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.

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.

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