Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bulgar: UST Kiddies
"Ang Engineering ay kinatawan ng dating miyembro ng Philippine Team na lumahok sa annual ASEAN Primary Scools Sports Olympiad na sina Daryl Samantila ng Adamson University, Felipe Magdalaga ng Gatlabayan Memorial High School, Shania Mendoza ng International Montessori School, at Rhal Sol Cruz Jr. ng La Salle."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sports Manila.net
UST ENGINEERING CHESS TEAM PREVAILS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO, Sports Manila.net
The "UST Engineering" Chess Team won the first ever UST Kiddies Chess Championship that was made possible through the generosity of the UST alumni of MERALCO held in celebration of UST's Quadrecentennial Year. Engineering was represented by former members of the Philippine Team who played in the annual ASEAN Primary Schools Sports Olympiad, namely Daryl Samantila of Adamson University, Felipe Magdalaga of Gatlabayan MemorialHigh School, Shania Mendoza of International Montessori School, and Rhal Sol Cruz, Jr. of La Salle. These young Olympians willingly participated in this noble event so that they can share their experience with promising
chess players from public schools.
Tied for 2nd and 3rd place were Science and Commerce, with the former winning via the tie-breaks. Science was composed of Michail Alcantara, Mark Villarante, Philip Buhat, and Narciso Gravillo, all are students of Ramon Magsaysay High School while Commerce has 2010 Shell Active Chess Grand-Finalist Jose Castro, 2011 Mandaluyong Meet Champion Michael Lirazan of Pleasant Hills Elementary School, 2009 Tahanan Walang Hagdanan Kiddies Bronze medalist Jefferson Saltorio of Rodriguez Integrated School and 2010 MERALCO Summer Workshop silver medalist Jose Lirazan of Bonifacio Integrated School.
http://sportsmanila.net/
Monday, January 24, 2011
R5 Gravillo vs Sol Cruz
UST Kiddies
MERALCO, Pasig City
R5 G/25
White Narcisso Gravillo
Black Rhal Sol Cruz
Italian Game
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Be7
The Hungarian Defense.
5 O-O Nf6 5 Nc3 O-O 6 d4
6... d6
The so-called Center Pawn Fork equalizes; 6... Nxe4 7 Nxe4 d5 8 Bxd5 Qxd5 9 Nc3 Qa5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 dxe5 Be6 12 Re1 Rad8.
7 dxe5 dxe5 8 Qe2 h6
[8... Bg4]
In the opening, whenever possible, pieces should be moved in preference to pawns.
Capablanca in Chess Fundamentals
9 Bb5 Bd7
[9... Nd4]
Counterplay is the best way of fighting against your opponent's initiative and attack.
Suetin in Soviet Chess Strategy
10 Rd1
[10 Bxc6 Bxc6 11 Nxe5]
10... Bd6
You must try to react to a pin as soon as possible, or even try to avoid being pinned.
Yusupov in Build Up Your Chess
11 Be3 a6
In cramped position, try to relieve the pressure by forcing exchanges of pieces.
Chernev in Logical Chess
12 Bxc6 Bxc6
[12... bxc6]
13 Bc5
[13 Nxe5]
13... Qe7 14 Bxd6 cxd6 15 Rd3 b5!
With the idea of b4-Bb5.
16 a3 Rad8 17 Nh4 Nxe4 18 Nf5 Qg5 19 Nxe4 Qxf5 20 Nxd6
20... Qg6 -+
Result: 0-1
MERALCO, Pasig City
R5 G/25
White Narcisso Gravillo
Black Rhal Sol Cruz
Italian Game
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Be7
The Hungarian Defense.
5 O-O Nf6 5 Nc3 O-O 6 d4
6... d6
The so-called Center Pawn Fork equalizes; 6... Nxe4 7 Nxe4 d5 8 Bxd5 Qxd5 9 Nc3 Qa5 10 Nxe5 Nxe5 11 dxe5 Be6 12 Re1 Rad8.
7 dxe5 dxe5 8 Qe2 h6
[8... Bg4]
In the opening, whenever possible, pieces should be moved in preference to pawns.
Capablanca in Chess Fundamentals
9 Bb5 Bd7
[9... Nd4]
Counterplay is the best way of fighting against your opponent's initiative and attack.
