Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Kiddie Chess Tournament

The Meralco Chess Club will hold the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Kiddie Chess Tournament on December 6, 2009.

Proceeds of this event will benefit our poor handicapped,brothers and sisters at the TWH center in Cainta, Rizal.

Complete details of the event to be announced soon by MCC President Rolly Sol Cruz and MCC organizer/coordinator Lilet Bersamina.

Let us join hands in making TWH people feel the Spirit of Christmas.

2009 NCAA Chess Team Championships

As previously posted, I would like to share with you the chess gift that Chess Piece columnist Bobby Ang sent me.

The gift? It's the complete games of the 85th NCAA Chess Team Championships.

Now, we have a chance to replay online the games of our young chess jewels. I'd like to tell you that a lot of their games are worth gems indeed.

Let's start with the games played in the JUNIORS Division in the FINALS. (Please take note that all the games played in the preliminary rounds are also available, which I will upload here in the next few days.)

Organizer(s) : National Collegiate Athletic Association
Chief or supervising arbiter : IA Elias C. Lao, Jr.
Venue : Cyberzone, SM Manila
Date : 2009/07/25 To 2009/09/20

FINAL TEAM STANDING AFTER 18 ROUNDS



2009 NCAA CHESS FINALS GAMES






THE CHAMPION TEAM



TEAM COMPOSITION

Team composition

1 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
Bd. Name
1 CORONEL Aldous Roy V.
2 JONGKO Arvie B.
3 CRISTOBAL Kristian Paulo V.
4 DIMALIWAT John Mark M.
5 BONIFACIO Anfernee T.
6 GRIMALDO Michael A.
Team Captain: CORONEL Aldous Roy
Team Coach: NM CUNANAN Homer

2 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Bd. Name
1 FRONDA Jan Jodilyn P.
2 MEJIA Cherry Ann P.
3 DRAPETE Christian Ray E.
4 SUEDE Mikee Charlene M.
5 CABIDA Christian Dave B.
6 FUERTE Mary Joyce T.
Team Captain: FRONDA Jan Jodilyn P.
Team Coach: NM PEREZ Roland Joseph

3 College Of Saint Benilde-LSGH
Bd. Name
1 GALAN Jan Nigel H.
2 LAHOZ Miguel B.
3 SONGCUYA Emmanuel Elijah III F.
4 RAMOS Alfonso Baldomero R.
5 MENDONEZ Alexander Jude B.
6 RAMOS Antonito Miguel R.
Chess Program Head: LAHOZ Victorino
Team Captain: GALAN Jan Nigel H.
Head Coach: IA CARAG Erwin L.
Asst. Coach: NM BERNARDINO Marlon Jr. Q.
Asst. Coach: MADAYAG Roy I.
Team Manager: LAHOZ Victorino

4 University Of Perpetual Help System Dalta
Bd. Name
1 MISO Niko P.
2 DANDAN Tristan Wayne D.
3 MANERO Marc Angelo J.
4 DADO Darell John G.
5 BARBA Paulink C.
Team Coach: REYES Ferdinand L.

5 San Beda College
Bd. Name
1 DIONISIO John Paul E.
2 CHUA Ian Ferdinand C.
3 IDENCIO Ralph Andrew B.
4 MONTECLARO Mark Lester M.
5 SALAZAR John Emil E.
6 QUINIQUINI Patrick Neil M.
Team Captain: CHUA Ian Ferdinand
Team Coach: MARIANO Harold Henry

6 Emilio Aguinaldo College
Bd. Name
1 SAQUILAYAN Drexter M.
2 VERANO Clinton Paulo P.
3 MABANAG Jeune Keith G.
4 MAÑO Rey Marlon V.
5 VILLA Biencarlo M.
6 GAÑA Kyle Vincent C.
Team Captain: SAQUILAYAN Drexter M.
Head Coach: CALVELO Jelvis A.
Asst. Coach: RAYCO Marshee B.

