MICSA and X-Mas Team Tournament

BRGY OPON MACTAN-- Yesterday, the Mactan Island Chess Association decided to change its name to Mactan Island Chess and Scrabble Association. And yes, scrabble will be included! The association thought that this would be a good addition since it would also help struggling scrabble players as well. On the association's key event yesterday, MICA or now MICSA, held its very first election of officers, which included presidential, vice-presidential, a secretarial position, and 3 board directors. Hon. Galileo Roma won the presidential won via landslide and therefore became MICSA's first ever president (photo above)

                                     

The complete list of officers by the way is posted here. The main event of the occasion was its Christmas Team Tournament held at the Opon barangay hall. Top players included were Ariel Joseph Abellana, Allan Pason, Kraig Quinain, Aldwin Daculan, and current Lapu-Lapu Champion Ademar Toledo. NM-caliber Ramil Resuera withdrew his participation just only after one round of the event. He was told by her wife to go home and watch the kids. Meanwhile, the team tournament was officiated by International Arbiter Felix Poloyapoy (photo above). 

Winner of the the individual board 1 Gold medal was Allan Pason (photo above) while the Team Championship was won by Team "Quinain", captained by sometimes chess journalist Kraig Quinain. Team Pason was  second, captained by Palaro champ Allan Pason. While Team "Amay" was third, led by a local chess gambler nicknamed "Dodong Amay". Free lunch was also served during the event. 

  Team Quinain with MICSA Pres. Galileo Roma (2nd from left),
Vice pres.  Jodie Tamala (left) and Arbiter Felix Poloyapoy (right)

                 

GM Sevillano Simul in Cebu!

US-based GRANDMASTER Enrico Sevillano returns to his homeland and played a simultaneous exhibition at the Colonnade Mall, Cebu City. The GM was up against 25 determined players with only 2 players coming out with a win (Diego Claro and Kyle Sevillano, GM Enrico Sevillano's nephew) and 4 other chessers who managed to draw. "The players here are really excited to play Sevillano" quote Renato Avila, president of Colonnade Mall. University of Cebu varsity player, Diego Claro won his game against GM Sevillano when the latter blundered a piece. While Kyle won against the GM when the latter entered a dubious attack, sacrificing a piece for two pawns. Soon the GM's attack was withered and Kyle slowly crushed his GM uncle. Of all the draws in the simul, perhaps the most surprising one was Fabio Abucejo's game. The senior chesser sacrificed all his pieces and forced a perpetual check! Others who were able to draw the 2500+ GM were Ruel Hortelano, KC Morala, and Felix Shaun Balbona. The simultaneous display was sponsored by the Cebu Executives and Professional Chess Association or CEPCA.

Pepito wins Talisay SK Tournament

I would like to congratulate Vicmil Pepito, for winning the Class B Category of the "Sangguniang Kabataan Tournament" held last December 15. Pepito has a very young son, Jeremy who is a talented chesser as well and is one of the best Kiddies player in Cebu and perhaps in the whole Region 7. In second place is Lapu Lapu City's Allan Pason. 

Cebu's top juniors Alfer Fernandez and Diego Claro were also in contention of 2nd place but had inferior tiebreaks compared to Pason's. Therefore Fernandez and Claro had to settle for 3rd and 4th places, respectively. Still a commanding position though! 

Alfer Fernandez in a respectable 3rd place ...

Joyce Lagrosas and Talisay bet Juanito Sato took 5th and 6th places respectively. Take note that Lagrosas is the only female chesser to enter the top ten! :)

The following is a list of those who were able to catch up with  7th-10th places: Hector Villamora (I don't know him but I think he's very strong due to his standings in the tournament), William Retanal (pambato ng Minglanilla), Peterson Sia (Cebu's No.1 chess librarian), and Michael "Silver" Silverderio, a specialist in the Chigorin defence (1 d4 Nc6)

PS
As all of Cebu may have already know, The XMAS Open at the Deep Blue Chess Club is going on. Sadly, I will not be able to cover the event because of a LONG vacation awaiting for me this Christmas season. 

Anyways, I wish best of luck to all the participants and even our beloved organizers in organizing the event. Maayong Pasko Ninyong Tanan!

Hortelano ChessFest and more

Approximately 5 hours from now, the Hortelano Chess Open @ Colonnade Mall, Cebu City will kick off. On site registration begins on 10 am. Its registration fee is 200php for seniors and 100 for kiddies. The tournament also guarantees a 5k prize for the champion. 

The tournament is single-handedly sponsored by CPA Benjamin Hortelano. Hortelano is a noted lover of the game and is eager to promote it as well! For inquiries, you may contact the tournament director, Marvin Ruelan at 0926-7352951

PS
There is another tournament next week that will take place at Talisay City, known as the "Sangguniang Kabataan Tournament". See details here. Thanks to businessman Jojo Powao for the info.

Ramil Resuera: Coming Soon

A former board 1 player from the University of Cebu who sparred along with Cebu's most brilliant chess players, and narrowly missed the National Master title by half a point. Even the young Richard Bitoon once called him "a master of counterplay". This tragic story of a once promising woodpusher who rose to fame and ultimately fell will leave you in awe. Get ready for the "Lion".

written by Kraig Quinain