Mactan Tournament this December?

MICA is a chess association in Mactan, administered by Antonio Ycong

It is rumored that the Mactan Island Chess Association (MICA) and Lapu-Lapu Chess Club will have a reunificaton tournament this December. The tournament is intended for the camaraderie of both clubs to be in "oneness", for the continual development of chess in Lapu Lapu City and the rest of the island. The said tournament will boast Lapu Lapu's brightest players with the likes of Allan Pason, Kraig Quinain, Ramil Resuera, Ariel Joseph Abellana, Bryll John Arellano, Peterson Sia, and many more. The tournament is on December so perhaps a lot fun is expected, depending on the funds. MICA by the way is a chess association and a "rival" club with Lapu-Lapu Chess Club. Spearheading the club is chess enthusiast, Hon. Antonio Ycong. While the Lapu Lapu Chess Club is primarily headed by the noteworthy Jun Olis.

Jun Olis, chess promoter and head of Lapu-Lapu Chess Club

PS 
Congratulations to Allan Pason who placed 2nd in the first ever Colonnade Mall Youth Open Tournament. Championing the said tournament is Yves Fiel, a top varsity player of the University of San Carlos. 

Lapu-Lapu Championships: Toledo wins, Pepito and Sia Collapse

Ademar Toledo took the crown of the 2012 Lapu Lapu Championships, last Saturday at the City Auditorium in Lapu Lapu, Cebu. In his most critical game in the last round, Toledo needed to win his game against the tournament leader, Romeo Resuera to win the tournament on tiebreaks. Toledo opted for a natural Ruy Lopez when on the late opening, Resuera allowed isolated doubled pawns, with no clear compensation! However, Resuera was somehow able to complicate the game and forced Toledo think too much and get low on time. But just when Toledo was running short on time with only less than 3 minutes left on the clock, Resuera blundered a piece away and Toledo then beat him easily.

Toledo

Meanwhile, Cebu City players, Peterson Sia and Vicmil Pepito failed to take runner-up prizes after not having enough points. Many Lapu Lapu players even thought that Sia might win the tourney. Instead, Sia was not in his usual strong form and drew 2 of his games which would be fatal in 7-round tournaments.

Sia

Resuera had to be contented in 2nd place after losing to the tournament champion, while Jerome Maugab beat Aldwin Daculan to take the third place.

Resuera

In the Kiddies category, Rhenzi Khylle Sevillano won, while Allan Pason and Jeremy Pepito took 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Ariel Joseph Abellana missed any of the tournament  prizes when he lost to Allan Pason. The said tournament was arbitrated by IA Felix Poloyapoy.

Sevillano

written by Kraig Quinain

2012 Lapu-Lapu Championships: A Quick Diagnosis

ALLAN PASON, 16, chess prodigy

10 hours from now, the annual chess championship in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu will commence. The said tournament celebrates the city's annual fiesta, every November. Expected to participate in the chess event are Lapu Lapu chess club's biggest and brightest chess players. Non-Lapu Lapu players, master calibers , Bryll John Arellano and Allan Salientes, are expected to join as well. Among Lapu Lapu chess club's most notable players are Ariel Abellana, Allan Pason, Ramil Resuera, Peterson Sia, Kraig Quinain, Henry Infante, and Aldwin Daculan. In addition, very dangerous club players such as Nilo Bonganciso and James Abrantes  are expected come to the party, too.

Allan Salientes is perhaps easily the favorite in the championship. But he will have to face tough opposition  in the shape of Ramil Resuera (NM killer and a pupil of ex- National Junior Champion, Ben Dimaano), Allan Pason (ex Palarong Pambansa Champ), and Peterson Sia (Cebu City-Class A-Rated player), plus the very solid players, Aldwin Daculan and Kraig Quinain, not to mention 3-time Lapu Lapu Monthlies Champ, Ariel Abellana. 

