Fischer to risen from the grave?

This news may trouble many chess followers, specially those Bobby's Fischer hard core fans. Fischer's remain will be unearth to have his DNA taken. We're solving no death mystery here but after Fischer's worldly possessions so expect a controversy to explode once Fischer's body is exhumed. Marlon Bernardino received this report and share it with us.

FISCHER’S REMAINS WILL BE EXHUMED

In a bizarre twist to the battle for the estate left by the late chess legend Bobby Fischer, lawyer Sammy Estimo revealed that the remains of the chess icon will be exhumed soon.

Estimo, lawyer of Fischer’s Filipino child, Jinky Young, said that Judge Sigrun Gudmundsdottir of the Icelandic probate court found no DNA samples of Fischer at the National Hospital in Iceland where the ex-world champion died onJanuary 17, 2008 of renal failure. Because of this development, Estimo and his collaborating Icelandic lawyer,Thordur Bogason,were left with no other recourse but to request the court to issue an order for the exhumation of Bobby’s remains for DNA samples to be tested with the blood samples extracted from Jinky when she went to Iceland in December last year.

Jinky, Fischer’s nephews and the Japanese Miyoko Watai, who claims to have married Fischer in 2004, are claimants to the P140 Million and gold deposits left by the chess genius at the Landsbanki in Reykjavik. Fischer also purchased real estate properties in Iceland where he became a citizen after his release from a Japanese airport prison in 2005.

In a decision issued by the Supreme Court of Iceland in December last year, Watai’s marriage to Fischer was invalidated because of the failure of the Japanese to present the original of their alleged marriage certificate.

On April 16, Judge Gudmundsdottir will resolve the request of Jinky for the disinterment of her father’s remains in a cemetery in Selfoss town, south Iceland.

Estimo had predicted before that this saga would reach this far ---- for Bobby Fischer to rise again and provide the solution to this puzzle on his estate.

Chessdom goes twitting

After Facebook, Chessdom goes twitting. The site just join a popular micro blogging, social and networking site, twitter.com. There isn't much post yet but I noticed that they updated four entries today which is a good sign since they haven't been twitting for quite a while. http://twitter.com/chessdom

So, Garcia, Bersamina, Reyes wins the Pichay and Davis Chess Cup

I believe this is the first tournament victory in the country this year for Wesley So, the Pichay and Davis Cup. It looks like So was the lone grandmaster to participate in the event as there's no mentioned of other grandmasters that is supposed to join the Pichay and Davis Cup as earlier reported. Quite interesting was the exhibition chess match between So and Pocket Fritz 4. Wesley's manager, Reggie Tee challenge his kid for $100 (around P4,500) should he beat the machine. Wesley failed to bring home some extra, though. We're not in the venue to write about the event but Marlon Bernardino has this reports:

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

SUPER GRANDMASTER Wesley So, Fide Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, reigning RP Boy 12 and under champion Paolo Bersamina and Narquinden Reyes emerged winners in Sunday’s 1^st Pichay and Davis Cup chess festival at the Blue Wave Mall along Macapagal Avenue near Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The 16-year-old So, currently world’s no. 64 with an Elo Fide rating of 2665 defeated GM-elect Ronald Dableo in the finals (2-game match, seven minutes with three seconds increment), 1.5-0.5, to captured the all Master Group A division title and the top purse of P15,000 plus elegant trophy and Nokia Mobile phone in the one-day event hosted by businessman Davis de Leon and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

“I'm really happy to have played well against Ronald (Dableo) in the finals,” said the Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid.

Alex Dinoy acts as the tournament director while International arbiters Willie Abalos, Gene Poliarco and Erwin Carag serve as tournament arbiters.

To reach the finals, So bested NM Rudy Ibanez (1.5-0.5) in the round-of-32, FM David Elorta (1.5-0.5) in the round-of-16, IM Oliver Dimakiling (2-1) in the round-of-8 and IM Richard Bitoon (1.5-0.5) in the round-of-4, respectively.

So failed to continue his winning streak when he bowed to Pocket Fritz 4, engine High Arc 13 (0.5-1.5) in their 2- games exhibition chess match. If So beat the said chess engine, he can get a bonus worth $100 US Dollar courtesy of long-time chess patron and computer expert Reginald “Reggie” Tee.

No less than NCFP president/ chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., NCFP vice president for Visayas Bro. Rolly Dizon and La Salle Greenhills chess program manager Vic Lahoz led the opening rites.

In the 12-year-old and below (kiddies division), Bersamina, the top player of Pasay City defeated Juan Carlos Presente of Caloocan City to captured his third straight kiddy title plus champion’s purse of P4,000. Bersamina finished 6.5 points in seven outings.

He also topped the Baguio kiddie chess last March 6 and Makati Kiddie chess last March 13.

