Friday, July 30, 2010

Sevillano Triumphs in Agoura Hills

CCA's 15th Pacific Coast Open attracted a typical turnout of 203 players (and 12 reentries) to the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills, northwest of Los Angeles, over the July 15-18 weekend. The 30-player Open section featured two GMs and four IMs, with one of the latter, Enrico Sevillano, finishing on top with a 5-1 score.
The United States Chess Federation - Sevillano Triumphs in Agoura Hills

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Understanding Chess Move by Move

Almost all the examples are taken from the 1990s and show how key ideas are handled by the grandmasters of today. The emphasis is on general principles that readers will be able to use in their own games, and detailed analysis is only given where it is necessary.

Each game contains many lessons, but to guide the reader through the most important ideas in each phase of the game, the thirty games are grouped thematically into those highlighting opening, middlegame and endgame themes.
Understanding Chess Move by Move - Products - New In Chess

Chess Opening Essentials

It gives a flavour of how every opening works and explains the similarities with other openings, as well as the differences. In addition, it also points at the various middlegame plans that apply after the opening has ended.
Chess Opening Essentials, Volume 1 - Products - New In Chess

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Chess Game of Paulo Coelho

The chess game � Paulo Coelho’s Blog

Monday, July 26, 2010

Bandera

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Chess for a Cause Twin Simul : GM Eugene Torre

Chess for a Cause Twin Simul : GM Jayson Gonzales

GM Gonzales vs TWH Champion Gerry Moreno

GM Eugene Torre

GM Jayson Gonzales

Opening Remarks

Meralco Sports Coordinator Manny Legaspi

Thank You Message

http://www.tahanangwalanghagdanan.org/

Ms. Angel Villafuerte

Welcome Note

Meralco Chess Club President Rolly Sol Cruz

Opening Prayer

Registration Committee

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Chess for a Cause: GM Torre and GM Gonzales

GM EUGENE TORRE with the CHESSMEN BAND

YouTube - GM EUGENE TORRE with the CHESSMEN BAND 2008

GM Torre vs Former World Champion Mikhail Tal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUM5ixVkZw&feature=related

Biel Chess Festival

"The 43rd Biel Chess Festival is underway, and this year's invitational event is a tribute to the growing number of junior talents already breaking into the world elite. The list is a veritable who's who of top juniors, all vying to show that they are the ones most deserving of your admiration."

Click the links below for more details:
http://www.bielchessfestival.ch/en/home

ChessBase.com - Chess News - 43rd Biel Chess Festival: Round one:
http://reports.chessdom.com/news-2010/biel-chess-2010-live-games

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Principles of Symmetry

ChessCafe.com
Novice Nook by Dan Heisman

Quote of the Month: “In a chess fight, it is best to eliminate your opponent’s
advantages in order to eradicate his counterplay.”

What do the following twelve criteria have in common?
1. When you are winning, keep the position simple.
2. If you are going to win material, it is usually better to win a pawn than to
win the exchange for a pawn; similarly, it is better to win a piece than to win a
queen for two pieces.
3. When you are winning an endgame, you should generally avoid pawn
promotion races, unless you are 100% positive you will win.
4. If you win a pawn (not “accept a gambit”!) before either side has castled, it
is usually better to castle on the same side as your opponent. If you lose
material in the opening, try to castle on the opposite side.
5. If you are ahead a pawn in the endgame, with pawns on both sides of the
board; in general, it is better to move your king to the same side as your
opponent’s king.
6. If you are ahead an exchange in the endgame, it is better to have a position
where no pawns are passed, than it is to have a position where most or all are
passed pawns.
7. If you are way ahead in material, you can often “sacrifice” material to
simplify. For example, if you have a queen and rook for just a rook, it is
usually a good idea to exchange your queen for your opponent’s rook.
8. If you can win a pawn in a bad position, where the material is even, then
take the pawn, even when winning that pawn costs you some time.
9. When you are winning, general symmetry (a balance in the position) is
better than asymmetry.
10. If the game is even, and you want to win, create asymmetry and
imbalance.
11. As an answer to 1.e4, the Sicilian Defense is more popular among
grandmasters, especially those playing for a win.
12. If you play a stronger player, you have more chances if you play someone
that does some things better than you and some things worse, rather than
someone that does everything at least as well, and some things better.