Statistics wise though, Salientes is the choice. He won the Consolacion Open, ahead of FM Antonio Makinano and Reynaldo Flores, and was ex-Blitz king of Cebu. I guess the "only" disadvantage players outside Lapu Lapu might have, would be finding it difficult to adjust to the "new" environment they will set upon, after all, Cebu City and Lapu Lapu City are two very different islands! Not to mention, the awkward psychological atmosphere behind the tournament that these "visiting" players might experience. In other words, "homecourt advantage" for the Lapu Lapu players. Although I think it would take more than just petty psychology to beat the Cebu City players. After all, they're veterans!, and some of them are actually masters!

Anyways, if you would ask me whom I would predict to become the City Champion, I can give no straight answer, and only educated guesses.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL.

© Kraig Quinain

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Lapu Lapu Chess Fiesta in Cebu

The Mactan Island Chess Association or (MICA) is proud to announce its annual chess tournament for the city of Lapu Lapu, this Saturday, 9am @ the city sports auditorium. The one-day event is sponsored by the Lapu Lapu City Government thru the initiative of chess deacons Antonio Ycong, and Councilor Galileo "Django" Roma. The registration fee is 50 php. And the rounds will consist of seven. There will be guaranteed prizes of 3k, 2k and 1k for 1st to 3rd placers. Interested entrants may contact Aldwin Daculan @ 09266711236.

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Pasil Open Kicks Off this Weekend

Pasil, Cebu City

First of all, I would like to belatedly congratulate Reynaldo Flores for winning the Colonnade Open. Flores faced tough competition there, with the likes of Eden Diano, NM Cabuenos, Carlos Moreno III, and FM Makinano. Anyways, the PASIL OPEN is on! The venue will be nearby the BRGY hall and starts @ 1pm, Saturday. Here are some of the details...

-REGISTRATION: 200php for regular and 100php for students.
-GUARANTEED PRIZE: 5K for the winner of the tournament, and 300php for 5th-10th places.
-DAYS: 2 DAYS

by Kraig Quinain

Salientes, Colonnade Open and Lapu Fiesta

First of all, I would like to congratulate Allan Salientes for winning the town of Consolacion's first ever open tournament, last October 21. Trailing behind him were a lot of 6-pointers with the likes of FM Antonio Makinano, Reynaldo Flores(arguably among the strongest attacking players in Cebu)., Michael "The Silver" Silvederio, and Sicilian specialist Yves Fiel. Rounding up the 6th to 10th places were Carlos Moreno III, Roumel Asoque, Aller Somosot (Hustler Master), and noted varsity players, Diego Claro and Michael Pagaran.

You may already know this, especially if you're a Cebuano chesser, that the Colonnade Open is near in sight, next Saturday. So umm,  Pahuway o Praktis? Hmmm...

Right along the oldest street in the Philippines, in Colon, a very important  chess event will take place.

GOOD NEWS! The MICA fiesta tournament is CONFIRMED and will commence in Lapu Lapu this November 17. Moreover, it is said that the tournament will use new and digital chess clocks. The tournament will use the "usual" 7-round Swiss System format, with time controls around 30 minutes. Interested outsiders will have to be in contact with MICA before they join. Email: lapulapuchess@gmail.com

Abellana Wins Lapu Lapu October Tournament

Ariel Joseph Abellana (Left)

The pride of Saint Alphonsus Catholic School, Ariel Joseph Abellana, once again wins another Lapu Lapu Chess Monthly Tournament, for this month of October. 

Abellana proved that the tournament was for him to take when he beat top seeded, Romeo "Ramil" Resuera in the 2nd round. As if he was contented with his victory over Resuera, Abellana beat yet another strong player in Lapu Lapu, Aldwin Daculan in the 4th round to garner 4 points, before drawing his game against Rolando Torres. Abellana and was crowned champion with a total score of 4.5 out of 5 rounds.

Awards were also given to the 2nd to 5th place finishers. Those who made it to the top five were Romeo Resuera, Aldwin Daculan, Rolando Torres, and Giovanni Borongan respectively.

It is well remembered by the city's woodpushers, that Abellana had previously won two editions in our monthly tournaments. Undeniably, Abellana is now a strong force to reckon with, in Lapu Lapu Chess. It is said that Abellana's favorite defence is the French, a solid Black opening that offers counterplay as well, particularly in the Queenside. His style is "very resourceful".