CHINA CHESS LEAGUE UPDATE - ITS A DRAW FOR GM SO IN THE 2ND ROUND

May 6, 2009 6:30 A.M

GM Wesley So (2641) settled for a draw using the black pieces against GM Zhao Jun (2560) of China in 2nd round action of the ongoing China Chess League. He lost his 1st round game against GM Zhang Pengxiang (2638)of China. On May 8 ( Thursday) at 1 pm, "Gentle Mauler" will handle white against GM Wu Wenjin (2412). Let's pray for the best!!! Go Wesley fight! Go! Fight!



Here's Wesley's 2nd round game vs Jun Zhao:

[Date "2009.05.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "GM JUN ZHAO"]
[Black "GM WESLEY SO"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]


( Annotations by NM Glen Bordonada. First posted at Barangay Wesley So Page )


Slav Chepanenko


1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6


Popularized by Chepanenko. It is currently very popular in top echelon chess. Black gets a cramped but solid game.


5. a4 e6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 Qa5 8. Nd2 Bb4= 9. Qc2 c5 10. Nb3

A previous game went this way: 10. Be2 cxd4 11. exd4 dxc4 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nxc4 Qc7 14. Qb3 Bd6 15. a5 O-O 16. Qb6 Rd8 17. Bf3 Rb8 18. O-O-O Nd5 19. Qxc7 Bxc7 20. Rhe1 Nb4 21. Nb6 Bxb6 22. axb6 Rd6 23. d5 Rxb6 24. Bg4 Kf8 25. dxe6 Bxe6 26. Bxe6 fxe6 27. Rd7 Rc8 28. Re3 Nd5 29. Rg3 Ne7 but Black eventually lost ...1-0, Beliavsky Alexander - Piket Jeroen, Madrid 1997.


10... Qc7 11. Bxf6?!


Possibly a novelty but there does not seem to be much to it. The move often played here is 11. dxc5 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bxc5 (Gyimesi - Almasi, Magyarorzag 2000) 13. Be2 O-O 14. Nxc5 Qxc5 15. Bh4 b6 16. O-O Bb7 17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. Rac1 and White has the advantage of the Bishop pair.


11... Nxf6 12. dxc5 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Bxc5 14. Nxc5 Qxc5 15. Be2 Bd7 16. Bf3 Bc6 17. Bxc6+ Qxc6 18. O-O O-O 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. h3 h6 21. Qb3 Rac8 22. a5 Ne4 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Nxe4 Qxe4 25. Qa4 Qe5 26. b4?!





This unnecessarily weakens White's pawn structure and gives Black some winning chances. More precise is 26. Qb4 which is easier to draw.

26... Qb2 27. Ra2 Qc1+


(Start of long analysis)


Superior is 27... Qb1+ 28. Kh2 Qe4. The Queen is centralized and the b-pawn is prevented from pushing. 29. Rc2 Qd5 (Another try is 29... g5 30. Qb3 Qe5+ 31. g3 Qe4 32. Qb2 (with the idea of checking at c8 if Black's Rook leaves the backrank) 32... e5 33. Rc1 Qf3 34. Kg1 Rd5 35. Qc2 Kg7 36. Rf1 h5 37. Qc7 Rb5 38. Qd8 Qf5 39. Qe7? (39. e4! Qf6 40. Qd2 holds for White) 39... Qf6! 40. Qxf6+ Kxf6 41. Rb1 b6 42. axb6 a5 43. b7 axb4 and Black is winning.





30. Rc5 Qd6+ 31. Kg1 Qd2 (Threatening 32...Qe1+) 32. g4 Qe1+ 33. Kg2 g5 (To defend against a backrank check) 34. Rc7 Kg7 (If at once 34... Rd2 35. Qe8+ leads to mate.) 35. Rd7 Rxd7 36. Qxd7 Qxb4 and Black is a pawn up.





(End of long analysis)


28. Kh2 Qf1 29. Rc2 Kh7


Here possibly stronger is 29... Qd3 (Stopping 30.Rc7 because of 30...Qd6+. At the same time, Black prevents White from pushing the b-pawn.) 30. Rb2 Rc8 31. b5 Rc4 32. Qa2 Qe4 (Threatening 33...Qe5+.) 33. bxa6 bxa6. Black retains the initiative. There are threats like a backrank mate, Ra4 followed by winning the a-pawn, and control of the central squares. It may not be enough with best defense but Black must find the right moves.


