P-Noy Chess Cup?

Now that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo no longer occupies the highest position of the land, would there still be PGMA Chess Cup?

Or, would it have a new name in the form of P-Noy Chess Cup?

How about the Pichay Cup? Would it be affected by the transition of power to the new administration?

In every course of history, the introduction of something new always brings with it mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety.

As I "read" the signs, however, the chess community may look forward for better things to happen under the P-Noy administration.

Remember that the chess events in the 2010 Palarong Pambansa was held at the Aquino Center of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City.

Isn't that a promising sign?

FIDE elections 2010

When FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced the staging of the US$1-M Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup, one cannot help doubting his real intentions.

The doubt stems from the timing of the announcement, made just in time for the FIDE elections this coming September alongside the staging of the 2010 Chess Olympiad in Khanty, Russia.

Simply put, the skepticism points to the possible motives of Ilyumzhinov to win the votes of the ASEAN chess federations, the Philippines included, to support his re-election campaign for another four-year term as FIDE president.

For me, however, I don't care whether or not Ilyumzhinov is using the announced US$1-M Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup only as a tool to win ASEAN votes. I see the issue from a different perspective.

To ride in that discourse - that is electing a FIDE president between Ilyumzhinov and other candidates such as GM Anatoly Karpov - is already playing the games of the present ruling parties. Positioning the issue only between Ilyumzhinov versus Karpov is an agenda that subordinates - and silences - the voices of the underrepresented in the world chess arena.

Aren't there any alternatives, particularly from Southeast Asia? To see ASEAN chess federation leaders playing the games of the dominant voices is very disappointing. The Philippine chess federation, for instance, has already expressed its support for the candidacy of Ilyumzhinov. Why not groom a possible ASEAN contender for the post instead, let's say NCFP President Prospero Pichay for the FIDE presidency? I'm not kidding.

And why not somebody from Africa? Why not challenge the power structure within FIDE?

Only six individuals were able to serve as FIDE president Since its inception in 1924. One of these six was a Filipino - in the name of the Filipino Florencio Campomanes, whose Ilyumzhinov's proposed Campomanes memorial cup is named after. Let's have a quick review:

FIDE Presidents

* 1924–1949 (25 years) Alexander Rueb
* 1949–1970 (21 years) Folke Rogard
* 1970–1978 (8 years) Max Euwe
* 1978–1982 (4 years) Friðrik Ólafsson
* 1982–1995 (13 years) Florencio Campomanes
* 1995–present (15 years) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (as of 2010)

The underrepresented should unite their voices to set a new agenda. Only then can the motto of the FIDE be true: "Gens Una Sumus" (We are one family).

King's gambit

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 28 June 2010)

Last week I was just discussing with BW readers various ways of meeting the Petroff Defense. White can try the Cochrane Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7) which, admittedly, might not be to everyone’s taste. I then showed you Radjabov’s latest preparation which led to a good win against the supreme expert of the Petroff, Boris Gelfand.

In the King’s Tournament in Romania, the world’s highest rated player Magnus Carlsen, showed us the ultimate anti-Petroff weapon -- the King’s Gambit. "Things weren’t going so well in the tournament I thought I just try it and see how it goes," said Magnus after the game. Well, it had the desired effect. His opponent Wang Yue was completely unprepared and played badly.

Carlsen, Magnus (2813) -- Wang Yue (2752) [C36]
Kings’ Tournament/Turneul Regilor Medias Bazna/Romania (4), 17.06.2010





Begging the indulgence of our readers, I’d like to show you something which I’ve been wanting to write about for so long but never had the opportunity -- how I would meet the King’s Gambit.

There’s this executive player, Lowell Liwat (I do not know why he is not yet a national master -- his tactical skills are certainly at that level) who I used to meet a lot during my active Executive weekend tournaments in the ’90s. Every time he had white there would appear the King’s Gambit on the board and I’d lose every single one of the games.

It got to a point that I decided to devote one whole afternoon to preparing against it. Let me put you in the proper mood for this next game. Arkady Novopashin is a debutante in the Soviet Championships and is scheduled to play one of the favorites, Boris Spassky, the next day. Spassky of course wants to win the championship, and would definitely try hard to beat all the non-grandmasters in the tournament. Boris is an acknowledged expert in the King’s Gambit and there is a big chance he might use it. Novopashin prepared hard for this game, and chose the Bonch-Osmolovsky. Bonch what? Patience, just follow this game.

Spassky, Boris V. -- Novopashin, Arkady [C34]
URS-ch30 Yerevan (15), 12.12.1962





A short but very sharp fight.

This sorry had a sad ending, for soon afterwards Lowell went abroad to work and later on I also left to take up a job in Angeles City. I never got to use it against him.
Well, ... I am still waiting for that day.

Reader comments/suggestions are solicited. E-mail address is bangcpa@gmail.com

Good hopes

I've been detached from the chess world for a couple of days and missed my blogging. Just a lot of personal things to attend to. Anyway, seems like a few good things happened in the past few days.

I was really surprised upon learning that the young Filipino hope Stephen Rome Pangilinan (in photo, who I guess is just 7 years old?) was within the striking distance to win the 12-Under category in the just concluded Angpin Cup Age-Group Chess Championship.

