FM Julius Joseph De Ramos

FM Julius Joseph De Ramos (2314) defeated GM Bui Vinh (2480) of Vietnam to lead the Philippine campaign in the 3rd Kuala Lumpur Chess Championship 2010, now tied from 8th to 18 place with 2.5 points after three rounds.

De Ramos, who only had five FIDE-rated games in 2009, just came from a draw against GM Iuldashev Saidali (2511) in Round 2.

He is pitted against another tough opponent in IM Duong The Anh (2425) of Vietnam in Round 4.

Erstwhile leading Filipino campaigner IM Oliver Dimakiling lost to lower-rated FM Das Sayantan (2216) of India to remain with 2.0 points.

Notably, the 12-year old Bersamina (1927) produced another never-say-die game against IM Desmukh Anup (2287) of India in a 5-hour match that lasted over 120 moves, which resulted in a draw. Bersamina now has 1.5 points after three rounds.

IM Kim Steven Yap drew his match against untitled Zhou Guijue (2208) of China while Ian Udani (2286) finally posted his first win against Shenvi Pratik (1778) of India.

Rankings after Round 3 HERE
Pairings for Round 4 HERE

Photo Essay

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE PICHAY & DAVIS CUP 2010 BY:
AL BORJA (Kidlat1994)

Please click on photos for enlarged view.

IM Dimakaling co-leader with GMs Mchedlishvili and Yifan

IM Dimakiling (Black) against Eng Andre Jerome of Singapore in Round 1 . Photo courtesy of FIDE Instructor Norlito Bersamina who is now in Malaysia.

IM Oliver Dimakiling (2441) continued his winning form to remain as the only unbeaten Filipino campaigner in the ongoing 3rd Kuala Lumpur Chess Championship 2010, now tied from 1st to 20th place with other 19 perfect scorers after two rounds.

Dimakiling co-leads the 111-strong playing field with top seed GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil (2634) of Georgia and the Chinese woman sensation GM Hou Yifan (2570).

Round 1 star performer 12-year old Paulon Bersamina (1966) lost to IM Tirto (2402) of Indonesia - but only after five hours of intense play lasting up to 60 moves. In the game, Bersamina was enjoying an advantageous middlegame position which led to a drawish opposite-colored Bishop endgame. However, the more exprerienced Tirto extracted the full point in the end.

Faced with another woman opponent for the second time, IM Kim Steven Yap (2416) erected a full point at the expense of WFM Dewi Aa Citra (1945) from Indonesia.

Notably, Julius Joseph de Ramos (234) drew his game against No.8 seed GM Iuldashev Saidali (2511) of Uzbekistan.

Ian Udani, the winner of the KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open, has remained without a point.

Rankings after Round 2 HERE
Pairings for Round 3 HERE

12-year old Bersamina's big win in Round 1 highlights RP campaign in 3rd Kuala Lumpur Chess Championship 2010

Three of the five Filipino campaigners in the ongoing 3rd Kuala Lumpur Chess Championship 2010 hurdled their first assignments in this tough international event which is being participated in by 111 participants from 22 nations.

IM Oliver Dimakiling (2441), FM Julius Joseph De Ramos (2314), and 12-year old Paulo Bersamina (1966) defeated their respective opponents to wave the Philippine flag at the very start of this tournament where a dozen GMs, including GM Mchedlishvili Mikheil (2634) of Georgia and the sensation GM Hou Yifan (2570) of China, four WGMs, and 18 IMs are playing.

Notably, the spotlight in Round 1 goes to RP's reigning 12-Under prince Bersamina who defeated a very tough opponent in Palit Somak (2411) of India using the Black pieces.

The more than 400-Elo point gap didn't daunt the fighting spirit of the young Bersamina - the pride of Pasay city - to beat his more experienced opponent from India. Bersamina, a runner-up in the just concluded KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open, is pitted against another experienced, 2400-rated player in IM Tirto of Indonesia in Round 2.

On the other hand, IM Kim Steven Yap (2416) and Malaysia-based Ian Udani (2286) lost their first round matches. Udani is fresh from topping the KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open. Remarkably, Yap bowed to WFM Mitali Madhukar Patil (1981) of India while Udani lost to Andyka Pitra, an unrated player from Indonesia.