In the Open Group B division, Garcia, the top player of Ateneo de Manila University subdued journeyman Roel Abelgas to finished 6 points and went home P7,000.

Reyes, the pride of College of St. Benilde, on the other hand dominates the 20-year-old and below (junior division) with 6.5 points to pockets top prize of P4,000.

The trio (Bersamina, Garcia and Reyes) also received elegant trophies plus Nokia Mobile Phone courtesy of De Leon and Pichay.

The four division categories attracted by a total of 300 wood pushers in the event backed up by Blue Wave Mall.

Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence or PACE officially open

NCFP Prospero Pichay in the traditional ribbon cutting rites. Also in the photo behind Pichay, GM Eugene Torre and GM Jayson Gonzales.


The Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence or PACE officially open yesterday in Mindanao Ave. Quezon City and that means every chess enthusiast can finally troop to the venue and know the activities and events the PACE install for everyone. Congratulation and greetings to all the people who made this one stop chess center, the first of its kind in the country possible. Cheers!

NATIONAL CHESS FEDERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday to formally open the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) in Mindanao Ave. Quezon City.

Joining Pichay were Atty. Koko Pimentel, NCFP vice president for Visayas Bro. Rolly Dizon, PACE founding president GM Jayson Gonzales and PACE founding chairman Asia's First GM Eugene Torre.

Pichay, also chairman emeritus of the newly-formed Philippine Chess Knights League (PhilCheK).Marlon Bernardino

Pichay-Davis Chess Festival

With the indefinite cancellation of the Battle of Grandmasters, the Pichay and Davis Cup chess festival should be an complimentary substitute before the Lenten season starts next week. Wesley So is also competing. It's been a while since Wesley won a tournament here in the country so it would be quite interesting how Wesley will fare this time. The venue will be the Blue Wave Mall and you couldn't get a more excellent venue for attracting chess enthusiast than in a Mall.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

COUNTRY’S top Filipino woodpushers get another chance to show their wares when the Pichay and Davis Cup chess festival gets underway today, Sunday, March 28 at the Blue Wave Mall along Macapagal Avenue near Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Super Grandmaster Wesley So and 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. heads the list of cast in the one-day event organized and hosted by Davis de Leon and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., offers a total pot prize of P100,000 in the four categories event. Tournament director is Alex Dinoy.

Joining So and Antonio in the all Master Invitational Group A division knockout system format are fellow GMs Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, Mark Paragua and Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, the 2010 PSC Expo Rapid chess ruler.

Not to be outdone are GM-elect Ronald Dableo, International Masters (IMs) Barlo Nadera, Roland Nolte and Emmanuel Senador, who is fresh from winning the 2010 Candon City Open chess championships at the Stern Mall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

The Group B will be an Open category, Group C will be an under-20 tournament while Group D will be for players 12- years old and below using a seven round Swiss-system format.

IM/WGM Elena Tairova, 1991–2010

WGM Elena Tairova just passed away last March 16 in Russia. She's just 18. ChessBase reports that Elena died from an undisclosed illness.

WGM Elena Tairova has died at the age of just 18. Born on 28 August 1991, Tairova became a WGM at just 14 years of age, and a full IM the following year. She won a succession of European and World girls’ junior titles, and in 2006 was the Russian women’s under-20 champion. That same year, and again the following year, she was runner-up in the Russian women’s superfinal.

Rumours of ill-health first surfaced in early 2008, when she missed several tournaments, but she recovered and returned again to tournament successes. However, in late 2009, she fell ill again, and was unable to take her place in the latest Russian women’s superfinal in December 2009. She passed away on 16 March 2010, a grievous loss to Russian women’s chess.

May you Rest In Peace Miss Elena.

GM Nelson Mariano II gets justice

It's been more than a month since the first press release published involving the case of Singapore based Filipino GM Nelson Mariano II and the Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and its Manager Lee Fon Man. I never know the complete details of the story but the interlocutory judgment document can be view here. It involves again, one of those many cases of people who go beyond of using the internet as medium to discredit people without having seconds thoughts about the negative consequences of his or her actions. We are very happy for GM Nelson Mariano II. GM Mariano II is a former Asian Junior Champion.

From Chess-kidz.com website

Grandmaster Nelson Mariano II won judgment against Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and its Manager Lee Fon Man, alias Robert Lee aka Samuel Lee for defaming the Grandmaster on the internet. He has called the Grandmaster a mongrel amongst many other things.


The Singapore District Court ruled on 29 Dec 2009 that statements made by Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and Lee were defamatory. The Court also rejected Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and Lee's defences, and ordered them to compensate Grandmaster Mariano by paying damages. The Court will investigate into the amount of damages that Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and Lee have to pay Grandmaster Mariano at a later stage. The Court has also ordered Powerchess Asia Pte Ltd and Lee to be restrained from defaming Grandmaster Mariano in future. (A copy of the judgement is attached.)

