Interview with Segey Karjakin better half, WIM Katya Dolzhikova

Photo from Jermuk FIDE GP


Truth is, elite grandmasters are sometimes notorious for the high rates of broken/troubled marriage. Ivanchuk, Shirov, Kasparov just to name a few. Not because these people are womanizer. Grandmasters rarely are. It's just that high ego that usually associated with elite chess players. But of course we won't wish the same thing will happen with the newly weds, GM Segey Karjakin (19) and WIM Katya Dolzhikova (20). They're an almost perfect match. Sharing the same passions and interest, that is one mark for happy marriage life that could last a lifetime. Anyway, the couple is still in their honeymoon stages so expect some supernatural and cozy things from this interview conducted by that woman on the left, Lilit, from Jermuk FIDE GP to Sergey's better half, WIM Katya Dolzhikova:

- How would you describe Sergey, how is he in real life?
- Sergey is very romantic and full of care. When I am in a trouble, he always encourages me. He is optimist, always has a good mood and I am very happy when I am near him.

- How do you like to spend your spare time?
- We love poetry and often enjoy spending our free time reading classical Russian literature and poetry. For example, we recently read Pushkin’s Evgeny Onegin. Also we love music. I play the piano and guitar, and Sergey is learning to play the guitar as well and soon he will play …
One interesting addition: when we began dating, sometimes Sergey called me on the phone and we would play blind chess. Not surprisingly, those games ended with Sergey’s victory.

- How do you picture your future family? With many children or is one is enough? And would you like your children to be chess players like their parents?
- I would love to have a girl and a boy; I think one is not enough. It would be great if they become chess players, but Sergey doesn’t think so.

Full interview and photos from FIDE GP Jermuk website

New and rare, luxury chess set for Pacquiao

Pacquaio's passion for chess is well known. Now a chess set fit for the kings will finally come handy with the pound for pound king as reported by Abac Cordero from Philstar.com

Nazario pulled off a big surprise when he gifted Pacquiao with a rare 1856 chess set, made in Russia, which he bought in an antique store in Orlando for $1,050. Pacquiao, a chess buff, said he’d have a special chess board of narra wood with ivory trimmings made.

“Hindi ka na mananalo sa akin (This time you can’t beat me),” Pacquiao told Nazario who, this early, had announced that next year’s In This Corner party will be held at The Manila Hotel.

Your truly is searching the web to see how the chess set looks like but unfortunately, I can't find any. That maybe a very rare one indeed.

The Awakening

The Philippine basketball team, even when playing at their best may never, at least for some years to come, be in par with the rest of our Asian basketball counterpart. No hurling of criticism this time. It's just a fact. There's always next time, as they said. As we've stated before, Filipinos love basketball but basketball does not loves us in return. We lost to the Jordanian team, fair and square 81-70 hours ago in the quarterfinal of FIBA Asia Championship. It's over. No basketball in the Olympic games for us. So sad. We are a basketball nation. So sad.

Now let's get back to chess.

Moment of truth for Team Pilipinas

This is it. It's make or break for our Team Pilipinas-Powerade basketball team in the FIBA-Asia Championship. The RP team will clash in their knockout quarterfinals series against Middle East powerhouse Jordan today. If they passed the Jordanian, we're a win away from the finals, hence, our return to the Olympic in London on 2012. Although I still have some doubts about our chances, but if our shooting continue to improve as we had shown the last three games, who knows?

The moment of truth has come. A loss is a rude awakening and victories is a start for something good for basketball in the Philippines.

All the best of luck to our Team Pilipinas.

Make it 18 for IM Oliver Barbosa

Sports journalist and National Master Marlon Bernardino, as usual, just brought this info to our attention. It may come almost two weeks late (for internet users that's quite an ages) but thanks anyway for the wave of information he's providing us through emails. For complete results and final standings, please visit Marshall chess club official website.