Rank after Round 1 HERE

Palarong Pambansa 2010 CHESS SCHEDULES

2010 DepED Palarong Pambansa
Cory Aquino Center, Luisita Complex, Tarlac City
April 12 - 17, 2010
CHESS TOURNAMENT
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
DATE	ROUND	TIME
		AM	PM
April 12, 2010	1		1:30
April 13, 2010	2	9:00
-	3		1:30
April 14, 2010	4	9:00
April 15, 2010	5	9:00
-	6		1:30
April 16, 2010	7	9:00
-	AWARDING		1:30
Note : Pairing for Round 2 to Round 7 depends upon the results of the preceeding round.

Novaliches 2100 and below chess tournament

BY: RICHARD DELA CRUZ (Chess Windows Bulacan Correspondent)

One of the much awaited chess events in Metro Manila- The Novaliches 2100 and below chess tournament - gets underway at 10:00 am on April 9, Friday at the Barangay Sta Monica ,Novaliches, Quezon City.

The Champion will receive P4,000,second placer will take home P2000 and third placer will get P1,000. Winners in different category will also get consolation cash prizes.

The said event is supported by Brgy.Captain Elenita Balajonda. Registration fee is P250.

For other details,please call or txt Novaliches Chess Club c/o Richard Dela Cruz @-0910-9318705

DAR SEC. NASSER C. PANGANDAMAN 2010 CHESS CHALLENGE NON-MASTER 2050 & BELOW

DAR SEC. NASSER C. PANGANDAMAN 2010 CHESS CHALLENGE NON-MASTER 2050 & BELOW

APRIL 10, 2010 AT THE DAR MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE CANTEEN

CASH PRIZES

1st Place : Php 4,000
2nd : Php 3,000
3rd : Php 2,000
4th : Php 1,000
5th : Php 500
6th to 10th : Php 300

Special Prizes

Top Kiddie : Php 500
Top Executive : Php 500
Top Lady : Php 500

REGISTRATION FEE : Php 250

FREE LUNCH AND MERIENDA FOR THE FIRST 50 REGISTRANTS
FREE FLOWING COFFEE

For further information please contact Lito Dormitorio - 0928-4293607

GMs So and Torre grace Pamintuan chess cup

PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS BY MARLON BERNARDINO

Sportsman Atty. Edgardo "EdPam" Pamintuan and Super Grandmaster Wesley So pair off for the ceremonial moves together with Vicky Cabigting and Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre ushering in the first Atty. Edgardo "EdPam" Pamintuan Chess Cup gets underway at the Marquee Mall Activity Center in Angeles City, Pampanga on Tuesday. Other invited guests were Marquee Mall Building Administrator engr. Resty Manalo, NCFP executive director Willie Abalos and actress/ beauty queen Maricel Morales.

Sportsman Atty. Edgardo "EdPam" Pamintuan and Super Grandmaster Wesley So take a souvenir photo in the first Atty. Edgardo "EdPam" Pamintuan Chess Cup gets underway at the Marquee Mall Activity Center in Angeles City, Pampanga on Tuesday. Other invited guests were Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre, Vicky Cabigting, Marquee Mall Building Administrator engr. Resty Manalo, NCFP executive director Willie Abalos and actress/ beauty queen Maricel Morales.

Members of the Philippine Team for the 2010 Chess Olympiad

As early as February, FIDE had already announced the deadline for the registration of teams for the 2010 Chess Olympiad - which is May 20.

In case the May 20 deadline isn't met, participating teams have until July 15 to submit the final composition of teams and captains.

Up to now, however, the Filipino chess community, I think, is still clueless on who the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) would send to the highly competitive Chess Olympiad.

If you would recall, I already conducted a poll on what system of selection the readers think the NCFP should use for the selection of RP Team members. Let me post again the results of that survey.


I would like to make another survey, this time focusing on the players themselves. So who do you think should compose the RP Men's Team which will represent the country in the 2010 Chess Olympiad?