Grandmaster Mariano - also known as "Grandmaster Jet" to his many fans because of his lightning play - is now teaching at Chesskidz LLP. Grandmaster Mariano said, "I am very happy with the result. The Singapore Court has dealt with my complaint fairly and efficiently.

We thank our students and their parents for showering us with many messages of support during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Congressman Prospero Pichay Jr. (President of the NCFP) for his support and Mr Willie Abalos (Executive Director of NCFP), Muntinlupa Coach Eng'r.Joel Hicap, University Of the East, Mr Go Teng Kok , President of Philippines Athletic Association , my family and all the parents and most of all, our students. Last but not least, we would like to thank our lawyers Adrian Tan, Wendell Wong and Choo Tse Yun of Drew and Napier for working tirelessly for our cause. We are grateful for their patience and kindness.

Battle of Grandmasters, cancelled

Over a week ago, a friend of ChessHeroes blog hinted to us that the Battle of Grandmaster which is scheduled to begin this day, March 23 is in serious position of getting cancelled due to some "unclear" problems. I say, to those who are following CH for sometime, this will explain why we didn't give an update or any news regarding the Battle of Grandmasters a week and days before the supposed actual date of the tournament. We opted to do so, not until we received final confirmation from any reliable source that the cancellation was really true. As everybody may know by now, the Battle of GMs was consequently canceled due to nonavailability of the venue, the City State Tower Hotel in Mabini, Ermita, Manila. It will be re-schedule sometime in May and let us cross our fingers that the event, the "Linares" of Philippine chess will take place just around the Metro Manila area.

BATTLE OF THE GRANDMASTERS CANCELLED---ABALOS

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE Battle of the Grandmasters which is supposed to be held today, Tuesday, March 23 at the City State Tower Hotel in Mabini, Ermita, Manila has been cancelled.

“Battle of GMs still no available venue,” NCFP events manager/ executive director Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos told this writer yesterday.

“Chairman (Butch) Pichay postponed this event and wait for the announcement for the exact final date. Maybe in May after Asian Continental in Subic,” added Abalos.

Super Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So is the reigning two-time Battle of the Grandmasters champion.

The Philippines shock Brazil in football, 6-2!!!

Don't be so surprise though if you fond out that this group of street children are the only kids who plays football in the 90 million populace of the archipelago. And yet they accomplished the impossible. Photo from Philstar.com


Never in my wildest dream. That's all we can say. Can't really remember (or there's really no such thing in the past) when was the last time a football team from this helplessly basketball crazy country ever beaten a world powerhouse in football such as Brazil! No, not like Brazil but Brazil the nation itself. Yeah, you may call this just a bunch of street kids playing in unheralded Street Child World Cup by hey, Brazil is Brazil and Brazil is football and football is Brazil. You can't split them apart. You can bet there are tens of thousands street children playing football even in the narrowest and darkest of alleys in Brazil. But I say, when was the last time you see a group of street kids playing football in the streets of this country?

NIL.

“We are a football team from a ‘basketball’ country that’s participating in a football tournament made up of teams from ‘football’ countries,” says Ed Formoso, manager of the team. “So how much of a chance do we really have in this event? It’s a question asked of me by so, so many. But when you believe so much in a project, and especially when you pray, you learn to believe that miracles might-can-will happen. So, will winning games in South Africa be a miracle? This is a team built on prayer and it has already won by getting as far as this. This far, these kids - it’s a miracle team already.”

With all due respect to Nora Aunor but mayroon himala.

Read the full story at Philstar.com

US based Filipino chess champ, Arthur Macaspac opens chess cafe in Rahway New Jersey

Many foreign based Filipino chess players has proven that you can be a competitive player and a successful businessman as well. Recently, Arthur Macaspac, a U.S. Army Reserve captain who has won several Army chess championships opens a chess club and cafe in the heart of New Jersey called Chess Mates. Although relatively new to this kind of business venture, Macaspac shows confidence as he told the mycentraljersey.com:

Macaspac is planning several revenue streams with his business: chess lessons, tournaments and the sale of chess merchandise, as well as cafe items. There also will be membership fees.

He plans to work with the Rahway YMCA — located almost across Irving Street from his business — to offer chess camps in the summer. He also plans to work with the recreation center.

"I would like to attract well-known chess players. If I can do that, I can help chess players improve their skills," he said. "If you play for 20 years and play against your level, you may inch up. But if you play against professionals your play gets better. If I can attract good players, than more good players will come."

Macaspac said he chose to locate his business in Rahway because of its train station.

"It's less than 40 minutes from New York," said, Macaspac, adding the area is also accessible to Philadelphia. "The most populated area for chess players is the east."

Chicago based Pinoy IM Angelo Young also own and run a similar chess club called Touch Move and his establishment is a good example of Filipino success in chess business venture in the US. Perhaps Mr Macaspac may one day want to go down to Chicago and have some coffee breaks with IM Young to get some helpful tips.