7 Mapua Institute Of Technology
Bd. Name
1 SIMBULAN Ryan Jeremy
2 ABDULLA Jhibrail C.
3 LOJA Luc Mikhail
4 RODRIGUEZ Marco
5 CHENG Matthew Melvin
6 VILBAR Steven
Team Captain: LOJA Luc Mikhail
Team Coach: NM NAVA Roderick

8 Jose Rizal University
Bd. Name
1 CAPOBRES Mark Ephraim A.
2 ESMUNDO Christoffer
3 CUEVAS Patrick O.
4 MAPILI Jr. Fernando M.
5 PASIA Jaynel C.
6 ISHIWATA Bryan M.
Team Captain: CAPOBRES Mark Ephraim A.
Head Coach: JABSON Jeremy
Asst. Coach: ZAMORA Harold

9 Arellano University
Bd. Name
1 REYES Yvan Oliver U.
2 SYCHANGCO John Cedrick D.
3 BUENAVENTURA Erl Michael D.
4 PADUA Alec Jabe R.
Team Captain: SYCHANGCO John Cedrick S.
Team Coach: BENITEZ Sammy D.
Team Manager: CAYCO Peter

LAPPRISA CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION (Girls)

(NOTE: LAPPRISA stands for Las Piñas Private Schools Association)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rk. Name Pts. Club/City
1 GALVE Carmel Ysabel 5 Divine Light Academy
2 MADCASIM Reema 4 Young Achievers IS
3 COSME Trizia Anna 4 Divine Light Academy
4 LEE Krysha 4 UPHR
5 LIM Sheryl Jay 3.5 St. Mark's Institute
6 AZUMA Erika 3 UPHR
7 AMANTE Vichelle Angela 3 OLP Montessori
8 BORRETA Radelaine Czarina 3 Westfield Science Ctr.
9 SAMARITA Patricia 3 UPHR
10 YAMAMOTO Rika 3 Camella School, Inc.
11 GARCIA Shanel Chloe 3 Divine Light Academy
12 VALMONTE Mary Angeli 3 Camella School, Inc.
13 DIWA Majie Liga 2.5 UPHR
14 DAGAL Russel Elijah 2 St. Mark's Institute
15 GALILA Gianca Beatrice 2 Creative Middle School
16 CABOTAJE Janielle Anne 2 Creative Middle Sch.
17 LAO Marife Anne 2 St. Mark's Institute
18 RULL Kathryn Micaelle 2 UPHR
19 ADORNADO Ellise Biel 1.5 Westfield Science Or.
20 CABRERA Mary Louise 1.5 St. Mark's Institute
21 MAGNO Lavenia Alou 1.5 OLP Montessori
22 CASTRO Jean Carol 1 Divine Light Academy
23 RODRIGUEZ Irene 0.5 St. Mark's Institute
24 MABASA Claudine 0 UPHR

LAPPRISA CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION (Boys)

