PAETE's SALIBANDA SIMUL

On the occassion of Paete, Laguna's Salibanda Fiesta, Rhal Jr played a 7-board simul against 1 high school and 6 grade school players:

Bd 1 Dayanarra - Paete's Elementary Girl Bd 2 to the District Meet
Bd 2 Lizdeth
Bd 3 Rafael - 1st Year HS Intrams Champ
Bd 4 Howell
Bd 5 Clyde
Bd 6 JR
Bd 7 Romeo - Elementary Champ

After an hour of play, Rhal registered 7 wins for a clean sweep in his second simul play. The first was in Tahanan Walang Hagdanan in Cainta. The event was arranged by Arsenia Mendoza-San Juan of Ibaba, Paete, Laguna.

Salibanda Simul

Balita: Pangilinan, Galan Kampeon Xavier

SILVER : XAVIER Inter-Scholastic Championship

GRADE SCHOOL Individual

Place Name Club Score Buch.
1 Pangilinan, Stephen Christian Ecclesiastical 6 pts 24.0
2-3 Sol Cruz, Raul LSGH Green 5 pts 26.0
Manahan, Ralph Ateneo A 5 pts 20.5
4-5 Macapagal, Kianjoo LICS 4.5 pts 20.0
Carlos, CJ Ateneo B 4.5 pts 17.5
6-12 Marquez, Lorenzo Ateneo A 4 pts 23.5
Aquino, Angel LICS 4 pts 23.5
Mejia, Giovanni LSGH Green 4 pts 21.5
Nuestro, Angelo Isaiah LSGH Green 4 pts 19.5
De Gracia, Arjel Ateneo B 4 pts 17.0
Kim, Seong Yoon ISM A 4 pts 16.5
De la Cruz, Timothy James LSGH White 4 pts 16.5
13-17 Guevara, Jake Ateneo A 3.5 pts 21.0
Tagapan, Rafi Ateneo B 3.5 pts 20.0
Camarista, Carlos Miguel LSGH White 3.5 pts 19.0
Viray, Angela St Paul 3.5 pts 19.0
Ortega, Ronn LICS 3.5 pts 15.5
18-27 Atadero, Miguel Ateneo B 3 22.0 6.50 3 13.0
Sopungco, Andrew Lourdes 3 20.5 9.00 3 15.0
Bathula, Abhinav ISM A 3 20.5 8.75 2 10.5
Billoso, Jairu Lourdes 3 20.0 8.50 3 10.0
Dionisio, Nikko Ver LSGH White 3 17.5 7.50 3 12.0
Calata, John Lourdes 3 16.5 4.00 3 11.0
Santiano, Al LICS 3 16.0 5.75 2 9.0
Lazaro, Lorenzo Ateneo A 3 15.5 6.50 2 8.0
Tan, Timothy Xavier B 3 15.5 6.00 3 12.0
Ramos, Liam ISM B 3 13.0 5.00 3 6.0
28-30 Zhang, David ISM A 2.5 18.0 6.50 2 11.0
Macalalad, Nadine St Paul 2.5 16.5 5.25 2 6.5
Galapon, Allaine St Paul 2.5 12.0 2.75 1 6.0
31-39 Bermejo, Arturo III LSGH Green 2 20.5 6.00 2 8.0
Ballaran, Jerson Kendrick Pinaglabanan Elem 2 19.0 4.50 2 9.0
Yang, Soung Ill ISM A 2 17.5 4.00 2 7.0
Borromeo, Via Pinaglabanan Elem 2 14.5 3.00 2 7.0
Chua, Aidan Xavier B 2 14.5 1.00 1 4.0
Torres, Aldus Lourdes 2 14.0 3.50 2 8.0
Mohan, Aparna ISM B 2 14.0 2.00 2 9.0
Lim, Charles Xavier A 2 13.5 2.00 2 6.0
Li, Xuanye Xavier A 2 10.5 4.00 2 5.0
40-41 Hsieh, Henry Xavier A 1.5 15.0 2.50 1 3.5
Ramos, Noah ISM B 1.5 15.0 1.25 0 4.0
42-45 Buenavista, Rafael Pinaglabanan Elem 1 18.0 0.00 0 3.0
Borromeo, Maurene Pinaglabanan Elem 1 17.0 1.00 1 6.0
Ignacio, Regina St Paul 1 15.5 0.00 0 2.0
Mutuc, Marty ISM C 1 9.0 1.00 1 2.0
46-48 Ramos, Lucas ISM B 0 9.5 0.00 0 0.0
Ginting, Jeremy ISM C 0 8.5 0.00 0 0.0
Lim, Karsten Xavier A 0 8.5 0.00 0 0.0

