FM Joel Pimentel, Jr.

Let's meet the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2010 NCAA Chess Seniors - FM Joel Pimentel, Jr. of DLS-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB). Winning the Gold Medal for Board 1, this lad finished the tournament unbeaten after essaying a 13.5/15 performance! I found out that this gem, who hails from Bacolod City, is now residing in Pasay City. I hope he drop by the Malibay Chess Club and become a member of our club. (Photo sourced from Joel Pimentel's Facebook account)

Let's watch his complete games in the 2010 NCAA chess war and see for ourselves how he won the MVP award:

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NCAA chess war (2)

BY: BOBBY ANG

(An abridged version as published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 25 November 2010)

2010 NCAA Chess Team Championships (Juniors)
Final Standings

1. College of Saint Benilde-LSGH (CSB-LSGH), 50/64. bd01 Jan Nigel Galan 10.5/12, bd02 Giovanni Mejia 15/16, bd03 Alfonso Baldomero Ramos 8/13, bd04 Migueal Lahoz 10/14, bd05 Alexander Jude Mendonez 2.5/4, bd06 Angelo Ezekiel Nuestro 4/5

2. Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), 50.5/64. bd01 Cherry Ann Mejia 12/16, bd02 Mikee Charlene Suede 12.5/15, bd03 Christian Dave Cabida 11.5/16, bd04 Christian Ray Drapete 9.5/12, bd05 Mary Joyce Fuerte 4/4, bd06 Ivan Czar Marquez 1/1

3. San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), 48/64. bd01 Aldous roy Coronel 11.5/13, bd02 Kristian Paulo Cristobal 10.5/15, bd03 Anfernee Bonifacio 8.5/12, bd04 Ralph Jordan Floro 8/10, bd05 Eugene Samonte 1.5/4, bd06 Homel Aristotle Cunanan 8/10

4. Arellano University (AU), 47/64. bd01 Earvin John Reyes 2.5/8, bd02 Kyz Llantada 8.5/16, bd03 Carlo Caranyagan 14/16, bd04 Jaymarc Gutierrez 15/16, bd05 Tucker Howard Elsteine Viernes 7/8

5. Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 33/64. bd01 Drexter Saquilayan 11/15, bd02 Clinto Paulo Verano 9.5/16, bd03 Kim Patrick Falagne 4.5/14, bd04 Jeune Keith Mabanag 6.5/13, bd05 Josue Rameses Puno 0/2, bd06 Francis Benedict Galpo 1.5/4

6. University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHS-D), 28.5/64. bd01 Paulink Barba 5/15, bd02 Marc Angelo Manero 5.5/16, bd03 Tristan Wayne Dandan 12/16, bd04 Darell John Dado 6/15, bd05 Anthony James Benedicto 0/2

7. San Beda College (SBC), 13.5/64. bd01 Mark Lester Monteclaro 3/16, bd02 John Emil Salazar 5.5/14, Aron Nathaniel Bernardez .5/14, bd04 Kenneth Byron Gutierrez 4/13, bd05 Nicolai Paul Quinquini

8. Jose Rizal University (JRU), 12/64. bd01 Ferdinand Mapili 1.5/9, bd02 Kenneth Christian Valerio 1.5/14. bd03 Jaynel Pasia 1/11, bd 04 Keith Cerwin Castalone, bd05 Jefferson Torres 4/14

9. Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), 5.5/64. Nathaniel Marco de Leon 1/11, bd02 Kenny Jade Estores .5/15,bd03 Stephen Elijah Pasol 1.5/10, bd04 Laineer Aiden Dimaapi 2/15, bd05 Kyla Dawn Mina .5/7, bd06 Mary Lara Shane Gaspar

Gold Medals:
board 1 Aldous Roy Coronel SSC-R 11.5/13
board 2 Giovanni Mejia CSB-LSGH 15/16
board 3 Carlo Caranyagan AU 14/16
board 4 Jaymarc Gutierrez AU 15/16
board 5 Tucker Howard Elsteine Viernes AU 7/8
board 6 Homel Aristotle Cunanan SSC-R 8/10
MVP: Giovanni Mejia CSB-LSGH
COACH OF THE YEAR: NM Erwin Carag CSB-LSGH

The College of St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills (CSB-LSGH) won the 2010 NCAA Junior Championship. Their 1-2-3 punch were Jan Nigel Galan (10.5/12), Jose Baldomero Ramos (8/13) and Giovanni Mejia (15/16). The first two are among the top Under-16 year olds in the ASEAN region, as evidenced by the 2010 ASEAN Age Group Championship held recently in Subic, while Mejia was last year’s grade school champion of the Student Olympics.

