Thursday, July 30, 2009

CHESSBASE: THE STONEWALL IN THE SLAV

The Stonewall in the Slav Defence

by Alexey Kuzmin

In the opening classification, the position

belongs to the Dutch Defence, but in practice it arises almost exclusively from the Slav line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Bd3 f5.

Even the very first moves require some comment. We can start by pointing out that there is also the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. Since 3.Nf3 sharply increases the opponent's range of options in the Queen's Gambit (for example, he now has the Vienna Variation), many White players prefer 3.Nc3, and after 3…c6 we return to our variation. By continuing 4.e3, White avoids the sharp Noteboom variation (4.Nf3 dxc4 5.e3 b5) and also declines to play the Slav Gambit 4.e4 (see the article about this in CBM 123). Sometimes Black plays f7-f5 on move 4, but this allows White the by no means unfavourable line 5.g4!? and therefore more often Black prefers 4…Bd6 5.Bd3 (5.Qc2; 5.Nf3) 5...f5. In this case, 6.g4 (for this and other rare continuations, see the game Sokolov,I - Timofeev,A 0-1) is not dangerous, since White has already spent a tempo on Bd3. So, we reach the position in the diagram. Formally speaking, this is the Stonewall variation of the Dutch. White's main strategical idea against it (in the classical variation: 1.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 c6) is the exchange of dark-squared bishops by means of Bf4 or Ba3. Here, however, the moves e2-e3 and Nb1-c3 have already been played, so we have a relatively favourable version for Black. In the diagram position, White has three main strategical plans:

A) Nf3, b3, Bb2 followed by Ne5. He then plans to evict the black knight from e4 by means of the manoeuvre Ne2 and f2-f3.

6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.b3 Ne4 9.Ne2 Nd7 10.Bb2

Now the positional plan 10…b6 (Grigore,G - Sveshnikov,E ½-½) is perfectly possible for Black. With accurate play, he should be able to solve his opening problems. However, in my opinion, the move 10…Qf6!? is more interesting, preventing the enemy knight coming to e5 and preparing an attack on the kingside with g7-g5 (Cvitan,O - Erenburg,S ½-½).

B) The semi-symmetrical plan: White plays f2-f4, shutting down Black's possible activity on the kingside, and trying to exploit the minimal space avantage given by the pawn on c4 vs that on c6.

6.f4 Nf6 7.Nf3 0-0 8.0-0

In this variation, play takes on a strictly positional character. Black occupies e4 with his knight, plays b7-b6, develops his bishop to b7 or even a6 and plans, after due preparation, the advance c6-c5. It should be noted that the early knight jump to e5 does not bring White any dividends (Beliavsky,A - Timofeev,A ½-½). Instead, the most serious problems for Black are posed by the manoeuvre Bc1-d2-e1-h4. This plan can be seen in the notes to the game Aleksandrov,A - Timofeev,A 0-1. All in all, Black is able to solve his opening problems, but after f2-f4 it is very difficult for him to fight for the initiative.

C) Preparing the advance e3-e4. With this aim, White develops his knight to e2 and then continues f3, Qc2 etc. This is the most aggressive plan and leads to non-standard, double-edged positions.

6.Nge2 Nf6 7.f3 0-0

Now if White chooses 8.Qc2, there is a very interesting plan with ...dxc4 and then b7-b5 (Kosyrev,V - Frolyanov,D ½-½). In this case, an important resource is the move Nb8-a6 with the threat of playing ...Nb4 with tempo.

If White prefers 8.0-0, then the analogous counterplay is less well-founded. I would instead recommend Grischuk's more universal (because it is also OK after 8.Qc2) plan: 8...b6 9.0-0 a6, preparing the advance c6-c5! (Zhu Chen - Negi,P 0-1). Truly enough, Alexander started with ...a6 and only then played ...b6. But in terms of the principal strategical idea this is not so important, and the move order with a7-a6 first permits the possibility of c4-c5 which, in my view, is less accurate.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

GMANEWS: LAYLO, SO FINISH 1-2

Grandmasters Darwin Laylo and Wesley So of the Philippines finished 1-2 in the 2009 Asian Zone 3.3 chess championship Wednesday in Ho Chi Minh City to clinch their tickets to the prestigious World Cup.

Laylo (ELO 2494) outduelled second seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore in the final round to complete a historic triumph in this tough, nine-round tournament and secure his second straight World Cup appearance.