Had we won in the last round against the eventual champion, RP's youngest ever national junior champion and the country's reigning 12-Under prince Paulo Bersamina, he could tie with Paulo and second placer Elijah Maliam for first with six points, and even possibly win the tournament on tiebreak points.

However, winning over Paulo was a tall order. In fact, Paulo demolished the field with an impressive 7/7 performance!! (Will write about Paulo's historic feat in the just concluded 11th ASEAN Age-Group in the next few days.)

But still, it was an impressive showing from Stephen who eventually settled for 6th spot overall with 5.0 points. Just imagine that this kid is only seven years old, and he's already banging heads with 12-year old players!!

I was also looking for another young Filipino hope Julius Gonzales (who is also seven years old?) in the list, only to find out that he didn't participate.

And what about this, a young girl mixing it out against the boys - and finished strongly. Shania Mae Mendoza, the wonder girl of Laguna, scored 5.5 points for solo third place.

Despite the problematic Philippine chess community, good things still abound. And the worst thing to happen is for these good hopes not to be nurtured.

Angpin age-group

The PSC Chairman Harry Angping Cup Age-Group Rapid Chess Tournament unfolds today (June 24) as part of the Araw ng Maynila celebration.

According to the NCFP report, it was originally scheduled on June 26-27 (Saturday and Sunday), which means it was supposed to be a two-day event.

But now, it was reduced to just a one-day event - and which falls on a Thursday, a day when kids are meant to be in school.

If the only reason for the change in schedule is to jive the tournament with the Araw ng Maynila celebration, I don't think that's a justified ground.

PSC is a function of national concern - not of a local one that is Manila in this case.

There might be a thinking that the country's age-group players don't attend schools? Wrong.

There might be a thinking that only age-group players from Manila will join the event. Wrong.

Changing of tournament schedules has been becoming a stinking trend lately, at the expense of players' welfare.

Remember the 3rd Battle of GMs? Not funny. Changing of schedules - AT WILL - has been becoming a habit, and a bad one at that.

Well, so this is another age-group competition. Add this to NCFP's original version of age-group. The National Chess Academy of the Philippines has its own, too.

If done collectively with a single and clear direction, all these efforts, I believe, will bear fruits.

Otherwise, all will just end as a tragic comedy.

Pascua, 15th; Bernales, 35th in 2010 Junior Chess Championship

FM Haridas Pascua got derailed in the last round against No.9 seed IM Debashis Das of India to eclipse his hope of finishing in the Top 10 of the 2010 Asian Junior Championship that was held in India.

Pascua finished this regional event at 15th place with 5.5 points after five wins, three losses and a draw.

Meanwhile, Christy Lamiel Bernales bowed to WCM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham of Malaysia to slid to 35h place in the final rankings in the Girls' division with 4.0 points.

Final rankings:
Open
Girls

Pascua, Bernales continue to carry RP flag in 2010 Asian Junior Championship

Bouncing back from a defeat against No.3 seed IM Lalith Babu (2493) of India in Round 6, Filipino campaigner FM Haridas Pascua (2358) erected back-to-back wins in Round 7 and Round 8 to jump to eighth place with 5.5 points going into the last round of the 2010 Asian Junior Championship that is being held in India.

Notably, Pascua defeated No.6 seed IM Swapnil Dhopade (2457) of the host country in the penultimate round that put him in good position to have a strong finish in the tournament.

On the other hand, Filipina bet Christy Lamiel Bernales (2043) lost her game against Indian Sithalatchumi A (1906) in the penultimate round (Girls category) to drop to 28th place with 4.0 points.

Watch the games of Pascua (Rounds 7 and 8) and Bernales (Round 8). PGNs courtesy of the Indian Chess Federation.

LIVE games of Round 9 HERE.

Rankings after Round 8
Open
Girls

WANTED: Filipino chess instructors

A reader from California sent me an email asking me if I could refer to him a Filipino titled player who is willing to play against her daughter online for a fee. Please read his letter below if you are interested.

Please take note, however, that I don't know him personally. Should you enter any agreement with him, it would be exclusively between you and him only.

The only intention of this blog is to serve as a medium for our kababayans abroad to improve on chess while our chess masters here earn some income.

Please read his email:

My name is Alfred Palang. I am Filipino based in Houston, Texas. I would like to ask help from you . . .

My eleven year old daughter plays chess. She is preparing for the US Girls Junior Open in Irvine, California. For this, we are searching for NMs willing to play with her online with 90 minute time controls two games each time. I would pay US$15 for the two games they play.

I know several more parents wanting to do this and are willing to pay. This would be a good opportunity for NMs in our country to make some money.

Anyway, please have them email me if they are interested. My email add is apalangjr@gmail.com.

Thanks, Alfred Palang

New blood

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 21 June 2010)

China Chess Championship
Xinghua, Jiangsu
May 24-June 4, 2010

Final Standings
1-3. GM Wang Hao 2722, GM Bu Xiangzhi 2681, GM Zhou Jianchao 2652, 7.5/11
4-5. GM Li Shilong 2514, GM Ni Hua 2667, 6.0/11
6. GM Li Chao 2619, 5.5/11
7-9. IM Zhang Ziyang 2422, GM Ding Liren 2547, Lu Shanglei 2349, 5.0/11
10-11. GM Zhou Weiqi 2585, GM Hou Yifan 2589, 4.5/11
12. Ji Dan 2379, 2.0/11

Category 13

Not so long ago there was the continuing phenomenon of a young, unknown Soviet player who competes in his first international tournament and upsets the applecart by winning the event against his older, more experienced opponents.

