GM SO HALVES THE POINT IN THE 6TH ROUND, STILL THE SOLO LEADER OF AIC 2010

( GM Megaranto vs. GM So in 5th round action of the AIC 2010 )


GM Wesley So played the Sicilian Najdorf Poison pawn variation as black for the first time with relative ease and secured the draw after 32 moves against GM Gopal of India. GM So was obviously well prepared for the game as he blitzed his opening moves. The game followed the game of GM So vs. Wu Xibin played at the 2008 Dubai Open where GM So emerged as Champion. GM So played the white pieces at that time and emerged the winner after 54 moves.

GM Gopal was the first to deviate from that game by playing 26. Nd6 instead of the 26.Nc5 played by GM So. The truce was agreed after 32 moves with the position basically equal but with GM So way ahead in the clock. Next for GM So is GM Ni Hua whom Wesley already defeated during the last Olympiad.

[Event "AIC 2010"]
[Site "Subic"]
[Date "2010.04.26"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Geetha, Narayanan Gopal"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B97"]

As analyzed by GM Glenn Bordonada with additional inputs by CAISSA'S FATHER

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2

The poison pawn variation of the Sicilian Najdorf. One of the most critical and thoroughly analyzed line of the Sicilian Defense.

9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5 Nfd7 12. Ne4 12... h6 13. Bh4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qd5 15. Qe3 Qxe5 16. Be2 Bc5 17. Bg3 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Qa5+ 19. Rd2 O-O 20. Bd6 Nc6 21. O-O Nce5 22. Bxf8 Nxf8 23. Nd6 Bd7 24. Nxb7 Qb4 25. Nd6!?

GM Gopal is the first to deviate from the game of GM Wesley So himself (Elo 2540) vs. Wu Xibin (Elo 2351), 10th Dubai Open April 7, 2008 where GM So essayed the move 25. Nc5. The game continued with 25... Bb5 26. c3 Ng4 27. cxb4 Nxe3 28. Ra1 Rb8 29. Nxa6 Bxa6 30. Rxa6 Nd5 31. b5 Nd7 32. Ra7 N7b6 33. Rc2 g6 34. Bf3 Kg7 35. g3 h5 36. Bg2 Nc8 37. Rd7 Ncb6 38. Ra7 Nc8 39. Ra5 Nd6 40. Bf1 Rb7 41. Rb2 Nc8 42. Bg2 Ncb6 43. Ra6 Rc7 44. Bxd5 Nxd5 45. Kf2 Rb7 46. Rc6 Kf6 47. Ke2 Nc7 48. b6 Nd5 49. Kd3 Ke7 50. Kd4 Kd7 51. Kc5 Nc3 52. Rd2+ Ke8 53. Rc8+ Ke7 54. Kc6 1-0

25...Bc6

click for larger view

White has a slight edge because of his material advantage. Nothing to worry about yet. Black's possible counterplay lies in his passed a-pawn. But first he must coordinate his minor pieces.

26. Rd4 Qa5 27. Nc4 Nxc4 28. Rxc4 with two possibilities:

click for larger view

a) 28... Bb5 29. Rcf4 Bxe2 30. Qxe2 f6 31. Rg4 =.

b) 28... Bd5 29. Rc5 Qb6 30. Rc3 =.

28... Bb5 29. Rcf4 Bxe2 30. Qxe2 f6

click for larger view

At this point GM So offered a draw which his opponent declined.

Possible continuation: 31. Rg4 Qb6+ 32. Qf2 Qxf2+ 33. Rxf2 Kf7 34. Ra4 Nd7 35. Ra5 Ra7 36. c4

Still equal but not dead equal. Black has a Knight and two pawns vs. White's Rook. Parang gladiators. Magkaiba ang armas. Kaya baka may manalo dito.

31. Rd1 Rc8

click for larger view

Nothing much is happening. There are no longer any hidden mines. Almost any move, short of giving up material, is possible and the game is still equal. But let us wait and look at the clocks. This may drastically change the character of the game as we go to the first time control.

32. Rf2

This time around GM Gopal offered a draw which GM So readily accepted.

