Finding NM Joel Fernan

Starting this month, I plan to interview chess National Master Joel Fernan, on the net. The interview may come via Skype, email, Facebook, or simply just by text. If I succeed in getting the interview, it would be very interesting and rich in ideas, especially within regards on the tips and advice the master could share to us, whether about tournament preparation, or foundational learning.

NM Joel Fernan

For those of you who don't know Mr Fernan, he is an NM hailing from Cebu. He is of International Master caliber. It is even well remembered that Grandmaster Richard Bitoon (who was still an IM back then),  only won a single game out of the 4 encounters he had with the NM. There was not a single peaceful draw during their encounters; every game concluded in blood. Moreover, he almost beat GM Eugene Torre once, if not only for his silly blunder during their game in the Fil-Way Tournament, some years ago. But blunders will always be blunders, right? 

Many regard Fernan as an attacking player, specializing in sharp positions, wherein attack and defence were the call of the day. But masters know, especially Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr, that Fernan is actually an original strategical player, who has a feel for the position and initiative. 

Some say that his calculations are long, but this is not entirely true. Like other strong masters in the Philippines, he has a fine judgement of the position, which cuts the bulk of long analysis to a minimum. 

Fernan excels in defensive positions too, exploiting his knowledge on prophylaxis, and is constantly alert, in taking advantage of the shifting of pieces that may alter the overall position. When in a cramped situation, he always tries to make it as difficult as possible for the opponent to penetrate. A tenacious player indeed. 

At times, he applies psychology on his opponents by deliberately playing an "unsound" opening. So long he feels the opening is playable, and offers some counter-chances, he is satisfied in playing such openings. 

Fernan once joked, "When I retire in chess, I want to write a book in chess. The title would be: 'How to Beat Joel Fernan' ". He usually refered this joke to his wage customers, who unsurprisingly, found him hard to beat. Maybe one day he could actually write the book he was joking, or maybe not. But one thing's for sure, its contents would be very helpful and most of all, instructional towards the readers, especially for learning players like me. 

Another thing we can learn from Fernan are his openings. He plays the Botvinnik System as White, and the Fianchetto defences as Black(KID, QID, Hippo, Hedgehog and etc.). Apparently, he loves flank openings. But may I remind you, that unlike the sharp Grunfeld Defence, Fernan prefers to begin a flank opening with a solid setup, and only after that, does he points his pieces towards the enemy King in a strategic manner. 

Bottom line, if you want a reliable repertoire which also offers energetic chances, I recommend studying his opening.

Videos of Fernan playing blitz chess are very interesting and can be seen on Youtube. Although a little outdated, his videos on the site are fun to watch again and again from time to time.