Asian Individual Chess Championship (Open) Round 7: So losses to Ni Hua

Top seed Chinese grandmaster Ni Hua, somehow, someway, finds a way to stop our local chess hero, Wesley So from further onslaught in the ongoing 9th Asian Individual Chess Championship in Subic and above all, redeemed himself. It was a sweet revenge for Ni Hua, the first 2700+ player Wesley ever defeated. Wesley So even admitted in an interview by chessdom that his win against Ni Hua in 2008 Dresden Olympiad was the most memorable win of his young career. With the loss to Hua, his first in the tournament after producing 4 wins with 2 draws, So drops from being sole leader after 6 round to 6th place over all in the standings. Three Chinese players occupied the top three spot in the leader board with ex world junior champ Abhijeet Gupta of India occupying the fourth spot.


Important links:

Round 7 results
Round 8 pairings
Standings after 7 rounds

2nd Batch PACE Summer Chess Courses

Hey Marlon, your email is already late for everyone to take notice :( But anyway 3rd batch will be on May 3-7 2010.

2ND BATCH P.A.C.E. SUMMER CHESS COURSES OPENS TODAY

By: Marlon Bernardino

THE registration of 2nd Batch of Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) gets underway today, at the PACE Headquarters, 2nd Floor 56 Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City.

According to PACE founding head GM Jayson Gonzales, the Chess Lessons for Ten (10) Sessions that includes Chess Courses for Beginners, Elementary and Intermediate.

“Advance and expert level will be scheduled soon but meantime we are accepting membership. Good Discount for the first 75 enrollees.” added Gonzales, also a successful businessman.

The schedule for the other summer chess classes schedules with (Five(5) Days Ten(10) Sessions) are Open The 2010 for Beginner, Elementary & Intermediate - 2nd Batch- April 26-30, 3rd Batch-May 3-7, 4th Batch-May 10-14, 5th Batch (with registration in Advance level) May 17-21, 6th Batch May 24-28, 7th Batch-May 31-June 4, 8th Batch June 7-11, 8th Batch.

Chess Trainers are Gonzales, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre and IM Yves Ranola with other RP Chess masters

Game one Anand - Topalov begins today.

Green lights has finally been switch on. The battle for chess supremacy couldn't have been more exciting, thanks to the epic 40 hour road trip by Anand team from Germany to Bulgaria. Though I haven't had much time for analysis, I still slightly pick Topalov to win this thing. He is in his most comfortable environment, having the games played in his own turf, added that the 40 year old Anand had already been soften up from that crazy journey across Europe. End of the story.

May I add that I honestly admire Anand's coolness on handling the whole situation from the time he was denied with his request for postponement of the match for three days till the time he arrives in Sofia. He needed it to beat Topalov. There is a famous Indian saying that we should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment.

Now let the games begin.

Live games with commentary for the Anand-Topalov World Chess Championship will be provided by Chessdom. As in the past, the site will be teaming up with ChessBomb.com for real time live chess game. And here's the link to the cool Anand-Topalov WCC official website

Round 1 Asian Individual Chess Championship: Sweet 16 for 16 year old So

IM Nguyen Thanh Anh of Vietnam might have been a bit of a "star-struck" facing in round one a young chess celebrity in the region in the name of Wesley So resulting in a serious mistake that caused him the match in just 16 moves. The win, I believe, was the shortest game for Wesley So in a official tournament since he became a grandmaster three years ago. The biggest upset of the day saw untitled Chinese player and 50th seed Lou Yiping (2429) defeated 5th seed Pentala Harikrishna (2660) of India. Incidents like this, seeing an untitled and unknown Chinese player beating a top caliber player is no longer a surprise.

Defending champ, Surya Ganguly of India opted to skip from participating and defending his crown as he is currently helping his countryman and world champion Vishwanthan Anand in his title defense against Topalov in Sofia which will finally start today, April 22.


For Round 1 results, visit chess-results.com
Round 2 pairings
Starting rank list

Anand just arrived in Sofia. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Great Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca and his army crossing the Alps from Spain to Italy to invade Rome. Anand and his team can do the same thing from Germany to Sofia, Bulgaria.


Chessdom recently released an exclusively report about Anand team arrival in Sofia, by road trip. Yup. So much for hospitality. Peter Doggers from Chessvibes and staffs over there at Chessbase quoted as saying by a member of the Anand team on their roadtrip to Europe: "Five countries, 2000 kilometres, about a million potholes, an unexpected ferry and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy."