30. Qa2 Rd7 31. Rd2 Rc7 32. Rc2 Rd7 33. Rd2 Rc7 34. Rc2 1/2-1/2

IM MARLO MICAYABAS AND THE 2008 BRADLEY OPEN- PART I

Four-Way Tie at Bradley Open
By GM Michael Rohde
( August 12, 2008 Chesslife Online )


It was another weekend at the office for GM Sergei Kudrin and GM Alexander Ivanov, as they tied for first along with IM Marlo Micayabas, and myself at the Bradley Open, August 8-10. Each of us scored 4-1 and received $500 for our efforts. The Bradley Open was held at the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley Airport, just north of Hartford, CT. Current Grand Prix standings show Kudrin in second place and Ivanov in third, so both gained ground on the leader GM Mark Paragua, who has been cleaning up lately in New York City.

Continental Chess Association offered both a 3-day and a 2-day schedule for this event, and all the GMs opted for the 2-day, which had a faster time control for rounds 1 and 2. In round 2 I lost to Kudrin, but in round 3, Kudrin gave up a draw to talented New Jersey teenager Andrew Ng, and then in round 4, Kudrin and Ivanov drew. The pairings for Round 5 were Ivanov - Micayabas (both had 3.5), Max Enkin - Kudrin (both with 3) and Rohde - John Riddell (we both had 3). Kudrin prevailed as Black with a queenside attack in a Qxd4 Sicilian; Ivanov got into his famous time pressure as White in a Scheveningen Sicilian against Micayabas but bailed into a draw, and I had a wild game against John Riddell, a very experienced master from Westchester County in New York:


Below is the detailed account of the tournament by IM Micayabas as e-mailed to Engr. Jun Atmosfera.


It's already August and I haven't played a single tournament yet in 2008. Since my part-time comeback starting 2005, I had been able to play at least twice a year. Both my USCF and FIDE ratings had been spiraling downwards.Without any preparations, I decided to take the 140 miles trip to Connecticut not caring about further decline in my ratings. I needed to play to maintain active status. I took the three-day schedule while all the GM's took the two-day option with faster time controls in the first two games with their games starting the following morning.

I arrived at the venue-- Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport--at around three-thirty in the afternoon giving me ample time to get settled and calm down my nerves. The first game was to start at seven in the evening.It's Friday, August 8, 2008, at around 7:05PM. I showed up a little late for the game, shook my opponents hand, and simply said "Thank you" in reply to his "Good luck". I wondered later on if this was unsportsmanlike on my part since in the game, only I had the luck and he didn't.

13th Bradley Open, Round 1,
Board 1White: IM Marlo Micayabas (2339)
Black: Andres Castaneda (2067)
Closed Sicilian

(Annotations by IM Marlo Micayabas. The same was made without the aid of a chess engine}.


1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6



Deviating early from Micayabas-Goldin, Foxwoods Open 2007 which
went 4...bxc65.f4 Bg7 6.Nf3 Nh6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 f5 9.e5 1-0 in
27 moves.


5.f4 Bg7 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 Bg4

The point to Black's fourth move, exchanging off White's most active piece with Black's passive piece.


9.Qe1 ...



Initiating White's standard attack with Qh4, f5, Bh6, and Ng5.


9... Bxf3 10.Rxf3 c4

And now Black is also able to get rid of his doubled pawns. His strategy is falling into place.


11.Kh1 cxd3 12.cxd3!? ...

Risking a backward pawn with hopes of continuing the attack on the king-side.The more principled 12.Rxd3 could lead to more exchanges along the open d-file.


12... Nd7 13.Be3 f5 14.Rd1 Qa5 15.Bd2 e5 16.exf5 Rxf5?


An inaccuracy. Correct was 16... gxf5 holding off White's f-pawn. Now, White is able to get his king-side attack going.


17.g4! Rf7 18.f5 h5?

Another bad luck? Anyway, 18... gxf5 is strongly met by 19.Qh4! with a strong attack threatening Rh3. If 19... fxg4, then 20.Rxf7 Kxf7 21.Qxh7 followed by Rf1.


19.gxh5! Rxf5 20.Rxf5 gxf5 21.Qg3 Kh8 22.Rg1 Bf6 23.Qg6



With mate to follow, Black resigned. I was off to a good start.

( To be continued.... )


Replay the game below:

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT INCLUDES CHESS IN SCHOOLS CURRICULUM

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved inclusion of chess in schools curriculum in primary and secondary schools across the country. National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President Prospero Pichay and Department of Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus signed the Memorandum of Agreement the other day launching the National Chess Academy. Witnessing the signing were NCFP secretary-general Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, NCFP Director Brother Roly Dizon, NCFP Executive Director Willie Abalos and Department of Education officials.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (center) graced the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President Prospero Pichay (seated right), witnessed by NCFP Secretary General Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino and NCFP Executive Director Willy Abalos, and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jeslie Lapus (seated left) with DepEd officials.