There is this story about an international tournament in Trinec (Czechoslovakia) in 1967, where the organizers invited the Soviet Chess Federation to send two juniors to compete. The Soviets obliged and sent two of their promising young players. When they got there it was discovered that there had been a misunderstanding -- the tournament was for adults. A quick cable to Moscow got them permission to play nevertheless, and Anatoly Karpov (15 years old) and Viktor Kupreichik (17 years old) finished first and second place.

A similar mistake occurred in the career of Garry Kasparov, although of a much greater magnitude. In 1979, at the age of 15, still unrated, he participated in a Grandmaster tournament in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia). The Federation thought it was a junior tournament. He completely rose to the occasion by winning the event ahead of former world champion Tigran Petrosian, Ulf Andersson, Jan Smejkal, Walter Browne, Andras Adorjan, and many other GMs. In fact, from being an unrated Garry emerged with a provisional rating of 2595, at that time good enough for no. 15 in the world.

Nowadays the role of "surprise winners" have been taken over by the Chinese. Every year a new star comes to the fore. There is Wang Hao who won two strong international Opens (Dubai and Kuala Lumpur) in 1975, Li Chao, Zhou Weiqi, Zhou Jianchao, Zhao Jun, who were all unknowns when they first came to Philippine shores to compete in the Asian Continental Championships and Pichay Opens.

Last year two more 16-year-olds rose in stature. There is Yu Yangyi, who competed very strongly in the Asian Continental and won a slot to the 2009 World Cup. There he reached the third round after achieving the biggest upset of the first round -- winning 1.5-0.5 against 16th seed Sergei Movsesian, and also upsetting the highly regarded Polish GM Mateusz Bartel in the second round.

Ding Liren won the 2009 Chinese Championship, notwithstanding the last round drama we wrote about last Friday, he showed a ferocious and uncompromising stance and fought to the end in every game.

This year one more 16-year-old is baring his fangs. Lu Shanglei finished below 50% with 5/11, but going over his games shows a fearless fighter who takes the battle to his opponent, no matter who sits across the board. Lu had a bad start but finished very strongly with 3 straight wins. He even had the gall to play the Cochrane Gambit against Zhou Weiqi. He lost in 25 moves, but let’s hope the gambit catches on.

Remember that Topalov put Nxf7 back into international practice when he used it against Kramnik in Linares 1999 and almost won. GM Sarunas Sulskis uses the Cochrane so often that clearly he is not relying on surprise. It definitely gives a more interesting game than anything else against the Petroff.

Lu Shanglei (2349) -- Zhou Weiqi (2585) [C42]
ch-CHN Xinghua CHN (6), 29.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





Can’t blame White for giving up. He wanted to have an exciting attacking game, but now he has to defend a lost and dreary endgame.

And finally let me show you Lu Shanglei’s best game from the event. This ending was even featured in the Chessbase Web site as "The Breakthrough".

(258) Lu Shanglei (2349) -- Ji Dan (2379) [D55]
ch-CHN Xinghua CHN (10), 03.06.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





The Philippines has our pride, our Wesley So. But the Chinese have the equivalent of at least five Wesley Sos. Drat!

PSC Chairman Harry Angping Cup Age-Group Rapid Chess Tournament

BY: PATRICK LEE (SOURCE: NCFP official website)

The PSC Chairman Harry Angping Cup Age-Group Rapid Chess Tournament will push through on June 24, 2010 at the PSC Canteen at the PSC Canteen, PSC Administration Bldg, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Pablo Ocampo St. (Vito Cruz), Manila.

Originally scheduled from June 26 – 27, this tournament will be held as part of the celebration of Araw ng Maynila.

The one day tournament will be played in three divisions; Under 20 (born on or after Jan. 1, 1990), Under 16 (Jan. 1, 1994) and Under 12 (Jan. 1, 1998). A total of One Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Five Hundred Pesos is up for grabs with the Champions in each division taking home a whooping P 20,000 and a trophy, while 2nd placers get 10,000 each + trophies and the third placer gets P8,000 + trophies. The 4th – 10th placers receive medals and P5000, P4000, P3000, P2000, P1,500 and P1,000 respectively. The 11th – 20th placers in each division will receive P500.

After the successful staging of the 1st Harry Angping Cup Rapid Open last May 28 – 29 at the Philsport Arena, PSC Chairman Angping decided to sponsor another tournament which is focused on the youth.

The format will be 7 round Swiss system with a time control of 20 minutes plus 3 seconds increment per move. Round one starts at 10:00 am and deadline of registration is at 5:00 pm on June 23, 2010 at the NCFP Office located at Rm. 407 Bravo Bldg., Philsports Complex (ULTRA), Pasig City. No entries will be accepted after the deadline. No registration at the venue. All players must bring proof of date of birth.