Asian zone 3.3 chess championship

Final standings:

8 points – D. Laylo (RP) *

6.5 – W. So (RP) *

6 – N. Truong Son (Vietnam),
M. Paragua (RP), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), H. Mas (Malaysia), D. T. Hai (Vietnam)

5.5 -- Z. Zhong (Singapore), N. T. Son (Vietnam), D.T. Anh (Vietnam), N. V. Huy (Vietnam), T.T. Tu (Vietnam), ND. Hoia (Vietnam), L. Q. Long (Vietnam), S. Kojima (Japan)

5 -- N. V. Huy (Vietnam),
R. Bitoon (RP)
, V.T. Nihn (Vietnam), T.N. Lan (Vietnam), T. N. Tung (Vietnam), N.H. Nam (Vietnam), P. Chuong (Vietnam), R. Nolte (RP), N. Dung (Vietnam)

4.5 -- B. Koa (Vietnam), T. W. Chan (Singapore), E. Torre (RP), L.H. Nguyen (Vietnam),
L. K. Dominic (Singapore), B. Tsegmed (Mongolia), D. Chan (Singapore), A. Watanabe (Japan)

* clinched World Cup slots

The pride of Lipa City, Batangas finished with a nine-round total of eight points on seven wins and two draws.

So, the highest-rated Filipino player with an ELO of 2646, drew with GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam to wind up in solo second with 6.5 points, grabbing the second and last berth to the World Cup.

With their 1-2 finish in the Asian Zonals, Laylo and So joined GM Joey Antonio to the World Cup scheduled in Khanty-Mansisyk, Russia later this year. This will be the first time that the Philippines will have three entries in the prestigious individual chess competition.

Antonio had earlier earned his World Cup ticket with his strong showing in the Asian Individual Chess Championship in Subic earlier this year.

Laylo and So practically put a lock on the top 2 slots with crucial victories over their respective Vietnamese rivals in the eighth round.

Laylo defeated IM Duong The Anh and So whipped IM Nguyen Minh Huy in the penultimate round.

Five players, led by Truong Son and another Filipino campaigner GM Mark Paragua finished in a five-way tie for third to seventh places with six points.

Paragua, one of four Filipino players with World Cup experience, trounced CM Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam to improve his total.

The three other Filipino campaigners – IM Richard Bitoon, IM Rolando Nolte and GM Eugene Torre – wound up outside the Top 10.

Bitoon drew with GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam while Nolte halved the point with FM Pam Chuong also of Vietnam to tally five points, good for a tie for 16th to 24th places in the 54-player field.

Torre, the most-experienced layer in the tournament, won over FM Trung Hieu of Vietnam for 4.5 points and joint 25th. - GMANews.TV

Monday, July 27, 2009

NAJDORF MEMORIAL

The Najdorf Memorial in Warsaw took place 18th-26th July 2009. Radoslaw Wojtaszek won the GMA event with 6/9 half a point clear of the field.

Official site: http://www.poloniachess.pl/najdorf2009/index.php - English

Najdorf Mem GMA Warsaw (POL), 18-26 vii 2009 cat. XV (2610)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
1. Wojtaszek, Radoslaw g POL 2637 * ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 1 ½ ½ 1 6 2732
2. Rozentalis, Eduardas g LTU 2588 ½ * ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 2692
3. Macieja, Bartlomiej g POL 2612 ½ ½ * ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ 5 2652
4. Aleksandrov, Aleksej g BLR 2616 ½ ½ ½ * 0 ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 2609
5. Krasenkow, Michal g POL 2631 ½ 0 ½ 1 * ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 2607
6. Sasikiran, Krishnan g IND 2669 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ * ½ 1 1 0 2603
7. Socko, Bartosz g POL 2656 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ * ½ ½ 1 4 2561
8. Olszewski, Michal g POL 2559 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ * 1 1 4 2572
9. Nyback, Tomi g FIN 2627 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 0 ½ 0 * ½ 2528
10. Abasov, Nijat Azad m AZE 2505 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ * 2541

VILLARROBLEDO RAPID

Por Candido de la Cruz

A menudo, los torneos los ganan los valientes, y eso fue lo que ocurrió en la XXIV edición del Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez de Villarrobledo disputado los días 25 y 26 de julio. El joven de origen letón y nacionalizado alemán, Arkadij Naiditsch, consiguió la victoria sin necesidad de desempate, y es que en la última ronda frenó la ambición de Ruslan Ponomariov, que ya sabe lo que es ganar este torneo, con el ataque Keres de la variante Scheveningen siciliana al mismo tiempo que Vadim Milov y Ni Hua pactaban tablas en el primer tablero dejando de esta forma todo el protagonismo para el alemán.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

2nd RELORCASA AGE GROUP

Giovanni Mejia tops NCFP Chess Age Group Tourney

LA Salle Greenhills (LSGH) elementary top player Giovanni Mejia scored five points to capture the crown in the 14 years old division in the just concluded 2nd leg of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) director Manuel Relorcasa Age Group Chess Championships last July 25 at the Knights of Columbus in Makati City.