FILIPINO International Master Oliver Barbosa bagged his 18th title in the United States chess circuit by topping the Marshall Chess Club Saturday game 60 minutes Chess Championships at the Marshall Chess Club in New York, New York last August 1.

Barbosa, who hails from Taytay, Rizal finish perfect four points.He beat William Wijaya, Sam Barsky, GM Michael Rohde and IM Jay Bonin, respectively.

After this event, Barbosa, University of the Philippines’ (UP) former Board 1 player seeing in action in the 10^th Grand Prix Points Tonight in New York last August 6 settled joint fourth along with three others with 3.0 points in four games of play.

Barbosa also participated in the 15^th annual Northeast Open Chess Championships in Stamford, Connecticut last August 9. Barbosa settled 2^nd to 4^th placers in the company of Siddharth Ravichandran and Alec Getz after tallying 4.0 points apiece. GM Alexander Ivanov won the event with 4.5 points in five outings. His only draw to Barbosa in the final round.

Barbosa’s US chess campaign is supported by NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., and New York Immigration lawyer Filipino Geronimo “Gerry” Albano.MARLON BERNARDINO

No Schumacher comeback. F1 shouldn't celebrate

Photograph: Luca Ghidoni/Getty Images

For days, it creates quite a buzz. People are about to see another second coming of a god, a racing god. Arguably, the greatest car racer the world has ever known has made a declaration late last month that he will make a comeback to replace the injured Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa. The most expensive and technologically advance sports in the world has been in a downturn both in popularity and controversy since Schumacher's retirement in 2006. The supposed return of the sports most celebrated racer excite not only racing enthusiast but general public as well. Except for F1 drivers, perhaps. He was supposed to race in the European grand prix in Valencia on 23 August. But a freak motorcycle accident he suffered last February leave a painful injury on his neck. And the result, Schumacher called off his return from retirement:

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of the head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," said Schumacher. "That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses of Formula One yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did in the course of the past two weeks and the final examination [Monday] afternoon."

He added: "I am disappointed to the core. I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret, it did not work out."

People who run, sponsored, and race F1 shouldn't celebrate. Though Michael is not like a noontime show host who has the guts to defy everyone of what a great loss he would be to local showbiz industry if challenge, Michael Schumacher could only be the answer for the revival of formula racing. But alas, it won't happen. Not anytime soon.

110th US Open: Enrico Sevillano in 45-74th finish

With 6.0 points, IM Enrico Sevillano finished tie from 45-74th place in the recently held 110th US Open championship in Indianapolis USA. Sevillano actually started strong, winning his first 3 round games but a series of draws and a loss in the 8th and penultimate round caused him to end up in a more respectable finish. The tournament saw the participation of 256 players, 10 GMs and 15 IMs. Six tied for first with a total of 7.5 points but GM Dimitry Gurevich took home the title.

Final standings is HERE

FIDE Jermuk Grand Prix: Aronian, Filipinos sentimental favorite?

Are you rooting for Levon Aronian to win the GP? I won't be surprise if Levon Aronian is the sentimental favorite for most Filipino chess fans to win Jermuk. Of course the Barong Tagalog outfit he wore during the final day and awarding ceremony in Mainz Chess Classic endear many Filipino chess fans, not to mention his romantic involvement with half Filipina, WIM Arianne Caoili of Australia.

The coverage of the FIDE Grand Prix, no matter how controversial they may seemed to many, remains superb compare to other chess super tournament. For some reasons that the GP were being covered in plain English. Then there's a game by game commentaries and of course, live games. Sometimes, if allowed, they also provide live web cams inside the playing hall.

You can watch live games HERE. Games usually starts at around 6:00 pm, Manila time. Very convenient time indeed.

Jermuk Grand Prix official website

2009 SPICE CUP Group A: Wesley So, 3rd seed

So the line up for The 2009 SPICE Cup Group A group has been finalized. The category 16 the SPICE CUP organizers has been brewing to perfection for nearly a year will now have all the bragging rights in the world! According to Susan Polgar blog, this year SPICE CUP will boast an average rating of 2643.5, making this event one of the strongest chess tournament to be ever held in US soil, rating/statistic wise. GM Wesley So is one of the early bird to confirmed his participation in the said event. Wesley will be the 3rd seed here. The SPICE CUP chess festival will take place September 19-29.