Suetin in Soviet Chess Strategy
10 Rd1
[10 Bxc6 Bxc6 11 Nxe5]
10... Bd6
You must try to react to a pin as soon as possible, or even try to avoid being pinned.
Yusupov in Build Up Your Chess
11 Be3 a6
In cramped position, try to relieve the pressure by forcing exchanges of pieces.
Chernev in Logical Chess
12 Bxc6 Bxc6
[12... bxc6]
13 Bc5
[13 Nxe5]
13... Qe7 14 Bxd6 cxd6 15 Rd3 b5!
With the idea of b4-Bb5.
16 a3 Rad8 17 Nh4 Nxe4 18 Nf5 Qg5 19 Nxe4 Qxf5 20 Nxd6
20... Qg6 -+
Result: 0-1
R3 Shell Batangas 2nd Placer
UST Kiddies
Pasig City, Philippines
G/30 Round 3
White: Felipe Magdalaga (1650)
Black: Rhal Sol Cruz (1631)
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4
This transposes into the French Defense.
4... Be7
In all cases, it is well to unpin the piece in question as quickly as possible, not only to give it back its freedom of action but also to liberate the masked piece.
Znosko-Borovsky in The Middlegame in Chess
In theory, placing the B at e7 is called the Classical Variation while playing it at b4 is the MacCutcheon Variation. But Rhal knows nothing of these lines.
5. Bxf6
The popular continuation is 5. e5:
a) Capablanca-Reti in New York 1924
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1102127
b) Anand-Morozevich in Nice 2008
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1488136
c) So-Prusikin in Bad Wiesse 2006
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1462501
5... Bxf6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. e5 Be7 8. Bd3 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. a3 Qd7 11. Rc1 O-O-O
Where the Ks are castled on opposite sides, opening up lines with a pawn advance againt the enemy K is the principal strategy.
Giddins in 50 Essential Chess Lessons
12. Qe2 Kb8 13. Ba6
13... h5
A spearhead of pawns, supported by pieces, advancing on a K position stands an infinitely greater chance of success than an attack by pieces alone.
Pritchard in The Right Way to Play Chess
However, better is g5, with the added aim of driving the N away.
14. Bxb7 Kxb7 15. Nd1 g5! 16. Qd3? g4! 17. Nd2
17... Bg5
Lasker Principle: When you see a good move, look for a better one.
Better here is f6!.
Undermining is one of the most effective ways of fighting against a pawn center. Properly timed, undermining can weaken the opponent's central position and sharply change the character of the game.
Alburt & Palatnik in Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player
18. Ne3 f5 19. f4 gxf3 20. Nxf3 Rdg8
[20... Bh6 or 20... Bf4]
No B should be exchanged for a N unless it yields a clear benefit.
Moskalenko in Revolutionize Your Chess
21. c4
21... Qg7?
[21... Bxe3+ or 21... dxc4]
22. Rf2?
[22. Nxg5 +-]
22... f4?
[22... dxc4]
23. Nf1? Bh6??
[23... Ne7]
24. b4? Ne7! 25. c5 Qh7 26. Qc3 Rc8 27. a4 h4 28. h3 Nf5 29. a5 Ng3?
[29... b5]
30. axb6 cxb6 31. Qa3 Ra8?? 32. Ra2 +-
Result: 1-0
Pasig City, Philippines
G/30 Round 3
White: Felipe Magdalaga (1650)
Black: Rhal Sol Cruz (1631)
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4
This transposes into the French Defense.
4... Be7
In all cases, it is well to unpin the piece in question as quickly as possible, not only to give it back its freedom of action but also to liberate the masked piece.
Znosko-Borovsky in The Middlegame in Chess
In theory, placing the B at e7 is called the Classical Variation while playing it at b4 is the MacCutcheon Variation. But Rhal knows nothing of these lines.
5. Bxf6
The popular continuation is 5. e5:
a) Capablanca-Reti in New York 1924
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1102127
b) Anand-Morozevich in Nice 2008
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1488136
c) So-Prusikin in Bad Wiesse 2006
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1462501
5... Bxf6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. e5 Be7 8. Bd3 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. a3 Qd7 11. Rc1 O-O-O
Where the Ks are castled on opposite sides, opening up lines with a pawn advance againt the enemy K is the principal strategy.