CHESS MATES
Address of business: 1523 Irving St. in the Park Square complex
Type of business: Chess club and cafe
Principals: Arthur Macaspac
How long in business: Since March 1
Number of employees: Two
Telephone number: 760-583-8429 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 760-583-8429 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Web site: www.chessmatesnj.com

PACE Summer Rapid Chess Festival

Last Tuesday, we wrote about the establishment of the first ever chess academy in the country, the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence or PACE and it's formal induction this 27th of March in Quezon City. Coincide with this is the first ever chess activity to be organized by PACE and Philippine Chess Knights League or Philchek, the Summer Rapid Chess Festival 2010. What a start, I should say. Just barging in right away. Need to get going from the very start. It would be quite interesting to see a chess tournament and induction ceremony done at the same date, at the same venue. That's definitely a sight to see.

SPECTACULAR chess event will kick-off this March the opening of the Summer Rapid Chess Festival on March 26-27, 2010 9:00am at PACE-Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence Headquarters, 2/F 56 Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City. This activity is organized by Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) in cooperation with Philippine Chess Knights League (PhilCheK League) and numerous dignitaries led by NCFP President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. with FIDE President Emeritus Florencio Campomanes, PSC Chairman Harry Angping, Ilocos Norte representative Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Atty. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Jr., Congressman Mat Defensor among others will grace the opening of the event. “This is just a maiden event in collaboration to PACE program” GM Jayson Gonzales and GM Eugene Torre, President and Chairman of PhilCheK, respectively.

At stake in this prestigious event: A. MASTERS 2150 (open to all Masters with an active rating of 2150 below and to all untitled chess players) Champion -P7,000.00 + Trophy, Runner-up- 4,000.00 + Trophy, 3^rd Place - 2,000.00 + Trophy, 4^th Place - 1,500.00 + Trophy, 5^th Place- 1,000.00 + Trophy, 6^th-10^th Places (P750ea.)- 3,750.00 + Medals, Top 2000 & below Player- 750.00 + Medal, Top 1900 & below Player- 750.00 + Medal, Top 1800 & below Player- 750.00 + Medal, Top Senior Player-750.00 + Medal, Top Junior Player-750.00 + Medal, Top Executive Player-750.00 + Medal; B. WOMEN (open to all women players) Champion-P4,000.00 + Trophy, Runner-up-2,500.00 + Trophy, 3^rd Place- 2,000.00 + Trophy, 4^th Place-1,500.00 + Trophy, 5^th Place 1,000.00 + Trophy, 6^th-10^th Places (P500ea.)-2,500.00 + Medals, Top 2000 & below Player-500.00 + Medal, Top 1900 & below Player - 500.00 + Medal, Top 1800 & below Player - 500.00 + Medal, Top Collegiate Player - 500.00 + Medal, Top High School Player- 500.00 + Medal; C. KIDDIES UNDER 14 (open to all players born on or after 1996) Champion-P4,000.00 + Trophy, Runner-up- 2,000.00 + Trophy, 3^rd Place- 1,500.00 + Trophy, 4^th Place- 1,000.00 + Trophy, 5^th Place-750.00 + Trophy, 6^th-10^th Places (P500ea.)- 2,500.00 + Medals, Top Under-12 Player (Boys)-500.00 + Medal, Top Under-12 Player (Girls)- 500.00 + Medal, Top Under-10 Player (Boys) - 500.00 +Medal, Top Under-10 Player (Girls)- 500.00 + Medal, Top Under-8 Player (Boys) -500.00 + Medal, Top Under-8 Player (Girls)- 500.00 + Medal,

Tournament format shall apply the Seven(7) Round Swiss System and the rate of play will be Twenty Five(25) minutes per player to finish the game and recording is mandatory.

Registration fee is Php 250 and Kiddies is only Php 200.00 with limited participants only, first come first served. Deadline of registration is up to March 25, 2010. For details pls. contact PhilCheK Boyet Tardecilla at 0916-6169586 or (02) 4546090 or (02) 8863478.

The Russians Have Fixed World Chess- Bobby Fischer

The Russians may no longer hold a huge influence in the sport these days but for those certified chess history buff, you may not want to miss this one out. It was in 1962 that Fischer wrote an article for Sports Illustrated magazine that took the whole chess world by storm. It concerns about the Soviet running some sort of Mafia in FIDE. In the article "The Russians Have Fixed World Chess.", Fischer exposed the claim that the Russians was controlling the sport more evident when he participated in the Candidates match in Curacao in June 1962. It's a long read but chess researchers will find this a gem. Fischer opted to published the article in Sports Illustrated as the magazine have gained more audiences than any sports magazines at that day. The article was dated August 20 1962.