GS Team

Place Name Score
1 ATENEO A 15.5
2-4 LSGH GREEN 15
LICS 15
ATENEO B 15
5 ISM A 11.5
6 LOURDES 11
7 LSGH WHITE 10.5
8 ST PAUL 9.5
9 ISM B 6.5
10-11 PINAGLABANAN ELEM 6
CHRISTIAN ECCLESIASTICAL 6
12 XAVIER A 5.5
13 XAVIER B 5
14 ISM C 1

Rhal posted 5 wins and 1 loss (to eventual Champion Stephen Pangilinan) to capture the silver medal in this 6-round Swiss with 45 minute per player played over two consecutive Saturdays at Xavier School.

R5 AQUINO

XAVIER INVITATIONALS
GRADE SCHOOL GROUP
SAN JUAN CITY
W: SOL CRUZ, RHAL JR. - LA SALLE
B: AQUINO, ANGEL - IMACULADA


RESULT: 1-0

Annotations:

4.c4
This is World Champion Alexander Alekhine's move vs: Tartakower in Paris 1925, Euwe in Bern 1932, Eliskases in Buenos Aires Olympiad 1939, among others.

6... Be7
In the just concluded Corus Tournament, 6... Bb4 was played in Naiditsch vs Nisipeanu.

19.Bb5
A blunder in time trouble, Rhal will loose his N & B for a R. Luckily, Angel was also in time trouble and did not see the correct move and also made a blunder.

Luck often enough will save a man. If his courage hold.
The 13th Warrior

R4 Las Vegas 8-Under Champion

Xavier Inter-Scholastic Championship
R4 Grade School Division
San Juan City
W: Pangilinan, Stephen
B: Sol Cruz, Rhal
Hungarian Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7 4.d4 exd4
GM Villamayor is recommending the main line 4... d6 which was played by World Champions Smyslov and Petrosian.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1119752
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1126725

5.Nxd4 Nxd4
Avoid trades that increase the activity of your opponent's pieces.
Weeramantry & Eusebi in Best Lessons of a Chess Coach

[5... Nf6]
Bird-Mieses in Hastings 1895
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1028210

6.Qxd4 Nf6 7.Nc3 d6 8.Be3 Be6 9.f3 O-O 10.O-O c6 11.Rad1 Qc7 12.Bf4 Bxc4 13.Qxc4 Qb6+ 14.Kh1

14... Qxb2?
[14... Rad8 or 16... Rfd8]
In the beginning of the game, ignore the search for combinations, abstain from violent moves, aim for small advantages, accumulate them, and only after having attained these ends search for the combination.
Steinitz Theory

15.Rb1 Qxc2 16.Rxb7

16... Rae8
[16... d5 a) 17.Qd4, b) 17.exd5, c) 17.Qxc6]

17.Rxa7
[17... Nh5 18.Bc1 - slight advantage for Black - Rybka]

Result: 1-0
Rhal lost in the end game.

PANGILINAN, SOL CRUZ SHOWS WAY

PANGILINAN, SOL CRUZ SHOWS WAY IN XAVIER INTER SCHOLASTIC CHESS:
"“I hope to perform well in this Xavier Interscholastic Chess,” said Sol Cruz Jr., who is schedule to play against 15 players in a rare simultaneous chess exhibition on Sunday in Paete, Laguna, being held coincide the celebration of town fiesta Salibanda."