Giddins in 50 Essential Chess Lessons
12. Qe2 Kb8 13. Ba6
A spearhead of pawns, supported by pieces, advancing on a K position stands an infinitely greater chance of success than an attack by pieces alone.
Pritchard in The Right Way to Play Chess
However, better is g5, with the added aim of driving the N away.
14. Bxb7 Kxb7 15. Nd1 g5! 16. Qd3? g4! 17. Nd2
Lasker Principle: When you see a good move, look for a better one.
Better here is f6!.
Undermining is one of the most effective ways of fighting against a pawn center. Properly timed, undermining can weaken the opponent's central position and sharply change the character of the game.
Alburt & Palatnik in Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player
18. Ne3 f5 19. f4 gxf3 20. Nxf3 Rdg8
[20... Bh6 or 20... Bf4]
No B should be exchanged for a N unless it yields a clear benefit.
Moskalenko in Revolutionize Your Chess
21. c4
[21... Bxe3+ or 21... dxc4]
22. Rf2?
[22. Nxg5 +-]
22... f4?
[22... dxc4]
23. Nf1? Bh6??
[23... Ne7]
24. b4? Ne7! 25. c5 Qh7 26. Qc3 Rc8 27. a4 h4 28. h3 Nf5 29. a5 Ng3?
[29... b5]
30. axb6 cxb6 31. Qa3 Ra8?? 32. Ra2 +-
Result: 1-0
R2 Sol Cruz vs Serban
UST Kiddies
MERALCO, Pasig City
R2 G/25
White: Rhal Sol CruzBlack: Arvin Serban
Result: 1-0
Sunday, January 23, 2011
UST Engineering Kiddies Team
The "UST Engineering Team" represented by Philippine ASEAN Kiddy Olympians Rhal Sol Cruz of La Salle, Daryl Samantila of Adamson, Felipe Magdalaga of Gatlabayan and Shania Mendoza of Montessori won the UST Kiddies Chess Championship at MERALCO.
Rhal won a team gold, an individual bronze (tied for 3rd to 6th place with Felipe Magdalaga, Shania Mendoza and Michael Alcantara of Magsaysay with 3.5 points in 5 games), and a silver for the Top Grade School Player.
Mommy Felia gave him a P500 gift as Rhal presented his medals later in the evening.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Las Vegas
20th Annual North American Open
7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75),
Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89103.
Prizes $120,000 based on 600 paid entries (seniors, re-entries & GMs count as half entries, U1000/Unr Section & U1300 unrateds as 1/4), else in proportion; $90,000 minimum (75% each prize) guaranteed.
2010 North American Open chess tournament7SS, 40/2, SD/1 (3-day option, rds 1-2 G/75),
Bally's Casino Resort, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV 89103.
Prizes $120,000 based on 600 paid entries (seniors, re-entries & GMs count as half entries, U1000/Unr Section & U1300 unrateds as 1/4), else in proportion; $90,000 minimum (75% each prize) guaranteed.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Shell Naga Champion
Christmas Workshop
Meralco, Pasig City
Round 4 Board 1
White: Castro, Jose Carlo
Black: Sol Cruz, Rhal
ECO E17 Queen's Indian Defence
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Nbd7 5. O-O Be7 6. b3 O-O 7. c4 b6 8. Ne5 Bb7 9. Bb2 c5 10. e3
This is a symmetrical four pawns center formation - White has pawns on d4 and e3 and Black has pawns on d5 and e6.
In practice, however, this formation doesn't lead to many chances of full-bodied conflict, since an automatic exchange of the major pieces typically follows on the one open file.
Euwe & Kramer in The Middlegame
10... Rc8 11. Nc3
11... Nxe5?
[11... cxd4 12. exd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qe2 f5]
We exchange in order to seize or open a file or diagonal without loss of time.
Nimzovich in My System
12. dxe5 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qc2 Qc7 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4
White is now a pawn up.
16... Rfd8
In the middlegame, seize the open files and command them with your Rs.
Chernev in Logical Chess Move by Move
17. Rad1 Rxd1?
[17... Rd7]
If both sides occupy the same open file, then neither should exchange Rs but should leave the exchange to the opponent so that the recapturing R or Q commands the open file.