The Taguig City resident Mejia, playing under the watchful eye of LSGH head coach NM Erwin L. Carag will spearhead LSGH in this year’s PRADA and PAYAA Chess Championships.

Paulo Bersamina (4 pts) and Jerad Docena (3 pts) came in second and third respectively.

Rounding up to the top ten are Rommel Romasanta, Bernadette Galas, John Michael Magpily, Nathan Belza, Franz Josiah Torres, Jesther Reano and Joaquin Gatmaytan.

In the 10 year old division, Daryl Unix Samantila scored 5.0 points emerged as the champion over second placer Marie Antoinette San Diego (4 pts).

Michella Felia notch 3.0 points to create a four-way tie for third place together with Andrew Sopungco, Nicole Dela Cruz, and John Cedric Gutierrez.

Other kiddie players who make it to the top ten are Jesca Docena, Elthon Adam Esparagoza, Jesspher Jercan Reano and Danielle Ray Samantilla.

This event is organized by Atty. Vic Aceveda and supervised by arbiters Boyet Tardecilla, Rolly Linan, Rolly Suarez, Eli Carredo and Daniel Tumambing. BY MARLON BERNARDINO.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Scottish Championships 2009

Prasad wins tournament - Gourlay takes title

An all - Indian battle decided the Scottish Championships International Open at the Edinburgh City Chambers. Three players shared the lead going into the final game on 6.5/8. The Indian GMs S A Prasad and MC Panchanathan were paired together with the former prevailing and winning the tournament by half a point. England's Mark Hebden was held to a draw by the Icelander Gudmundur Kjartansson who made a well-deserved GM result.

There was some drama in the battle for the Scottish Championship. Iain Gourlay won the title for the first time as GM Jon Shaw was outplayed by GM Jan Markos of Slovakia and GM Keti Arakhamia-Grant lost on time in a won position against IM Andrew Greet with one move to make. Gourlay defeated Mrs Arakhamia-Grant's husband Jonathan Grant.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

GM JOEY ANTONIO SIMUL

With confirmation from Ms. Nanie this am, the fund-raising simul for the RP PARA Team by GM Joey is scheduled on AUGUST 1 SATURDAY 9 am at MERALCO Lopez Basement Canteen. Entry Fee is P500 and will go for the benefit of our RP PARA Team.

Reserve your slots now and have the chance to play with a World Cup Qualifier and help the cause of our handicapped players.

SHELL BATANGAS RESULTS

17th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship - KIDDIES
Southern Luzon (Batangas) Leg
Organizer(s) : Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
Tournament Director : Alexander Dinoy
Chief or supervising arbiter : IA GENE J. POLIARCO
Arbiters : NA J. Rabe, R. Madayag, R. Cruz, F. Reyes, G. Turqueza, E. Paring, R. Berdera
Town : Event Center, SM City, Batangas
Rating-Ø : 1242