1/2 - 1/2

GM SO SUBDUES GM MEGARANTO, GRABS SOLO LEAD AFTER 5TH ROUND OF THE 9TH ASIAN CONTINENTAL

GM Wesley So once again showed his versatility and maturity in front of his adoring chess fans by repulsing the Marshall Attack employed by the Indonesian champion GM Susanto Megaranto in 5th round action of the 9th Asian Contininetal held at Subic, Olongapo, Philippines. Unlike his two previous wins with white, this time around GM So started the game with 1.e4 which his opponent countered with 1..e5 and soon the game transposed into a Ruy Lopez Opening. In his 8th move, GM Megaranto choose the sharp Marshall Gambit and in his 17th move sacrificed a piece in order to launch an attack against GM So's castled king. Many chess fans were glued at the internet watching the game live at the NCFP website and at the same time kibitzing and analyzing the game at chessgames.com GM Wesley So page where members of Barangay Wesley (BW) holds court including resident analyst NM Glenn Bordonada. I was among the chess fans watching the game live and its like watching a brutal boxing match between a slugger ( GM Megaranto ) and a boxer ( GM So) who defended his position with ease, sidestepping all the landmines put in place by his opponent along the way. The game was so complicated, NM Bordonada commented that a slight inaccuracy on the part of Wesley would spell doom to his position. As the game progressed, it seems that GM So had seen all the traps and moved his pieces with speed and accuracy spending just an hour in the entire game. When GM So played 38.d5 ( correctly predicted by BW president wordfunph that the d4 pawn of Wesley will make the difference) causing his opponent to resign due to impending mate, the BW site exploded with shouting of joy, laughter, and congratulations. Indeed, chess like love and music makes a man happy especially if you are a die-hard GM Wesley So fan. Here is the 5th game as annotated by NM Glenn Bordonada. [Event "AIC 2010"] [Site "Subic"] [Date "2010.04.25"] [Round "5"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Megaranto, Susanto"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C89"] 1. e4 e5 Megaranto does not often play the Ruy Lopez, so has he prepared a surprise for Wesley? 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 Here it goes. The Marshall Attack is one of the most feared attacking lines in the Ruy Lopez. In one World Juniors game, Gopal sacrificed almost everything against Wesley and survived. 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Qe2 There are less than 50 games in the database. More popular are: a) 15. Be3. This is the main line. 15... Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2. Thousands of games have been played from this position. One example is 17... Qh5 18. a4 Re6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Qf1 Rfe8 21. Bxd5 Qxd5 22. h3 Bf5 23. Qg2 Qxg2+ 24. Kxg2 R6e7 25. b3 f6 26. Ra2 Be6 27. c4 Bb4 28. Rc1 Bf5 29. g4 Bd3 30. Nf1 Be4+ 31. Kg1 f5 32. Ng3 fxg4 33. Nxe4 Rxe4 34. hxg4 Rxg4+ ...1/2-1/2, Leko Peter 2751 - Kasimdzhanov Rustam 2670, Linares 2005; b) 15. Re4. The second most popular line. Also over a thousand games. Here is a typical game: 15... g5 16. Qf1 Qxf1+ 17. Kxf1 Bf5 18. f3 h6 19. Nd2 Bxe4 20. fxe4 Nc7 21. Kg2 c5 22. e5 Be7 23. Ne4 cxd4 24. cxd4 a5 25. Be3 a4 26. Bd1 Nd5 27. Bf2 Rac8 28. Rb1 f6 29. exf6 Bxf6 30. Nd6 Rc6 31. Nxb5 Rb6 32. Bxa4 Rfb8 33. Na3 Rxb2 34. Rxb2 Rxb2 ...1/2-1/2, Anand Viswanathan 2788 - Svidler Peter 2740, San Luis 2005. 15... Bg4 16. Qf1 Qh5 17. Nd2 Nf4!? click for larger view It is not the first time that this sacrifice has been played. There are two games in the database with this move. 18. gxf4 Bxf4 19. h4! Best move. 19... Qxh4! Megaranto improves on the remaining quoted game in the database: 19... Rae8 20. Ne4 Bb8 21. Qg2 Kh8 22. Bg5 f6 23. Nxf6 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 gxf6 25. Re4 fxg5 26. Rxg4 Bf4 27. hxg5 Re8 28. Kf1 Bd2 29. Re4 Rf8 30. Re2 and White subsequently won. 20. Qg2 Rae8! click for larger view Best. If 20... Bh3? 21. Nf3 Qh5 22. Bxf4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rae8. If 23... a5 24. Ne5 Qf5 25. Bg3 a4 26. Bd1 a3 27. b3 Rae8 28. Bg4 Qc2 29. Rec1 Qd2 30. Bf3 and White is much better. 24. Ne5 Qf5 25. Bg3 Qc8 26. Re3 g6 27. Rh1 c5 28. dxc5 Qxc5 29. Nxf7 with a big advantage for White. 21. Rxe8 Rxe8 22. Nf1 Bh3! click for larger view Stronger than 22... Re1 23. Bxf4! Rxa1 24. Qxc6 Qd8 25. Kg2 and White is better. 23. Qxc6 Bh2+! click for larger view 24. Kh1! Not 24. Kxh2? Bd7+ and Black wins the Queen. Nor 24. Nxh2? Re1+ 25. Nf1 Rxf1+ 26. Kh2 Bg4+ 27. Kg2 Qh3#. 24... Rc8! 25. Qb7?! click for larger view Stronger is 25. Qf3! which is the only move that sustains the advantage. 25... Bxf1 26. Bg5! Qxg5 27. Bxf7+ Kh8 28. Kxh2 Be2! 29. Qxe2 Qf4+ 30. Kg2 Qxf7 31. Rd1 and White has survived the attack with his pawn advantage intact. But converting the extra passed d-pawn to a win is still difficult because of the open position of the King. 25... Bc7! 26. Kg1 Qg4+ 27. Ng3 Bxg3 28. fxg3 Qxg3+ 29. Kh1 click for larger view 29... Bg4? Fortune favors the brave. After this, White is on top again and winning. Megaranto missed 29... Qh4! which leads to a draw: 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Qf4 Bg4+ 32. Kg1 Qe1+ 33. Kg2 Re8! 34. Qxg4 Re2+ 35. Qxe2 Qxe2+ 36. Kg3 h5! 37. Kf4! =. But still the King cannot escape the endless Queen checks. 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Bd5 Qe1+ 32. Kh2 Re8 If 32... b4 33. c4 Qh4+ 34. Kg1 Qg3+ 35. Bg2 Bh3 36. Qf3 and White is winning. 33. Bg5 Qe2+ 34. Bg2 Bh5 35. Qf4 Qxb2 36. Re1 Qxa2 37. Rxe8+ Bxe8 38. d5 Resigns