BALITA: Pangilinan, Sol Cruz, Marquez lead in Xavier

Pangilinan, Cruz, Marquez lead in Xavier Interscholastic Invitational

January 29, 2010 11:14 pm

By Lily O. Ramos

MANILA, Jan. 29 — Reigning Las Vegas (USA) Under-8 champion Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Christian Ecclesiastical School edged Angelo Nuestro Friday for a perfect three-point output in the ongoing individual category of grade school division chess tourney.

In the same breath, Raul “Rhal” Sol Cruz Jr. of La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) notched his third consecutive victory to join Lorenzo Marquez of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and Andrew Sopungco of Lourdes Mandaluyong in the leadership board of the 6th Xavier Interscholastic Chess Invitational at the High School Multipurpose Hall, Xavier School, Greenhills West, San Juan, Metro, Manila.

While the Bulacan-based Pangilinan's win was expected; Ateneo and Meralco Chess Club's bet Cruz Jr. who is also Mandaluyong's Palarong Pambansa medalist had a more exciting battle against Ralph Manahan.

The talented pre-teen Cruz Jr. is scheduled to play against 15 players in a rare simultaneous chess exhibition this coming Sunday in Paete, Laguna's "Salibanda" town fiesta.

Meanwhile, Marquez of Ateneo defeated Miguel Atadero while Lourdes' Sopungco prevailed over Nikko Dionisio.

Lourdes Mandaluyong has taken over the leadership in team competition with an overall lead of nine points– a full point ahead of La Salle Greenhills and Ateneo who tallied eight points apiece. (PNA) LAP/LOR

FM CASTELLANO

This was Rhal's second session with FIDE Master Chris Castellano. The training focused on the analysis of Rhal's losses to Firmansya and Siregar in the context of middle game principles.

Master Chris of Cainta is the 7th trainer of Rhal, after GM Bong, NMs Vasquez, Gatus, Carag, Bagamasbad, & Maga.

NM Carag

The second session with Coach NM Erwin for LSGH's bets preparation for the PALARONG NCR in February focused on the SLAV DEFENSE.

XAVIER DAY 1 RESULTS

GRADE SCHOOL Individual Standings

Place Name Club Score Buch. Berg. Wins Progr.
1-4 Marquez, Lorenzo Ateneo A 3 6.0 6.00 3 6.0
Pangilinan, Stephen Christian 3 5.0 5.00 3 6.0
Sol Cruz, Raul Jr LSGH 3 4.5 4.50 3 6.0
Sopungco, Andrew Lourdes 3 4.0 4.00 3 6.0

5-6 Macapagal, Kianjoo LICS 2.5 4.5 4.00 2 4.5
Viray, Angela St Paul 2.5 3.5 2.75 2 5.0

7-20Dionisio, Nikko Ver LSGH White 2 6.5 3.50 2 5.0
Manahan, Ralph Ateneo A 2 5.5 3.00 2 5.0
Aquino, Angel LICS 2 5.5 2.00 1 4.0
Tagapan, Rafi Ateneo B 2 5.0 2.00 2 5.0
Guevara, Jake Ateneo A 2 5.0 2.00 2 4.0
Billoso, Jairu Lourdes 2 5.0 2.00 2 3.0
Atadero, Miguel Ateneo B 2 4.5 1.00 2 5.0
Torres, Aldus Lourdes 2 4.0 2.00 2 4.0
Nuestro, Isaiah LSGH Green 2 4.0 1.00 2 5.0
Mejia, Giovanni LSGH Green 2 4.0 1.00 2 4.0
Tan, Timothy Xavier B 2 3.0 1.00 2 3.0
Calata, John Lourdes 2 2.5 1.00 2 3.0
Li, Xuanye Xavier A 2 2.5 1.00 2 3.0
Mohan, Aparna ISM B 2 2.0 1.00 2 3.0

21-24 Camarista, Carlos LSGH White 1.5 6.5 2.75 1 4.0
Carlos, CJ Ateneo B 1.5 4.0 0.75 1 2.0
Zhang, David ISM A 1.5 3.5 1.00 1 3.5
Santiano, Al LICS 1.5 2.5 0.75 1 2.0