(NOTE: LAPPRISA stands for Las Piñas Private Schools Association)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rk. Name Pts. Club/City
1 DANDAN Tristan Wayne 5.5 UPHR
2 LOREDO Jeffrey 5 Divine Light Academy
3 DADO Darell John 5 UPHR
4 AVELLANA Renzoe Vince 4.5 Westfield Science
5 MISO Niko 4.5 UPHR
6 MANERO Marc Angelo 4.5 UPHR
7 GRANADA John Jane 4.5 Bloomfield Academy
8 DELA VEGA Abrhan 4.5 Divine Light Academy
9 YUSOP Al-Nable 4 Bloomfield Academy
10 MADCASIM Abdullah 4 Young Achievers Int'l.
11 NERI Benz Carlo 4 Divine Light Academy
12 BARUA Allan 4 UPHR
13 MERCADO David Paul 4 Academy of Jesus
14 IMPROGO Jonathan David 4 Young Achievers Int'l.
15 BOLINAO Josh Dominic 4 Bloomfield Academy
16 MAMUTUK Haron 4 Bloomfield Academy
17 BARBA Paulink 3.5 UPHR
18 NONATO Nico June 3.5 OLP Montessori
19 BELTRAN Richmond Joseff 3 St. Mark's Inst.
20 ADAME Neil 3 Bloomfield Academy
21 CARAECLE Julieto Jr. 3 St. Mark's Inst.
22 CHAVEZ Matthew 3 Merry Treasure Sch.
23 DARLUCIO James Cedric 3 St. Mark's Inst.
24 CUETA Jayson 3 Young Achievers Int'l.
25 CABILES Julian 3 Westfield Science
26 CANTA Alain John 3 Westfield Science
27 PERIDO Joseph 3 St. Mark's Inst.
28 CAMIGLA Jospher 3 St. Mark's Inst.
29 ZABLAN Josiah Earl 3 Academy of Jesus
30 BUNYI Rick Christian 2.5 Camella School
31 CHOI Hwan Sam 2.5 Creative Middle Sch.
32 CAVADA-GUILLERMO Nicholas Noel 2 OLP Montessori
33 LEONCITO Lance 2 Camella School
34 GALANG David Daniel 2 OLP Montessori
35 DELA CRUZ Alexander 2 Creative Middle Sch.
36 ABEJAR Ian Jefferson 2 Creative Middle Sch.
37 SY Kenneth 2 Merry Treasure Sch.
38 PANUNCIO Tomas Joseph 2 Creative Middle Sch.
39 RAMIREZ Tristan Kenneth 2 OLP Montessori
40 LEOPARDAS Leonardo 2 Camella School
41 BAGTANG Miguel Isaiah 1 Creative Middle Sch.
42 TACCAD Mark Joshua 1 Camella School
43 VERGARA Christian Chester 1 St. Mark's Inst.
44 TALOYO Kevin John 1 OLP Montessori
45 SOTO Juan Paolo 1 Divine Light Academy
46 VALMONTE Christian Angelo 0 Camella School
47 TACCAD John Paul 0 Camella School
48 SANIDAD Mark Christian 0 Young Achievers Intl.

LAPPRISA CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP ELEMENTARY DIVISION (Girls)

(NOTE: LAPPRISA stands for Las Piñas Private Schools Association)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rk. Name Pts. Club/City
1 MIJARES Nadine 5 Divine Light Academy
2 ELLOSO Erica 4 Merry Treasure Sch.
3 PEREZ Rose Ann 4 Divine Light Academy
4 MORALES Marinel 3.5 Divine Light Academy
5 CUNANAN Elaine 3 Mayflower Academy
6 DANZALAN Jan Franchezka 3 Divine Light Academy
7 DEL CASTILLO Zyreen Ruby 2.5 Divine Light Academy
8 ALMARIO Abcedie 2 Mayflower Academy
9 BOCO Dianne 2 Mayflower Academy
10 BALBAS Caryl Anne 2 Mayflower Academy
11 CALLANGAN Shenzhen 2 Angelus Academy
12 CABUAL Junellia 1 Camella School
13 CASTILLO Kristine Nicole 0.5 Camella School
14 VALMONTE Anne Gaegrielle 0.5 Camella School

LAPPRISA CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP ELEMENTARY DIVISION (Boys)

