.

Also at stake in the tournament is the Robert "Bob" Bula Sportsmanship Award where a special chess dog tag from the US will be given to the friendliest and the one who displays the best sportsman attitude.

The players per category will be the one to choose their winner through secret balloting.
Infiesto said the special citation was added to promote good attitude during competition. source: sunstar

Chess clinic

The Office of the Mayor of Pasay City, in cooperation with Sangguniang Kabataan and the Pasay City Sports Development Office, will hold sport clinics -- including chess -- at the Pasay City Sports Complex this summer.

This is open to all Pasay City residents only (8 to 14 years old). Requirements: birth certificate, barangay certificate, medical certificate. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Commercial chess

Good signs?

I used to read the labels "Milo" and "Shell" on streamers and posters about local chess tournaments.

Now I see new labels.

"Magnolia," "Barley," and maybe more?

What do the signs tell us? That RP chess has already won the precious attention of the business sector?

Possibly. Maybe. Probably. Likely.

One thing for sure: RP chess nowadays is making noise.

It doesn't take a genius to find out how to make that certain kind of noise - a noise that can lure the attention of the business people.

THE KEY: The chess community needs to come up with a shining star -- a chess player who can inspire the nation and the whole world.

And of course, the technology. Chess is fast becoming a spectator sport because of technology.

Just imagine watching LIVE a breathtaking match between GM Wesley So and a certain foreign GM right in the comfort of your home!!

Have you heard the noise over Barangay Wesley -- a result of a truly Shining Star and the power of technology?

Oh yeah, I am a proud Barangay Wesley citizen. A fanatic Wesleyan indeed!

The noise is real. This blog is part of that noise.

GM Wesley So on IM Tatiana Kosintseva

For the fans of GM Wesley So, it was a 'kilig' moment when he battled the beautiful Russian IM Tatiana Kosintseva in the third round of the recently concluded Aeroflot Festival 2009.

For sure, Tatiana could not forget Wesley.

Because of love? No.

It's because Wesley -- the so-called 'Gentle Mauler' -- dealt the only loss of the lovely Tatiana in that tournament.

Interestingly, Tatiana had a better finish than Wesley. This Russian beauty piled up a total of 5.5 points for a TPR of 2702 to land on 13th place out of 78 players!!

Well, Wesley finished with 5.0 points for a TPR of 2577, good enough for No.37 spot.

So what's the real score between Wesley the lad and Tatiana the lady?

Let's get the answer from Wesley himself. As if in a showbiz program, he gamely answered the questions of Barangay Wesley citizens during a Q&A portion in his Kibitz Page at chessgames.com.

Barangay Wesley Citizen: "Good afternoon, Chairman Wesley. May I throw this question -
(1) what did you feel when you beat Tatiana at aeroflot after shaking her hand?

Chairman GM Wesley So: "I am happy that I won the game with Tatiana. It was very satisfying since the game lasted for 5 hours.We did not go postmortem because after the game,she immediately left her table and had a chat with her coach,Yuri Dokhoian."

Barangay Wesley Citizen: "Sir Wes...wag ka magagalit sa tanong ko ha ... 1. Maganda ba si Tati sa personal? 2. In your own opinion, who is more beateous Tati or our own Filipina girls?"

Chairman GM Wesley So: "Maganda nga si Tati, but . . . have no time for that now. And yes, I think some Russian player has more interest in her."

Bitin? More to come . . .

9th Non-masters Chess tourney

WOODPUSHERS from around the country are set to conquer the city anew with the staging of the 9th Baguio Centermall Non-masters Chess tournament scheduled on March 21 to 22.

Two divisions will be played anew in the tournament, which will be bannered by the open division and the kiddie divisions.

The chess tournament is open to all untitled chess players with F.I.D.E rules to be applied in the seven round Swiss system tournament.

The open category will be open to those aged 13 years old and above while the kiddie category will pit children who are 12 years old and below.

Early registrants will be charged P150 as registration fee for the open category and P120 for the kiddie category while those players who opt to register during the game proper will be charged P250 for the open and P200 for the kiddie category.

The champion in the open category will receive P7,000 plus a trophy while the 2nd and 3rd placers will be given P5,000 and P3,000, respectively, including their trophies. The fourth and fifth placers will receive P1,500 and P1,000, respectively while 6th to 10th placers will receive P500 each.