25-38 Borromeo, Via Pinaglabanan1 7.0 2.00 1 3.0
Ortega, Ronn LICS 1 6.0 2.00 1 3.0
Lazaro, Lorenzo Ateneo A 1 6.0 2.00 0 2.0
De Gracia, Arjel Ateneo B 1 6.0 1.00 1 2.0
Bathula, Abhinav ISM A 1 5.5 0.50 1 3.0
Ballaran, Jerson Pinaglabanan1 5.0 1.00 1 3.0
Borromeo, Maurene Pinaglabanan1 5.0 1.00 1 3.0
Bermejo, Arturo III LSGH Green 1 5.0 1.00 1 2.0
De la Cruz, Timothy LSGH White 1 4.5 1.00 1 2.0
Yang, Soung Ill ISM A 1 4.5 1.00 1 2.0
Kim, Seong Yoon ISM A 1 4.0 0.00 1 1.0
Galapon, Allaine St Paul 1 3.5 0.00 0 1.0
Mutuc, Marty ISM C 1 2.5 0.00 1 1.0
Lim, Charles Xavier A 1 2.0 0.00 1 1.0

39-40 Hsieh, Henry Xavier A 0.5 4.5 0.75 0 1.0
Macalalad, Nadine St Paul 0.5 4.0 0.75 0 1.0

41-48 Ginting, Jeremy ISM C 0 5.5 0.00 0 0.0
Buenavista, Rafael Pinaglabanan0 5.0 0.00 0 0.0
Ignacio, Regina St Paul 0 5.0 0.00 0 0.0
Lim, Karsten Xavier A 0 4.5 0.00 0 0.0
Chua, Aidan Xavier B 0 0.0 0.00 0 0.0
Ramos, Lucas ISM B 0 0.0 0.00 0 0.0
Ramos, Noah ISM B 0 0.0 0.00 0 0.0
Ramos, Liam ISM B 0 0.0 0.00 0 0.0

R3 Manahan vs Sol Cruz

XAVIER INTER-SCHOOL MEET
Xavier School, San Juan City
R3 Grade School Division, G/60
W: Ralph MANAHAN [Ateneo]
B: Rhal SOL CRUZ [La Salle]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Be7? 6. c3 
6 Bxc6 + 7 Nxe5 is a pawn advantage.

6... b5 7. Bc2 O-O
Nothing is more important than safeguarding your K by castling early, within the first dozen moves, if possible. Evans in The 10 Most Common Chess Mistakes

8. O-O d5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Be3 Bg4 
In the opening, a B is best placed for attack when it controls a diagonal passing through the center or when it pins a hostile N and renders it immobile. Chernev in Logical Chess

11. Nbd2 Bf5

12. Qe2 Rad8
It is usually good play to get command of an open file, that is to say, a file which is occupied by no other man, by stationing a rook at one end of it.  Staunton in The Chess Player's Handbook

13. Ne4 Qd7 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Rad1 Qc8

16. d4 Bxc2 17. Qxc2 Rfe8 18. Bg5

18... Bxg5
[18... e4 19 Bxf6 exf3 20 Bh4, but if 20 Bxd8?? Qg4 -+, mate in 4 moves] 

19. Nxg5 g6 20. dxe5 [20. Qe4] Nxe5 21. Rfe1 Nc6

22. Nf3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8
[23... Ne5 24 Nxe5 Rxe5 & 25... Qe8]

24. b3 Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1 Qd8 26. Qxd8+ Nxd8 
The position is equal but Rhal won in the endgame. 

Result: 0-1

GM VILLAMAYOR

The nth training session w/ GM Villamayor, who is currently annotating Filipino boy wonder GM Wesley So in Corus Group B for chessdom.com, centered on the construction of Rhal's opening repertoire - the FRENCH DEFENSE, specifically against it and Rhal chose the EXCHANGE VARIATION with c4 line.

White Black
1.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.exd5 is the Exchange Variation.
GM Bong, "This is a practical choice as it avoids the complications of the more popular variations such as Advanced, Winnawer and Classical which needs a lot of studies and is not yet suited for Rhal's level."