PSC Chairman Harry Angping and other PSC Officials together with NCFP Chairman/President Prospero Pichay, Jr. and NCFP Secretary General & Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino will grace the Opening Ceremonies to be held at 2:00 pm.

For inquiries please see NCFP website - ncfphilippines.org or call NCFP Office 831-7224, Patrick Lee – 09277209260 or Ilann Perez – 09053269576.

Download RULES
Download Registration Form

Tatay (Father)

I took this photo in one of the mini-chess tournaments of the Malibay Chess Club some years ago - definitely one of my favorites whenever I want to humanize the beauty of chess in our lives. Just like any other sports, chess can be a tool in enriching our moments with our loved ones.

Haridas strikes back

After losing in Round 4 against No.2 seed IM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (2504) of India, Filipino campaigner FM Haridas Pascua (2358) strongly bounced back by trouncing Abhishek Kelkar (2261) of India in only 20 moves of a Sicilian Opening in Round 5 of the 2010 Asian Junior Chess Championship that is being held in India.

Haridas has so far compiled 3.5 points after five rounds of actions. Watch his fine victory in Round 5 (PGN courtesy of the Indian Chess Federation). Live games available HERE.

REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME

Waving the Philippine Flag

John Ray Batucan, Jarod Pamatmat, and Austin Jacob Literatus
(photo courtesy of a friend who doesn't want to be named)

June 12 no more, but still feels like the Philippine Independence Day. Seeing three Philippine flags waving on top of the rankings in the Open 14 Standard Chess category of the 11th ASEAN+ Age-Group chess championship can give us Filipinos a feeling that we have conquered the world!!

Our boys in the Open 14 category (standard chess) produced the country's best performance in that regional tourney. They won gold for individual performance (Literatus) and another gold as as a team.

Final rankings (total of 36 players)

Rk.			Name	Typ	FED	Rtg	Pts.
1			Literatus Austin Jacob	B14	PHI	0	7,0
2			Le Tuan Minh	B14	VIE	2091	7,0
3			Batucan John Ray		PHI	0	6,5
4			Pamatmat Jarod M		PHI	2064	6,5

Chinese action

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 18 June 2010)

China Chess Championship
Xinghua, Jiangsu
May 24-June 4, 2010

Final Standings
1-3. GM Wang Hao 2722, GM Bu Xiangzhi 2681, GM Zhou Jianchao 2652, 7.5/11
4-5. GM Li Shilong 2514, GM Ni Hua 2667, 6.0/11
6. GM Li Chao 2619, 5.5/11
7-9. IM Zhang Ziyang 2422, GM Ding Liren 2547, Lu Shanglei 2349, 5.0/11
10-11. GM Zhou Weiqi 2585, GM Hou Yifan 2589, 4.5/11
12. Ji Dan 2379, 2.0/11
Category 13

The Chinese Chess Championship this year was held in Xinghua in the province of Jiangsu, one of the fastest-developing provinces in China. Xinghua is the hometown of chess prodigy Hou Yifan.

Let us recall for a minute last year’s Chinese Championship. It had quite an exciting finish. Two rounds before the end Wang Hao (only 20 years old at that time but already considered a veteran) was 1.5 points ahead of rising star Ding Liren (16 years old but his baby-face features and small build make him look only 13 or 14) and looked all set to take his first championship trophy home.

But fate ruled otherwise. In the penultimate round Ding Liren brilliantly defeated Wang Hao to narrow the gap to half a point:

Ding Liren (2458) -- Wang Hao (2696) [D45]
ch-CHN Xinghua Jiangsu CHN (10), 05.06.2009
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





This was the first tournament in China where the new FIDE rules on zero-tolerance was implemented, and it provides that if a player is not seated and ready at exactly the time a round is due to start, he/she loses the game by default. Ding Liren’s last round opponent GM Zhou Jianchao, a very tough customer who outrates Ding by 177 points, arrived a few seconds late and was defaulted! This turn of events completely messed up Wang Hao’s frame of mind, and he went on to lose to Liang Chong (someone he had beaten multiple times in the past and never lost to) and see the championship slip through his grasp.

This year, 2010, Wang Hao did not start as strongly as in the previous year -- he was upset by Li Shilong in the second round.

Li Shilong (2514) -- Wang Hao (2722) [E14]
ch-CHN Xinghua CHN (2), 25.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME

At 33 years of age Li Shilong is actually the oldest player in the tournament. He is very capable of defeating a super-GM as much as crashing down to an unrated player. Today he does the first.





Wang Hao had to play catchup to Bu Xiangzhi for the rest of the tournament. However, a 3-0 final spurt took Wang Hao into a tie for first and a win on tie-break points.

Wang Hao (2722) -- Ding Liren (2547) [E63]
ch-CHN Xinghua CHN (1), 24.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





From my review of the championship it seems that the period of mechanical, boring chess in China is over and several players with exciting, tactical styles have come to the fore. It has become interesting to play over the games of the Chinese Championship. We will discuss this some more on Monday.

NM Rudy Ibañez

(SOURCE: Lily O. Ramos of PNA)

The coach-player tandem of National Master (NM)Rudy Ibañez (in photo) and Carlo Caranyagan shone in the international arena after winning medals at the just- concluded 2010 ASEAN+ age-group chess championships in Traveller’s Hotel in Subic, Zambales.