Images of the KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open

As previously posted, two Filipinos topped the KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open in Malaysia. So here are the victorious exploits of Malaysia-based Ian Udani (champion) and RP's reigning 12-Under champ Paulo Bersamina (1st runner-up) as essayed in photos:

Tournament champ Ian Udani (GM Hou Yifan at the background)

Twelve-year old Paulo Bersamina receiving the award from GM Hou Yifan

Round 5 battle between two leaders (Pau and Ian). The kid beat the man.

Hot actions over the boards!! Partly shown in the background is Paulo's father, Norlito.

Paulo being dwarfed by the giant Petronas Towers

Pau with Mom Sally at the luxurious Royal Selangor Club

Vasily Smyslov 1921-2010

BY: BOBBY ANG

IN PHOTO: GM Vasily Smyslov

(As published in Chess Piece, 05 April 2010)

We interrupt our coverage of the European Individual Championship to bring you the sad news of the passing of the 7th world chess champion Vasily Smyslov from heart failure last March 26, 2010 at the age of 89.

Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov was born March 24th, 1921 in Moscow. His father, Vassily Osipovich, was himself a very strong player (formerly a student of Mikhail Chigorin) and had a good-sized chess library, so the future world champion had the benefit of early scientific training.

He started competing in chess events at the age of 14 and quickly graduated from junior to adult events. In his quick ascension to the top Smyslov built a reputation as a powerful player -- his best performance was third place in the 1940 Soviet Championship behind Bondarevsky and Lilienthal, but ahead of Keres, Boleslavsky and Botvinnik. These six were later on to contest the "Match Tournament for the Absolute Championship of the USSR" and Smyslov once again placed third.

Although he had not actually won a single high-profile event yet, this reputation was sufficient for him to receive an invitation to the first major postwar tournament, the Groningen tournament of 1946. His brilliant third place finish there (behind Botvinnik and Euwe) proved key, as this eventually meant that he was among the five (5) players selected to compete for the 1948 World Chess Championship tournament to determine who should succeed the late Alexander Alekhine as champion.

His selection was questioned in some quarters, but this criticism was amply rebutted when he finished second (although distant) behind Mikhail Botvinnik.

Because of this second-place finish from the 1948 World Championship, Smyslov was exempt from all qualifying tournaments and was seeded directly into the 1950 Budapest Candidates’ tournament. Smyslov scored 10/18 for third place, behind Bronstein and Boleslavsky, who tied for first place. Smyslov’s third place exempted him into the next Candidates’ tournament as well -- this was the famous 1953 Zurich Candidates tournament which David Bronstein immortalized by writing a great tournament book, perhaps the best ever.

Smyslov dominated Zurich 1953 and won with nine wins 18 draws and a single loss for 18/28. This was two points ahead of Keres, Bronstein and Sammy Reshevsky. He then played the first of three world championship matches with Mikhail Botvinnik.

Botvinnik, Mikhail -- Smyslov, Vassily [E68]
World Championship 20th Moscow URS (14), 15.04.1954
REQUIRES JAVA

Smyslov: "I must say that Botvinnik was very strong in strategical positions that could be analyzed in a scientific manner. Perhaps I didn’t see this right at that time, but I thought that the best way to fight against Botvinnik was, for instance, to play the King’s Indian as Black. Where you don’t have a fixed or determined situation anywhere on the board. No clarity anywhere."





The first match, in Moscow 1954, ended in a draw after 24 games (seven wins each and ten draws), meaning that Botvinnik retained his title. After that Vasily went through the candidates’ tournament again, winning in Amsterdam 1956 with a 1.5-point margin over Paul Keres to set up a second world championship match with Botvinnik, one that he claimed afterwards he was much better prepared for. Smyslov became the 7th World Chess Champion by winning six games against three with 13 draws.

Botvinnik exercised his right to a return match and took the title back (sven wins to five losses with 11 draws) in 1958. After this one-year reign as world champion Smyslov played in the 1959, 1964 and 1982 Candidates tournaments, but he was never again to become the challenger. Take note that in 1982 he qualified for the Candidates’ from the Las Palmas Interzonal 34 years after he participated in his first Candidates’ event. In 1982 Vasily was already 61 years of age, the oldest player ever to participate in such an event.