The international Candidates' Chess Tournament that ended June 28 in Curacao left me with one conviction: Russian control of chess has reached a point where there can be no honest competition for the world championship. The system set up by the Federation International des Echecs, the governing body of world chess, insures that there will always be a Russian world champion because only a Russian can win the preliminary tournament that determines his challenger. The Russians arranged it that way. As far as I am concerned, they can keep it that way. I will never again play in one of these tournaments.

Sometimes, after their quick draws with each other, the Russians wouldn't go back to the swimming pool. They would openly analyze my game while I was still playing it. It is strictly against the rules for a player to discuss a game in progress, or even to speak with another player during a game—or, for that matter, with anyone. I studied Russian enough to be able to read their chess books, and I could easily understand what they were saying. They would say this move is good, or that move is good—in Russian, of course. My Russian isn't the greatest but, believe me, they weren't talking about the weather. If I was playing against a Russian, and one of these debates was going on right in front of us, my opponent might get up and join the discussion after he had made his move. Even if the advice they gave each other was bad—and too many chess cooks can spoil a game—it was annoying. It made me mad that they thought they could get away with it. I protested to the officials. I learned that they could get away with it. I complained a few more times, but their lead had increased to the point where they were unworried, and they then gradually stopped doing it.

Somebody asked me, "What did you learn at the tournament?" I said, "I learned not to play in any more of them." It is a waste of time for any Western player. The present arrangement for selecting a challenger for the championship is bad for chess, bad for the players taking part in it and bad for any real standard of the world championship. The general public long ago lost interest in any title gained in this fashion. Maybe chess players are losing interest in it also. I have, permanently.

Read the whole article at sportsillustrated.com

Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence opens May 27

Honestly, I haven't gave much thought about this one in the past until yesterday when we received this email report from NM Marlon Bernardino. I really thought that the idea of establishing the so called Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence or PACE was dead long time ago. Never thought that it's a work in progress since the first time I heard about a buzz regarding a "chess academy". But here they are. It risen from the grave and the academy, the first of its kind in the country will officially open this 27th of March in Quezon City. Well known sports officials and politicians are expected to graze the opening rites and that gives you a sign that it may after all, an academy everyone should pay special attention. It looks promising indeed.

I suggest that PACE should start an official website of their own sooner than later. You can't do anything great these days without a website.

PHILIPPINE ACADEMY FOR CHESS EXCELLENCE SET ON MARCH 27
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

The formal inauguration of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) and induction ceremony of the Philippine Chess Knights League (PhilCheK) gets underway on March 27 at the 2/F, 56 Mindanao Ave., cor. Road 1, Project 6, Quezon City.

PACE is envisioned to become the first one-stop, fully-air-conditioned chess destination in the country comparable to the best chess clubs in American and Europe.

Aside from being a regular venue for regular chess classes for aspiring young players, the academy will also hold regular tournaments for both titled and untitled players

The academy will also house a modern library, which will offer wide-ranging books, internet services and other chess paraphernalias to regular members.

“We’re also planning to invite Russian and foreign chess instructors to conduct classes for our members,” said two-time Olympian GM Gonzales, who co-founded the academy with Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre.

“PACE will provide everything that the chess player needs, something which, unfortunately, we didn’t enjoy during our formative years in the sport,” added Gonzales.

“This is a chess player’s dream come true.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on March 27 will be attended by FIDE honorary president Florencio Campomanes, NCFP president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., PSC chairman Harry Angping, DepEd secretary Jesli Lapus, NCFP secretary-general Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Ilocos Norte representative and senatorial candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The officers of PhilCheK, headed by Pichay (chairman emeritus), Pimentel (president emeritus), Torre (chairman), Gonzales (founding president), and Boyet Tardecilla ( secretary-general) will also be inducted during the same occasion.

The other PhilCheK officers are Atty. Constantino Marcaida (executive director), Atty. Cris Aspiras (VP-Administration), Michael John Vargas (VP-External Affairs), Atty. Manuel Relorcasa (VP-Internal Affairs), Atty. Rommel Tacorda (VP-Special Projects), Oscar Gonzales (VP-Benefits Program), Jake Espinosa (VP-Organizational Development), Loren T abilog (VP-Marketing), Ed Madrid (VP-Media Affairs), Grace Navea-Huff (VP- International Affairs), Esther Valdez (VP-Finance and Publications), Niel Dumlao (treasurer), Dr. Gilbert Perez (auditor), Dr. Alfredo Paez (PRO), Dr. Jenny Mayor (AVP for Specia Projects) and Atty. Gene Turqueza and Atty. Vicente Acebeda (Legal Counsel).