3.... exd5

4.c4 is the line chosen by Rhal.
GM Bong, "This is another aggressive sideline in this position. White aims to create tension in the center and make open lines for his pieces."

4.... Nf6 is Black's normal response.

5.Nc3 Be7 or Bb4
6.Nf3
GM Bong, "Develop the N's first and f3 and c3 for White are the best squares for them while the B's place depends on how Black will develop."

6.... O-O
7.Bd3
GM Bong, "White's priority is to develop his K-side pieces to prepare immediate castling."

7.... c6
8.Bg5 Bg4
9.Rfe1
GM Bong, "At this point, White has free development and should complete his development based on Black's plan."

And by checking up the chess game database, the c4 line has been played by the legendary Rubinstein, Marshall, Tartakower, and Tarrasch.

Training with NM Carag

In preparation for the PALARONG NCR in February, Bro. Roli Dizon and Vic Lahoz (Chess Program Manager) has authorized the special training of La Salle's 3 qualifiers; Trio Ramos for HS, Gio Mejia and Rhal for GS.

The first session, according to Rhal, was the theory on the Torre Attack; 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.Bg5.

RELORCASA Age Group

GRANDFINALS MANUEL RELORCASA AGE-GROUP CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
JANUARY 16, 2010 4TH FLOOR PEREZ BUILDING, PARAÑAQUE CITY
FIVE(5) ROUNDS SWISS SYSTEM
25 MINUTES PER PLAYER TO FINISH THE GAME

UNDER 14 YEARS OLD CATEGORY

1 2 PAULO, Bersamina 5
2 3 MEJIA, Giovanni 4
3 1 DOCENA, Jerad 4
4 23 JAVIER, Collins 4
5 41 YAON, Michelle 4
6 27 MARGARITO, John Eric 4
7 5 COBSILEN, Clifford 4
8. 33 ROMASANTA, Rommel 4
9 4 CUNANAN, Homel Aristotle 4
10 26 MANANSALA, Michael 4
11 30 PRADO, Davemar 3
12 34 ROMERO, Gladys 3
13 11 CABUAL, Gino 3
14 35 SANTIANO, Al 3
15 15 COLAMBO, Prince Boi 3
16 22 IMPERIAL, Kyle 3
17 9 BELZA, Nathan 3
18 36 SEGURA, Christian 3
19 20 GAMAYOT, Janela Joyce 3
20 8 ANTONIO, Brix 3
21 19 FUERTE, Mary Joyce 2.5
22 24 LANDICHO, Maverick 2.5
23 32 REAÑO, Jesther 2
24 6 ALAURIN, Noel Gerson 2
25 39 VILLANUEVA, Joyce 2
26 14 CERVANTES, John Calvin 2
27 28 NA, Jihoon 2
28 13 CAMILLO, Francis Jerhone 2
29 40 YANO, Elvin 2
30 7 AMARILLA, James 2
31 37 SOL CRUZ, Rhal 2
32 18 DURIAN, Miscah 2
33 38 VILLANUEVA, Angelie 1.5
34 12 CADOL, Brian 1.5
35 10 BESMONTE, Mierceline 1.5
36 17 DUENAS, Erveen 1.5
37 31 PRAILE, John Canny 1.5
38 29 PLACEROS, Mike 1
39 16 CORTEZ, Gianjee Jay 1
40 25 LEE, Eung Pil 1
41 21 GUBATON, Danilo .5

Supervised by: NAPCA – National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters

Tournament Director : Dr. Gilbert Perez
Chief Arbiter : NA Boyet Tardecilla
Deputy Arbiters : Roland Liñan, Rolly Suarez, NM Ed Agagon, Bobot
Rosanto Torres, NA Eistein Padua, Henry Go, Leo Zerrudo, Dennis Meñez, Edwin Castillo, Rey yaon, Cecil Padua, Mario Perez, Eli Carredo
Secretariat : Gina Kobayashi
Staff : Genie Villota, Edgar Cimafranca
Video Coverage : Bobot Francisco