Ibañez hails from Lucena, a certified national master and national arbiter won two golds and one silver medal in the 50-years-old -and- above category.

He also led the Philippine Team in winning three more gold medals in the team results of standard, rapid and blitz competitions.

Ibañez, head coach of Arellano University, Marist School of Marikina, and part of coaching staff of Ateneo de Manila University headed by former Olympian IM Idelfonso Datu notched an impressive 8.5 out of possible nine points in the standard competitions to win his first gold medal.

Ibañez also scored six out of possible seven points for his two gold medals in the rapid competition.

Ibañez, who almost swept the three-category event settled in the silver medal blitz competition after tallying 7.5 out of possible nine points.

Ibañez only lost to top seed and eventual winner IM Chan Peng Kong of Singapore who took the gold medal in the blitz competition with 8.5 out of possible nine points.

"My triumph at the Asean Age Group Chess is for the players being taught by me. I've said before that our goal is to produce another world class player in the mould of Super Grandmaster Wesley So," said Ibanez, a member of the Marikina Chess Federation headed by it’s president sportsman/businessman Johnny "Joel" Gaudia.

The incoming freshman student of Arellano University Carlo Caranyagan won silver medal in the boys' 12-and- under category, blitz competition and gold in the team result.

A bronze medal was also won by Marist School of Marikina student Haince Patrick de Leon in the Boys under 10 category in the rapid and blitz competitions.

De Leon copped a bronze and silver in the team result.

Parang Elementary School student Julius Gonzales also triumphed in the boys' 8- and- under -category after winning the silver in the standard event with a silver team medal plus a Candidate Master result.

2010 Asian Junior Chess Championship

Don't forget that the country of the reigning world chess champion is India.

That fact is more than enough to see a decent official website of the All India Chess Federation, host of the 2010 Asian Junior Chess Championship.

And for the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) to emulate, the Indian Chess Federation has a live coverage of the 2010 AJCC. Watch HERE.

Remember that the NCFP hosted the just concluded ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championship. Sadly,the chess community has yet to see even a single PGN of the games played in Subic.

By the way, Filipino bets FM Haridas Pascua and Christy Lamiel Bernales are fighting for the Philippine flag in this Asian junior chess tournament. After two rounds, Haridas has produced a perfect 2/2 performance. Bernales on the other hand has 1.0 point (Girls category).

I wonder, however, why this event was billed as an "Asian" event. In the Open category which is being participated in by 74 players, only five players are non-Indians!!

GM Antonio "plays" on TV

Watch GM Joey Antonio in a highly "game" mood in Eat Bulaga's "Sa Pula, Sa Puti" game portion. Notably, GM Antonio was lined up together with the country's entertainment industry personalities. Enjoy!

Wesley So in action

(NOTE: Photo courtesy of WNM Rulp Ylem Jose)

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 14 June 2010)

3rd Phoenix Petroleum
Battle of GMs
Philippine National Championship
Character Hotel, Tagaytay City
May 25-June 2, 2010

Final Standings
1. GM Wesley So 2665, 8.5/10
2. GM John Paul Gomez 2507, 7.5/10
3-4. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr 2572, IM Julio Catalino Sadorra 2450, 7.0/10
5. GM Darwin Laylo 2527, 6.0/10
6. IM Rolando Nolte 2420, 4.5/10
7-8. IM Ronald Dableo 2464, IM Richard Bitoon 2476, 4.0/10
9. FM Haridas Pascua 2358, 3.5/10
10. IM Oliver Dimakiling 2443, 2.0/10
11. FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia 2315, 1.0/10

Well, heh heh, I received a bunch of complaints from BW readers why I didn’t feature any of Wesley’s games in last Friday’s columns. The truth is, I was reserving them for today.

The opening system in the next game is called the "Chinese Dragon." The Belgian theoretician and FIDE Master Luc Henris wrote an interesting article on it in New in Chess Yearbook around 2002 and many people have taken it up since, including the world’s highest rated player Magnus Carlsen.

Wesley So also has it in his repertoire, and in the following game claims his latest victim.

Bitoon, Richard (2476) -- So, Wesley (2665) [B78]
National Championship Tagaytay City (9.1), 01.06.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





Ino Sadorra prepared the French Winawer for the Battle of the GMs and used it every chance he got, compiling a score of 1.5/3 -- a win vs Nolte, draw with Bitoon, and this loss.

So, Wesley (2665) -- Sadorra, Julio Catalino (2469) [C18]
National Championship Tagaytay City (1.1), 25.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





Jan Emmanuel Garcia is the rising star of the Philippines. He got two international norms from the Asian Intercontinental Championship last May in Subic and soon will be climbing up the ranks from the promising to the established star. The operative word there is "soon," because for now Wesley So is still too much for him.

So, Wesley (2665) -- Garcia, Jan Emmanuel (2315) [B09] National Championship Tagaytay City (3.1), 26.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





GM Wesley So. Our Pearl of the Orient.