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman64.pdf

Shell Batangas: Kiddies Results

Organizer(s) : PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Tournament Director : ALEXANDER DINOY
Chief or supervising arbiter : IA GENE POLIARCO
Arbiter : E. Carag, Gatz Luz, Jose Rabe, Ferdie Reyes, E. Carredo, R. Berdera
Town : 2nd floor, Entertainment Area, SM CITY Batangas, Batangas City
Rating-Ø : 1249
Date : 2010/07/17 To 2010/07/18

Final Ranking

Rank Name Pts
1 EVANGELISTA Paul Robert 8½
2 MAGDALAGA Felipe 8
3 NANOLA Christian C. 8
4 PEREZ Carl Angelo D. 7½
5 YAON Michelle L. 7½
6 FORTIN Artrino Paul 7½
7 VERANO Dante Leonardo D. 7½
8 MENDIOGARIN Jhoemar 7
9 ABO Jonathan R. 7
10 OCHOA Kyle Emmanuel 7
11 CABUAL Gino Divino L. 7
12 BUHAT Philip Grant V. 7
13 NOEL Geronimo 7
14 CUENCA Chester Ian A. 7
15 ABUZO Charles Daniel 7
16 CUNANAN Homel Aristotle A. 7
17 ABUCEJO Francis Albert 7
18 FUERTE Vincent 6½
19 FRONDA Jusmel Christian P. 6½
20 SAMANTILA Daryl Unix R. 6½
21 CANTONJOS Alji B. 6½
22 TAN Highryll E. 6½
23 MARGARITO John Eric P. 6½
24 MENDOZA Jesiah F. 6½
25 GONZALES Vladimir 6½
26 FLORES Keneth 6½
27 VERGARA Sudama Khrisna Das B. 6½
28 CAUNCA Louie 6½
29 CANAPE Ynna Sophia C. 6½
30 DEL MUNDO Ram Adolf Stalin B. 6½
31 FLORO Ralph Jordan S. 6
32 MENDOZA Shania Mae G. 6
33 MANANSALA II Michael Angelo 6
34 ENRIQUEZ Jean Karen Y. 6
35 YAP Eric Robert R. 6
36 COBSILEN JR. Clifford U. 6
37 CASIANO Martina Sophia P. 6
38 MARCE Jasper 6
39 JALLORINA Alder Baldwin B. 6
40 LAYLO Marvin Dave C. 6
41 MALIAM Elijah 6
42 PALMA Vince Sebastian B. 6
43 REANO Jessther C. 6
44 MALIAM Clarissa Faith M. 6
45 JOTA Jonathan 6
46 DANDAY Jayson C. 6
47 CORTEZA John Mark F. 6
48 MAME Paul 6
49 DIMAANO Kent Adrian A. 6
50 ARUGAY Nicodemoz 6
51 MORTEL Jamaica 6
52 LIGPITAN Aaron V. 6
53 LOPEZ Ralph Angelo C. 6
54 FULCHER Lawrean Angeley A. 6
55 TOLENTINO Robert Jacob L. 6
56 CAPULE Shem Jasper L. 6
57 BAUAL Brent Ivan C. 6
58 UY Kyle Steven M. 6
59 LLAMAS Robin Josef S. 5½
60 AUSTRIA Aldus Brant B. 5½
61 ELAGO Harold C. 5½
62 RILLORAZA Istraelito 5½
63 PRADO Davemar L. 5½
64 NAVARRO Christian Michael 5½
65 SOL CRUZ JR. Rhal 5½
66 OSENA Alexis Anne 5½
67 LANDICHO Maverick John Michael 5½
68 RUBIS Patrick Anthony M. 5½
69 DE MESA Jeriel Anthony A. 5½
70 GRAVILLO JR. Narciso 5½
71 YANO Elvin 5½
72 DELFIN Mary Anne Janette B. 5½
73 MAGO John Paulo C. 5½
74 DULLON Kurt T. 5½
75 ALCANTARA Michael Solomon M. 5½
76 CORTEZA Jaypee F. 5½
77 ALI Bin-Ali M. 5½
78 LIM William S. 5½