Ramos had a rough start with three straight losses, but when it counted most delivered the precious points in the second round and play-offs. Here is the decisive encounter in the money round when the first and second round winners faced off to determine the NCAA Junior Champion.

Ramos, Alfonso Baldomero R -- Suede, Mikee Charlene M [C02]
2010 NCAA Chess Juniors Playoff SM City Manila (1), 24.08.2010
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This loss on board 2 meant that the Letran top board, Cherry Mejia had to beat CSB-LSGH’s Giovanni Mejia for Letran to have any chance at the title (in case of a tied match whoever wins on the top boards is adjudged the champion). Cherry had a draw by perpetual but went for a very risky line which backfired. The final playoff result was 2.5-1.5 in favor of CSB-LSGH (on board 3 Letran’s Christian Cabida beat CSB’s Miguel Lahoz), and so College of St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills snatched the crown away from Letran (take note from the standings above that Letran had more points, 50.5 against 50, than CSB-LSGH).

REMATE JOURNALIST IS 1ST NPC MEDIA CHESS CHAMPION

(RUSTICBULL's NOTES: I was supposed to join this special event but my academic load got in the way. But although I wasn't able to play in this tournament - to my regret - I was one of the voices who strongly called for the swift justice for all the victims of the Ampatuan massacre where 58 were killed, 33 of whom were journalists. Last November 23, a year after this gruesome political killing shocked the whole world, I wore a black arm band and trooped to the University of the Philippines (Diliman) to be with the voices that strongly called for justice.)

(Photos and captions by Marlon Bernardino)

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/ Chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr,. and National Press Club (NPC) President Jerry S. Yap led the opening rites at the start of 1st NPC Media Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Plaridel Hall of the National Press Club Bldg. on Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. From left: Tournament director RP and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/ Chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NPC directors Amor Virata,Nats Taboy, William Dipasupil. Also in photo were NPC director Mina Navarro versus NPC director Freddie Manalac GM Wesley So versus National Press Club (NPC) President Jerry S. Yap GM John Paul Gomez versus NPC director Tina Maralit.

CHAMPION: Jorge B. Convocar (with cap) of Remate and Remate Tonight

From left: Tournament director RP and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Tournament organizer Atty. Toto Causing, Jorge B. Convocar of Remate and Remate Tonight (champion),Orlando Pua of Manila Broadcasting Corporation (2nd place) and National Press Club (NPC) President Jerry S. Yap


2nd to 5th placers

5th to 1oth placers

The participants

From left: Fide Master Christopher Castellano (deputy arbiter), George Ibay (steward), International Arbiter and National Master Erwin Carag (chief arbiter), National Press Club (NPC) President Jerry S. Yap, Tournament organizer Atty. Toto Causing, Gatpayo Luz (deputy arbiter), Tournament director RP and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Anthony Bernardino (steward)

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

JORGE B. CONVOCAR of Remate and Remate Tonight dominated the Massacre in November 1st National Press Club (NPC) media chess tournament at the Plaridel Hall of the National Press Club Bldg. on Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila over the weekend.

Convocar actually ended in a tie for first place with Orlando Pua of Manila Broadcasting Corporation for both of them to divide equally between them the prize monies for the first and second, P8,000 and P6,000, respectively, for both ended up with 6 points.

But Convocar got the Champion’s plaque for besting Pua in the tiebreak score.

Remate Tonight sportswriter Abimelech Dawa, Dyaryo Magdalo sports editor Ronaldo Herico and Pulso ng Makabagong Caviteno’s Francis Buenaventura shared equally the prize monies for the third, fourth and fifth places for ending up in a tie at 5.5 points.

But Dawa got the third place plaque, Herico the fourth place plaque and Buenaventura the fifth place plaque.