Posing after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. At far left is Brother Roly Dizon, former president of the De La Salle University in Manila and member of the NCFP Board.

The NCFP Chess in Schools Committee, clockwise from left: FIDE Delegate Casto Abundo, Brother Roly Dizon, Committee Chairman Saturnino Belen, IA Bobby Bautista, GM Bong Villamayor and Coordinator Jessie Sanchez.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued the Executive Order to encourage children to play chess in accordance with the Grassroots Program of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli A. Lapus issued a memorandum entitled "Strengthening the Development of Higher Order Thinking Skills and Values Among Children Through Chess."

Secretary Lapus said that children exposed to chess learn faster and get better grades. He has ordered the integration of chess into the curriculum of grade school and high school students.

"Chess is a game that improves individual organizational and analytical skills. Children when exposed to this game at an early age achieve academically better, or even faster than those who have not been engaged in the game. Likewise, chess is among the activities that help build memory skills, concentration, self-confidence, self-esteem and in making disciplined decisions. Playing chess provides opportunities to practice such values as perseverance, honesty, and sportsmanship," Secretary Lapus stated in the Memorandum.

The Department of Education (DepEd) shall adopt chess as another strategy to promote the development of higher order thinking skills and values among Grades 3 to 6 in the Physical Education department. Chess will continue at the secondary level.

Brother Rolando Dizon, former president of the De La Salle University and member of the NCFP Board of Directors, said that the DepEd and NCFP shall conduct "Chess Training Seminar/Workshops for DepEd Coordinators" at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) in Tanauan City in Batangas. FAITH president Saturnino G. Belen, Jr. who is also a member of the NCFP Board was tapped by Prospero Pichay to head the NCFP Chess in Schools Committee. Belen is also a member of the FIDE Commission on Chess In Schools.

Coordinator Jessie Sanchez announced that the seminars will be on May 7-9 and 10-12 in Tanauan; May 14-16 in Bacolod City and May 19-21 in Davao City.

Grandmaster Bong Villamayor shall lead the team of accredited lectures and supervise the examination for instructors.

In the Philippine public school system, there are around 35,000 Grade Schools and some 6,000 High Schools. There are over 2,000 private High Schools. Brother Dizon said they aim to train 35,000 chess teachers by November 2009.

Tournaments and Matches will be conducted among school children. NCFP Executive Director Willy Abalos said that the National Inter-Collegiate Championship shall be held 18-22 August at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

Brother Dizon said that the Philippine University Games shall be held October 23 to 26, 2009 in Bacolod City.

The Committee met with Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Casto Abundo to map out the strategy. Key to the program are training and licensing of instructors, review and endorsement of chess equipment and publications, nationwide series of tournaments and matches between schools and establishment of chess clubs throughout the archipelago.

MANNY PACQUIAO - " THE BULLDOZER "

I waked-up early this morning eagerly anticipating the much hyped Pacquiao vs. Hatton boxing match for the pound for pound best boxer of the world title. The other night I dreamed about the fight whereby I saw the referee stopping the fight after the 3rd round and Pacquiao declared as the winner. Maybe that dream was influence by Manny's coach/trainer Freddie Roach prediction that the fight will not go beyond the 3rd round. At exactly 8:30 A.M I together with my brother Dandan and my father went to Jansar Vidoeoke Bar where my friend Dante and Engr. Jun had a reserved table for the pay per view coverage of the fight. The entrance fee was P 200.00 with free pack lunch. My wife arrived later accompanied by her friends and relatives who were all excited to watch the fight live. Previously, boxing in the Philippines was exclusively a man's game but due to Pacquiao's emmense popularity even the women are now also eagerly anticipating his fights.

At around 11:00 A.M the main event started. The place was full to the rafters, so to speak and was oven hot. In the first round, RIcky Hatton was dropped to the canvass twice to the delight of the predominantly Pacquiao crowd although some dehadista placed their bet on Hatton because of the doblado odds. Some were even shouting and jumping at the stage. In the second round, Hatton seems to regain his bearings and traded punches with Manny in the center of the ring. However, with less than a minute remaining of the 2nd round, a left cross of Manny hit Hatton squarely in the jaw causing him to drop like a log and he remained motionless for over a minute. Hell broke loose and everybody were congratulating and hugging each other except for the few dehadistas who were shaking their heads in disbelief.