The champion in the kiddie division will receive P5,000 including a trophy while the 2nd and 3rd placer will get P3,000 and P2,000, respectively plus trophies. The 4th and 5th placers will have P1,000 and P800, respectively, while the 6th to 10th places finishers will receive P500 each.

Special prices will also be given to the top junior 13-19 years old, top lady and the top senior players.

Arnie Ignacio, the event's coordinator said the purpose of the event is to promote the board games of chess and Scrabble especially among the youth while facilitating the development of the talented enthusiast's skills and confidence.

"Their skills and strategies will surely be highly-tested in these tournaments with a chance of bringing home cash prizes and trophies but will have the privilege of representing our community," Ignacio said.

Registration forms are currently available at the Chess Gallery located at the fourth floor of the Baguio Center Mall until March 18 from 10 am to 7 pm; and for inquiries, participants may call Ignacio at 444-9346 or 4449712. SOURCE: SunStar

Wishes

The Battle of Grandmaster is near.

The excitement among chess addicts can no longer be contained, especially those from the Barangay Wesley.

If you still don't know where Barangay Wesley is, you're left behind.

Not knowing Barangay Wesley somehow serves as a relatively good indication -- at least, you could assure yourself that you're not still a chess addict.

The excitement, however, is clouded with some anxieties.

Anxieties?

Yeah, you read the word right.

The date is March 21, fast approaching in terms of days.

From a chess fan's point of view, I would like to post this question: How can I watch - and enjoy - the games that will be played in the Battle of Grandmasters?

Can the fans watch live games of their favorite players? Should they just content themselves with PGN files that come days after the games were played?

Is it all the 1.0's or the 0.5's that we are going to see in the morning after the games were played the previous day?

I'm looking forward to a pro-active National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Please, NCFP, amaze the chess world this time.

1st Barley Essential Chess

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre (second from left) and SPEM/Barley president Michael Vargas (second from right) sign the memorandum of agreement for the staging of the first Barley Essential rapid open chessfest 2009 March 21-22 at the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. Also in photo are GM Jayson Gonzales and Cynthia Nazario. Barley is sponsoring the two-day tournament as part of its ‘Chess and Health’ program. Source: Philstar

GM Gomez, Athlete of the Year ng UAAP

Nadagdagan pa ang mga hinahamig na kara­ngalan ni La Salle chess wizard John Paul Gomez matapos iuwi ang UAAP Season 71 Athlete of the Year honors sa seniors division sa awarding ceremonies sa Bahay ng Alumni sa UP campus sa Diliman.

Unang UAAP athlete na nagbulsa ng limang MVP awards si Gomez, naging pang-10 grandmaster ng bansa nang masungkit ang huling GM norm sa Dresden World Chess Olympiad noong November.

Inungusan ng 22-anyos na si Gomez sa highest individual honor sina DLSU tennis star PJ Tierro, UST trickster Ben Alejandrino, at 12 iba pang Most Valua­ble Players ng liga.

Naging contenders din ang top athlete ng nakaraang season na si fencer Michelle Bruzola ng UE, basketball star Rabeh Al-Hussaini ng Ateneo, at dating two-time AOY awardee Luica Dacanay ng UP.

Sa juniors division, ibi­nigay ang AOY award kay ace spiker Alyssa Valdez ng UST High School.
Tinanggap na rin ng UST ang pang-11 sunod na senior division gene­ral championship at third straight juniors overall title (11th overall).

Siyam sa 28 nakatayang championship trophies ang iniuwi ng Growling Tigers at Tigresses sa España tungo sa pang-36 na overall title. Source: Abante

GM John Paul Gomez receives award

Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez lead the nominees for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Athlete of the Year plum.

The league holds its awards night on Thursday at the Bahay ng Alumni inside the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus.

Gomez made waves not only in the UAAP this season but also in the international scene.

Gomez recorded an unprecedented fifth Most Valuable Player (MVP) in chess this season, leading De La Salle to the championship. He also became the country’s ninth GM and was part of the team that saw action in the World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.

3rd Dr. Jose Leviste Sr. Inter-School Chess Festival

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte will be the guest of honor and speaker during the closing ceremony of the third Dr. Jose Leviste Sr. Inter-School Chess Festival set March 21-22 at the Ateneo Grade School Cafeteria in Ateneo, QC.