Manny Pacquiao mated the "Grandmaster" Joshua Clottey

Former welterweight IBF World Champion Joshua Clottey of Ghana, who's nicknamed the "Grandmaster" and whose body was designed to absorbed and endure severe physical punishment survived the 12 round relentless onslaught from the much smaller but quick and sleek Manny Pacquiao. Clottey seems to be content of finishing the fight without getting knock out as he resorted to over defensive style of fighting. This is quite unusual to a bigger, stronger fighter where the smaller guy is supposed to be in a defensive. Pacquiao won 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 on the judges’ cards. It was witness live by over 51,000 boxing fans at 1.2 billion dollar Dallas Cowboy Stadium. A fight with the winner of Mosley-Mayweather in May seems an inevitable opponent for Pacquiao.

Not so impressive though, Arnel Pineda did not a deliver a knock out performance in singing the national anthem of the Philippines. In his rendition of Lupang Hinirang, the lead vocalist of the legendary American rock band Journey tried to push himself too much and was caught a bit out of tempo in the end. The fans cheered just the same.

Carlsen, Kasparov parted ways

It must have been a partnership but it's over now. It must have been good, but they lost it somehow. The sudden parting of ways is indeed, ahead of the schedule but it's bound to end sooner than later. They've been scratching each others back for for just about three months and one of them might felt that the other is getting the best of this scratching thing. The result, they both call it quits. It is noted that Carlsen won major tournaments under Kasparov tutelage, rises at the top and became the second highest rated player in history just behind his trainer. Now people were talking "hey, how much Carlsen have improved since Kasparov trained him! He can't do it without Kasparov" But that's kind of trolling, of course and I don't really buy it. It maybe a partnership made in heaven but like jealous lovers, it just didn't work out well. Carlsen just keeps what he thinks is most important to him and so is Kasparov. And that what contains below:

The most likely primary explanation of the break is, however, financial. Last year's agreement that the two legends were working together noted that Kasparov's services were "expensive", They have included training camps in Croatia and Morocco and unique access for Carlsen to Kasparov's feared personal database, containing many potent opening novelties which their owner never got the chance to use in his own games.

Technically speaking he remains work in progress and to the outsider this is an unnatural moment for the pair to go their separate ways. So it is easy to think back to Kasparov's stormy disagreements with fellow grandmasters in the 1980s and the 1990s, when he had the reputation of a serial killer of chess organisations, or to his long feuds with Anatoly Karpov and Vlad Kramnik. Kasparov can be overbearing and it would not be a surprise if the laid-back Carlsen began to find his teacher's personality oppressive.

Such is the human heart, sometimes.

Read full article at guardian.co.uk

Bobby Fischer's 67th birthday: from the Philippines with memories

The whole chess communities commemorates Bobby Fischer's 67th birthday last March 9. Fischer died just two years ago and he remains one of the most recognizable figure in the sport. For one, this country leaves an ever lasting impression to Fischer. His first and second visits to the Philippines in 1967 and 1973, he was treated like a rock star. He lives here for three years in Baguio City, find a partner and there was even a very strong claim that he even bore a daughter with his ex live in partner. GM Eugene Torre, for example has many fond things to say about Fischer. It is known the chess world all over regarding the tight bond between Torre and the troubled genius that is Fischer even after the former's death. They were the best of friends and even picks Torre to be one of his seconds in his 1992 rematch with Borris Spassky. Not known to many, Torre helps promote the chess game variation called Fisherandom or chess 960 which Fischer invented himself. In every tournament Torre visited, it's a rare occasion you will hear Torre not mentioning Bobby's name. In one corner of the room where an informal conversation is taking place, you just have to sneak in and chances are that you'll catch up Bobby's name in Torre's lips. In tournaments for kids where he is to deliver inspirational speech, he always makes an example of Fischer's hard work, dedication and discipline to achieve success. Of course Torre never mention about the "other" sides of Fischer to kids which is quite understandable. Fischer is not really a perfect role model for children. Torre understand that and we agree to that. Let us stick to what Fischer did to chess.

I always thought that had Fischer escaped the detention in Japan on board to the Philippines in 2004, he might end up being a Filipino citizen instead and not Icelandic.

Recent posts in this blog about Fischer, Torre and the Philippines among others you might find interesting.

GM Eugene Torre infamous live radio interview of Bobby Fischer September 11, 2001 in Baguio City.

Bobby Fischer's first visits to the Philippines in 1967

Bobby Fischer's second visits to the Philippines 1973

Fischer's daughter, live in partner and Eugene Torre visits Bobby's tomb in Iceland

Jinky Young, Fischer's 6 year old daughter undergo DNA test.

The Fischer-Benko slapping incident

IM Enrique Pacencia wins 2010 Singapore International Chess Festival

Singapore based IM Enrique Pacencia who represents Singapore and plays board number one for the country in many international competition including the Chess Olympiad in Dresden recently won the 2010 Singapore International Chess Festival, a tournament usually dominated by Filipino chess players in the past editions of the event. For more of the chess festivals, please visit tournament website.