Speaking of Lord of the Rings, Anand team long journey simply brings to mind Hannibal Barca's crossing of the Alps by foot with his army to invade Rome. Not even a mountain can stop a determined general like Hannibal to kill as many Romans as he could. Surely, Topalov's team got the better of psychological and physical edge over the world champion in a tragic incident caused by nature's wrath that is quite beyond any human's control. But definitely, it doesn't look good at all that it has to end in this kind of farce. The "toilet" controversy between Kramnik and Topalov is still very much fresh to many's mind.

You can give him just one day postponement. Sure. He's a world champ. But the thing is that Anand just arrived in Sofia.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

World champion Viswanathan Anand has reached Sofia, the Bulgarian capital after a 40-hour road journey from Germany as flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash floating across European airspace resulting in cancellation of flights.

The 40-year old world champion and his wife are obviously very tired after such a long journey by road and hoped the organisers would accept their reasonable request of postponement of the game by three days. Anand is not used to travelling such distances on road and not giving a three day postponement could give challenger Veselin Topalov a significant advantage.

Anand had planned to reach the venue on April 16 which is one week before the first game on April 23. Now he arrived four days behind due to factors beyond his control and has wanted a three day postponement.The road route selected to reach Sofia was done after a look into the visas they had on their passport.

Anand might miss the press conference but will attend the opening ceremony according to his wife Aruna Anand. Not rescheduling the games will mean Topalov could have the same advantage which Anatoly Karpov enjoyed in the World Title match at Lausanne in 1998.

"The news from us is that we reached here safely," said Aruna Anand on the phone.

Had Alexander Alekhine been in Anand's place, he would have sought a postponement of atleast a week as world champions ruled and challengers were at the mercy of champions. Such natural calamities had not occurred during world championships.

Sometimes a handicap is a better way to start a match and Anand can turn the disadvantage into a driving force in the 12-game series.

End of statement

2010 Asian Individual Chess Championships starts today

Almost without a warning, the 2010 Asian Individual Chess Championships starts today, April 21 at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center. The country will be hosting the event for the second straight year and for the third time in four years. Just as in the past, the championship will serve as one of the qualifying tournament for the 2011 Chess World Cup. Ed Andaya has this report for journal.com.ph

Also included in the highly-rated 63-man foreign delegation are GMs Zhou Jianchao (ELO 2650), Li Chao ( ELO 2613) and Zhou Weiqi (ELO 2584), all of China, Pentala Harikrishna ( ELO 2660) and Narayanan Gopal (ELO 2604) of India, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2642) and Dao Thien Hai (ELO 2523), Ehsan Ghaemmaghami (ELO 2575) of Iran, Susanto Megaranto (ELO 2527) of Indonesia, Zhang Zhong (ELO 2603) of Singapore and Anton Fillipov (ELO 2598) and Khamrakulov Djubarek (ELO 2509) of Uzbekistan.

Aside from So, the other notable Filipino players in the tournament are GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr (ELO 2572), Darwin Laylo (ELO 2527), John Paul Gomez (ELO 2507), Eugene Torre (ELO 2506) and Jayson Gonzales (ELO 2441) and IMs Richard Bitoon (ELO 2476), Ronald Dableo (ELO 2464), Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2552), Oliver Dimakiling (ELO 2441) and Barlo Nadera (ELO 2405).

1st Governor's Chess Cup, GM Eugene Torre ceremonial moves

GM Eugene Torre, most probably the only one in the photo who knows well the theory of the Queen's Pawn opening but the two move quick draw they played for the traditional ceremonial moves was enough to spell a contagious belly laugh to everyone around them.

The head of Rotary International District 3780 Dulce Coyukiat and President Eugene Torre of Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa QC are shown making the opening ceremonial moves in the Governor's Chess Cup held last Saturday, April 17, at the Rotary Center in Roces Avenue, Q.C. Watching the proceedings were Rotarian presidents and members of RID 3780. -Photo caption by Marlon Bernardino

Photos of the playing venue, Anand-Topalov WCC

Finally, we got some clear view through the keyhole of the playing venue that will serve as the "ring" for the upcoming World Chess Championship match between Vishwanathan Anand and Vaselin Topalov five days from now. A glimpse at the playing hall reveals a cozy place that reminds you of a baroque opera house. It's quite interesting how the noise proof glass walls that is to set in the venue fits well with the elegant interior of the Military Club. The playing hall would probably house around 150-200 spectators. Photos re-posted with kind permission from chessdom. More photos of the playing venue is here

Spectators point of view. Those lonely chairs waits their turn.

Audience entrance hall. Watch your steps, though.