79 DE TORRES Jonathan L. 5½
80 MENDIOGARIN John Vhictor 5
81 DE LEON Luke Matthew B. 5
82 OBAL Jerico Benedicto U. 5
83 AUSTRIA Juan Christopher 5
84 CUNANAN Harold Thaddeus A. 5
85 VILLARANTE Mark Anthony 5
86 LAYLO Nathaniel Mathew C 5
87 MACAPAGAL Kianjoo 5
88 TINAJA Francis Leonard L. 5
89 LIM Paula Mae C. 5
90 PELAEZ John Michael 5
91 NOCES Gleresse Angel E. 5
92 MENDOZA Jerwin F. 5
93 NAVARRO Daniel Vincent 5
94 DE LEON Dominique Dave B. 5
95 VILLANUEVA John Leo 5
96 ALCANTARA III Maximo D.s. 5
97 NUQUI Renz Bryan 5
98 CASTOR Edward E. 5
99 DURIAN Miscah Allain 5
100 GARCIA Neil Graham Bhel P. 5
101 MARTINEZ Aljerome G. 5
102 CATUNGAL Erl Jann M. 5
103 VILLANUEVA Angel 5
104 AQUINO Angel A. 5
105 PRADO Arbie Angela L. 5
106 GUNAY Giselle C. 5
107 DIVINAFLOR Daren Angelo L. 5
108 CORNEL Jessa Mae L. 5
109 BAUTISTA Kristian Erick B 5
110 BAUTISTA Rothsen M. 5
111 DADUA Jerrickson A. 5
112 TEODORO Gerald Joem 5
113 DE GUZMAN Christopher 5
114 DIVINAFLOR Daniel Christian L. 5
115 SERBAN Arvin John S. 5
116 TORINO Omar Josef C. 5
117 BARRAMEDA Albert 5
118 ACOSTA Danuel Paul P. 5
119 MEDINA Maiden Anshereen I. 5
120 CANAPE Cyrus Benjamin C 5
121 ALVAREZ Kelvin C. 5
122 VENTINILLA Coleene R. 5
123 ROBLES Logie A. 5
124 CARPIO Deo Emil G. 5
125 AMUL JR. Noel C. 5
126 AUSTRIA Meliza Anne M. 5
127 VAYDAL Henry C. 5
128 JARDELIZA Rose Ann D. 4½
129 SANTIANO Al G. 4½
130 POLANCOS Anne Klein M. 4½
131 ILAGAN Ralph Miguel 4½
132 VILLAMOR Gabriel C. 4½
133 RUBIS Ryan M. 4½
134 ACOSTA Dariel P. 4½
135 SANTANO Alina G. 4½
136 CAPULI John Naurence C. 4½
137 MANALO Alyssa Angelica B. 4½
138 REANO Jesspher Jerean C. 4½
139 CUNANAN Harvey Matthew A. 4½
140 BALDOVIA Avel Louise 4½
141 BALAN Anna Ghudiel D. 4½
142 SARMIENTO Auron Clai M. 4½
143 DIOKNO Jerome Christian C. 4
144 DIZOR Mark Joseph Y. 4
145 LANDICHO James David T. 4
146 MAME Clinton V. 4
147 PANTIA Gian Karlo C. 4
148 MACATIAG Mitchel Bertrand T. 4
149 ANG Matthew John L. 4
150 LOJO Paul Lester L. 4
151 MACATANGAY Art Gabriel S. 4
152 ULANDAY Kevin Paolo C. 4
153 MALABANAN Mj Christopher D. 4
154 GUIZZAGAN Zchiaina Eve A. 4
155 CALINGASAN Brian 4
156 TITULAR Lee Angelo B. 4
157 CARANDANG Joshua M. 4
158 DE CASTRO Susanna Keziah Marie R 4
159 MATANGUIHAN Rose Ann E. 4
160 PRADO Erica 4
161 GACUSAN Kimberly Shane M. 4
162 ALVAREZ Denzel C. 4
163 REYES Glen Rydell P. 4
164 SASTADO Harold Mars 4
165 LACSAMANA Shanelle Rae A. 4
166 NORIEGA Christian Janlois A. 4
167 PINGUL Grant Earl F. 4
