What's up In Lapu Lapu?

CM Romeo Resuera vs Aldwin Daculan (Caro-Kann with c3)

Tommorow morning, all of the top chess players from Lapu Lapu, Cebu will gather together in a small yet monumental tournament in Lapu Lapu chess's history. The small closed tournament will celebrate the history and the culture of chess in our humble town. We will talk about our club's past and how it slowly grew into a little, yet warmth chess community. It's also possible that we will "chat" about lapu lapu chess's future  during the small gathering. Hopefully, this will benefit the welfare of fellow woodpushers in our town. Lapu Lapu chess always has been  laidback in nature, and a virtual unknown in the Cebu chess scene, uncorrupted by the "dirty chess" by its neighboring city. "Meron talagang mga players na kahit ang palalab nilang laro, dinudumi pa nila". But I do not wish to judge, I am merely stating a fact, and a horrible fact it is indeed.

Anyways, I would like to praise the chess boom in Paknaan, Mandaue, where tournaments are now occurring almost every month. Hopefully, their chess programs will bring more people and children close to the royal game. Here's a quote from your author :)

yours truly,
 Kraig "Chess" Quinain

Some chess news

First of all I would like to congratulate Sgt. Amado Olea for finishing second place (!) in the CEPCA players tourney last February. Meanwhile the tournament's champion is NM Arnolito Cadiz. The tournament was help at Deep Blue chess cafe at SM Cebu.

By the way, Olea is a newcomer in CEPCA and is a passionate woodpusher from Lapu Lapu. I believe he was also Lapu Lapu champion last 2009.

The Paknaan Juniors tournament is slated this March 9. I believe it is also a kind of "women's open" tournament since any woman regardless of age, are allowed to join. You can find the full details of the said tournament on Eden Diano's facebook page. Clear favorites for that tournament probably are  Khyle Sevillano, Allan Pason, and Diego Claro to name a few. I am also hoping that Lapu Lapu's Ariel Joseph Abellana would play, since he has such immense talent for the game and it would be utterly regrettable to see it come to waste. BRGY Paknaan is very active in its chess programs these days.

There is a plan to create a PDF document containing the "mysterious" history of chess in Lapu-Lapu, and the name of a particular player who actually brought the game in our humble town. Unfortunately, the oldest living chess player in our club passed away last month, eliminating the chance of ever asking him about who were the other chess players whi came before him, especially in Lapu Lapu. He once claimed that he beat GM Quinteros in a simul long ago. We have found the scoresheet of the their game just recently, mainly through the efforts of his son, who searched thru the late player's things. Anyways, it's still just a plan. But it's a plan we're looking forward to.

Although some of you may already know this, I would still like to encourage others to join the Ahedres ng Pilipinas group on Facebook. In their facebook page you get to watch video interviews of our fellow Filipino GMs and NCFP officials. Videos are provided by Nil Maglas who is also a fellow Cebuano and member of the group. You also get updated on the lastest trends in Philippine Chess just by joining the group!

Pakna-an Chess

It's been while since I've wrote my last post for this blog, and perhaps some of you might be wondering "where the hell is the blogger?" Well, me finding a job on weekdays plus playing in some local club tournaments during the weekends could perhaps adequately explain my "sudden" absence. Speaking of tournaments, I was able to join, in some of what may seem, a series of chess tournaments in barangay Pakna-an. This series of chess events were spearheaded by of its barangay councilors, whom I believe is a close relative of the +2400 player, Eden Diano. The very first episode of the tournament series was a Class B/ Juniors /Women's tournament. Confused? In short, any woodpusher, except adult class A male players were allowed to compete. The champion by the way, in that tournament, was Lapu Lapu Chess Club's Allan Pason with a score of 6.5 in 7 rounds. The 15-year old kid was on fire as he clinched round after round until agreeing to a draw in the seventh. Perhaps Allan's most important game in the tourney was in round 6, as he came face-to-face with the very young endgame virtuoso, King James Torres, with mutual 6/6 points.Allan told me personally that in his game against King James, he felt outplayed in the opening as he recklessly ventured in a Botvinnik system, a structure he did not fully understand. However, he was able to create some compensation in the form of a kingside attack. King James, unfortunately, blundered in a one move mate. Quite honestly, I thought that both players were OK in the position. Somewhere in the middlegame perhaps, King James simply "blinked", when the the critical moment came, although we all are prone to this mistake.

And just one week right after the Class B slash, Juniors slash, Women's tournament, then came the Pakna-an Open, wherein all the Class A hustlers, players and inter-island competitors clashed in one big event.There was Master Rommel Ganzon, NM Arnolito Cadiz, NM Leo Alidani, FM Anthony Makinano, CM Mike Banibane, and a whole lot more! To an amateur's point of view (just like of mine), a whole lot of experience could be gained just by playing against these dreadfully feared monsters! The complete list of winners by the way, can be seen here. The tournament was arbitrated by Marvin Ruelan and Eden Diano.

NM Leo Alidani wins Potot Blitz Invitational

Veteran chess player Atty. Jong Melendes grabbed first place in the CEPCA closed tournament at the SM Deep Blue Chess Cafe last Saturday, January 26. The middle-aged woodpusher was able to promote a devastating upset against veteran NM, Arnolito Cadiz in one of his games! Meanwhile, Rene Casia and the nerve-wracking Jun Kidlat gained 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The said tournament was arbitrated by national arbiter Marvin Ruelan. Here's a pic of the attorney, with Jojo Muralla and Marvin Ruelan (left to right)

National Master Leonardo Alidani championed the Potot Blitz Invitational at Brgy Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City with a score of 4.5 points in five rounds. The NM blitzed his way in the tournament and beat strong Lapu Lapu players namely, Ramil Resuera, Aldwin Daculan, and  Allan Pason among others. Carlos Moreno III and Kraig Quinain tied 2nd place. Moreno beat Quinain in their individual encounter.Lapu Lapu's whiz kid, Allan Pason was not in good form during the tournament and had to settle 5th place, while Ramil Resuera received the 6th place prize. The said blitz event was sponsored by CPA Ariel Potot, chess promoter Jun Olis, and  Antonio Ycong. Here's a pic of Mr. Ycong:

Deep Blue Chess Tourney is on! This Feb.2 & 3. 7k for first prize. Tournament consists of two (2) stages: swiss elimination (five rounds), then knock-out system (best of three, I think). DISCLAIMER I do not have the complete details for this tourney. You may contact Marvin Ruelan for more details :) 0926-7352951

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)