Tying for sixth to 10th places were Joey Villar of the Philippine Star, Benjie Vergara of Peoples Balita, Virgilio Garcia, Juanito Lobitos and Jose Mari Gutang of GMA 7.

Orlando S. Primo of X-Files bagged the top senior player award while Pacific Review/Bigwas Michelle Borlongan took home the top lady award.

The Philippine team led by National Chess Federation of the Philippines President/ Chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. attended the opening ceremonies of the tournament to give an inspirational message, towing along with him GMs Wesley So and John Paul Gomez.

So and Gomez give their messages to the journalists who love chess.

The event organized by Dyaryo Magdalo editor-in-chief Toto Causing and sponsored by National Press Club, through its president Jerry S. Yap, was held as part of the elaborate commemoration of the Ampatuan Massacre that killed 58 persons including 33 journalists on November 23, 2009.

International Arbiter and National Master Erwin Carag served as chief arbiter and assisted by Fide Master Christopher Castellano (deputy arbiter), Gatpayo Luz (deputy arbiter), Anthony Bernardino (steward) and George Ibay (steward).

Philippine chess gets silver in 2010 Asian Games

Congratulations to the Philippine Chess Team for bagging a silver medal in the 2010 Asian Games.

It was only the second participation of Philippine chess in this quadrennial competition, and yet a sparkling silver was already achieved. That's the genuine strength of Philippine chess, a strong potential which could be further nurtured if given more government support.

Lest we forget, first things first - applause and cheers to the members of the Philippine Chess Team: GM Wesley So, GM Rogelio Antonio, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, and GM Eugene Torre.

Hailing for the silver does not mean lowering the bar of excellence. That silver was more than a gold considering the opposition. Being seeded No.6, Team Philippines' finishing second - and that was only after No.1 seed, world No.3 Team China - was beyond expectations.

What about beating higher-seeded teams round after round - that is, making dwarfs out of giants from Team Kazakhstan in Round 4, Team India in Round 5, and Team Uzbekistan in Round 6? Indeed, a killer 1-2-3 punch!!

And the biggest catch of all? Beating world's No.7 Team India twice, yes, twice, first in the eliminations and then second in the semi-finals. For a heavy underdog to make a repeat over a global giant was very sweet indeed.

Any team that performs beyond expectations brings so much pride and joy to those who support it. And that's what the Philippine Chess Team just did. GM Wes, GM Joey, GM JP, GM Darwin, and GM Eugene made the global Philippine chess community happy and proud.

What made the silver even more sparkling was watching how the Philippines' Numero Uno put up a truly classy stand against China's Numero Uno. Look who's the brave, look who's afraid, look who's great.

Again, congratulations to the Philippine Chess Team!!

Philippines repeats over India in semis, faces China for the gold

Team India (left) vs Team Philippines in the semi-final round. Even before the start of the games, the look in each face of the Filipino players exactly captured the ensuing results in individual board matches. Click photo for enlarged view. (Photo source: Asian Chess Federation)

SEMI-FINAL ROUND MATCH RESULTS: India vs Philippines

Bo.	3	India	Rtg	-	2	Philippines	Rtg	1½:2½
2.1	GM	Harikrishna P	2657	-	GM	So Wesley	2669	1 - 0
2.2	GM	Sasikiran Krishnan	2688	-	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	0 - 1
2.3	GM	Ganguly Surya Shekhar	2644	-	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	½ - ½
2.4	GM	Gopal G N	2609	-	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	0 - 1

It's no longer a matter of belief or faith. It's a fact that will forever sparkle in the history books of Philippine chess: the Team Philippines is in the finals of the 2010 Asian Games - Team Standard Chess event.

Only on its second appearance in this regional, quadrennial event, the Philippine Chess Team was already assured of at least a silver medal - a feat that promises a lot about the realistic potential of Filipino athletes in this sport.

Again, it is just the second time that the Philippines sent a chess team in the Asian Games, yet the early harvest of a medal is at hand.

Thanks to the members of this world-class team: GM Wesley So, GM Rogelio Antonio, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, and GM Eugene Torre.

Remember the names. Roll out the red carpet. Blow the trumpet.

We have a truly world-class team in our midst, a team that can compete against the world's best - and emerge triumphant in the end.

Beating higher-ranked teams in breathtaking fashion, the team's journey to the finals was already more than a win by itself.

