Back to the Chessboard: A Stroke Survivor’s Journey, One Move at a Time

Mindoro Tamaraws Booked Quarterfinals Berth in PCAP

Dear Readers,

Last Saturday, July 17, 2021, the Mindoro Tamaraws made history by qualifying to the quarterfinals berth of the just concluded Play-in of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) sponsored by SGM Wesley So via online tournament through Zoom by upsetting the ever-reliable Palawan Queens Gambit team with a score of 11-10 in the first match and subduing them again via a score of 17-4 in the second match.

With the consistent scorers of Team Mindoro, the heroics of the Arena International Master Joselito Asi from Calapan City proved to be a huge surprise as he drew with WIM Beverly Mendoza in the blitz game and then won in a seemingly losing position in the final stretch of the rapid game.  His victory proved to be crucial as the team needed 2.0 points to advance to the second match since the score was 9-10 in favor of Palawan team which has a twice-to-beat advantage by virtue of its higher ranking.  On the brink of defeat and in a losing position, AIM Asi mated WIM Mendoza during the panic time thereby helping the Tamaraws moved to the second match with the score 11-10 thereby leasing a new life.

The Tamaraws fielded the same team members while the Queens reshuffled their board placing during the second match.  Since the Mindorenos gathered some momentum during the first match, their team continued to rake points and led 4-3 in blitz and needed only 7 points to win.  

During the Rapid match, however, boards 1 and 2 fell victim to accurate moves of the Palawan Queens early in the games and the players had to wait for the results of boards 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 for the complete scores.  

It was like waiting for eternity as the break-out room where the teams were assigned was so silent due to the importance of the games.  A few moments later, points were being written in the Zoom chatbox by the 5 Mindoro players signifying that they all won their remaining games.  What a sigh of relief, and the rest was history for the Mindoro Tamaraws!

Team Mindoro is thanking its sponsors and benefactors - Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan of Calapan City, Mayor Romulo "Muloy" Festin, LGU-San Jose Occidental Mindoro, Atty. Paul Elauria (PCAP President), Team Owner Mr. Justin Tan, and others. 

Team Composition:

Team Owner - Mr. Justin Tan

Team Manager/Board 1 - AGM Emmanuel Asi

Team Coach/Lady Player - ACM Michella Obaza Concio

Lady Player/Board 2/Import - WFM Szente-Varga Fruzsina (Hungary)

Lady Player - AFM Cylliz Kaessa M. Merilles

Seniors - Cesar Cunanan and Marcelo Abeleda

Homegrowns - USNM Rainier Labay, AGM Nezil Arj Merilles, Ronald Berdera, 

                         Zejih Angelo  Merilles, ACM Richard Allen Sicangco, and AIM Joselito Asi

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Chess @ ULTRA

After a long lay-off and OTB (over-the-board) playing I had the chance to compete with the best in the Philippine chess. The results were not as good as expected. I was beaten blue by NM Efren Bagamasbad on a Modern Defence game during the opening round . The best chance I could have was during the 4th round. After I scored 2 out of 3, I met NM Alex Milagrosa on a Kings Indian Defence game. I was so happy with that game because I played solidly. Down to 2 minutes against his 3 minutes I was able to achieve a superior position and was a piece up. My inexperience during crucial games played a big part as I lost the game I should have won. I blundered during time scuffle and missed the win so terribly. It was not the same after that  as I fared badly on my next games (probably still thinking of the missed opportunity on Milagrosa's game).  My final output was 4/9 a big disappointment and failure from a university chess player like me.

Chess Team Tournament

I joined the 2009 NCFP Chess Tournament yesterday and today at the LWUA located at Balara, Quezon City. The tournament was participated by 39 accredited teams of the NCFP. I represented DepEd Team A and our team got 5 pts. and we were in the lower half of the standing. I am so happy to experience fighting the elite players consisting of Philippines best GMs, IMs, and NMs. Mabuhay National Chess Federation of the Philippines!

Chess Invitations

I got invitations to play in a chess team tournament from two teams. I'm having a hard time to choose. Hopefully it would be settled right away.

By the way I would like to congratulate Super GM Wesley So for beating the mighty Super GM Vassily Ivanchuk during their Round 2 chess encounter in the World Cup.

There are too many heroes in the Philippines today. Congrats.

To follow the World Cup games please click this link Chess in Khanty-Mansiysk