Confirmed players for group A (6-player DRR - Category 16):

GM Dmitry Andreikin 2659 - Russia (#6 junior under 20 in the world - Russian Junior Champion)
GM Pashikian Arman 2650 - Armenia (#4 player in Armenia, the country which won the last 2 Olympiad)
GM Wesley So 2646 - Philippines (#7 junior under 20 in the world - #1 in the Philippines)
GM Rauf Mamedov 2645 - Azerbaijan (#5 player in Azerbaijan)
GM Yuriy Kuzubov 2635 - Ukraine (#8 junior under 20 in the world - #12 in Ukraine)
GM Varuzhan Akobian 2626 - USA (#6 in the U.S. - 2008 SPICE Cup Co-Champion - 2-time Olympiad Bronze Medalist)

FM Danny Rensch of Arizona has confirmed his participation in the SPICE Cup B group. I was so impressed when I read a story about him. That is why I decided to invite Danny to give him an opportunity to earn his third and final IM norm.

B Group - Category 11-12 (10-player RR):

IM Gabor Papp 2558 - HUN (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
IM Davorin Kuljasevic 2547 - CRO (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student in 8/2009)
GM Eugene Perelshteyn 2537 - USA (2007 SPICE Cup Champion)
GM Andre Diamant 2519 - Brazil (2008 Brazilian Champion)
IM Ben Finegold 2513 - USA (2 GM norms)
IM Ray Robson 2496 - USA (1 GM norm - Winner of the 2009-2010 Samford Fellowship)
IM Gergely Antal 2479 - HUN (2 GM norms - Texas Tech Student)
FM Danny Rensch 2392 - USA (2 IM norms)

All ratings listed are FIDE ratings.

SPICE Cup Open and SPICE Cup Scholastic Open are once again two of the events which are a part of the SPICE Cup Chess Festival.

Just as last year, the SPICE Cup will be held on campus at Texas Tech University and is co-organized by Texas Tech University, SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation.

A lunch with a Grandmaster

Last week, after the simul matches conducted by GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio at MERALCO basement canteen, our good friend, Rolly Sol Cruz, president of one of the most stable chess club in the country, the MERALCO Chess Club, had all the goodness to ask this blogger, to join a lunch with GM Joey Antonio. For a moment, I hesitated. Actually, that was only the five or six times I saw GM Antonio in person, but I never talked to him personally. And for nearly half an hour, knowing that it might not happen again anytime soon, I felt compelled to bombard him with questions. And I got more than what I expected. Some need to be publish and be heard, and some need to keep in private. But one particular moment I would never forget was when Rolly Cruz mentioned about the column wrote by Mr Bobby Ang (Don't confused him to Bob Ong as I sometimes do) for businessworldonline titled What Now GM Antonio? (if my memory serves me correctly about the correct title) In the said article, Mr Ang is very vocal in his criticism against Antonio's US campaign last year where he won dozens of them. Bobby Ang dismisses the tourney he participated as mediocre in comparison with other Filipino chess players competing at that time and that Antonio does not deserves all the praises he's receiving. After Rolly Cruz brief statement about Bobby Angs column, Antonio, for about half a second, looked at everybody's eyes then lower them directly into his plate and mumble something under his breath, but never elaborate. My ear didn't catch what he said. But it was obvious. Rolly may have noticed this and so the topic ended there.