Tarrasch in The Game of Chess
18. Rxd1 Rd8! 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Qb7
20... Qd1+
[20... a5]
21. Kg2 Bf8 22. Qe4 Qd2 23. Qb1 g6 24. Bc1 Qd1 25. Qb2 Bg7 26. f4 Qd3 27. Qd2
27... Qxd2+
[27... Qe4+]
If in a bad position in the middlegame, the retention of the Q will at least offer chances of perpetual in the ending, for a lone Q can often force the draw in this manner.
The Right Way to Play Chess
28. Bxd2 Bf8 29. Kf3 Be7 30. Ke4 Kf8 31. Be1 h5 32. h3
32... f5+ ??
In balanced positions, when neither side has any direct threats or concrete plan, it is necessary either to relocate your worst placed piece to its best square, or to exchange it off.
Beliavsky and Mikhalchishin in Secrets of Chess Intuition
Having said that, the correct moves, according to Rybka, are Ke8, a6 or Bd8.
33. exf6 +-
Result:1-0
Meralco, Pasig City
Round 4 Board 1
White: Castro, Jose Carlo
Black: Sol Cruz, Rhal
ECO E17 Queen's Indian Defence
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Nbd7 5. O-O Be7 6. b3 O-O 7. c4 b6 8. Ne5 Bb7 9. Bb2 c5 10. e3
This is a symmetrical four pawns center formation - White has pawns on d4 and e3 and Black has pawns on d5 and e6.
In practice, however, this formation doesn't lead to many chances of full-bodied conflict, since an automatic exchange of the major pieces typically follows on the one open file.
Euwe & Kramer in The Middlegame
10... Rc8 11. Nc3
11... Nxe5?
[11... cxd4 12. exd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qe2 f5]
We exchange in order to seize or open a file or diagonal without loss of time.
Nimzovich in My System
12. dxe5 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Qc2 Qc7 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4
White is now a pawn up.
16... Rfd8
In the middlegame, seize the open files and command them with your Rs.
Chernev in Logical Chess Move by Move
17. Rad1 Rxd1?
[17... Rd7]
If both sides occupy the same open file, then neither should exchange Rs but should leave the exchange to the opponent so that the recapturing R or Q commands the open file.
Tarrasch in The Game of Chess
18. Rxd1 Rd8! 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Qb7
[20... a5]
21. Kg2 Bf8 22. Qe4 Qd2 23. Qb1 g6 24. Bc1 Qd1 25. Qb2 Bg7 26. f4 Qd3 27. Qd2
[27... Qe4+]
If in a bad position in the middlegame, the retention of the Q will at least offer chances of perpetual in the ending, for a lone Q can often force the draw in this manner.
The Right Way to Play Chess
28. Bxd2 Bf8 29. Kf3 Be7 30. Ke4 Kf8 31. Be1 h5 32. h3
In balanced positions, when neither side has any direct threats or concrete plan, it is necessary either to relocate your worst placed piece to its best square, or to exchange it off.
Beliavsky and Mikhalchishin in Secrets of Chess Intuition
Having said that, the correct moves, according to Rybka, are Ke8, a6 or Bd8.
33. exf6 +-
Result:1-0
Sol Cruz vs Moje
Christmas Workshop R1
White: Rhal Sol Cruz
Black: JD Moje
Meralco, Pasig City
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 e6 5. O-O Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Re1 Qc7 9. Nf1 d5 10. exd5 exd5 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Bf1 h6 13. Be3 Bf8 14. h3 Ne7 15. d4 cxd4?
16. Bxd4
White takes the advantage, Rybka: +0.77
16... Be6? 17. Bxf6 +-
Rybka: +1.56
17... gxf6 18. Nh5 Bg7 19. Nd4
The best is Qd4.
19... Nf5 20. Bb5
The best is Qg4 - threatening mate at g7.
20... Re7 21. Nxe6
Again, the best is Qg4.
21... Rxe6 22. Qg4 !!!
Finally.
White: Rhal Sol Cruz
Black: JD Moje
Meralco, Pasig City
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 e6 5. O-O Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. Re1 Qc7 9. Nf1 d5 10. exd5 exd5 11. Ng3 Re8 12. Bf1 h6 13. Be3 Bf8 14. h3 Ne7 15. d4 cxd4?