I have no doubt that Manny would defeat Hatton but I did not imagine that kind of whipping. I had been transformed into a self-proclaimed boxing expert just like thousands of Manny Pacquiao's fans although modesty aside I was into boxing literature way back when I was still in high school as I had a weekly subscription of the Philippine Sports Weekly Magazine where all the boxing champions were posted. During that time I could memorize the different boxing champions in the different weight category as there were only two boxing bodies to reckoned with, the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Association (WBA)and the weight categories were not that many. My heroes then were the likes of Sugar Rey Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy " The Hitman " Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. It was also the prime of Rolando Navarrete " The Bad Boy from Dadiangas ", and Luisito " Lindol " Espinosa.

With that kind of performance there is no more doubt that Manny Pacquiao is the true pound for pound king as even Floyd Mayweather Jr. was not able to inflict that kind of punishment to Ricky Hatton when they fought. To MANNY " THE BULLDOZER " PACQUIAO ", CONGRATULATIONS!! MABUHAY KA!!

BONGSKY GONZALINOV ( A.K.A BONG GONZALES ) - CAISSA'S LOVER IN THE LAND OF UNCLE SAM

May 2, 2009 7:45 P.M

Bong Gonzales was one of the prime movers of Toril chess when he was still in the Philippines. Together with Engr. Jun Atmosfera, the two of them sponsored some local tournaments (mostly 1 day tournaments with 30 mins. time limit) during the late 80's and early 90's. These tournaments which were mostly round-robin affair among Toril chess players were also occasions for players to renew their bonding and friendship during those times that tournaments were quite few and far in between. There were always blitz sessions at the end of the tournaments were ice- cold beers were a plenty with matching kinilaw and sinugbang pirit or barilison as pulutans.

Their family store popularly known as " Gonzales Store " was the venue of numerous chess battles where leading Toril players were pitted against a "dayo" or players from other places, either individually or by team with huge bets on the side. There was a time when our group won more than P 10,000.00 which was quite big at that time, in 2 days of chess matches pitting our top player against a dayo who was a manager of a leading jeans brand. Their father, Dominador " Dodong " Gonzales was a former Barangay Captain and Kagawad of Toril Poblacion where I also served once as the Barangay Treasurer. I was quite close to their family as I provided chess tutorials to Kendi Gonzales, daughter of Bong's elder brother Danilo. Kendi eventually became a two time National Games Chess Champion and was awarded the Woman National Master title.

Bongsky would also invite us during weekends in his house for lunch were we play blitz games the whole day, with ice cold beer and kinilaw on the side. The last time around, the lunch was served quite late so we played blitz while waiting for lunch and during that time Bongsky won all his blitz games. After lunch Glenn Paclar suddenly blurted " Pwede na pildihon si Bobong kay human na tag kaon! " Everyone burst into laughter including Bongsky who now realized why he was so unbeatable a while ago.

Bongsky was a solid and dependable player during his Toril chess playing days. I was informed that he holds the record in Toril for playing a blitz match for more than 24hours non-stop. I still remember the match we played against Anda Chess club which we played at the Phil. New Agency ( PNA)office, C.M Recto St., Davao City where he delivered the crucial point by beating Anda Chess CLub's resident hustler nicknamed " Mangagoy ". He migrated to the United States sometime in the year 1997 and due to work load, has played competitive chess sparingly. He is still an active supporter of Toril chess as he sends chess pieces, books and even DVD's to his chess player friends in Toril.

Here's a sample of his game in the U.S where he created a stir by upsetting the eventual champion.

Title : 2001 Summer Gloom Tournament
White: Bong Gonzales, USCF Rating: 1757
Black: Tony Miller, USCF Rating: 2095
Opening; English Opening

(With notes from Bong Gonzales)

1.c4 e5
My knowledge of the English opening is very limited. All I know is that the character of this opening is positional and will give me a long lasting stand against a rated player.

2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 f5
4.d3 Bc5 5.Bg2 d6
6.Nf3 Nf6 7.0-0 Be6?
Better was 7..0-0. Judging from his reply, it seems that my opponent was even more unfamiliar with this opening than me.

8.Ng5 Bg8?
Loss of tempo. Do not move your piece twice in the opening. An important principle in the opening.

9.Qb3
Exploiting the absence of the white squared bishop.

9... Bb6 10.Qb5 Qd7
11.e4 h6 12.Nf3 g6?!
Now black's plan is clear. He is giving the h-pawn in favor of a direct assault on the h-file via Qh7.