The Philippine Team beat No.3-seed Team Kazakhstan in Round 4, then followed it up by overpowering No.2-seed and world's No.7 Team India in Round 5, surely a one-two punch that brought their opponents down.

Then, our team demolished former FIDE champ GM Kasimdzhanov Rustam-led Uzbekistan Team in Round 6, with the lower board delivering the goods, a statement that the Philippine Chess Team is indeed a team!

And to show to the whole world that their stamp of class is genuine, they crashed to pieces the Indian Team - AGAIN - in the semis to earn the finals slot against No.1 seed Team China.

The beauty of the semis win over Team India was that the time-tested vanguards of Philippine chess extracted every remaining ounce of their strength in the name of national pride and patriotism.

The final push for the gold against the No.1 seed Team China, the only team that dented a loss to the underdog Team Philippines in the eliminations, will surely be a tall order.

Prepare for the final salvo. This could be another history in the making.

Let's all unite in prayer, and be part of yet another historic chapter of Philippine chess.

Philippines finishes second in elims; faces India in semis

Bo.	6	Philippines	Rtg	-	10	Kyrgyzstan	Rtg	2½:1½
2.1	GM	So Wesley	2669	-		Shukuraliev Algis	2376	1 - 0
2.2	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	-		Samakov Nurdin	2380	1 - 0
2.3	GM	Laylo Darwin	2527	-		Akylbekov Nasyr	2376	0 - 1
2.4	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	-	FM	Tologontegin Semetey	2330	½ - ½

Philippines vs Kyrgyzstan GAMES
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I was among those who expected a win by the Philippine Team over Team Kyrgyzstan in Round 7 of the 2010 Asian Games - Men Chess Team event. The expectation was right on the mark, but we saw that the win was not a walk in the park nonetheless.

GM Wesley So and GM John Paul Gomez were simply too classy over their opponents, brutally forcing their untitled rivals to wave the white flag in only after 27 and 28 moves, respectively.

It was a different story, however, in the lower boards. Led only by a FIDE Master player and whose other three players were untitled, Team Kyrgyzstan put up a very decent stand against the all-GM Philippine squad by erecting a gallant 1.5-2.5 opposition. The Philippines' GM Darwin Laylo (2527) suffered a bitter upset against untitled Akylbekov Nasyr (2376) while GM Eugene Torre was on the receiving end when the truce was agreed against FM Tologontegin Semetey (2330), the only titled player in Team Kyrgyzstan.

The Philippines' 2.5-1.5 win over Kyrgyzstan showed what the Filipino chess heroes could accomplish but which their Vietnamese counterparts failed to execute. Team Kyrgyzstan brutally shamed Team Vietnam in Round 5 via a 3.5-0.5 massacre, probably Kyrgyzstan Team's best and Vietnam's worst showing in international team competitions. Notably, Kyrgyzstan's three untitled 2300-rated players beat Vietnam's three 2600-rated GM players.

After seven rounds of elimination, the Philippine Chess Team finished solo second with a total of 12 team match points, only two points off the leader Team China.

This world-class performance by the Philippine Chess Team earned them a ticket to the semi-final round against Team India, the Team Philippines' victim in Round 5.

The classy performance by the Philipine Chess Team in the eliminations was a clear statement that PHILIPPINE CHESS is world-class. I hope that the Philippine sports authorities provide more support to this sport where the Filipinos can truly excel.

Let's pray that our team make a repeat over India in the semis. GO PHILIPPINES!!

Final Ranking after 7 Rounds

Rk.	SNo		Team	Games	+	=	-	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	1		China	7	7	0	0	14	20,0	145,5
2	6		Philippines	7	6	0	1	12	18,0	118,0
3	2		India	7	4	1	2	9	18,5	139,5
4	7		Iran	7	3	2	2	8	17,0	93,0
5	8		Qatar	7	4	0	3	8	17,0	73,5
6	4		Vietnam	7	3	2	2	8	16,5	101,5
7	5		Uzbekistan	7	3	2	2	8	13,5	82,0
8	10		Kyrgyzstan	7	3	1	3	7	14,5	78,5
9	14		Iraq	7	3	1	3	7	14,0	63,0
10	9		Bangladesh	7	3	0	4	6	15,5	88,0
11	3		Kazakhstan	7	2	2	3	6	14,0	104,5
12	13		Mongolia	7	2	2	3	6	13,0	63,5
13	11		Yemen	7	3	0	4	6	12,0	46,0
14	15		Korea	7	2	0	5	4	6,5	13,5
15	16		Maldives	7	1	1	5	3	9,0	43,0
16	12		Jordan	7	1	1	5	3	9,0	32,0
17	17		Lebanon	3	0	1	2	1	3,0	17,0

