Thursday, January 17, 2013

A Mactan Chess Club...


Two days ago, I sent a set of questions to a Mr "Jango" Roma. "Jango", as his colleagues fondly call him, is the president of the Mactan Island Chess and Scrabble Association (MICSA) in our humble town. Jango aspires to bring up the chess level in our town and is devilishly determined to do so. Generously, Jango lively replied to each and every question I sent. The questions were all about the current chess status in Mactan, my chess town and what the association could do about it. His answers to the questions I sent to him were more interesting than the questions themselves! 

Before I proceed, I know that some of our readers are not from Cebu, but somehow, I believe, that the doings of one chess club in our country may reflect those of other clubs too! So without further adieu, I present to you, "Q&A with Mr. Jango Roma" 


Kraig Chess:


Why and How did MICSA started?


Jango:


MICSA started as MICA or Mactan Island Chess Association through the efforts of Antonio Ycong. Upon reservation of the name MICA with SEC for registration, it was denied due to confusion with MIPA or Mactan Island Photographers' Association which was already registered with SEC. It was a blessing in disguise for it allowed the addition of scrabble into the picture. After consultation with the members of MICA, it was agreed to add scrabble in the association, thus MICSA. On December 29, 2012, it was unanimously approved by the membership during its Christmas Party and Annual Meeting to change MICA to MICSA. In short, MICSA is MICA plus SCRABBLE.

Kraig Chess:


How do you think MICSA will gain confidence from the chessers in Mactan?

Jango:


MICSA will not only be an association of chessers in Mactan. It will be an association of chessers, scrabblers, and other people who love to play the games of chess and scrabble as well as people who love to help develop these games among our youngsters to promote analytical thinking, and good sportsmanship. With the SEC registration, MICSA will gain legal personality. We will be operating under strict rules and guidelines from the proper authority. Everything will be recorded and audited including all its financial transactions. TRANSPARENCY is an utmost priority in running the association. That is an important factor in gaining not only confidence but as well as trust in the general membership. The Officers as well as the members are expected to do their share in the operations of MICSA. Without COOPERATION, no organization will succeed. To sum it all up, TRANSPARENCY & COOPERATION are the magic ingredients that will answer your question.

Kraig Chess:


How will MICSA improve the chess of ordinary players?

Jango:

It will really be up to the players themselves to improve their game. We can only lead the donkey to the water but we cannot force it to drink the water. MICSA can provide the players with reading materials to study and hone their skills as well as lecture-forum in the future. They then can apply what they've learned in tournaments promoted again by MICSA. With the affiliation of MICSA with NCFP, rating tournaments can also be arranged. There are so many things that we can do in the future. For as long as everyone will COOPERATE, nothing is impossible.

Kraig Chess:


Five years from now, how do you see MICSA?

Jango:


Five years from now, our membership would have grown to hundreds if not thousands and reaching not only up to the island of Mactan but as well as the whole province of Cebu. We will have affiliates in most elementary schools and high schools, in industries and companies, NGO's and LGU's, etc. MICSA will be everywhere promoting and developing the games of chess and scrabble. Hopefully, we could produce at least 1 GM and/or at least 1 national scrabble player.

Kraig Chess:

Thank you sir, and happy *Sinulog!

*Sinulog is the greatest festival Cebu has ever known.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Sinulog Open

NM Enriquez
National Master Rogelio Enriquez has just won the Sinulog Open, last Sunday at Colonnade Mall, Cebu City. The titled player from Pasil garnered 6.5 in 7 rounds to take home the champion's prize of 7,000php.
Enriquez beat eventual second-placer Yves Fiel in the last yet decisive round to overtake Fiel's 6/6 lead. And for the record, Enriquez won with the black pieces! I guess he used his favorite Benko Gambit to win that round.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the results for the remaining tournament placers due to some "call of duty". But here's a picture of NM Merben Roque, who recently won the Chess Infinitum competition last Saturday:
NM Roque
Meanwhile, Lapu Lapu's Allan Pason was deprived of any placing in the tourney when FM Voltaire Sevillano halted the dreams of the young yet very talented chess kid. the FM showed his class by sacrificing two pawns for superior development and soon Pason's mobility was paralysed and eventually was defeated.
Here is the pic of Allan Pason's conqueror:

FM Sevillano in deep thought.

As I was roaming around the small yet lively tourney area, I saw the "Korchnoi of Cebu" he is no other than the very solid Mike Banibane:

"Ikaw jud!"

The old master is now in his 70's and still continues to create upsets against titled players. Although perhaps he was at his peak in his 60's! 

Finally, thanks to CEPCA AND CEPCA Pres. Jojo Muralla, for the said tournament wouldn't have been made possible without them. Thanks CEPCA! Hehehe. The tourney by the way, was arbitrated by Marvin Ruelan.