GM TOPALOV DRAWS 1ST BLOOD IN GAME 1 OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GM Veselin Topalov played with guns blazing in dealing the defending champion GM Vishy Anand a crushing defeat in the 1st game of their World Championship match. GM Topalov playing white started with 1. d4 and Anand countered with the Gruenfeld Defense. Topalov sacrificed a pawn early for greater piece mobility and pressure on black's kingside. He sacrificed a piece in the 24th move in order to smash through black's defenses. GM Anand resigned in the 30th move when confronted with either losing his queen or being checkmated.


Below is an analysis of the game by GM Susan Polgar as originally posted in her website Chess Daily News and Information. Just click http://www.chessdailynews.com/


[Event "World Championship"]
[Date "2010.04.24"]
[ "1st Game"]
[White "GM Veselin Topalov"]
[Black "GM Viswanathan Anand"]
[ECO "D87"]
[WhiteElo "2805"]
[BlackElo "2787"]


1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 It is interesting that Anand is employing the Gruenfeld in the first game. A surprising choice in my opinion.

7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O Na5 11. Bd3 b6 12. Qd2 e5 13. Bh6 cxd4 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Rac1 = Topalov against Kamsky in the 1st game of their match in 2009 played 16. f4 and that game ended in a draw as well.

16...Qd6 Magnus Carlsen as Black against Karjakin in 2008 played 16...Bb7 and it was a draw. Therefore, it seems that Anand did not want to duplicate the Magnus move.

17. f4 f6 18. f5 Qe5



Topalov sacrificed a pawn early. However, he has plenty of compensation for it. His pieces are fully developed while Black's pieces are not coordinated yet. Anand has to be mentally ready to be patient and defend against Topalov's all out attack in most if not all games. This is why I think this match will be very exciting. It fire versus ice! In this position, both 19. Rf3 and 19. Nf4 are good options. Black has to be careful not to allow Topalov to exploit his weakness on the Kingside.