INTERIM RANKING LIST

Rank Name Pts
1 NANOLA Christian 7
2 PEREZ Carl Angelo 6½
3 BERSAMINA Paulo 6½
4 DOCENA Jerad 6
5 COBSILEN JR. Clifford 6
6 MEJIA Giovanni 6
7 ROMERO Gladys Hazelle 6
8 REANO Jessther 6
9 CASIANO Paul Benjamin 6
10 GERONIMO Noel 6
11 DULAY Dave Patrick 6
12 MERILLES Zejih Angelo 6
13 EVANGELISTA Paulbert 6
14 CABUAL Dino Divino 6
15 SAN DIEGO Marie Antoinette 6
16 CONCIO Michella 5½
17 MERILLES Nezil Arj 5½
18 TAN Highryll CJ 5½
19 LAYLO Nathaniel Mathew 5½
20 YAON Michelle 5½
21 VILLA Enrica 5½
22 TABOL Rica Angela 5½
23 MANANSALA Michael Angelo Ii 5
24 CUENCA Chester Ian 5
25 DE JESUS Normel Benigno 5
26 LEYCANO Dan Andrei 5
27 TABOL Ana Margarita 5
28 PANGILINAN Stephen Rome 5
29 JALLORINA Alder Baldwin 5
30 MORONG Johnry 5
31 MARGARITO John Eric 5
32 SUMAGUE Franzy Cress 5
33 MENDOZA Shania Mae 5
34 MORTEL Jamaica 5
35 OSENA Alexis Anne 5
36 LAYLO Marvin Dave 5
37 MENDIOGARIN John Vhictor 5
38 SAN JUAN Nastasha Michelle 5
39 RILLAROZA Istraelito 5
40 MERCADO Christian Jay 5
41 MENDOZA Jesiah 5
42 MENDOZA Jerwin 5
43 QUIATCHON Francis Gabriel 5
44 MARCELLANA Mark James 5
45 DE LEON Luke Matthew 5
46 ROMASANTA Rommel 5
47 FRONDA Jusmel Christian 5
48 CABUGAO Earl Nathaniel 5
49 DELFIN Mary Anne Janette 5
50 MENDIOGARIN Jhoemar 5
51 GALAS Bernadette 5
52 SORIANO Delfin Jaime 5
53 SOL CRUZ Raul Jr. 5
54 RUBIS Patrick Anthony 5
55 GUTIERREZ Francis Zam 5
56 LEGASPI Jhonel 5
57 CASIANO Martina Sophia 5
58 SABULARSE Julian 5
59 CARANDANG Theodor 5
60 FILLARO Jo Daryl 5
61 CASAO Ivy Raquel 4½
62 GUICO Shayxanthe Lois 4½
63 LANDICHO Maverick John Michael 4½
64 PRADO Davemar 4½
65 SAN JUAN Ma. Mae-Bel Grace 4½
66 MOSTER Wilson 4½
67 MAGBILANG Anabelle 4½
68 ATIENZA John Michael 4½
69 CAUNCA Louie 4½
70 HERNANDEZ Mark Joseph 4½
71 TORRES Hermie 4½
72 DE LEON Dominique Dave 4½
73 PARING Lemuel 4½
74 ALCANTARA Michael Solomon 4½
75 PELAEZ Jamuel John 4½
76 MAME John 4½
77 DIOKNO Jonathan Paulo 4
78 VERANO Dante Leonardo 4
79 MAGPILY John 4
80 ABERIN John Mark 4
81 ARUGAY Nikodemus 4
82 SUMAGUE Franzes Cress 4
83 OPULENCIA Paul Keno 4
84 MANALO Jerwin 4
85 MAGBILANG Anastacio Jr. 4
86 MAGO John Carlo 4
87 ZACARIAS Julius Troy 4
88 ABUCEJO Francis Albert 4
89 BAUAL Brent Ivan 4
90 CALINDAS Roland Paolo 4
91 MAGO John Paulo 4
92 JOTA Jonathan 4
93 CALINGASAN Bryan Carlo 4
94 PANTIA Gian Karlo 4
95 LAT Jose Lorenzo 4
96 DE AUSTRIA Mark Anjelo 4
97 DIVINAFLOR Daren Angelo 4
98 BALDOVIA Avel Louise 4
99 MAME Paul 4
100 TORIO Kent Howell 4
101 GONZALES John Paul 4
102 AMATORIO Rafael 4
103 DEL MUNDO Ram Adolf Stalin 4
104 GUMASIN Manolito 4
105 MACALALAD Jeld Andrew 4
106 DADUA Jerickson 4
107 GRAVILLO Narciso Jr. 4
108 BAES Rey 4
109 CUA Aaron Jel 4
110 MAGTIBAY Denver 4
111 TUMAMBING Kim Philip 4
112 TECSON Jessielyn 4
113 TINAJA Francis Leonard 4
114 PEREZ Remdee Angiel 4
115 LANDICHO James David 4
116 ESPINO Lee Francis 4
117 LOPEZ Ralph Angelo 4
118 SULTAN Neul 4
119 MALIBIRAN Von Carlo 4
120 BERMEJO Arturo Iii 4
121 SERBETO Ivanne Roosevelt 4
122 RUBIS Ryan 4
123 MARASIGAN Ian Kenneth 4
124 BLASTIQUE Johannah Mae 4
125 AMORADO Vincent John 4
126 DE TORRES Crisanto 4
127 AUSTRIA Camille 4
128 REYES Dandel Dave 4
129 CLAUS Rubelito 4
130 LIGPITAN Aaron 4
131 CHUA Joshua 4
132 MARTIN Vien Marwin 4
133 CERVANTES Rose Ann 4
134 CARAIG Chris Ryan 4
135 VILLAFLOR Ralph Vittorio 4
136 GARCIA Neil Graham Bhel 4
137 BAUTISTA Rothsen 3½
138 PRADO Raymond George 3½
139 BUHAT Philip 3½
140 PANGANIBAN Rey Anthony 3½
141 PRADO Arbie Angela 3½
142 CUA Ken Vriane 3½
143 ALVAREZ Denzel 3½
144 ESPARRAGO Saira Anne Micah 3½
145 BAY Misael Andre 3½
146 BICOL Jonas Angelo 3½
147 COLADILLA Vincent Paolo 3½
148 VILLAMOR Gabriel Adrian 3½
149 BALMES Ivan Macdowell 3½
150 BRIONES Bon Patrick 3½
151 ACOB Iris Jane Clarisse 3
152 ACORDA John Kenneth 3