FEU, Calabarzon Players Rule 5th PACE Kiddies, PACE Marches On

BY: ANTHONY NAVARRO (Chess Windows Laguna Correspondent)

Right on Independence Day, when many of our youngsters were waging a last day battle at the Asean Age Group Blitz event in Subic and when most of the schools were about to open, we traveled early from Laguna to get an assessment for the ‘every Saturday’ class of the PACE and then get some practice / seasoning playing against HS players and also submit registration requirements for the Shell Active NCR leg slated on June 26-27 at the Megamall.. It was another opportunity to greet and socialize again with chess parents particularly with a Tanauan contingent composed of chess parents led by Mr. Romero with 4 players in tow. Though there were only 25 registrants, it was confirmed with PACE’s Boyet Tardecilla that the prizes for the major places will be honored and the 7 rounds Swiss format will continue and for the category prizes, there must be minimum of 5 players per age group.

It was a good result for FEU and Tanauan / Laguna players as shown in the ff results :

Place/Category NAME Points Affiliation
Champion Ahvix Alfonso 6.5 FEU
2nd Michael Manansala 5.5 FAITH, Tanauan
3rd Juan Carlos Presente 5.0 Adamson
4th Paul Evangelista 5.0 FEU
5th Jasper Marce 5.0 Sta Rosa, Laguna (Grade 5)
6th Virgen Gil Ruaya 4.5 Rizal
Top U-14 Prado 4.5 Tanauan
Top Lady Gladys Romero 4.5 Tanauan
7th Enrica Villa 4.0 FEU
8th Robert Tolentino 4.0 Tanauan
9th Paul Casiano 4.0 Meralco Chess Club
10th Charles Abuzo 4.0 Bulacan

After consistently placing in the top ten and qualifying to the finals in November, FEU’s Ahvix Alfonso ruled the tourney this time having an unblemished record of 6.5 pts, settling for a last round draw with incoming Adamson Jr HS Presente in the last round. Tanauan’s Manansala also had a good outing with a lone loss to champion Ahvix. Both are now in the PACE Kiddies honor roll and can no longer play in the next legs. All 4 Tanauan players placed with prizes. Sta Rosa’s Jasper Marce bounced off against eventual champ Ahvix right in the first round before continuing his sluggish play by falling to Paul Casiano. He then reeled off 5 straight wins to break out of a slump dating back to the Angping Cup, punctuated by wins over Abuzo and Tanauan’s Tolentino in his last 2 games.

It is always worth the local travel, everytime I go to PACE, I pick-up something new like from GM Jayson’s sharings on sportsmanship on the significance of attending the opening as well as closing phases of chess events, giving recognition and positive motivation for players. Watchout for more chess events lined up by PACE :

- Participation in the National Inter-Cities and Municipalities in July in Mandaluyong
( this was where now Super GM Wesley So got his licks playing Board 1 for
Tagaytay City,Cavite circa 2000)

- Conducting executive chess events
- Conducting chess team events
- Standard chess events (Asian Games now have both standard and rapid events)

Another dream is to have PACE kiddies earn some ratings, maybe by conducting an international youth tournament here.

Whatever happens, GM Jayson has been spending his own resources to help the current kiddies realize what was missing before. He is also open to having more chess academies or clubs in the country to cater to the grassroots development. So don’t just stand there, be a PACE member and help your country! Stay tuned to www.rpchessacademy.org for announcements.

WCM Le Tran Phuong Uyen

This young Vietnamese young girl made a strong statement in the just concluded 11th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championship in Subic - she swept all her opponents in the Girls 8 category. If I'm not mistaken, she's the only one among all the players in all age categories who made a perfect performance in the standard chess format.

She defeated three talented young girls on her way to the top. One of her victims was RP's reigning Girls 8 princess Regyne Palaming (who also made a perfect performance in the RP Age-Group competition in Davao). This Viet's rising star also beat our very own Cristine De Los Reyes and Irish Yngayo.

The signs are clear. This very early, Vietnam is planting good seeds which can reap sweet fruits in the years to come.

Look at her notable performance:

Player info

Name	Le Tran Phuong Uyen
Title	WCM
Starting rank	10
Rating	0
Rating national	0
Rating international	0
Ratingperformance	2000
Points	9
Rank	1
Federation	VIE
Ident-Number	114
Fide-ID	12403997

Rd.	SNo		Name	Rtg	FED	Pts.	Res.
1	1		Zainoor Ikmal Maisarah Mohd Noor	0	MAS	2,0	s 1
2	6		Le Thuy An	0	VIE	5,0	w 1
3	2		Bui Thanh Nha Truc	0	VIE	7,5	s 1
4	7		Palaming Regyne	0	PHI	5,0	w 1
5	3		Nguyen Ha Trang Linh	0	VIE	2,0	s 1
6	8		De Los Reyes Cristine	0	PHI	3,0	w 1
7	4		Hng Mei Xian Eunice	0	SIN	0,0	s 1
8	9		Nguyen Duy Thien An	0	VIE	7,5	w 1
9	5		Yngayo Irish	0	PHI	4,0	s 1

Wesley So again

(RUSTICBULL's NOTE: My thanks to Sir Bobby for citing me in his column.)