19. Nf4 Black can just ignore it and develop his Bishop to d7 or he can chase the Knight away with g5.

19...g5 Now Topalov has 2 main options, Knight to d5 or h5. Both are OK although I would predict Topalov to get his Knight to h5 as it will give him more flexibility. The Black Bishop can chase his Knight easier on d5.

20. Nh5+ Kg8 = Now Topalov can open up the Kingside even further with h4. There is no advantage for White. However, any slight inaccuracy by Black can shift the balance of the game immediately. This is why many players fear Topalov because he is simply relentless. He is not afraid to lose and he goes for the win in every game.

21. h4 h6 Anand's plan here is simple. Hold off White's attack, trade pieces to go to the endgame with a pawn up.

22. hxg5 hxg5 I have to assume that this is all home preparation for both players. It is very rare to see moves being played this fast in world championship competition. Now the main plan for White is to get his Rooks to the h file. He does not have much else.

23. Rf3 Anand is taking a lot of time for his 23rd move. He knows what Topalov wants to do. The question is how to defend it since 3 of his pieces (Rook on a8, Bishop on c8, and Knight on a5) are out of play at the moment. The 1st game is one of the most critical games in any world championship match. No matter how well any player prepared, there will always be jitter. No one wants to dug a big hole right from the start. It does not mean that you cannot come back after losing the first game. I did in my world championship match in 1996 and Fischer did the same in his match in 1972. We both came back and won convincingly.

GM Alex Onischuk recently shared with me his sentiment about this match: "I think the chances are equal (considering that they play in Sofia, Topalov is 5 years younger, Vishy has more match experience, etc.), the one who will be in better form, or maybe just will be luckier will win the match." I agree with both GMs Onischuk and Caruana. I also think the match will be very very close.

I would like to thank both GMs Caruana and Onischuk for their comments. I have many more interesting comments and assessments from 20+ others very strong players. I will publish them one at the time during the LIVE commentary of the 12 games.

23...Kf7 A very suspicious move. This allows 24.Nxf6.

24. Nxf6!!



Now it seems that Anand is in serious trouble. If 24...Kxf6 25. Rh3 Bd7 26. Rh6+ Kf7 27. Qxg5 Rg8 28. Rh7+ Rg7 29. Rc7 +-. If 24...Qxf6 25. Rh3 Kg8 26. Rc7 Bxf5 27. exf5 Rf7 28. Qc1 +-. This is a stunning development!

24...Kxf6 After around 25 minutes, Anand took the Knight with his King. I expect 25. Rh3 for White now. It is obvious that Topalov is not afraid to take chances. He sacrificed a pawn right out of the opening and now a Knight.

25. Rh3 nearly immediately.

GM Lev Alburt (3-time US champion and an excellent chess author) just sent me a note. "I think that the difference in age is not important (strong nerve system is much more valuable) and for sure Topalov is getting some advantage because of fact that match is played in Sofia." Thank you Lev for your insight.

25...Rg8 and Topalov immediately played 26. Rh6+ Kf7 Now White must follow through with 27. Rh7+

27. Rh7+ Topalov has a decisive advantage here. This game may be over very soon. If 27... Kf8 28. Qb4+ Ke8 29. Bb5+ and it's over. If 27... Ke8 28. Bb5+ Qxb5 29. Qxd4 the mate comes soon. If 27...Kf6 then 28. Rcc7 and it is also over. If 27...Rg7 then 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qxg5+ Kf8 30. Qd8+ Qe8 31. Qxd4 and White has a decisive advantage. Anand is running out of options.

27...Ke8 Now 28. Bb5 will lead to a victory shortly.

28. Rcc7 This is not as strong as 28. Bb5 but it also wins easily.

28...Kd8 Now once again 29. Bb5 is the knockout punch. But Topalov needs to slow down and take his time now. Even though his position is winning, he is down a piece. Therefore, an inaccuracy by him may cost him the game. Time to clamp down and close out the brilliant game and not time to get excited and play fast.

29. Bb5! A decisive move! The problem for Black is his pieces cannot move. His Rook on a8, Bishop on c8 and Knight on a5 are all useless and out of play. I expect a resignation shortly. This is devastating for Anand. But he is very experienced and I am sure he will regroup quickly.

29...Qxe4 30. Rxc8+



Anand resigns!