GM Eugene Torre will be co hosting the 1st Governor's Chess Cup

You rarely saw GM Eugene Torre competing in serious chess competition these days but he remains as active as ever in promoting and organizing tournaments, establishing chess schools and just about anything that is for the promotion of chess in the country. No more than a week ago, he's with GM So in Angeles City, Pampanga, now he's back in the metro to promote the 1st Governor's Chess Cup. Report by Marlon Bernardino

1st Governor's Chess Cup on Saturday

THE Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa QC together with Rotary International District 3780 headed by Governor Dulce Coyukiat and President Eugene Torre will be hosting the 1st Governor's Chess Cup this Saturday, April 17 at the Rotary Center in Roces Avenue. Opening ceremony will start at 9:00 A.M. to be followed by the games.

Format will allow three (3) non-titled players from the members of every club to play in a 7-round Swiss System. Awarding of trophies and other merchandises for Individual and Team winners will be done immediately after the games.

"This sports event being a signature project of RC of Sta. Mesa QC shall be done annually from thereon, to promote camaraderie and better club relationships in the District." said Torre, also Asia's First GM.

Hou Yifan takes Kuala Lumpur chess

Chinese WGM Hou Yifan just won the 2010 Kuala Lumpur chess open. She's just sixteen years of age and is already comfortable mixing it up with the big guys. Hou finished with 7.5 points for possible 9 points and was undefeated, ahead of Vietnamese grandmaster Nguyen Anh Dung. 2009 PGMA Cup winner, Mikheil Mchedlishvili of Georgia came up in third place.

Pinoy FM Julius de Ramos is the best performer among the five Filipinos who saw action in the event, finishing in 13th place with 6.0 points. Also Filipino IM Kim Steven Yap finished the tourney with same score of 6.0 points but ended up in 19th place. IM Oliver Dimakiling, Ian Udani and Paolo Bersamina completed the list.

Although the main objective is the boost to this twelve year old kid international exposure, it is notable that in the first round, Bersamina upsets Somak Palit of India who has a rating to boast of 400 points over his young Pinoy opponent.

Final standings is here.
KL Open website

Germans also endorses Karpov

Last week, USCF announces their full support for the candidacy of Anatoly Karpov. Now, on the other side of the globe, some of the most influential chess federation in Europe are also plotting to staged a coup de etat of their own against FIDE current leader, Ilyumzhinov as reported by ChessBase. The French the Swiss and now the Germans just got in the caravan to escort Karpov.

Although I don't think this is the time to panic on the President's side, I won't be surprise if some of Ilyumzhinov allies is already bailing out at this early stages of the campaigns. I say series like this is highly contagious. But just as we often quoted here in the Philippines before the actual election day, "Kahit ang pinakamaasim na balimbing ay naisisigang din ". And I couldn't have agree more.

My Photography blog

I've just started a photography blog, just for fun and recreation. You can view my collection of photos here at JPmag and Flickr. Our passion and interest does not simply stuck with chess alone. Please feel free to criticized any of my pictures so I can do better in the future. Thanks in advance for visiting.

Photo below was taken during the long holiday break we had last week and is my official entry for a photo challenge in the "Tradition" category.

Playing with fire, am I?

From JPmag: Traditions connect us with the people we care about, reflect who we are, and often times tie us to our beliefs and culture. Whether it’s a new tradition you are starting, or one that’s been passed down for generations, capture one of the many traditions celebrated in the world today.


We just responds to the call!

Taguig Non-Master Open Chess Tournament

More public announcement for the summer chess tournament happening around the Metro. Since this is summer and school classes is in two months vacation, the season should give more time to young players to prepare and compete. Now get active.

NON-MASTER OPEN CHESS TOURNEY SET ON APRIL 17

by Marlon Bernardino

THE 1^st Barangay Upper Bicutan Non-Master Open Chess Tournament gets underway at 9 am on April 17 at the Purok 2, Covered Court in Upper Bicutan Taguig City.

The Champion will receive P4,000 plus trophy, second placer will take home P2,000 plus trophy, third placer will get P1,000 plus trophy and fourth to fifth placers will went home P500 each plus trophy. Winners in different category will also get consolation cash prizes of P500 plus medals for the top kiddie, junior, lady and Taguig player.

Organized by Upper Bicutan Chess Club Inc. and hosted by sportsman Myrna dela Pena.

For other details, please call or txt National Master Homer Cunanan at (0932) 790-0505 for complete details.

USCF endorses Anatoly Karpov in FIDE presidential election

In a short statement from the USCF website, the federation announced that they will throw their full support to the candidacy and Ilyumzhinov staunch rival for the FIDE presidential seat, former FIDE World Champion, Anatoly Karpov.

CROSSVILLE, TN-- The USCF Executive Board unanimously voted that the USCF will support GM Anatoly Karpov in the upcoming FIDE election for President, to be held in October 2010. A full statement from the Board is expected shortly.