An annual project of the Ateneo grade school, high school and collegiate teams under IM Idelfonso Datu, the all-student, non-master tournament is held in honor of Ateneo alumnus Dr. Jose Leviste Sr. (HS ’33, AA ’35), and supported by Enerasia Renewables Corp., Fonemed Asia Pacific, Italpinas Design and Development, Grand Placement, Adidas Philippines and the Ateneo University Athletics Office.

The event, a nine-round, Swiss system tournament, is open to all untitled grade school and high school students.

Alcon Paul Datu of University of the East and members of the Letran, LICS and Philippine College of Criminology chess teams head the early roster of entries.

Registration is P300 per participant. For details, contact 4266001 loc. 4191 to 4195 or text 0923-5500522.

Source: philstar

Team Cebu to defend title in national inter-cities

TEAM Cebu City Chess will be defending its title in the 2009 National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Team Championship on April 11 to 15 at the Robinson’s Mall in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City.

The team, composed of GM-candidate Richard Bitoon, International Master Kim Steven Yap, Merben Roque, Richard Natividad and Voltaire Sevillano, will again represent the city in this annual tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, the chairman of the Cebu City Council committee on games, amusement and sports, told Sun.Star Cebu they initially planned to send two teams.

“Since we are the champions, we wanted to send two teams to the event. But since it will make the other team weaker, we just shelved the idea and decided on sending one strong team, composed of players who won the title last year,” said Jakosalem.

However, only one titled player will be allowed to play, forcing either Bitoon or Yap to sit out as the reserve.

Bitoon, who competed against a strong field in the 2009 Aeroflot Open, is expected to man Board 1 as Cebu renews its rivalry with Tagaytay again.

Cebu and Tagaytay had gone head-to-head in various competitions.

The same Cebu team finished runner-up to Tagaytay in the 2008 Handuraw Chess Festival in Dapitan City last December.

Tagaytay was Cebu’s runner-up in last year’s National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Team Championship in Bacolod.

The tournament offers a total cash prize of P300,000 for the top 10 teams.

The champion will go home with P100,000 while the second and third placers will get P60,000 and P40,000, respectively.

The individual board medalists will earn P3,000 each. (RCM)

Source: SunStar

CLRAA chess

TARLAC CITY — The provincial government is rushing the construction here of the 70-hectare sports park that costs P350 million.

The sports complex will be the venue of the week-long (starting March 15, 2009) Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meet.

Preparations have been finalized for the CLRAA, including the venues of the other events such as swimming which will be held at the Tarlac State University, boxing in Victoria town, and chess in Paniqui.

Adamson tops UAAP chess

University of Santo Tomas snared the UAAP junior’s general championship equaling the feat made by its senior’s team.

The Tiger Cubs collected 99 points to take the overall crown after taking the titles in girls’ swimming, table tennis and girls’ volleyball.

UST got second-place finishes in boys’ swimming and taekwondo and where third-placers in track and field and boys’ volleyball.University of the East placed second with 92 points after taking the taekwondo and boys’ volleyball crown.

The Junior Warriors settled for second in chess, girls’ swimming, table tennis and girls’ volleyball.Ateneo took third place with 87 points after emerging as champions in basketball, boys’ swimming and track and field.

De La Salle-Zobel is in fourth with 60 points as the Junior Archers took second runner-up honors in basketball, boys’ swimming and girls’ volleyball.

University of the Philippines Integrated School came in fifth with 57 points after a second-place finish in track and field and a third-place honor in girls’ swimming.

Adamson placed sixth with 39 points with the chess team as the lone champion.

Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation made it in seventh with 28 points as the basketball team took the first runner-up trophy.

National University occupies the eighth and final spot with 16 points. –

Source: GMANews.TV

2009 Kiddies Rapid Chess Training Tournament

Registration is now open for the 2009 Kiddies Rapid Chess Training Tournament to be held on March 14, 2009 at Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School.

The venue is located at Ermin Garcia Street Edsa opposite Nepa Q-Mart.

The tournament is aimed at discovering new young players who excel in chess.

There will be prizes to Top 3 winners and category prizes for the Top Under 10 and Under 6 players.

For details, please contact NM/IA Erwin Carag at 0921-228-8167 and IA Rolly Yutuc at 0928-613-7682.

More photos of the 1st Coun. Noel "Onie" Bayona Chess Cup

Chess is a great equalizer, at least in age. Chess is so wonderful it serves as a crossroad between and among the young and "the-not-so-young." In this particular game, youth prevailed. Watching intently is Atty. Serafin Manila, a generous benefactor of the Malibay Chess Club.