2nd Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. Cup Open

BY: GILBERT PASCUA

2nd Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. Cup Open
Dec. 28-30
Open to all interested chess players
Tentative Schedule

Champion P15,000 plus Trophy
2nd place 10,000 plus Trophy
3rd place 7,000 plus Medal
4th place 5,000 plus Medal
5th place 3,000
6th place 2,000
7th-15th place 1,000 each

Category Prizes:
Top Kiddie P4,000 plus Medal
2nd place 2,000 plus Medal
3rd place 1,000 plus Medal
4th place 700
5th-10th place 500
Top 3 Pangasinan 1,000 each plus Medal
Top Lady 1,000 plus Medal
Top Senior P1,000 plus Medal
Top Junior P1,000 plus Medal

Organized by the Pangasinan Chess Federation

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Dick Yuson 09082530571
Mr. Nol Bravo (075) 5426293
Mr. Juan Sison 09094094256

Email ad:
Molephinus@hotmail.com

1st Pangasinan Chess Championship

BY: GILBERT PASCUA

As part of the Pangasinan Chess Festival 2010, the 1st Pangasinan Chess Championship will be held on December 4-5, 2010. This event is organized by the Pangasinan Chess Federation and is open only to Pangasinan chess players.

PRIZES:
Champion P6,000 plus Trophy
2nd place P4,000 plus Trophy
3rd place P2,500 plus Medal
4th place P1,500
5th-12th place P1,000 each

Category Prizes

Top Kiddie P700 medal
2nd P500 medal
3rd P300 medal

Top Junior P700 medal
2nd P500 medal
3rd P300 medal

Top Female P700 medal
2nd P500 medal
3rd P300 medal

Top Senior P500

1st Pangasinan Age Group Championship

BY: GILBERT PASCUA

As part of the Pangasinan Chess Festival 2010, the 1st Pangasinan Age Group Championship will be held on Nov. 27-28, 2010. Players are required to submit their birth certificates and bring their own chess sets. This event is organized by the Pangasinan Chess Federation.

Five Sections:
20 Under, 16 Under, 14 Under, 12 Under and 10 Under

Prizes per Section:

1st P3,000 plus Trophy
2nd P1,500 medal
3rd P1,000 medal
4th P 700
5th P 500
6th-10th P 300

PH chess team shows class in 2010 Asian Games

It has been a sweet sailing for the Philippine Men Chess Team in the 2010 Asian Games - Team Standard Chess event. After Round 6, the No.6-seed Philippine Team is now proudly occupying the No.2 spot, only after the No.1-seed China Team.

Let's review our team's journey to the sweet No.2 ranking after six rounds of play:

Round 1
The PH Team reminded the Iraqis of the difference of an all-GM team from an IM-led squad, though the wins were hardly fought over the board. The most valuable service of GM Wesley So was reserved - certainly a well calculated move.

Bo.	14	Iraq	Rtg	-	6	Philippines	Rtg	1 : 3
6.1	IM	Al-Saffar Araz Basim Mohammed	2349	-	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	½ - ½
6.2	FM	Al-Ali Hussein Ali Hussein	2363	-	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	½ - ½
6.3		Abdul Wahab Ahmed	2309	-	GM	Laylo Darwin	2527	0 - 1
6.4		Dhamir Jabar Al-Yahya	0	-	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	0 - 1

Round 2
Only the Chinese team was able to beat the Philippine team. But take note, the loss wasn't that easy for the host team. The No.1 Filipino chess player met the No.1 Chinese player in Board 1, the kind of game which more than offset the team's loss. Watch the game and feel like a winner.