Topalov leads 1-0.


Replay the game below:

WINNING WITH THE PENANG ATTACK

I have been using the Sicilian Sozin Velimirovic Attack when faced with the Sicilian Defense from the time I became a member of the University of.Mindanao varsity chess team in the late 1980's. However, in the July 8-9, 2005 Chess Piece Column of Bobby Ang which was published in the BusinessWorld, Bobby had the occasion of writing about the Penang Attack and featured three brilliant games of our very own NM Glenn Bordonada to whom this opening line was attributed. This made me reassessed the way I was handling White's Attack in the Sozin Velimirovic line. Nonetheless, I had no opportunity to test the line in tournament play as I shut-out myself from local tourneys during that time to concentrate on my work.

In 2007, I was able to borrow from my neighbor Austin Jacob Literatus, who incidentally was recently crowned 2010 ASEAN 14 and under champ, a book " THE SICILIAN SOZIN ", by GM Mikhail Golubev. The book was sent to him by his uncle IM Marlo Micayabas who was the 1983 Asian Junior champ. This further galvanized my resolve to play the Penang Attack in tournament play if given the opportunity. The following year I was able to used the line and won against Atty. Bernie Cataluna in the Eastern Mindanao IBP chess competition where I placed runner-up. However, I was not able to record our game as it was a 15 mins/game tourney. Several months after, I was again given the opportunity to used the line in the 2008 Cong. Ungab Cup team tourney. Players were allotted 1 hour each play to finish thus I had the time to record the game. By the way, my opponent in this game was among the top players of Davao City in the late 80's and early 90's but has already retired from competition. This was his first tournament after more than 10 years of absence thus he was a little bit rusty.. .

[Site "Guevarra Bldg., De Guzman St., Toril, Davao City, Philippines"]
[Date "2008.10.2"]
[Round "5th"]
[Event " 2008 Cong. Ungab Cup Team Tourney"]
[White "Atty. Jong Guevarra Jr."]
[Black "Glen Paclar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "1835"]
[BlackELO "?"]

SICILIAN SOZIN VELIMIROVIC ATTACK

Annotations by Caissa's Father


1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6
6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8.Qe2 a6 9. O-O-O Qc7



This is the tabia position of the Sozin Velimirovic Attack. There are two ways upon which White proceeds with his attack:

a.) 10. g4 followed by g5 and h4 where white tries to smash Black's kingside position. This was the line I was using before I shifted to the Penang Attack.
b.) 10. Rg1 followed by g4 and Qh5 where White creates mating threats with the help of his queen, rook and bishop. This is the so called Penang Attack.

10. Rhg1 Na5!

According to GM Golubev, not good for Black is 10... 0-0 as 11. g4
is attractive for White as he is a tempo up in the main line not having
played Bb3. Another interesting try is 10... Nxe4 which Lito Laput
played against me in the 2009 Bob Bula Cup. I emerged with a slight advantage in the opening but almost lost the game due to a premature piece sacrifice.

11. Bd3 b5 12. g4 Bb7 !?

( In the game Shvidenko-Kurass, Kiev 1970 black essayed the move 12.. b4! 13 Nb1 Bb7 14. Nd2 d5 15. f3 dxe4 16. fxe4 Nd7 with equality )

13. g5 Nd7 14. Kb1 Ne5?!



Black should have commenced counter-play in this stage by 14... b5 15. Na4 d5!

15. f4 Nxd3 16. cxd3! Nc6 17. Rc1 Qd7 18. f5 b4

Too late..

19. Nd1 Nxd4 20. Bxd4 e5 21. Bb6 Bd8 22. Bf2 Qb5 23. Ne3 Rc8 24. Nc4



White has emerged in the opening with a clear advantage. Black's pieces lacks coordination with no immediate counter-play in sight.

24... Bc7 25. f6 g6 26. Rc2 h5 27. gxh6 Rxh6 28. Be3 Rh5 29. Qg4 Qd7?



30. Qxh5!

Black resigns..
1-0
Replay the game below..



Last month, I played a 3 minute game at chesscube.com and used NM Glenn Bordonada's attacking strategy in coming up with this beautiful miniature. By the way, my username at chesscube is bw-metrolirot.


