Tuesday, June 26, 2012

An Appeal: For the Good of Us All

First of all, I believe that the Lapu Lapu chess club can be a very good starting point for aspiring local talents to hone their skills of the royal game.  But what I do not believe is, that when the particular player reaches a certain level in which he has to play like a “master”, he should continue playing regularly in Lapu Lapu, in the same fashion when he started playing chess in the club. 



Naturally, he must go his own way and cross the Mactan strait and battle it out with class A Cebu players. These players are strong and of National Master level. To play them and get ideas from them would significantly improve their game as well as in repairing their “holes”.

The main goal of the Lapu Lapu chess club should not necessarily aimed at creating "super" players who will “deliver” the club. But most importantly, the chess club should be a role model who will inspire our players to keep playing with enthusiasm and passion. And, to be like a father who will look out for the long term needs and essentials, for the players to keep going. 

What are these long term needs? To be concrete, allow me to give some examples. These are, (1)registration fees for deserving players who will play in Cebu tournaments, (2)availability of closed tournaments held at least every quarter, (3)one open tournament every December, (4)and monthly lecture for our players, in order for them to learn something new and interesting.

Perhaps these requests, to some, may sound “too much”. But if we look at these requests closely and with an open mind, these requests actually look after the improvement of the players’ potentials and inner skills. Good players make a good club. Not the other way around.

And finally, my only intention is for the good of our club. Fulfillment of these requests would not only make me happy, but every passionate player in our beloved club happy as well.

God bless and more power to our club!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

1st Norman B. Olayvar Homecoming Chess Tournament

The Lapu Lapu Chess Club had just celebrated the HOMECOMING PARTY of fellow chess comrade and player, Norman Olayvar last June 9, Saturday. Mr. Olayvar was very generous in his homecoming that he had earlier decided to put up a tournament for that day. Not to mention, the commendable support of CEPCA honoraries, Jun Olis in providing the venue and pakals and Manny Mazanares for the abundant chess sets and chess clocks.

Aniel Abellana (left) retires from the camera as Cesar fernandez (right) smiles at the cam.

The tournament saw Lapu Lapu acers Aldwin Daculan, Allan Pason, Kraig Quinain, Jerome Maugab, and Giovanni Borongan, boast their chess skills in the grueling 1 day/7 rounds Swiss tournament. Other club experts who joined in were Ezekiel Labastida, Alvin Rigodon, and Aniel Abellana. It was unfortunate that Romeo "Ramil" Resuera, a player of master caliber and the pride of Lapu Lapu (second only to the legendary NM Joel Fernan), was not able to partake in the event due to family reasons. Nevertheless, the tournament was still a hell of a ride! The surprise tournament victor was Ariel Joseph Abellana, the younger brother of Aniel Abellana who garnered 6 out 7 points and produced a shocking upset against the wild styled Aldwin Daculan. In second place was Lapu Lapu's youngest star and newly coveted Guinness chess champion Allan Pason, the veteran Aldwin Daculan came third, Labastida fourth, and the solid Kraig Quinain came fifth.

Norman Olayvar (in yellow shirt)