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 11 June 2010)

3rd Phoenix Petroleum Battle of GMs
Philippine National Championship
Character Hotel, Tagaytay City
May 25-June 2, 2010

Final Standings
1. GM Wesley So 2665, 8.5/10
2. GM John Paul Gomez 2507, 7.5/10
3-4. GM Rogelio Antonio Jr 2572, IM Julio Catalino Sadorra 2450, 7.0/10
5. GM Darwin Laylo 2527, 6.0/10
6. IM Rolando Nolte 2420, 4.5/10
7-8. IM Ronald Dableo 2464, IM Richard Bitoon 2476, 4.0/10
9. FM Haridas Pascua 2358, 3.5/10
10. IM Oliver Dimakiling 2443, 2.0/10
11. FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia 2315, 1.0/10

GM Wesley So won it all again. He is rated so far ahead of the other local players that he has to pile up enormous winning scores so as not to lose FIDE rating points, but I am glad to see that it does not bother him at all. Wesley, who also dominated the first two stagings of the event in Manila and Dapitan City, put on another strong performance and took home the top prize of P200,000.

Since the inception of the Battle of GMs in 2008 nobody has managed to defeat Wesley yet. I echo the sentiments of Mr. Resty Par, the so-called rusticbull of the chess blogs that the Philippine chess community should salute Wesley, not because of his superb showing in the three stagings of the Battle of GMs but because of his commitment to give back to where he came from. Wesley participated not because of the fame, not because of the prize, not because of the feat, but because of his unselfish desire to share his talent for the improvement of Philippine chess.

For those of you who are not aware, several years ago the Philippine top players would put a condition to their participation in local tournaments that the games be not rated so that they do not lose any points. This is a completely selfish act and took away the chances of locals to get international ratings for themselves and also made it impossible to get title norms.

Speaking about title norms we congratulate IM Julio Catalino Sadorra for earning his second GM norm (he obtained the first during the President GMA Cup last 2008). Ino lost to the top two players but then scored 7/8 against the rest, most of the games in hair-raising style such as the following:

Dableo, Ronald (2464) -- Sadorra, Julio Catalino (2450) [A21]
National Championship Tagaytay City (9.1), 01.06.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





GM Jayson Gonzales had to withdraw after a few rounds after his elder brother, Ruben Gonzales, passed away at age 47 due to cardiac arrest. The results of the games he had already played were nullified.

Here’s something interesting -- the tournament was suspended after round 5 for two days to give way to the Commissioner Harry Angping Cup, a rapid tournament sponsored by the head of the Philippine Sports Commission, which was held in Pasig. GM Joey Antonio won this ahead of GM Wesley So, IM Rolando Nolte, and NM Alex Milagrosa, the three of whom tied for second place. Alex Milagrosa showed that he was still a force to reckon with in quickplay -- he started with an unimpressive 1.5/3 and then finished by winning his remaining six games, in the process upsetting IMs Barlo Nadera, Chito Garma, and Richard Bitoon.

In connection with the Angping Cup, a problem arose the next day, when GM Joey showed up late for his game with Wesley So in the Battle of GMs. He asked for postponement of the game on the grounds of tiredness after ruling the Angping Cup. This, of course, was denied since the other players were also at the Angping Cup and they all showed up on time in Tagaytay, and GM Joey given a default loss.

(Some parts not shown here)

Dimakiling, Oliver (2441) -- Antonio, Rogelio, Jr. (2572) [E42]
National Championship Tagaytay City (2.1), 26.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





GM John Paul Gomez was in the lead for most of the time but could not match Wesley’s 3/3 at the end. He was unspectacular but coolly efficient, taking advantage of whatever opportunities his opponents afforded him.

Pascua, Haridas (2358) -- Gomez, John Paul (2507) [D13]
National Championship Tagaytay City (4.1), 27.05.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME





We will continue our coverage on Monday.

Best move!!

The Philippines' youngest ever national junior champ and reigning 12-Under prince Paulo Bersamina (left photo) and reigning 14-Under ruler Austin Jacob Literatus (right photo) saved the country's pride in what could have been a total Vietnamese domination in the standard chess category of the ongoing 11th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championship in Subic.

Bersamina and Literatus produced two of the three gold medals for individual performance in the Open 12 and Open 14 categories, respectively. The third gold medal was courtesy of NM Rudy Ibañez for the Veteran 50 category.
Our beloved Pinay girls got short of winning a gold medal this time. Thanks to Janelle Mae Fryna for winning a silver medal in the Girls 14 category.

Notably, Indonesia hauled in 3 individual gold medals in the Girls category. Also, Singapore produced one gold.

See? The numbers of our neighbors when it comes to medal tally are improving - and improving fast!

Numbers show us the reality. No alibis. No ifs, no buts. It's the whole package.

It seems that all of our neighbors are improving when it comes to age-group competitions. It is only logical to conclude that our neighbors are doing something right.

How about us? Where are we leading to?

I am not saying that we are not doing the right thing. It's just that our neighbors - particularly Vietnam - are doing something better.

Hmmnnn . . . isn't Indonesia making a loud statement with its 3-gold output in the Girls category?

Knock, knock. If we don't collect ourselves and respond accordingly to the challenges, Indonesia might even surpass us in age-group competitions.