[Event "ChessCube Game"]
[White bw-metrolirot@chesscube.com]
[ Chesscube rating: "2030 " ]
[Black slider_k999@chesscube.com]
[Chesscube rating: "2026 " ]
[Date "2010.05.24"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 Nc6 7. Be3 e6 8. Qe2 Be7
9. g4 O-O 10. g5 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Nd7 12. h4 b5 13. Bb3 Bb7 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Kb1 Qc7
16. Rhg1 Nc5 17. Bf6 b4 18. Qh5 bxc3 19. Qh6 Nxb3 20. Qxg7# 1-0

THE 1992 U.M VARSITY CHESS TEAM

Hello guys!! Considering that today is my birthday allow me to write something about my days as a chess player.


I got addicted to chess when I was already in college taking -up BS Civil Engineering at the University of Mindanao which was rather late based on today's standard. I became a member of our school's varsity team in 1987 and played board 2 when U.M hosted the National UAAP games the following year. Our team composed of new recruits mostly from the Engineering department ( Manny Sibayan, me, Arnold Placiencia, Louie Noel, Paulino Garcia and Descallar) was no match against the veteran laden team of Adamson University headed by FIDE Master Vince Alaan, Dennis Gutierrez and Chris Palma and Southwestern University headed by IM Enrico Sevillano, future IM Barlo Nadera and Ariel Ranile. Adamson won the title over the board by defeating SWU with FM Alaan delivering the crucial point with a victory against IM Sevillano. SWU filed a protest questioning the eligibility of FM Alaan to play considering that he was meted a one year suspension by the PCF in the aftermath of the game fixing scandal triggered by the complaint of GM Torre during the National championships and Olympic qualifier. The protest was upheld and all games of FM Alaan was forfeited thereby giving the champion's trophy to SWU.


In 1992 I played board 1 for U.M which represented Eastern Mindanao in the 1992 National PRISAA games held in Iloilo City.



( The 1992 U.M chess team at the poolside of Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City which was the site of the chess competition. From left: Joselito "Toto" Alejano, Nofre Reyes, Arnold Javilles, our coach, me, and Danilo Sanchez.)


Our team beat Western Mindanao represented by Mindanao State University ( MSU)3-1 and scored a huge upset in the second round by defeating top seed and NCR champion University of the East (UE)2.5-1.5 thereby giving us the provisional lead. In the third round we were paired against second seed Adamson University. If we could win against Adamson or even tie the match then we will be in a good position to aspire for the title. Adamson came well prepared for the match and as the battle progressed my teammates fell one by one. At this point Chris Palma offered me a draw which I refused in the hope of scoring our team's solitary point. The position was quite even but I was slightly ahead in time. I did not reckoned that Chris Palma thrives in blitz play. When he started banging the chess clock with lightning speed, I got rattled and nervous. I was now thinking of offering a draw but was afraid to be revoked. In mutual time scramble, I put my queen in prise which my opponent readily gobbled. I shouted my lungs out in anguish and disbelief causing some players to rush to our board to the amusement of the arbiter.


( NCR- South represented by Adamson University featuring Chris Palma on board 1 vs. Eastern Mindanao represented by University of Mindanao featuring Caissa's father on board 1 in 3rd round action in the 1992 National PRISAA games chess tourney.)


Chris Palma ended up bagging the gold medal in board 1 while I settled for the bronze next to Ronald Llavanes who bagged the silver. Llavanes is now a National Master and just recently beat GM So in the PSC sponsored active chess tourney. My refusal to accept the draw offer proved costly as I could have won the silver medal via tie-break if i did so.


At present, I am semi-retired in active chess competitions . My participation is confined mostly to invitational tourneys where I had a part in organizing or in occasional executive tourneys.


( The elected Officers of the Davao Professional and Executive Chess Association during the 2008 Executive tourney and election. Caissa's father is in the top row standing, fifth from right and was elected vice-president).

PLAYER'S PROFILE: LITO LAPUT - " THE END GAME SPECIALIST OF DAVAO "

( Lito Laput wearing blue polo-shirt vs. Engr. Jun Atmosfera during
the 2009 Bob Bula Invitationals )


Lito Laput is one of the colorful chess personality in the Davao
chess scene. He is noted for his no retreat no surrender attitude
and had won quite a number of games from lost positions by sheer
tenacity and doggedness. He has played in the national inter-cities
representing Toril, Davao City, and Davao del Sur team, among others.
He is also a former University of Mindanao (UM) varsity player and was
the 2007 Toril Invitational Chess Challenge champion.