153 GUICO Neil Ian Jay 3
154 LLAMAS Robin Josef 3
155 DIVINO Mark Freddierick 3
156 MARCIAL Paul Marvin 3
157 UY Kyle Steven 3
158 DIMAANO Dona Allaisa Rafaela 3
159 CASIANO Ma. Alessandra 3
160 MELGAREJO Lance Amiel 3
161 VILLENA Ser Michael John Clester 3
162 GARCIA Aizra 3
163 MARCELLANA Jan Erlson 3
164 MAGADIA Mark Joseph 3
165 GABAISEN Carmela Adel 3
166 JIMENEZ Maria Tracey 3
167 LONTOC John Robert 3
168 PABITO Christian Marjun 3
169 PEREZ Daniel 3
170 ALEDO Dylan 3
171 GUICO Japheth Jeuel 3
172 VILLEGAS Miguel Angelo 3
173 BINUYA Lester 3
174 GUIZZAGAN Zchiaina Gie 3
175 BAUTISTA Kristian Erick 3
176 MALABANAN Julius Jay 3
177 BABAAN Jennieveive 3
178 DE TORRES John Paul 3
179 LONTOC Jerome Rovic 3
180 ARADA Inigo Manuel 3
181 ALDAY Francis Nicoli 3
182 ALVAREZ Kelvin 3
183 DALISAY John Amiel 3
184 TOLENTINO Robert Jacob 3
185 DIVINAFLOR Daniel Christian 3
186 LIRA Celso Josh 3
187 PINGUL Grant Earl 3
188 RONQUILLO Cassaundra Mae 3
189 GARCIA John Paulo 3
190 PASNO Shareena Katrin 3
191 ROSALES Jannas Gabriel 3
192 REANO Jesspher Jerun 3
193 CRUZ Jorge Christian 3
194 ROSALES Marjure 3
195 BAYAN Maria Angela 3
196 AGUIHON Louie 3
197 CANTOS Mary Grace 3
198 SAN DIEGO Mikka Paulene 3
199 MENDOZA Nea Czarina 3
200 CARINO Lorien 3
201 PEREZ John Ronald 3
202 MALABANAN Christian 3
203 ABRIL April Angel 3
204 VALENCIA Tricia Pearl 3
205 MANANSALA Mikylla 3
206 YAP Mark Niel 2½
207 DALANGIN John Gabriel 2½
208 MONTEALTO Patrick Jay 2½
209 GARCIA Arla 2½
210 DE VILLA Rendell Mori 2½
211 MENDOZA Elle Krizia 2½
212 ZALDIVAR Rodel 2½
213 CLAVERIA Donn Gm 2½
214 SOMBILLA Karla 2½
215 ROSALES Imanuel Benj 2½
216 DE CHAVEZ Mark Jude 2
217 DE TORRES Jonathan Patrick 2
218 COMETA Darwin Nino 2
219 MARGARITO John Andrew 2
220 REYES Darren-Paul 2
221 DONGUINES John Fleer 2
222 MENDOZA Renz Ryan 2
223 OMILLO John Mark 2
224 MALABANAN Imee 2
225 MORTEL Elynaih 2
226 AGUILA Mel Edmond 2
227 CUETO Arrabelle 2
228 CATACUTAN Mark Kenneth 2
229 MACATANGAY Ariane Faith 2
230 AGUADO Maynard 2
231 RONQUILLO Chris Angel 2
232 AGUADO Alison Rhalan 2
233 CRISTOBAL Gian Harvey 2
234 ACOSTA Daniel 2
235 DISEPEDA Jude Wilson 2
236 DE CASTRO Eunice Rachele 2
237 BAYAN Maria Lisa 2
238 ADALLA John Marvin 2
239 IBANEZ Charlene 2
240 VALENCIA Hannah Pearl 2
241 AGUILERA Chelsie 2
242 CAROLINO Chino 2
243 MALIGAYA John Marco 2
244 MAKALINTAL John Patrick 2
245 BAGSIT Ivan Junel 1½
246 FARINAS Hannah Paula 1½
247 BARTE Monica 1½
248 ORTANEZ Jenika Jane 1½
249 BALSAMO Jan Timothy 1½
250 BALINA Johanna Lea 1½
251 ACOSTA Danuel Paul 1½
252 AGUADO Maria Fatima 1½
BALINA Mel Marciano 1½
254 NAVARRO Daniel Vincent 1½
255 EVANGELISTA John Aeron 1½
256 SUAREZ Caryn 1½
257 SANTOS John Lloyd 1½
258 RAMA Mark Ivan 1½
259 TINGOHOY Ryan Vincent 1½
260 FERNANDEZ Crystal Zara 1½
261 CONCIO Miguel Christian 1
262 BARTE Wendy 1
263 RILLAROZA Christian 1
264 FALQUEZA John Paul 1
265 RIVERA Hazel Imee Almira 1
266 ASPIRAS Bea Eunice 1
267 ESGUERRA Marvie Lyn 1
268 FALTADO John Paulo 1
269 EROA Justine 1
270 WONG Jordan 1
271 TOLENTINO Jester Paul ½
272 GILERA Ma. Jerille ½
273 GABI Henrich ½
274 EVANGELISTA Ian Roy ½
275 VERGARA Sudama Krishna Das ½
276 JAVELLANA Eulina 0
277 DIMAANO Danica Pauline 0
GARCIA Christopher Vincent 0
279 JIMENEZ Wilmark 0
280 CLARETE Ernesto Jr. 0
281 FRANE Joshua 0
GUTIERREZ Alexander 0
ORTEGA Sharmaigne 0
VIERNES Tucker Howard Elsteine 0
285 BESMONTE Francis 0
LOZANO Arvie 0
BUCANEGRA Derick James 0
PALACIO John Christer 0
SALONGA John David 0
290 ISABEDRA Gian Vincent 0
291 CASA Ceejay 0
NAVARRO Christian Michael 0
RELATIVO Paul Carlo 0
VALENCIA Bianca 0
295 BENDANA Eloisa 0
296 BONIFACIO Anfernee 0
ALBUERA Felix Kaiser 0
BEREDO Jomar 0
EVANGELISTA Ian Jerome 0
EVANGELISTA Ian Piolo 0
301 ROSALES Queeny Ron 0
302 BEBASA Angel Jan 0
BONIFACIO Joribene 0
MAGNAYE Junar Ian 0