16. Bxd4
White takes the advantage, Rybka: +0.77
16... Be6? 17. Bxf6 +-
Rybka: +1.56
17... gxf6 18. Nh5 Bg7 19. Nd4
The best is Qd4.
19... Nf5 20. Bb5
The best is Qg4 - threatening mate at g7.
20... Re7 21. Nxe6
Again, the best is Qg4.
21... Rxe6 22. Qg4 !!!
Finally.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
People's Journal: Christmas Cup
"ASEAN Olympiad Bronze medallist Rhal Sol Cruz of La Salle won the Top MERALCO Jr. Award by finishing with three points in a tie for 9th-15th place."
Saturday, December 4, 2010
NM Maga
Training Simul
Sicilian Defence (45'-30')
Sicilian Defence (45'-30')
MERALCO, Pasig City
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
Sicilian Najdorf Variation.
6.Be3 e6
This is Kasparov's pet line: Short-Kasparov in London 1987 and Belfort 1988, Topalov-Kasparov in Moscow Olympiad 1994, Anand-Kasparov in Dos Hermanas 1996, Shirov-Kasparov in Linares 1998, Timman-Kasparov in Wijk aan Zee 1999, Adams-Kasparov in Sarajevo 2000, Anand-Kasparov in Fujitsu 2000, Polgar-Kasparov in Linares 2001, Shirov-Kasparov in Astana 2001, Adams-Kasparov in Linares 2002, and Anand-Kasparov in USSR vs World 2002.
7. f3 Be7
This position was played in Short-Kasparov in Belfort 1988, Morozevich-Short in Sarajevo 1999, Kramnik-Leko in Dortmund 2003, Leko-Morozevich in World Championship 2005.
Black can play 7... Nbd7 as in Short-Kasparov in London 1987 and 7... b5 as in Polgar-Kasparov in Zuerich 2006.
8. g4
This position was played in Svidler-Bologan in European Cup 2003 and Spoelman-L' Ami in Wijk aan Zee 2005.
8... h6
Bologan replied with 8... Nc6 while L' Ami played O-O.
9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. Bc4 Ne5 11. Bb3 Qc7 12. Qe2 b5 13.Rg1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Qxc4 bxc4 16. h4 Rb8 17. O-O-O
17... d5?
The blunder move. Correct is either Bb7 or Bd7, which keeps the position equal.
18. g5 +-
Rybka rates this as +1.99. Thus, the rest is just a matter of technique - meaning: end is near.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
Sicilian Najdorf Variation.
6.Be3 e6
This is Kasparov's pet line: Short-Kasparov in London 1987 and Belfort 1988, Topalov-Kasparov in Moscow Olympiad 1994, Anand-Kasparov in Dos Hermanas 1996, Shirov-Kasparov in Linares 1998, Timman-Kasparov in Wijk aan Zee 1999, Adams-Kasparov in Sarajevo 2000, Anand-Kasparov in Fujitsu 2000, Polgar-Kasparov in Linares 2001, Shirov-Kasparov in Astana 2001, Adams-Kasparov in Linares 2002, and Anand-Kasparov in USSR vs World 2002.
7. f3 Be7
This position was played in Short-Kasparov in Belfort 1988, Morozevich-Short in Sarajevo 1999, Kramnik-Leko in Dortmund 2003, Leko-Morozevich in World Championship 2005.
Black can play 7... Nbd7 as in Short-Kasparov in London 1987 and 7... b5 as in Polgar-Kasparov in Zuerich 2006.
8. g4
This position was played in Svidler-Bologan in European Cup 2003 and Spoelman-L' Ami in Wijk aan Zee 2005.
8... h6
Bologan replied with 8... Nc6 while L' Ami played O-O.
9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. Bc4 Ne5 11. Bb3 Qc7 12. Qe2 b5 13.Rg1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Qxc4 bxc4 16. h4 Rb8 17. O-O-O
17... d5?
The blunder move. Correct is either Bb7 or Bd7, which keeps the position equal.
18. g5 +-
Rybka rates this as +1.99. Thus, the rest is just a matter of technique - meaning: end is near.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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