Nobody to blame. That's the worst thing we could do. Our players, parents, and coaches have already endured so much sacrifices. However, the numbers show us that the players, parents, and coaches of our neighboring countries might have even endured MORE pain.

For our government and concerned chess bodies and institutions, yes, you might have exerted efforts and spent funds for your programs. But you see, all of what you are doing seem to fail in comparison with what our neighboring countries are putting into action.

Now we see . . . chess is not all about making the RIGHT MOVE, huh? Rather, it's about making the BEST MOVE!

Vietnam dominates 11th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships

Vietnam dominated the 11th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championship (Standard Chess), virtually transforming Subic into a Vietnamese turf.

The visiting Vietnamese contingent produced 25 gold, 23 silver and 19 bronze medals to solidify its international prestige as the new chess powerhouse in age-group competitions in Southeast Asia.

The host Philippines came far second with 8 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze medals.

In last year's edition of the ASEAN Age Group Championships, Vietnam (the host) also dominated the overall medal tally with 31 (gold), 29 (silver), and 26 (bronze). The Philippines came in second with 2 (gold), 5 (silver) and 7 (bronze).

Categories in the rapid and blitz will still be played, but I think winning in the standard category summed it all.

(NOTE: The numbers are sourced from chess-results.com.)

More reports to come. Please watch out.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

Rk.		FED	gold	silver	bronze	Total
1		VIE	25	23	19	67
2		PHI	8	5	9	22
3		INA	3	2	2	7
4		SIN	2	6	4	12
5		IRI	1	0	3	4
6		MAS	0	2	1	3
7		THA	0	1	1	2

Vietnam widens lead in 11th ASEAN Age Group

BY: ANTHONY NAVARRO (Chess Windows Laguna correspondent)

(RUSTICBULL'S NOTE: Here are the leaders after Round 7. Vietnam continues to dominate the battle for gold, gaining more might to defend its title and putting a stamp as the chess powerhouse in age-group competitions in Southeast Asia.)

LEADERS (For gold medals)

Vietnam 7 (Open 20, Girls 20, Open 14, Girls 14, Girls 12, Open 8,Girls 8)
Philippines 3 (Srs 50, Open U16, Open U12)
Indonesia 2 (Girls 16, Girls 10)
Singapore 1 (Boys 10)

SENIORS 50
1. Rudy Ibanez PHI 6.5
2. Chan Peng Kong SIN 6.0

OPEN 20
1. Ton That VIE 5.5
2. Bhao Koa VIE 5.5
3. Chua Zeng SIN 5.0
4. Richilieu Salcedo PHI 5.0
5. Lee Kim MAS 5.0
6. Lo Kin Mun SIN 5.0

GIRLS 20
1. Hoang Thi VIE 6.0
2. Pham Bich VIE 6.0

OPEN 16
1. Prince Mark Aquino PHI 5.0
2. Nguyen Ha VIE 5.0
3. Oberio Aglipay PHI 4.5
4. Jan Nigel Galan PHI 4.5
5. Dang Hong VIE 4.5
6. Kline Surposa PHI 4.5
7. Huynh Lam VIE 4.5

GIRLS 16
1. Chelsea Sihite INA 5.5
2. Nguyen Panh VIE 4.5
3. Mikee Suede PHI 4.5
4. Jan Fronda PHI 4.5
5. Eibtizam Nahudan PHI 4.5

OPEN 14
1. Le Tuan Minh VIE 5.5
2. John Ray Batucan PHI 5.5
3. Austin Literatus PHI 5.0
4. Jarod Pamatmat PHI 5.0
5. Le Huu VIE 5.0
6. Che Quoc VIE 5.0

GIRLS 14
1. Pham Hong Ming VIE 5.5
2. Do Hoang VIE 5.5
3. Janelle Frayna PHI 4.5
4. Mira Mirano PHI 4.5

OPEN 12
1. Paulo Bersamina PHI 5.5
2. Nguyen Vanh VIE 5.5
3. Tristan Ibaoc PHI 4.5
4. Badkoubi IRI 4.5
5. Daryl Samantila PHI 4.5
6. Nelson Busa Jr PHI 4.5

GIRLS 12
1. Vu Thi VIE 5.5
2. Anastasia Ptricks INA 5.0
3. Vu Hoang VIE 5.0
4. Shania Mendoza PHI 5.0
5. Samantha Revita PHI 5.0

OPEN 10
1. Tin Jingyao SIN 6.5
2. Amin IRI 6.0
3. Amier Hamza MAS 5.5

GIRLS 10
1. Karenza Dita INA 6.5
2. Dong Khanh VIE 5.0
3. Arab Kiana IRI 5.0
4. Dao Thien Kim VIE 5.0
5. Vo Mai Truc VIE 5.0

OPEN 8
1. Nguyen Anh Khoi VIE 6.5
2. Julius Gonzales PHI 6.0
3. Ethan Lim AUS 5.0
4. Stephen Pangilinan PHI 5.0

GIRLS 8
1. Le Tran VIE 7.0
2. Nguyen Duy VIE 6.5
3. Bui Thanh VIE 5.5

11th ASEAN Age Group PHOTOS

Photos courtesy of the newly crowned RP National Juniors (Women) champion WNM Aices Salvador.

SIMPLY CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR ENLARGED VIEW