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

US MASTER BRYANT SIMUL

US SENIOR MASTER TO PLAY IN MERALCO CHESS CLUB
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

US Senior Chess Master John Daniel Bryant will hold a simultaneous exhibition on Friday, 6 p.m. at the Meralco head office in Ortigas.

Bryant, step son of Cebuano IM Enrico “Ikong” Sevillano, will be pitted against some of member of Meralco Chess Club, the GM Joey Antonio-coached RP PARA-Lympics Chess Team, NM Erwin Carag’s La Salle Greenhills Chess Team and Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School of Raul Cruz.

Bryant, who hold United States Chess Federation (USCF) 2449 rating, whose mother Rose is from Cebu City.

The one-day event is organized by Meralco Chess Club headed by its president Rolly Sol Cruz in close cooperation with Filipino Missionary Pastor John Michael “Jojo” Culaniban, founding pastor of Heritage Christian Church in Bakersfield, California.MARLON BERNARDINO.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Bangladesh Championship 2009

The Mercantile Bank 35th National Chess Championship-2009, took place 30th June - 12th July 2009 in Dhaka, Bangladesh 4 GM's 3FM's and 7 rated players participated in round-robin system event. Niaz Murshed has withdrew after three rounds. Ziaur Rahman won the event with 11/13. News: Haroon or Rashid.

Games in PGN

ch-BAN Dhaka (BAN), 29 vi-12 vii 2009 cat. II (2283)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
1. Rahman, Ziaur g BAN 2523 * ½ ½ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11.0 2663
2. Reefat, Bin-Sattar g BAN 2486 ½ * ½ 0 1 ½ ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 8.5 2423
3. Hossain, Enamul g BAN 2531 ½ ½ * 0 1 1 ½ 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 8.0 2386
4. Abu Sufian, Shakil f BAN 2378 0 1 1 * 0 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 1 1 ½ 7.5 2369
5. Bhuiyan, Golam Mostafa
BAN 2135 0 0 0 1 * 1 0 1 ½ 0 1 1 1 6.5 2323
6. Mohammad, Ali
BAN 2253 0 ½ 0 0 0 * 1 1 1 1 ½ 0 1 6.0 2285
7. Rahman, Md. Taibur f BAN 2325 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 0 * ½ 0 1 ½ 1 0 5.5 2250
8. Mohammad, Javed f BAN 2207 0 0 1 0 0 0 ½ * ½ 1 ½ 1 1 5.5 2259
9. Chatterjee, Debaraj
BAN 2248 0 0 0 ½ ½ 0 1 ½ * 1 0 1 1 5.5 2256
10. Hasan Md, Emam
BAN 2135 0 ½ ½ 1 1 0 0 0 0 * ½ 1 0 4.5 2207
11. Ahmed, Mahtabuddin
BAN 2220 0 0 0 0 0 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ * 0 1 4.0 2162
12. Ahmed, Jamal
BAN 2088 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 * 1 3.0 2105
13. Islam, Aminul Polash
BAN 2145 0 0 0 ½ 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 * 2.5 2064

Sunday, July 12, 2009

CHESSBASE: KRAMINK WINS DORTMUND

Dortmund 10: Kramnik wins Dortmund for the ninth time
12.07.2009 – This is definitely his tournament: Vladimir Kramnik won it eight times previously, and after an inauspicious start the former World Champion mopped up in the second half to finish a full point ahead of his nearest rivals. They were Peter Leko, Magnus Carlsen and Dmitry Jakovenko, all at 5.5/10 points. Kramnik's performance: 2848. Final report with statistics.

