PCAP Gathering @FoodbytheCourt

 I had a blast at the PCAP Gathering yesterday (February 10, 2024) at Gil Puyat, Makati City.  For the first time, I was able to attend a group of chess arbiters, players, and owners.

Not only that the food were free - some games offered so many prizes for the interesting games.  There were also raffles.  My wife and I unexpectedly won two of them.  Yeheey.  One of the events was called "Chess Palaro" wherein each team composed of five members will play against 3 other teams.  I was just a substitute because I have not yet found a team, luckily, an arbiter back-out at the last minute due to previous commitments.  My group was so lucky that we tied for first (1-3) after 2 difficult games and won a very lucrative prize.  

Atty. Paul, the PCAP Commissioner, Chairman Michael Ong Chua, and Engr. Jojo of Team Camarines offered a substantial number of prizes for the participants.  Hats off to them.

I am looking forward to another PCAP event. 

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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Amazing Wesley So!

Wesley So of the Philippines made his presence felt as he subdued equally talented Ding Liren of China during the first round (tie break)of the 2011 World Chess Cup held at Khanty Mansiysk, Russia. What impressed me most about this kid is his ability to stay focused even during time pressure. Like Manny Paqauiao, Wesley So, is carrying on his shoulder his country's pride after his compatriot Mark Paragua lost his match against Super Grand Master Michael Adams of England in a thrilling passion.

The match on the second round will be crucial for So as greater challenge awaits him. All eyes will be on him as he is paired against Sergey Karakjin of Russia the strong favourite and the top seed on this tournament.

I am wishing that he'll draw his two classical games and makes an impact during active and blitz games where he is known for.

Wesley, good luck and may you be greatly blessed on this tournament!

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

Chess Team Tournament at DepEd

Whew! It's been a long time since I last tip my keyboards to write a blog about my experiences for the month. I have been very busy lately due to myriad tasks assigned to me. I had to focus more on my work to avoid muddling up of documents. The days and weeks have been monotonous and routinary, no diversion, whatsoever. Luckily, I was invited to play chess by my organization. It's kinda team tournament organized by DepEd and Innotech. It was a four-game battle of wits against other DepEd units (NCR, Q.C., Calabarzon, and DepEd-CO.) I had a good start - winning all my first three games against worthy opponents only to be stalled to a draw by my adversary on the last round. I'm kind of disappointed because I wasn't able to deliver a full point for my team. 'Sad to note that my game ended in a draw due to opposite bishops ending. I went out to a nearby building after my game to visit my friends and also to ease the tension I experienced during the game and returned to the tournament venue only to witness my colleagues beaten by their foes in succession. Our team scored a dismal 0.5 against 3.5 of DepEd Q.C. Had my teammates scored 2 more wins we would be the champion. We were all fighting for a gold medal award on each board but ended up losing. I shared the medal on Board 2, though. Yes, you are right. I was the only one who scored for my team.