168 DIMATATAC Kaye Bernadette 4
169 MENDOZA Elle Krizia F. 4
170 GUMBOC Karina Luisa R. 4
171 ROSALES Glaiza Lenn C. 4
172 MARDO Michael John A. 4
173 MILLARES John Eriel P. 4
174 SAMANTILA Danielle Ray R. 4
175 RODRIGUEZ Kathlyn V. 4
176 SANDICO Lyca Audrey D. 4
177 MAGSINO Aeronn Edgar B. 4
178 BICOL Jonas Angelo O. 4
179 MORESCA Cedrix Jann M. 4
180 HERNANDEZ Michael Jethro 4
181 SANTOS Jinemmy Joy 4
182 JALLORINA Aldgenne Monica B. 3½
183 PIMENTEL Evan Julius P. 3½
184 CARAIG Chris Ryan A. 3½
185 MENDOZA Mea Czarina F. 3½
186 EVANGELISTA Princess Rose 3½
187 RAMIREZ Rhea Mae 3½
188 RAMIREZ John Loyd A. 3½
189 SIMPKINS Samantha M. 3½
190 ATIENZA John Michael S. 3
191 ABERIN Jhon Mark 3
192 GUNTINAS Ken C. 3
193 ESPIRITU Jonash Dave V. 3
194 MENDOZA Jonas Javier M. 3
195 OTSUKA JR. Tetsuo Dhzora R. 3
196 LORENZO Micah Liezel S. 3
197 BAGSIT Ivan 3
198 LACSAMANA Aeron Kiel A. 3
199 HERNANDEZ Angela Mae 3
200 MANALO Lance Khristian B. 3
201 ALCAIDE III Prudencio V. 3
202 DIMAANO Mary Ann 3
203 ABABAO Alanis Mikaela L. 3
204 DE VILLA Rendell Mari E. 3
205 MARGARITO John Andrew P. 3
206 ARGANOZA Ma. Excelsis Dhea T. 3
207 CASTILLO Robbie 3
208 MAGNO Kim Ahyeza 3
209 AGUADO Alison Rhalam E. 2½
210 GABRIEL Aljean 2½
211 DIMATATAC Davey Von A. 2½
212 COMIA Jairah Learns D. 2½
213 MORILLO Evander I. 2
214 NIEVA Clark Deinielle L. 2
215 CORDERO Alvin Joie T. 2
216 ESPIRITU Paolo Edni Andryn V. 2
217 GERSLAN Jollan A. 2
218 MONTALES Nikko Lewis M. 2
219 DE TORRES John Paul B. 2
220 COMETA Darwin Nino 2
221 ALDAMA John Mark A. 2
222 MANIGBAS Fitzgerald 2
223 FEDERICO Isaiah Jonas F. 2
224 ROSALES Marjorie 2
225 HERMOSURA John Joseph M. 2
226 DIMAANO Danila 2
227 RAMA Marck Ivan C. 2
228 BABAGAY Christopher I. 2
229 MANIGBAS Julius Ceasar D. 2
230 GUNDAY George 2
231 RONQUILLO Chris Angel F. 2
232 SANDICO Leo Adrian D. 2
233 TORIO Kent Howell G. 2
234 DIMATATAC Kit Brian 2
235 FERNANDEZ Crystal Yara O. 1½
236 EVANGELISTA Von Kerwin 1
237 FARAON Patricia Anne Thea A. 1
238 FERMIN Aldwin Jerico T. 1
239 IMPERIAL John Henry 1
240 RONQUILLO Cassandra Mae F. 1
241 VIRAY Daryl Alden S. 1
242 TUMAMBING Claudette C. 1
243 DE VILLA Orvin Joshua 1
244 MEDRANO Janet B. 1
245 ABRIL April Angel C. 1
246 DELFIN Rey Gabriel B. 1
247 HERNANDEZ Aira Crystel R. 1
248 BARTE Monich G. 1
249 SOMBILLA Karla G. 1
250 AGUADO Maynard P. 1
251 CLANOR Nicole Maree M. 1
252 PUERTELLANO Khaterine B. ½
253 COMIA Myra O. ½
254 ALEZ Diether Joshua ½
255 MAGTIBAY Johndolf Isagani B. ½
256 DIAZ Jose Enrico B. ½