From 2nd to 12th July 2009 six of the world's strongest grandmasters are taking part in the annual Sparkassen Chess-Meeting – the 37th edition. Each player has to play two games against each other, one with white and one with black pieces. The winner of this tournament will be determined after ten rounds. Games start at 15:15 = 3:15 p.m. local time (CEST, = 17:15 Moscow, 14:15 p.m. London, 9:15 a.m. New York).
All games will be broadcast by the official web site's "Live Games" page and on the Playchess.com server with live audio commentary (by FM Valeri Lilov, with a 10 Ducat charge per evening). As in the previous year the moves of the Sparkassen Chess-Meeting will be transmitted on the Internet with a delay of 15 minutes – which means that the moves stay in the playing hall for that period, before they are broadcast to the rest of the world). This is an important anti-cheating measure that has been proposed to FIDE since October 2005 and has the support of most of the top players. We commend the Dortmund organisers for taking the initiative.
Kramnik,V (2759) - Naiditsch,A (2697) [D37]
Sparkassen GM Dortmund GER (10), 12.07.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bg5 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Bxd7+ Nxd7 13.0-0 a6 14.Rb1 Qc7 15.Qh5 Nc5 16.Rb4 Qe5 17.Qh6 Rc8 18.Nf3 Qxc3 19.Rd4 Ke7 20.e5 Nd7 21.Qh4 Rhg8 22.Kh1 b5 23.h3 Rc4 24.Rxd7+ Kxd7 25.Qxf6 Qd3 26.Qxf7+ Kc6 27.Qxe6+ Kb7 28.Re1 Rg6 29.Qf7+ Rc7 30.Qf4 Rc4 31.Qf8 Rc8 32.Qe7+ Rc7 33.Qh4 Qc4 34.Nd4 Qxa2 35.Qe4+ Kb6 36.Qe3 Kb7 37.Qf3+ Kb6 38.Nb3
The position, which had been objectively drawn for a while, has, after the pawn sacrifice on move 34, begun to slip into White's favour. Now comes the decisive error Kramnik has been waiting for: 38...Rc2?? 39.Qe3+ Kb7 40.e6 Rxf2 41.Qe4+ Kb6 42.Qd4+ 1-0.

PARA GAMES: CANONIGO vs PULSAR

[Event "Meralco Chess Club Goodwill Tourney"]
[Site "Meralco"]
[Date "2009.07.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Rudy Canonigo"]
[Black "pulsar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo ""]
[BlackElo ""]
[Time ""]
[TimeControl ""]
Annotation by PULSAR of Barangay Wesley Team

1. e4 c5 2.Na3

http://chesscafe.com/text/kaiss09.pdf and http://chesscafe.com/text/kaiss10.pdf

for those interested.


click for larger view

After the game my opponent told me that he was going for the Big Clamp...>

2...b6

3.f4

3...Bb7 4.d3 e6 5.Nf3 d5

6.e5 Nc6 7.g3 Nge7 8.c3 Nf5 9.Nc2 h5 10. Bh3 g6

11.Qe2 Be7 12.Bd2 Qd7 13.a3

13...Na5 14.b4

14...Nb3 15.Rb1 Nxd2 16.Qxd2 d4 16.Bg2 dxc3 17.Qxc3 cxb4 18. axb2 Rc8

19. Qd2


click for larger view

19...Rxc2


click for larger view

20. Qxc2 Ne3 21.Qe2 Nxg2


click for larger view

22.Qxg2 <22.Kf2 looks stronger, with a lot of play for both sides. I saw Kf2 after 21.Qe2 but I was forced to continue with my plan since I already gave up the exchange two moves earlier.


click for larger view

White is lost after the text.


click for larger view

>

Qxd3 23.Kf2 Qc2+ 23.Ke3 0-1

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

CHESSBASE: WANG YUE BEATS IVANCHUK

Sofia Super-GM: Wang Yue beats Ivanchuk
14.05.2009 – In the Super-GM tournament in Sofia Leinier Dominguez vs Magnus Carlsen ended in a draw after 30 moves. Shirov vs Topalov lasted 27 moves longer and also ended in a draw. Top Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk lost his second game in a row with the white pieces, when Wang Yue from China defeated him in a nice pawn ending with Zugzwang.