R4 BELZA

Relorcasa Grand Finals
Paranaque City
R4 14 Under Age Group
W: Rhal SOL CRUZ
B: Nathan BELZA


Result: 0-1

R3 GAMAYOT

Relorcasa Grand Finals
Paranaque City
R3 14 Under G/25
W: Joyce GAMAYOT
B: Rhal SOL CRUZ

Result: 1-0

R2 Sol Cruz vs Cabual

Relorcasa Grand Finals

Bicutan, Paranaque City
R2 14 Under G/25"
W: Rhal SOL CRUZ
B: Gino CABUAL

Sicilian Defense

Result: 0-1

Duenas vs Sol Cruz

Relorcasa Grand Finals
Paranaque City, Philippines
R1 14 Under G/25
W: Erween DUENAS
B: Rhal SOL CRUZ
C50 Hungarian Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.Re1 d6 7.a3 Be6
In general, if your opponent has a good B, it makes sense to exchange it.
Alburt & Palatnik in Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player

8.Bxe6 fxe6 9.Nc3 Qe8 10.Be3 Ng4 11.h3 Nxe3 12.Rxe3 Nd4
Centralization  is one of the foundations of chess strategy.
Kosikov in Elements of Chess Strategy

13.Nh2

13... Bh4
Aim your pieces at the weak squares surrounding the enemy K.
Shipman in Portable Chess Coach

14.g3 Qg6 -+ 15.Qg4 Qxg4
The simplification of the position by the exchange of Qs is the simplest way to victory.
Yusupov in Build Up Your Chess

16.Nxg4 Bg5 17.Ree1 Nf3+ 18.Kg2 Nxe1

Result: 0-1

RELORCASA GRANDFINALS

GRANDFINALS
NCFP DIRECTOR MANUEL RELORCASA AGE-GROUP
CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
JANUARY 16, 2010
4TH FLOOR PEREZ BUILDING, DONA SOLEDAD COR. AUSTRALIA ST., BETTER LIVING, PARANAQUE CITY

“Chess improves schoolwork and grades. Numerous studies have proven that kids obtain a higher reading level, math level and a greater learning ability overall as a result of playing chess. For all these reasons, chess playing kids do better at school and therefore have a better chance to succeed in life.” Why Play Chess... yahoo.com


LIST OF QUALIFIERS

UNDER 14 YEARS OLD

ALAURIN, Gerson
AMARILLA, James
ANONUEVO, Ammansinaya
ANTONIO, Brix Austin
APILAT, Keizer
BELZA, Nathan
BESMONTE, Mercelene
BERSAMINA, Paulo
BORJA, Raphaele
CABUAL, Gino
CADOY, Brian
CAMILLO, Francis Jerhone
CASTRO, Jose Carlo
CERVANTES, John Calvin
COLAMBO, Price
COBSILEN, Clifford
CORTEZ, Giamme Jay
CRUZ, Rhal Sol
DOCENA, Jerad
DUENAS, Erveen
FUERTE, Mary Joyce
FULCHER, Lawrean
GALAS, Bernadette
GATMAYTAN, Joaquin
GERALDINO, Cyrey
GERALDINO, Reyan Lee
GOBATON, Danilo
IMPERIAL, Karl
JAVIER, Collins
KOBAYASHI, Arisa
LANDICHO, John Maverick
LEE, Eung-Pil
LUMACAD, Jerome
MAGPILY, John Michael
MANANSALA, Michael Angelo
MARGARITO, John Eric
MATTHEWS, Charles
MATUGAS, Miguel
NA, Ji Hoom
MEJIA, Giovanni
MOLINES, Mina Angelica
PLACERA, Mike
PRADO, Dave
PRAILE, John Canny
PRESENTE, Juan Carlos
ROMASANTA, Rommel
REANO, Jesther
SALAZAR, John Emil
SANCHEZ, John
SIA, Edward
TARDECILLA, Dec-ember
TORRES, Franz Josiah
VILLANUEVA, Joyce
YAON, Michelle
YANO, Elvin

SILVER: WORKSHOP MINI-TOURNEY

MERALCO CHESS CLUB held its first workshop by Grandmaster Bong Villmayor for the year of the tiger attended by a handful of kids; Raymund Masa, Rav Villaflor, Tim dela Cruz, Earl Cabugao & Rhal Sol Cruz.