Bo.	6	Philippines	Rtg	-	1	China	Rtg	1 : 3
1.1	GM	So Wesley	2669	-	GM	Wang Yue	2756	½ - ½
1.2	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	-	GM	Bu Xiangzhi	2680	½ - ½
1.3	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	-	GM	Zhou Jianchao	2669	0 - 1
1.4	GM	Laylo Darwin	2527	-	GM	Ni Hua	2633	0 - 1

Round 3
It was indeed a confidence-booster for the Filipino chess heroes. Remember that Team Bangladesh dented so much shame on Team China in Round 1 after posting a very solid opposition. For the Philippine Team, routing the Bangladesh warriors made the Pinoys feel better than the Chinese. GM Wesley So finished off his opponent in only after 27 moves.

Bo.	9	Bangladesh	Rtg	-	6	Philippines	Rtg	1 : 3
4.1	GM	Murshed Niaz	2429	-	GM	So Wesley	2669	0 - 1
4.2	FM	Minhazuddin Ahmed	2350	-	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	0 - 1
4.3	GM	Rahman Ziaur	2527	-	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	½ - ½
4.4	FM	Abu Sufian Shakil	2340	-	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	½ - ½

Round 4
Demolishing a higher-rated team adds something heavenly to the win. Our team nipped the No.3-seed all-GM Kazakhstan squadron. It was a very difficult job, though. GM John Paul Gomez delivered the deciding blow. Hail to "The Pope."

Bo.	6	Philippines	Rtg	-	3	Kazakhstan	Rtg	2½:1½
2.1	GM	So Wesley	2669	-	GM	Kazhgaleyev Murtas	2623	½ - ½
2.2	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	-	GM	Sadvakasov Darmen	2627	½ - ½
2.3	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	-	GM	Jumabayev Rinat	2571	1 - 0
2.4	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	-	GM	Khusnutdinov Rustam	2524	½ - ½

Round 5
Ahhhhh, let's savor it again and again and again. Our team reminded their Indian counterparts that the reigning world champion GM Anand learned his elementary chess in the Philippines. Again, demolishing a higher-rated team adds something heavenly to the win. GM Wesley So erased the "Hari" from GM Harikrishna in Board 1. The country's No.2 strongest player GM Antonio displayed a masterful endgame prowess against India's No.2 strongest player GM Sasikiran by essaying a 107-mover draw with the Black pieces. After the game, GM Antonio said "Sana po, matigil na ang istorya na namimili ako ng kulay." A colorful plea. GM Eugene Torre reminded his opponent that the first grandmaster in Asia came from the Philippines and not from India - and it happened to be himself!

Bo.	6	Philippines	Rtg	-	2	India	Rtg	2½:1½
2.1	GM	So Wesley	2669	-	GM	Harikrishna P	2657	1 - 0
2.2	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	-	GM	Sasikiran Krishnan	2688	½ - ½
2.3	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	-	GM	Ganguly Surya Shekhar	2644	0 - 1
2.4	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	-	GM	Adhiban B	2515	1 - 0

Round 6
Former FIDE world champ GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov seemed happy enough to forge a bloodless draw against the country's Pambansang Utak. The war was left to the lower boards. To the nightmare of Kasimdzhanov, it was a complete destruction of the kingdom of Uzbekistan in the lower boards! Fittingly, the match against Uzbekistan reminded me of an old Filipino saying: "Ang masarap na tubo (sugarcane), matamis mula puno hanggang dulo."

Bo.	5	Uzbekistan	Rtg	-	6	Philippines	Rtg	½ :3½
2.1	GM	Kasimdzhanov Rustam	2685	-	GM	So Wesley	2669	½ - ½
2.2	GM	Filippov Anton	2620	-	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	2573	0 - 1
2.3	GM	Barsov Alexei	2507	-	GM	Gomez John Paul	2522	0 - 1
2.4	IM	Khamrakulov Dzhurabek	2482	-	GM	Torre Eugenio	2484	0 - 1

Filipino faces in 2010 Asian Games

These faces are fighting for the Philippine flag!! May they bring home the country's first medal in chess in this quadrennial sports event.

From left: GM Wesley So, GM Joey Antonio, GM Eugene Torre, and GM Darwin Laylo. Not in photo is GM John Paul Gomez. SIMPLY CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR ENLARGE VIEW.



Source: CLICK HERE