Ivanchuk,V (2746) - Wang Yue (2738) [C42]
Super GM Sofia BUL (2), 14.05.2009
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 Be6 9.0-0-0 Qd7 10.Kb1 a6 11.Be2 Bf6 12.Ng5 Bxg5 13.Bxg5 f6 14.Be3 0-0-0 15.Rhe1 Rhe8 16.b3 Bg4 17.f3 Bf5 18.Bf1 Bg6 19.Kb2 Re5 20.Bf2 Qf5 21.Bg3 Rxe1 22.Bxe1 Qg5 23.Qxg5 fxg5 24.c4 Ne7 25.Bd2 h6 26.Bc3 Nf5 27.Re1 Re8 28.Rxe8+ Bxe8 29.Bd3 g6 30.Kc1 Nh4 31.Bf1 Kd7 32.Kd2 Ke6 33.Ke3 Nf5+ 34.Kf2 Kf7 35.Bd3 Ne7 36.g4 Nc6 37.Be4 Nd8 38.Bd5+ Ke7 39.Bg7 h5 40.Bd4 Bc6 41.Be3 Kf6 42.Kg3 Ne6 43.a4 Ke5 44.Bxg5 Bxd5 45.f4+ Ke4 46.cxd5 Nxg5 47.fxg5 h4+ 48.Kxh4 Kf3 49.b4 b5 50.a5 Kg2 51.h3 Kh2 0-1.

GMANEWS: LAYLO WINS NAT'L OPEN

Laylo wins National Open


MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Lipa City will be bringing his morale-boosting victory in the Victory Central Mall National Open chess championship when he competes in the Zone 3.3 FIDE World Chess Championships 2009 set on July 22 to 30 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

On Tuesday, Laylo split the point with IM Richard Bitoon of Cebu in the ninth and final round to tie for the National Open's top spot with GM John Paul Gomez with their identical 7.0 points.

But Laylo, a mainstay of the Philippine Army chess team, became the meet's top finisher and after gaining a tiebreak score of 41.5 against Gomez's 39.5.


Nat'l Open Chess Championship
Final Standings


7.0 points - GM Darwin Laylo (41.5 tiebreak), GM John Paul Gomez (39.5 tiebreak)

6.5 points - GM Mark Paragua, IM Richard Bitoon, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Christian Arroyo, FM Leonardo Carlos

6.0 points - IM Barlo Nadera, GM Jayson Gonzales, Rhobel Legaspi, Deniel Causo, IM Chito Garma, Ali Branzuela, NM Stewart Manaog, Rainer Labay

Laylo and Gomez, who defeated PNP's Ali Branzuela in the final round, pocketed P80,000 each after the combined prize for first and second placers were divided between them.

GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. drew with GM Mark Paragua in the ninth round to finish with 6.5 points and tied Paragua, Bitoon, Christian Arroyo and FM Leonardo Carlos for third to seventh spots.

Laylo will be competing in the Vietnam tourney, a qualifying tournament for the World Chess Cup set on Nov. 20 in Khanty Mansiyk, Russia, with GM Wesley So, GM Eurene Torre, Paragua and Bitoon.

Based on the tournament's official website, So was ranked as the top seed because of his Fide Elo rating of 2646.

Torre (2560) gained the fourth ranking, Bitoon (2495) eighth, Laylo 2493 ninth and Paragua (2487) 10th.

Antonio is currently the lone Filipino qualifier to the prestigious World Chess Tournament. - GMANews.TV


---------------------------------
Here is a Laylo win in another event.

PHILSTAR: SHELL TUGUEGARAO

Abalos, Lagula top Shell Chess Elims
(The Philippine Star) Updated July 07, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Univ. of Baguio’s Leonardo Abalos and Mc Dominique Lagula of FEU nipped their respective rivals in the tiebreak to capture the juniors and kiddies titles, respectively, in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Northern Luzon elims at the Paseo Reale’s function room in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last Sunday.

The ninth-ranked Abalos, one of the eight players who swept the first three rounds in the 20-and-under division, won two and drew his last two matches with Jake Tumaliuan and Jan Galan to finish with six points in the seven-round Swiss system tournament.

Galan and Marfred Sanchez also wound up six points apiece but Abalos took the title with a superior tiebreak score.

Galan, from La Salle-Greenhills, and Sanchez, playing out of Cagayan State U, settled for second and third, respectively, and joined Abalos in the October grand finals of the event, sponsored by Pilipinas Shell under its Shell Active Chess program, which supports the empowerment of the youth as part of the company’s overall Sustainable Development commitment.

Lagula and fellow FEU bet Vince Medina swept the 14-and-under class with seven points but the latter won the crown on higher tiebreak score. The top-seeded Lagula trounced No. 4 Jon Bitamor and No. 5 Dave Dulay in the last two rounds while the third-ranked Medina toppled No. 6 Alder Jallorina and Dale Ancheta to match Lagula’s romp.

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