(NOTE: LAPPRISA stands for Las Piñas Private Schools Association)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rk. Name Pts. Club/City
1 ROJAS Martin John 6 Divine Light Academy
2 UY Philip Andrew 5 Bloomfield
3 GRANADA Matthew 5 Bloomfield Academy
4 VILLAMAYOR Jans Einstein 4.5 Divine Light Academy
5 IMPROGO David Timothy 4.5 Young Achievers Intl.
6 CALAGUIAN Ivan Jerico 4 Camella School, Inc.
7 GARCIA Perseus 4 Divine Light Academy
8 ESPIRITU Ruben 4 Mayflower Academy
9 AQUINES Mark Anthony 4 Angelus Academy
10 MIRANDA Joseph Raphael 4 Divine Light Academy
11 DELA CRUZ Alexander Jr. 4 Creative Middle School
12 DOROIN Jason Daniel 3.5 Mayflower Academy
13 HERNANDEZ Roy Stephen 3.5 Merrry Treasure Sch.
14 YUSOP Datu Norhassan 3.5 Bloomfield Academy
15 DECIPEDA Jhan Warren 3.5 Mayflower Academy
16 TURTOGO Prince Albert 3.5 Mayflower Academy
17 TOLENTINO Jairus 3 Merry Treasure Sch.
18 LIBOSADA Carlos Lorenzo 3 Divine Lightt Academy
19 BLACK Scott Russel 3 Bloomfield Academy
20 OREA Edward Paolo 3 Westfield Science
21 AGUINALDO Ryan Christian 3 Creative Middle Sch.
22 PASCUA Miguel 3 Westfield Science
23 OBLEFIAS Jude 3 OLP Montessori
24 BUENAVENTURA Marvic 2.5 Merry Treasure School
25 ASAKURA Kenta 2.5 Westfield Science Ctr.
26 INGENIERO Joshua 2.5 Westfield Science
27 OMBAO Kyer Ranniel 2.5 Camella School
28 LOMBOY Rhay 2.5 OLP Montessori
29 DAGONDON James Christian 2 Westfield Science
30 DINIO Augusto 2
31 BATBATAN Oenyl 2 Angelus Academy
32 SELLOGA Alexander 2 OLP Montessori
33 NIOCO Fredrich Renz 2 Camella School
34 BALGUNA Andee Mark 1.5 Camella School, Inc.
35 SINGSON Jans Bernard 1.5 Camella School
36 VILLEGAS Steven Joshua 1 Merry Treasure Sch.
37 ROVILLOS Joshua Roswell 1 Westfield Science
38 MERCADO David Paul 0 Academy of Jesus
ZABLAN Josiah Earl 0 Academy of Jesus
40 CRONICO Paolo 0 Divine Light Academy

Studying annotated games

Studying annotated games is indeed one way of improving one's chess. Starting today, this blog will feature annotated games of foreign and local players, which I hope will improve our chess skills somehow.

The best way to learn is to begin right from the start. And so, let's start with an explosive game that can make us fall in love with chess more and more.

The following game was annotated by no less than GM Kasparov himself. How I love this game!! (NOTE: Game and annotation were sourced from GameKnot.com. You need to have JAVA installed in your computer to view the game).

Play chess online

Salamat po, Sir Bobby!

I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to the No.1 chess journalist/columnist of the Philippines - and probably Asia - for giving me a wonderful chess gift.

I believe that a gift only becomes a real gift if shared. And that's what I'm going to do.

Journalist Bobby Ang of the famous Chess Piece (BusinessWorld) sent me a gem of chess which I will feature here in my blog for all of you to enjoy. Watch out for it!!

Another blow to Philippine chess

My heart goes for the following young chess players who are supposed to fight for the country's pride and honor at the 2009 World Youth Chess Championship in Antalya, Turkey this month (November 11-23).

GIRLS
GU8 DOCENA Jesca
GU10 REVITA Samantha Glo
GU12 MIRANO Mira
GU14 ENRIQUEZ Jean Karen
GU16 BERNALES Cristy Lamiel
GU18 DOCENA Jedara

BOYS
BU8 PANGILINAN Stephen Rome
BU10 MORADO Jeth Romy
BU12 BERSAMINA Paulo
BU14 GARCIA Jan Emmanuel
BU16 DATU Alcon John
BU18 TURQUEZA Mari Joseph

Simply put, our future chess heroes lost an opportunity for growth that they rightfully deserve.

Better put, Philippine chess has been deprived of the good future it truly needs.

This most recent blunder in Philippine chess is purely a result of misprioritization and wrong direction we have been taking as a chess nation.