13.Nh4 Bh7 14.ef5 gf5
15.Bh6 f4
White grabs the pawn free of charge

16.Bg5 Ng4 17.Ne4 fg3
18.hg3 Be4 19.Be4 a6
Black wants to drive the Queen away but white even intensifies the pressure on its next move.

20.Qd5 Ne7?
Black has no other choice but to protect the threat of 21.Bf5 and to let his King escape from heavy attack...to which is the beginning of his end. Any other move results to mate or queenless.

21.Qb7 0-0 22.Be7 Qe7
23.Bd5+ Kh7 24.Be4+ Kg8
25.Qd5+ Kg7 26.Qxa8! Rf2?
Black should have taken the queen although white would still have an overwhelming advantage after 27.Ba8 or 27 Nf5+.

27.Rf2 Bf2+ 28.Kg2 Qg5
29.Nf5+ Kf7 30.Bd5+ Kg6
31.Qg8+ Kf5 32.Qe6++ Mate
I remember that after the game, I was heralded as a Giant killer and somebody to reckon with.When the tournament was over after five rounds, Tony emerged still the champ with only one loss against me while I scored only 3.5 points.

Replay the game using CAISSA'S WEB PGN Editor

Play Online Chess

[Event "2001 Summer Gloom Tournament"]
[Site "California, USA"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bong Gonzales "]
[Black "Tony Miller"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteELO "1757"]
[BlackELO "2095"]

%Created by Caissa's Web PGN Editor
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 f5 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O Be6 8. Ng5
Bg8 9. Qb3 Bb6 10. Qb5 Qd7 11. e4 h6 12. Nf3 g6 13. Nh4 Bh7 14. exf5 gxf5 15.
Bxh6 f4 16. Bg5 Ng4 17. Ne4 fxg3 18. hxg3 Bxe4 19. Bxe4 a6 20. Qd5 Ne7 21.
Qxb7 O-O 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. Bd5+ Kh7 24. Be4+ Kg8 25. Qd5+ Kg7 26. Qxa8 Rxf2
27. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 28. Kg2 Qg5 29. Nf5+ Kf7 30. Bd5+ Kg6 31. Qg8+ Kxf5 32. Qe6#
1-0

PACMAN LOOSENS UP PLAYING CHESS

( Photo courtesy of PINOYCHESS )

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:33:00 04/30/2009


LAS VEGAS - LOOKING AT the bemoustached guy playing chess Wednesday night, it’s hard to believe that he’s just two days away from a title showdown with a dangerous opponent.

Manny Pacquiao, in white shirt and red jogging pants, was slouched in the sofa making moves, studying the position and even joking around.

Loose and relaxed, he looks ready to gun for Ricky Hatton’s International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown right away and not on Saturday (Sunday) as scheduled.

The feeling of calm is understandable since Pacquiao is in top shape, is thoroughly familiar with his opponent’s fighting style and is already inside the 140-pound limit.

“He weighs 139.5,” bared Environment Sec. Lito Atienza, who’s like a second father to Pacquiao, during a chance encounter with Manila-based sportswriters late afternoon.

With Pacquiao’s condition at 100 percent, Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza seem just bent on maintaining his form.

They’ve tapered off Pacquiao’s workouts, focusing more on enhancing his speed rather than increasing his power.

Pacquiao runs at the UNLV track oval in the morning, rests and then hies off to the IBA gym to sweat it out and apply the fight plan he and Roach designed for the 12-round duel with Hatton.

After the gym work, Pacquiao returns to his suite to rest and relax.

With no darts board around, Pacquiao has turned to chess which he plays quite well.

GM WESLEY SO TO JOIN CHINA CHESS LEAGUE

(GM Wesley So during an interview with a reporter from a local TV network. photo courtesy of Leny So)

( First published at CHESSPH Blogspot )

Leny So, the mother of grandmaster Wesley So, has emailed chessph to confirm her son's participation in the 2009 Torch Real State China Chess League Division A on May 4 to 8.

"Wesley wants to go in China (sic)...It will have no conflict with Asian Chess, which will start May 14. (I) Hope it will not affect his level of play. It was his decision. I am sure he will try also his best in Asian (Continental)," she said in her email.

"It is an honor to be invited by them. I also encouraged Wesley to be close with Chinese people because he is half-chinese," she added.

Wesley will be accompanied by his father William in China. Their travel expenses will be covered by the Qi Lu Chess Club, according to a copy of the invitation furnished to chessph.