And his vigorous play was still there.

Smyslov, Vassily (2600) -- Ribli, Zoltan (2615) [D42] Candidates SemiFinal London (5), 1983
REQUIRES JAVA

This 12-game match was tied at this point (one win each and two draws) and Smyslov breaks through with a brilliant victory. In game 7 the former world champion won again and Ribli could put up no more opposition.





Smyslov almost brought this all the way -- he advanced to the final candidates match against Garry Kasparov for the right to challenge the then world champion Anatoly Karpov. Garry defeated the veteran with four wins no losses and nine draws, after which Smyslov finally bowed out of championship competition. He continued to compete in tournaments until 2001, after which he concentrated on composing chess studies.

Some statistics:
According to the Chessmetrics website of Jess Sonas, Smyslov was ranked no. 1 in the world for 59 different months between the January 1952 rating list and the September 1958 rating list. Some more figures:
1. His peak rating was 2800 in the September 1956 rating list
2. Best individual performance was in 1953 Zurich Candidates tournament, with a performance rating of 2824, scoring 18/28 vs 2719-rated opposition.
We will have some anecdotes and stories involving Smyslov in the next Chess Piece.

PACE notes

(NOTE: Chess Windows Laguna Correspondent Anthony Navarro sharply took notes of the gist of speeches of the leading personalities during the launching of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE)).

BY: ANTHONY NAVARRO

BRO. ROLLY DIZON, NCFP VP-Visayas: He has been mainly been involved in working with the DepEd on the 'chess in curriculum' program, and formulating the National Chess Academy. He is into chess because he believes future leaders would have good training through chess by 'thinking better' and 'planning better'.

ATTY. KOKO PIMENTEL: He shared he has a more senior varsity player for Ateneo when Jayson was a lower classman player for FEU at the UAAP. He kidded since GM Jayson has had so much success with FEU, he has to help out the Ateneo Coach as well. He pledged to donate his chessbooks, some of which he inheritted from his late Ateneo Coach. The chessbooks were saved from Ondoy in his Marikina home but not his lawbooks!

NCFP PRESIDENT PROSPERO PICHAY:
The PACE will help in the formation of more Philippine Masters. Phils has risen from below 40 to #32 in FIDE rankings, and goal is to be in the top 20 in 2 years. Benchmarking the successful chess countries, he noted in order to be successful in chess, one has to be a fulltime professional that is why he has been trying to sustain 3 to 4 international tournaments per year. He noted Vietnam has intense inter-provincial rivalries, and their budget just for chess could reach PHP 250M, which is already the total annual budget for PSC for a year.

GM TORRE: He has encouraged GM Jayson to proceed with the PACE for the youth, and pledged full support from PhilChek. This kind of program needs a sacrifice and GM Jayson made the 'coup de grace' and made a brilliant move with double exclamation point.

GM GONZALES:
Inspite of the challenges and difficulties, he proceeded with this sacrifice and spent his savings from business in the PACE rather than personal luxuries. He is thankful to Mr. Ronald Causon, his landlord who encouraged him by giving discounted rent for the benefit of the youth. Jayson's heart is with chess, and he came from humble beginnings and 're-investing' or giving back to chess. Tulong-tulong lang and it will be successful. He knows it will take many years before initial fruits of new Philippine masters can be realized.

Palarong Pambansa 2010

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MELWYN KENNETH BALTAZAR and Giovanni “Gio” Mejia will lead the National Capital Region contingent when the 2010 Palarong Pambansa chess championships gets underway on April 12 at the Provincial Capitol Bulwagan, Tarlac City,Tarlac.

Baltazar of Manila City and Mejia of Mandaluyong City took the 1-2 position in the elementary boys qualification tournament at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School, Quirino Avenue in Manila, recently.

Baltazar, the 2008 NCR Palarong Pambansa chess champion, cruised undefeated in 7 rounds on 6 wins and a draw to raise his total 6.5 points in the four-day qualifying tournament.

“We are ready,” said Baltazar, a son of national chess arbiter and teacher.
Joining them in the tournament proper are High School Boys’ Avhix Alfonso (Quezon City) and Franz Grafil (Manila); Elementary Girls’ Jesca Docena (Pasay City) and Maria Ysabelle Joyce Semillano (Muntinlupa City); High School Girls’ Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia and Mikee Charlene Suede (Manila).