Sunday, July 18, 2010

GM Dableo & UST Ladies Team

Saturday, July 10, 2010

64 Commandments of Chess

Be aggressive, but play soundly. Don't take unnecessary chances.
Make sure every move has a purpose.
If you know your opponent's style, take advantage of it. But, in the final analysis, play the board, not the player.
Don't ignore your opponent's moves.
Don't give needless checks. Check only when it makes sense.
Answer all threats. Try to do so by improving your position and/or posing a counter-threat.
Play for the initiative. If you already have it, maintain it. If you don't have it, seize it.
When exchanging, try to get at least as much as you give up.
Take with the man of least value, unless there is a definite reason for doing otherwise.
Cut your losses. If you must lose material, lose as little as possible.
If you blunder, don't give up fighting. After getting the advantage, your opponent may relax and let you escape.
Never play a risky move, hoping your opponent will overlook your threat, unless you have a losing position. In that case, you have nothing to lose.
Rely on your own powers. If you can't see the point of your opponent's move, assume there isn't any.
Don't sacrifice without good reason.
When you can't determine whether to accept or decline a sacrifice, accept it.
Attack in number. Don't rely on just one or two pieces.

64 Commandments of Chess

Tahanan Walang Hagdanan

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Laznicka wins World Open

In his first journey to America, Viktor Laznicka won the traditional World Open at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and the $20,000 first prize on Monday. Grabbing pawns and sacrificing Exchanges (rooks for light pieces), the 22-year-old Czech grandmaster showed a great fighting spirit and was very comfortable on his risky path to victory.

ChessBase.com - Chess News - Kavalek at Huffington: Laznicka wins World Open

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Chess Holds the Key to Life

Tuesday July 6, 2010

Businessman believes chess holds the key to life

Story and photos By PRIYA MENON
priya@thestar.com.my

Deep in though: Edmund prepares to make a move.

Colourful characters: One of Edmund’s chess sets features pieces depicting traditional English costumes

MANY know that the man behind Masterskill Educa tion Group Bhd, Datuk Sri Edmund Santhara, is an enthusiastic businessman but most are unaware of his hidden talent and passion, a good game of chess.

Chess is a game that hails from India some 5,000 years ago and Edmund believes the game resembles the battlefield and theoretically represents an equal setting where both opponents have the same number of players.

Edmund, a busy businessman, has incorporated his love for the intellectual game with his work, creating a space at the office and home that would be the envy of chess enthusiasts around the world.

He first began playing the intricate game in kindergarten and became an open chess player for Malaysia.

From master chess player, Edmund — who is also the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association President — has become a collector of Chess pieces and boards from around the world.

Today Edmund has 500 Chess sets which he has been collecting actively for the past five years. His career takes him all over the world and the one thing he brings home from his travels are the Chessboards.

“I feel really happy when I see the Chessboard, it is something I am familiar with. In the beginning, I bought one or two pieces that I liked the most but in the end, I fell in love with collecting the pieces,” he said.

Edmund added that not many people collected such pieces. Initially, he also did not realise that collecting the pieces would turn into an expensive affair.

The cheapest set he has is a standard chessboard that costs about RM15 and the most expensive would probably be a unique Mother of Pearl chessboard worth RM 50,000 from Hong Kong.

For Edmund, the chessboards make very beautiful decorative items and gift sets. In fact, VVIP guests who visit Masterskill will be given a chessboard as a token of appreciation.

The criteria for each chessboard is the attention to detail each piece carries. He also added that the board was just as important as the chess pieces.

He has several unique pieces in his possession including an Egyptian Chessboard, a sandalwood set, an antique silver set and a chessboard for the blind.

Each set is unique in its own way, like the Egyptian set with Pharaohs and the Mother of Pearl set which is handmade with intricate details.

He is determined to build a gallery to show off his pieces both at home and at the site of the new Masterskill University College.

Edmund says business and life were similar to Chess. There are common objectives and goals, and all the pieces are integrated and work as a team.

No pieces are moved for the sake of it and each step has to be meticulously planned and supported.

‘You also have problems in chess, and in the business world we have so many problems. We solve them bit by bit just like the problems that arise in chess,” he said.

The words of an unknown author, “In life as in chess, forethought wins” is written on his office wall, emphasising his belief in the world and its interaction with chess.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/7/6/central/6426693&sec=central