Report by NM Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino International Master (IM) Enrique Paciencia stamped his class on the opposition to bag the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre Hong Bao Rapid Chess Challenge 2010 Open title in the recently-concluded tournament in Singapore.

The Tacloban City native, the 2009 Singapore International Chess Festival champion, beat Aussie Steve O’Reily in the 7th and final round to finish with 6 points on 5 wins and 2 draws, the same output of compatriot IM Yves Ranola and Singaporean Mark Chan.

Paciencia, a former mainstay of Adamson University, clinched the title after the tie break points were applied. Ranola settled for 2nd place while Chan was the 3rd placer.

Ranola split the point with fellow RP Junior champion National Master (NM) Roberto Suelo, Jr. in the final canto while Chan beat countryman Linson Lim.

Suelo finished overall 4th with 5.5 points, a half point ahead of Filipino NM Arlan Cabe who settled for overall 5th with superior quotient in the group of 5 pointers.

Meralco chess

Philippine and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr., meanwhile, edged the Meralco Chess Club (MCC) woodpushers, 3.5-2.5, in a rare six-board simultaneous chess exhibition at the Lopez Building in the Meralco head office in Pasig City.

The former Virginia, USA Open champion Bernardino defeated Rhal Sol Cruz (LSGH student), Jonathan Rivera (Security) and Adonis Johnson Maclang (Valenzuela Meter- Leadman) on Friday.

Jonas Satiago (SCADA) and Jay Dicen (Security) scored 2 wins for MCC while Adrian Esteva (Rizal Sector-Lineman) salvaged a draw in the six board simul that launched the chess activities for the Meralco employees’ day celebration on March 20.

The simul is also part of preparation for the 1st MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) Olympics where chess is one of the events.

According to MCC President Rolly Sol Cruz, the triumvirate of Santiago, Dicen and Esteva are all champions having won a tournament one time or another.

Last month, Bernardino swept his 10 board simultaneous chess exhibition. Bernardino is a radio commentator, sports writer and member of the coaching staff of La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) under the leadership of head coach International arbiter and National Master (NM) Erwin Carag.

Araw ng Dabaw chess

Meantime, the Gaisano South Citimall along Illustre Street will be the venue for the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-Vice Mayor Sara Duterte Araw ng Dabaw Age-Group/Open chess tournament on March 14 and 21 in Davao City.

NCFP Regional Director James Infiesto, who is sanctioning the two-Sunday event for young woodpushers, said the top performers in each category will get medals and cash prizes.

The tournament will feature boys and girls in the 8 and below, 10 and below, 12 and below, 14 and below, 16 and below and 18 and below categories plus Open and non-master categories.

The competition is part of the Araw ng Dabaw sports festival presented by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Sara Duterte in coordination with the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office.

Registration is free at the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO). Interested chess players can call (082) 227-8074 or e-mail waigeeboy@yahoo.com.

Torre in Angeles

Meanwhile, Asia’s First Grandmaster (GM) Eugene Torre will grace the opening ceremony of 2010 Atty. Edgardo D. Pamintuan Chess Cup on April 3, Saturday at the Marquee Mall Center stage in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Hall of Famer Torre will give his inspirational message to the participants, according to tournament organizer Ram Genita.

Among the tournament’s early entries are John Romvi Manaloto, Justin Ty, Manuel Alvis, Jessica Icabandi, Chris Hans Balingit and Kirstine Mae Cruz.

The one-day affair which offers cash prizes to the winners of the seven rounds Swiss-system 25 minutes time Control National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) standard ratings event.

Interested participants can contact Genita at mobile numbers 0906-1172117 and 0919-3547092. – by Marlon Bernardino

Thanks everyone.

Would like to extend my warm appreciation to those people who sends their greetings through emails, facebook, comment box and text messages for our second year in chess blogging. We greatly appreciate it.

Please let me remind everyone that I do not solicit any donations so you guys watch out for that. If you received any emails asking to buy me "a cup of coffee", I assure you that's not coming from me. Please feel free to send me updates, notification or anything you want to share or contribute through email.

2010 Atty. Eduardo D. Pamintuan Chess Cup

This one is exclusive for Angeles City residents only. Anyway, registration is free so you don't want to miss this one out you chessmen from Angeles.


April 3, 2010 – Saturday 9: a.m.
MARQUEE MALL Center stage, Angeles City
7 rounds swiss system, 25 minutes Time Control
NCFP standard ratings

Major Prizes Category Prizes
1. P 5,000,00 + Trophy Top College Top Senior 55 yrs. Old & above
2. P 3,000.00 + Trophy 1. P500.00 1. P500.00
3. P 2,000.00 + Trophy 2. P300.00 2. P300.00
4. P 1.500.00 3. P200.00 3. P200.00
5. P 1,000.00 Top High school Youngest Participant
6. P 500.00 1. P500.00 6. P 500.00 1. P500.00 1. P500.00
7. P 500.00 2. P300.00
8. P 500.00 3. P200.00
9. P 500.00 Top Ladies
10. P500.00 1. P500.00
2. P300.00
3. P200.00
Top Elementary
Top Elementary
1. P500.00
2. P300.00
3. P200.00
For reservations Pls. Call/or Text
Mr. Ram Genita # 09061172117, 09193547092
1. Angeles City residents that has no chess tittles
2. Currently enrolled students at any schools with in Angeles City
Requirements:
1. Brgy. Residents Certifications
2. Valid I.D ( eg. Voters I.D Postal I. D. School I.D.)