Official game going on. The tournament committee could not break this crowd which got enchanted by the wizardry being cast on the board. Understandably, they could not help watching the breathtaking game being played by the 11-year old Paulo Bersamina, the darling of the crowd.

Bird's eye view. A participant got a reinforcement here -- a small chair on top of a monoblock chair to have a better view of the board. I wonder if FIDE has something to say about this tactic.

Due to shortage of chess tables, this pair contented themselves playing on the pavement. This was an official game, you know.

Yours truly working on the mike and laptop. The little kid beside me is my son, Lemon Kris.

Magic food to improve chess skills?

When an athlete does an extraordinary feat, we usually ask "What does he eat?"

An avid boxing fan would ask, "What does Manny Pacquiao eat in the morning?"

A golf fanatic would ask, "What does Tiger Woods eat for lunch?"

A basketball diehard would ask, "What meal is served for Michael Jordan for the dinner?"

A chess addict would ask, "What did Bobby Fischer eat when he single-handedly conquered the Russian Empire?"

Is there really a food suited to improve mental abilities?

You might be interested to read this:

The foods you eat directly affects the performance of your brain. It has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young.

If you give your brain the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and balanced and have improved concentration.

The three key brain foods to boost your brainpower and keep your brain healthy and your mental processes operating effectively are nutritious food, water and oxygen:

Brain Foods

Thinking is a biochemical process. For brain cells to communicate effectively with each other to create neural pathways, they require chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the 'messengers' carrying messages from neuron to neuron.

Neurotransmitters are made from amino acids found in protein foods e.g., meat, fish and cheese.

Vitamins and minerals are needed to convert ordinary amino acids into these powerful neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are found in the food we eat, hence why some foods are called 'brain foods'.

The three key neurotransmitters are:

1. Acetylcholine (ACh). This neurotransmitter excites other neurons and may be responsible for memory.

It is involved with voluntary movement of muscles, behavioural inhibition, drinking and memory.

People with Alzheimer's memory loss may have less ACh or ACh that is blocked.

Acetylcholine rich foods include: egg yolks, peanuts, wheat germ, liver, meat, fish, milk, cheese and vegetables (especially broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower)

2. Dopamine generally excites and is involved in movement, attention and learning but is also inhibitory.

It is involved with voluntary movement, emotional arousal.

Schizophrenia is associated with excess dopamine.

People with Parkinson's disease may have less or damaged dopamine causing tremors, loss of balance etc. The drug "L-Dopa" may be given to increase the level of dopamine.

Dopamine rich foods include all proteins (meat, milk products, fish, beans, nuts, soy products). 3-4ounces of protein will help you to feel energized, more alert and more assertive.

3. Serotonin (or 5-HT) usually inhibits and is involved in arousal and sleep, mood, appetite and sensitivity. However, it is also excitatory and is part of the brain's reward system producing feelings of pleasure.

People who suffer from clinical depression may have too little serotonin active in synapses so they may benefit from taking a Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor(SSRI) e.g., Prozac to extend the serotonin activity.

Serotonin rich foods are carbohydrate based e.g., pasta, starchy vegetables, potatoes, cereals, breads.

Source: The Thinking Business

Photos of the 1st Coun. Noel "Onie" Bayona Chess Cup

Pastor Leo delivers a soulful prayer before the start of the 1st Coun. Noel “Onie” Bayona Chess Cup.

Coun. Noel “Onie” Bayona, the main sponsor of the event that was named after him, engages the participants in a highly positive and encouraging aura of chess development in Pasay City.

Coun. Bayona in a warm and friendly gesture of handshake with 11-year old Paulo Bersamina, the young chess pride of Pasay City, gladly offers his hands for the ceremonial move to signal the start of the tournament.

And so the game begins . . . a battle between and among 60 players!!


And the WINNERS are:

1st RUNNER-UP. Renato Gallamos

2nd RUNNER-UP. Robert Camara

3rd RUNNER-UP. Palibino Inocentes

4th RUNNER-UP. Dickson Borja

TOP MARICABAN. Joel Tatad

TOP MALIBAY. Harell Abedin

TOP EDANG. John Paul Peña

Coun. Noel “Onie” Bayona poses with the tournament winners.

Coun. Noel “Onie” Bayona (in red sando) poses with some officers and members of the Malibay Chess Club.