Prioritizing international chess cups but not our participation in the World Youth Chess Championship is leading the Philippine Chess into a deadly pitfall.

WYCC is the young version of the World Chess Olympiad. It is the serene quest for participating countries' national pride.

Bank on the youth, not on professional players who can take care of themselves.

Bank on an endeavor which promotes excellence among the youth, not on projects that glorify names and that which focus on prize money.

Mr. William So

No wonder why GM Wesley So is the No.1 chess player in the Philippines. Mr. William So, the highly doting father of the country's leading chess star GM Wesley So, is all support to his son's simul exhibition with his fans at the Mall of Asia last November 2. Mr. So is shown here dearly embracing a bunch of chess sets that were used during the simul. Wesley must be so lucky and blessed to have Sir William as his father (here assisted by Sugardom, left, and Pulsar).

Annotated Game (Kramnik vs Svidler) Tal Memorial 2009 Round 4

This was the game that put GM Vladimir Kramnik in solo lead after Round 4 of the 2009 Tal Memorial. Game annotation was provided by IM Robert Ris, courtesy of Chessvibes.com. Enjoy!!

RP Team waves the Philippine Flag in 3rd Asian Indoor Games

RP Team members
GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr.
GM Mark Paragua
WFM Catherine Pereña
WFM Shercila Cua



OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Team Blitz (15 teams)
RP was 5th overall

Women Rapid (33 players)
Catherine Pereña (5th)
Shercila Cua (7th)

Men Rapid (35 players)
GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. (7th)
GM Mark Paragua (13th)

Team Rapid (15 teams)
RP was 7th overall

Notable notes:
- GM Antonio scored 8.5/9 in Team Blitz

- WFM Catherine Pereña almost made it to the semi-finals, finishing very strong at No.5 overall

- RP Team beat powerhouse Team India (3-1) and Team Vietnam in the Team Blitz category (3-1)

Considering all the odds, let us congratulate and thank the RP Team for a job well done!

Pangil chess tourney

By: Anthony Navarro

FINAL RESULTS

Senior/Junior Category (5 Rounds Swiss)
Champion: Bernardo Bello (4.5 points), Pangil
2nd: Ernie Gonzales (4.0), Calamba
3rd-5th: Jojo Volante (Calamba), Mark Tañamor (Calamba), Raffy Oliveros (Sta. Cruz) 3.5 points

Top Junior: Jeffrey Ravago, Pangil
Top Senior: Coronado Menor, Nagcarlan
Top Lady: Maibel Bainto, Famy

KIDDIES
Champion: Michael Angelo Manansala, 5.0, Calamba
2nd: Jhoemar Mendiogrin, 4.0, Calamba
3rd: Vladimir Gonzales, Calamba
4th: Kenneth Flores, Pagsanjan
5th: Christina Medinilla, Kalayaan
6th: A. Flores (Pagsanjan)

GM Wesley So versus Barangay Wesley simul video (lunch date)

Having a lunch with your idol makes the meal more enjoyable. It's fiesta time!!

2009 Tal Memorial games (Round 1)

Chessvibes.com says it well: "The Tal Memorial takes place November 4-18 in Moscow, Russia. The category 21 round-robin has Viswanathan Anand (India, 2788), Levon Aronian (Armenia, 2786), Magnus Carlsen (Norway, 2801), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia, 2772), Peter Leko (Hungary, 2752), Boris Gelfand (Israel, 2758), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine, 2739) Alexander Morozevich (Russia, 2750), Peter Svidler (Russia, 2754) and Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine, 2739).

The time control is the classic 40 moves in 2 hours, then 20 moves in 1 hour and then 15 minutes plus 30 seconds increment to finish the game. The rounds begin daily at 15:00 Moscow time which is 13:00 CET.

The stongest tournament of the year has finally begun. Except for Veselin Topalov and Vugar Gashimov the whole top 10 is in Moscow."