@@@
application form for chess tournament

2010 Atty: Eduardo D. Pamintuan Chess Cup.
Registration Form

1 X 1
Picture Name: _________________________________________________
(Please Print) First Name M. Name Last Name
Address: ___________________________________________________________

Gender ____ Age ____ Date of Birth ______________Nationality _____________
Mobile/Cell #___________________ Home phone # :_______________________
E- mail Address ______________________NCFP Standard rating 2010__________
Current School S.Y. 2009 – 10 __________________________________________

________________________
Applicant Signature

Requirements:
1. Brgy. Resident Certification
2. Valid I. D. (e g. Voters I.D., Postal I.D., School I.D.)
Qualified to join as follows:
1. Angeles City residents that has no chess tittles ( NM, IM, FM, GM )
2. Students at any school Angeles City
Note: Registration is Free

ChessHeroes is two years old

On this day, March 5, my chess blog ChessHeroes was born. CH is now two years old! We have posted around 800 posts here, met many people from all walks of life, from different places and different races and through the years, here's (only) a dozen things I could think of about being an amateur blogger, the toughest job in the world!

1. he must be his own writer,
2. he must be his own editor,
3. he must be his own photographer,
4. he must be his own researcher,
5. he must be his own proof reader,
6. he must be his own web designer,
7.he must be his own critic,

8. he must be a theorist,
9. he must be a poet,
10. he must be a dramatist,
9. he must be a humorist,
9. he must be a philosopher,
10. he must be a linguistic,
11. he must be a story teller,
12. and most of all, he must be a humanist.

you name it...

I always held a belief that just as it is the art director who must be responsible to an audience, the blogger, if he or she is to maintain his integrity, must be responsible to himself. We're talking about responsible blogging. A good curator of one's own museum is one who can walked about silently along the hallways and to just point and present to the visitors a work of art with a hand out.

Team Sevillano Tops Unique California Event

US based IM Enrico "Ikong" Sevillano recently led his youthful "Team Sevillano" from San Diego to victory in the just held 2010 Sean Reader Master-Junior in Los Angeles California. The team comprise of four junior players from that area and was called "Two and a Half Asians". Excerpt from USCF website

This was not a regular tournament, but a special exhibition held sporadically over the last 30+ years, pitting the juniors (with 75 minutes) against four top masters (with 90 minutes) in six-board clock simuls.

GM Melikset Khachiyan and IMs Enrico Sevillano, Andranik Matikozyan, and Armen Ambartsoumian headed four teams with approximately equal average ratings. A team's master plays simultaneously against the other team's juniors and vice versa. Juniors are placed on their own coach's team if possible.

GM Bong Villmayor captured the All In Sports Expo chess tournament

GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor, after receiving his trophy, happily posed for photo sessions with other winners then as most people had left the playing venue, he just tucked the precious envelop in his pocket that could barely fit in with a satisfying grin in his face. Like GM Mark Paragua whom he has to share the top purse, is now a P25,000 richer. Not bad for two days work!

Going into the ninth and final round, both GM Villamayor and GM Paragua tied with identical 7.0 points. Not taking any chances, both players came up with dramatic final round victories. Villmayor beat FM David Elorta and Paragua beat GM Joey Antonio but the photo finish show GM Villamayor produced with the most tie break points to emerge as the over all winner of the first ever All-In-Sports Expo Open Rapid Chess tournament held at the PSC Canteen, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, February 27-28. FM David Elorta finished third over all the same score produced by nine other players with 7.0 that also include GM Wesley So and GM Darwin Laylo. But superior tie break points allow Elorta to bag the thrid place trophy.

Round 8 actions on the top boards

GM Bong with young supporters cheering him on


Not so productive a tournament for GM Joey Antonio same as GM Jayson Gonzales.

Not even a chess book helps him to win the tourney :) He said that his mindset is focus on defending the Battle of Grandmaster this March in Dapitan City.

GM John Paul Gomez was also present at the playing venue but not to compete but just to be a spectator

The winners with some of the tournament organizers. Holding trophies, GM Mark Paragua (black polo shirt), GM Buenaventura (long sleeve shirt) and FM David Elorta (red shirt)

And yours truly, Des, with your All In Sports Expo champ in chess, GM Bong.