Udani, Bersamina top KL Rapid Grand Prix 3rd Leg

The Philippines' Ian Udani and Paulo Bersamina ruled the KL Rapid Grand Prix 2010 3rd Leg Open in Malaysia in an emphatic 1-2 fashion.

Udani and Bersamina, the country's reigning Under-12 prince, both scored 5.0 points in six rounds but Udani edged Bersamina in tie-break points to win the championship.

The two Filipino campaigners faced each other in Round 5, with Bersamina getting the full point from the match.

The third Filipino campaigner in the tournament was my friend Norlito Bersamina, the father of Paulo, who scored 3.0 points.

FINAL RANKINGS

Rk. Name FED Pts.
1 Udani Ian PHI 5
2 Bersamina Paolo PHI 5
3 Nayan Ahmad Fadzil MAS 4
4 Azman Hisham Muhd Nabil MAS 4
5 Che Doi Azman Hisham MAS 4
6 Retallick Steven AUS 4
7 Low Jun Jian MAS 3.5
8 Ajeet Singh Roshan MAS 3.5
9 Ismail Norazman MAS 3.5
10 WCM Azman Hisham Nur Nabila MAS 3
Bersamina Norlito PHI 3
Ting Shih Chieh Alfred MAS 3
13 Tham Tick Hong Jax MAS 3
14 Norazman Nor Izzudin Afandi MAS 3
15 Rosli Ahmad Afiq Afyfy MAS 2.5
Yat Guo Jie MAS 2.5
17 Rashid Iskandar MAS 2.5
18 Low Jun Keat MAS 2
19 Norazman Nor Amirruddin Hafiz MAS 2
20 Dutton Lucas Matthew MAS 2
21 Johari Nikk MAS 1
22 Arul Sothy Abishek MAS 0

PACE CHESS COURSES BEGINS APRIL 19, 2010; GM TORRE SIMUL EXHIBITION SET APRIL 11, 2010

BY: BOYET TARDECILLA

The Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence-PACE is now accepting students for this summer 1st batch of CHESS LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS, ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE COURSES for the period covered April 19-23, 2010 at PACE HQ 2nd Floor 56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City. Grandmaster Eugene Torre will grace the opening with GM Jayson Gonzales, Founder of PACE. Classes shall apply per level of module in Ten(10) sessions.

The chess modules created and developed by IM Yves Rañola, a certified International Chess Federation FIDE Trainer in collaboration with GM Eugene Torre and GM Jayson Gonzales.

PACE Management reiterated that the first 75 students can avail a promotional enrollment fees of P 1,000.00 per student. *Instructors will be led by GM Eugene Torre, GM Jayson Gonzales, IM Yves Rañola and other experienced, well trained, dedicated, devoted titled chess teachers and coaches.

Jerlyn Mae San Diego (5 yrs old)), Daughter of Engr. Tony San Diego, John Paulo Trillana (9 yrs old), grandson of Atty. Wellington Lachica, Christian John Evangelista (13 yrs old) of Quezon City, Julia McKenzie Fortin (8 yrs old), Jan Michael Fortin (6 yrs old) of g4 Chess Club-Olongapo City and Chelsea Gallardo of Isabela are the early students who will participate in the 1st batch. Schedule of Advanced Courses will be announced the soonest possible but PACE is accepting the registration and membership.

Prior the scheduled lessons, special event will kick-off the ‘SULONG NA! SIMULTANEOUS SUMMER CHESS EXHIBITION” on April 11, 2010 Sunday 9:00am at PACE HQ. The simul event will be led by GM Eugene Torre, GM Jayson Gonzales with other RP Chess Masters Vs. the registrants of Chess Enthusiasts, Kiddies and Executives.

Win or Draw Vs. Masters will receive gift items and all participants will get a Certificate of Participation from PACE. PACE members will get discount for participation.

For registration and other details of these two activities, you may contact Boyet Tardecilla at (02)473-7008, (02) 454-6090, 0916-6169586.