( Lito Laput vs. Chris Yap during the 2009 Caissa's Father team tourney.)


At present, he is the president of the Digos City chess club and still
play in local tournaments occasionally. Just recently, he finished among
the top ten in the Kidapawan Open ruled by IM Oliver Barbosa, the only
non master to do so.



( Lito Laput together with chess friends VIncent Umayan, Nofre Reyes
and Atty. Jong Guevarra at Bogser's. At the back is Ali Baba the driver)


Here is Lito laput's excellent end game technique against six time Executive champion Dr. Jenny Mayor

Event "2006 Nat'l. Inter-Cities"]
[Site "Davao City"]
[Date "2006.9.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mayor, Jenny"]
[Black "Laput, Lito"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteELO "2165"]
[BlackELO "2054"]


With analysis by Nofre Reyes and Werner Priete and comments by
CAISSA'S FATHER.


Sicilian Defense Keres Attack


1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4



This is the starting position of the Keres Attack against the
Sicilian Defense Schevenigen variation . This move was introduced
into tournament play by the great Estonian GM Paul Keres and was one
of the pet lines of World Champion Anatoly Karpov.

Be7 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Bb5?! Qc7 9. Qe2N 'The Dokmakov Attack'

more common are:

a.)9.Rg1 a6 10.g5 Nd7 11.Be2 Nce5 12.f4 Nc4 13.Bxc4 Qxc4 14.Qe2=
b.) 9.g5 Nd7 10.Qh5 0-0 11.f4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 a6 13.Bd3 Nc5
14.0-0 Nxd3 15.cxd3 f5 16.Rf3 with attack.

9... O-O 10. g5 Nd7 11. h4 a6 12. Bd3 b5 13. O-O-O b4 14. Na4 Nxd4
15. Bxd4 Nc5 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. Be3 Bb7 18. f3 a5 19. Bc4 a4 20. Kb1 a3
21.Bc1 Bd6 22. g6 hxg6 23. h5



With kings castled in the opposite wings, it seems that White's attack
would come first. Lito, however was equal to the task and parries the
attack with accurate play.


g5! 24. Bxg5 Bf4! 25. Bxf4 Qxf4 26. c3 bxc3 27. b3 Rfd8 28. Qg2 Rd2!



A good move which enable black to wrest the initiative.

29. Rxd2 (forced) cxd2 30. h6? Qxh6! 31. Kc2

The queen cannot be taken because of 31... d1(Q)

31... Rd8 32. Bd3 Qe3 33. Qe2Qd4 34. Rb1 c4!

A clearance sacrifice to enable black's rook to utilize the now
open c file.

35. Bxc4 g6 36. Kd1



36...Qb2?

Playing for the crowd but not entirely correct. The simple 36...Qc3
wins for black as white would be in a virtual zugzwang.

37.Qf1 37. Qd3 Rxd3 38. Rxb2



38...axb2?!

I think the best way to win is 38... Rxf3 and not by exchanging
rooks as the e4 pawn will soon fall. Black is still winning but
needs accurate play. Here is where Lito shows his endgame prowess.

39. Bxd3 f5!! 40. Kxd2 fxe4 41. fxe4 g5



This is an interesting endgame. Black's advantage lies on his two passed pawns at both wings.

42. Ke3

If 42. Kc2 g4 43. Kxb2 g3! and the result will just transpose to the
actual game.

42.. Kf7 43. e5 Ke7 44. b4 Kd7 45. a4 Kc6 46.Kd4 g4 47. Ke4 g3

48. Kf3 Kd5 49. Kxg3 Kd4 50. Bb1 Be4 51. Ba2 Kxe5 52. b5 Kd6

53. Kf4 b1=Q 54. Bxb1 Bxb1 55. b6 e5+!



The smoke of battle is now clear. Black can hold and capture
white's two connected passed pawns and white cannot do anything
to save it.

56. Ke3 Kc6 57. a5 Kb7 58. Kd2 Ka6 59. Ke3 Bf5 60. Kd2 Bc8

61. Kd3 Bb7 62. Kc4 Kxa5 63. Kc5 e4

0-1

A beautiful endgame display by Lito Laput.