The topic was a out the basic endgame which covers the Lucena position, triangulation, shouldering, opposition, etc.

After the lecture by GM Bong Villamayor, NM Mirabeu Maga took-over by supervising a rapid tourney among the participants with the ff results:

Place Name Points
1 Earl Cabugao 7.5
2 Rhal Sol Cruz 5.5
3 Tim dela Cruz 4.0
4 Raymund Masa 2.0
5 Rav Villaflor 1.0

Sol Cruz vs Cabugao

WORKSHOP GAMES
MERALCO Chess Club
Pasig City
W: Rhal SOL CRUZ
B: Earl CABUGAO
Time: 15'-15'



RESULT: 0-1

DELA CRUZ vs SOL CRUZ

MERALCO WORKSHOP
Pasig City
W: Tim DELA CRUZ
B: Rhal SOL CRUZ, JR.
Time Control: 15 min per player


Result: 0-1

Chess Instills Positive Values

Chess instills positive values among the youth | Manila Bulletin

Abo vs Sol Cruz

Metropolitan Kiddies
St Francis Square, Mandaluyong City
W: Joshua Abo
B: Rhal Sol Cruz

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6 5 h3 Bd6 6 d3 Nf6 7 Nc3 O-O 8 O-O Be6 9 Bg5 h6 10 Bxf6 Qxf6 11 d4 exd4 12 Nxd4

12... Rad8 -+

13 Qd2?? Be5!

14 Nce2 Bxd4 -+

Result: 0-1

SAN BEDA JR VARSITY

Metropolitan Chess Club

W: Sol Cruz, Rhal Jr

B: Salazar, John

Result: 1-0

Sol Cruz vs Abo

METROPOLITAN CHESS CLUB
ST FRANCIS SQUARE
CONSOLATION ROUND, R3
W: Rhal SOL CRUZ, Jr.
B: Jonathan ABO


RESULT: 0-1

ASEAN Olympiad Champion

Metropolitan Kiddies
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Round 2
White: San Diego, Marie
Black: Sol Cruz, Rhal
ECO A07

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.O-O e5 5.d3 Bc5 6.Nbd2 O-O
[6.e4!] with the idea of e3 controlling the dark squares.
GM Villamayor

7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 Be6
[Qe7 or Bg4]

9.h3 Qd7 10.Ng5 Rad8 11.Nxe6 Qxe6 12.c3 Rd6
[12.Rd3]
The ideal which lies at the root of every operation in a file is the ultimate penetration by way of this file into the enemy's game, that is, to say to our 7th or 8th rank.
Nimzovich in My System

13.Qc2 Rfd8
You should then endeavor to double your Rs, that is, to place them one before the other on the same file.
Nimzovich in My System

14.a4 a5 15.Kh2 Qd7 16.Nc4 Rd1

17.Bg5 Rxa1 18.Rxa1 Qd3
[18... Qe6]

19.Qxd3 Rxd3 20.f4 exf4
[20... Nh5]

21.Bxf4 Rd7
[21... Bb6]
Do not retreat a developed piece without good reason.
Weeramantry & Eusebi in Best Lessons of a Chess Coach

22.g4 b6 23.Ne3
[23.e5]

23... Ne7 24.Nd5 Ne8
[24... Nfxd5 or Nexd5]
We cannot allow an enemy piece to settle down within our lines, as, for instance, on our third rank.
Znosko-Borovsky in The Middlegame in Chess

25.Re1 Kf8
[25...Nxd5]

26.Rd1

26... Nxd5
[26... c6!]

27.exd5 Bd6 28.Kg3 g5 29.Bxd6+ Nxd6 30.Rd4 Re7 31.Kf2 Re5 32.b4 f5 33.bxa5 bxa5 34.c4 f4
[34... Nb7, fxg4, or Ke7]

35.c5

diag35

35... Ne8
[38... Nf7]

36.d6 +-