Over all, it's too early for me to judge the character and personality of GM Antonio. I don't know what is his personal relationship with other chess players as well and I might be branded of being bias on his side just because of the privilege of having spoken to him for the first time. But he seems very accommodating with the chess fans, that's all I can say. During the course of conversation, here's some of GM Rogelio Antonio's thoughts I would like to share with everyone:

• Planning to stage, together with our top GMs, the first ever "pay per-view" tournament, probably later this year, where fans can watch GMs in action, live.
• Wesley So will be among the top ten players in the world in the near future. He has no doubt about it. He even admitted that it is Wesley who is responsible alone for the revival of chess in the country.
• Popularity of chess in the Philippines is reaching an all time high.
• Prefer blindfold chess over simul games. He did an exhibition blindfold chess in the past.
• Want to try another blindfold exhibition matches next! (Want to take on him anyone?)

One thing I forgot to ask him. Is NCFP really dead serious in its intention to bid the hosting of the chess olympiad in the country for the second time?

My deep appreciation also to Mr. Norlito Bersamina, father of ASEAN U-11 Gold Medalist, Paulo Bersamina, for the free meals and drinks he provided us! Thank you sir.

Malibay Chess Club blog has some details and photos from last week fund raising simul.

Sports writing and other stories

It was Thursday, I am meeting my former sports editor at Rockwell. He was to throw a despedida treat for his former staff, seven in all, but only three (somehow) managed to see him, perhaps for the last time. My ex-editor is set to leave for New Zealand next week to stay there for good. He's a sports editor but is never a big fan of chess (they don't sell well, he said blankly). His only interest in publishing are basketball and pool. Both he plays badly but good enough to be called a hobbyist when playing badminton. He can sometimes put up with chess articles, but they are more of a fillers.

As I was hurrying towards his office, so I presume, since its been years the last time I've been there, I heard someone shouts at me "sir, sandali san kayo pupunta? bawal dyan!" I was so disoriented and humiliated and was close to shouting back "t*ng *na mo dito ako (dati) nag ta-trabaho!" :)

On a "visitors" reception hall, I found myself waiting for an appointment. Right, an appointment, for a despedida, and not supposedly invited. Odd. A receptionist sits on the desk. Another odd thing happens. As I shift in my seat, the leather upholstery makes a sound that could be mistaken for a fart. I therefore shift in my seat again, two or three times, making the same sound deliberately in order to demonstrate that I had not inadvertently farted. The secretary looks up inquiringly. She may be just thinking I am uncomfortable. She may, on the other hand, be thinking I have farted, and not once but three times.

It was a great day for eating chankonabe anyway.

Photo of the Day

At the awarding ceremony in Mainz

Looks familiar ba? You're right. Levon Aronian is wearing the Philippine national costume, the Barong Tagalog. His chosen outfit may had something to do with his charming Filipina-Aussie girlfriend, WIM Arianne Caoili.

Photos and details from Chessbase.com

Remembering the Opera Game of Paul Morphy

Many argue (this time, they are not Pinoy kibitzers) that the so called Opera Game between Paul Morphy and two strong amateurs, Duke Karl of Brunswick and a French aristocrat was played sometime in August in 1858. The claim, however, that it was played in August will remain, well, a claim. But it definitely played sometime in 1858. Anyway, unlike other famous games in history like Kasparov's immortal, Fischer's the Game of the Century etc where many have heard of, many have argued, many have quoted, and few can interpret, the Opera Game, as long as one holds basic knowledge of chess, one won't find it worth arguing just to appreciate the beauty of this game. Enjoy!

Torre, to supervise Filipino GMs preparation for the World Cup

GM Eugenio Torre didn't make it to the line up of Filipinos who competed in last year Dresden Olympiad. But knowing his value for Philippine chess, NCFP president Prospero Pichay nonetheless appointed him to be a non-playing team captain for our players in Dresden. This year, he finds himself in almost same position. But this time, Torre will supervise Filipino GMs (Antonio, Laylo, and So) preparation for World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from November 20 to December 15 as reported by Perry Legaspi of GMANews.TV

And to ensure that the three Filipino GMs will be at their best during the tournament, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president and chairman Prospero “Butch" Pichay tapped Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre’s services to help in their preparations.

“Eugene’s long experience in international competition will surely help a lot," Pichay said.