MCC 20th Anniversary Chess Tourney

Watching over our game is none other than Asia’s first IM, Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, the only Filipino who has beaten the late chess legend Bobby Fischer. Me in blue long sleeve shirt

Winners all of MCC 20th anniversary chess tourney. Me in yellow shirt

THE Metropolitan Chess Club (MCC) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a two day (March 15-16, 2008)chess tourney and simulaneous exhibition by Russian IM Nikolai Andrianov at the 3F of St. Francis Square (SFS) located behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

I didn't play good enough. But nevertheless I still got a medal, though a trophy will be very very great if I got to champion the event for kiddies.

2008 NCR Elims - National Chess Championship

I am sharing here photos taken from the 3-day event NCR Elimination - Chess Olympiad. Just wanted parents to know of the very nice venue, the same venue where the National Age Group will be held. The place condition is very far compared to the Market Place. Thanks God they listen!

I also joined the event for tune up. I scored 2 out of 7 games. Just there to test my patience and way of introducing to me how to play during 'long game'. Though I tried very hard to give my best but still I lost most of the games. As coach Rodriguez told me, i was still exchanging moves quite fast though I felt like I am already thinking for quite a long while before I moving my piece. It was nice playing with the veterans and with the rated players. Together with the other kiddie players we were just playing on the lowest board and winning a game is almost heaven. Homel Cunanan and brother Harold was also there, but can hardly get a score. They only got to score 1 point only and on the third day, they no longer joined the game. Homel should have been packing his things then for his game in Australia. Good luck my friend!. Hope someday I can already join you on your trip. Just wishing .. and praying ... anyways dream are free..

"I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. When I dream, I believe I am rehearsing my future."--David Copperfield

More NCR elim pictures on my flicker.com

Bgy Cembo SK 1st 1900 Below/25 min Active Chess Tournament - Daryl Unix Top Kiddie

It's my first time to join this kind of event. I was actually in awe when my parents told me that I will be playing with players with 1900 below ratings and this will be open from kids to seniors. But then I was given that assurance that it will be ok even if I don't win. This is going to be for my exposure and experience only.

There were blunders on the way. I can't get my tempo if i need to play fast or to play mellow. They observed that when I am already on a winning position, i got excited and had that tendency to play fast since I already assume that I am on the right track. After 2 looses I learned my lessons. I took the advice of my coach and finally got back on track.

I won the Top Kiddie category but actually tied with Kristian Paulo with a score of 4 points. But still is very very happy because Paulo is i think 12 years already. But, I actually have a trophy that cannot be brought home. I defeated the biggest guy on the tournament. During our game he was actually covering his face, our game ended with a checkmate. He just got tired waiting for me to commit an error. = )

Everybody is exhausted already but everybody is happy. My AdU team also landed to the top 10. Thanks to my coach. And Thanks God! All of these I am returning to You, all the praises and this talent. Amen.


see pictures from Cembo on my flicker...

Street Chess of Ruby, Onyx and Singalong Chess Club

After my Zapanta tambayan, I started going around the vicinities of Singalong (since we live in the area). After school, me, my father and my friends will go to these places and play chess. I felt like a little cub now getting ready to be exposed to the forest. There is that little bit of shyness to challenge after the losing player. And it was actually funny, my father will ask for a challenge and after that game it is I who will sit down. They thought they'll be playing with my father. Hahahaha! I could feel that awkwardness for them ... to play or not to play? that is the question. If I loose this game though you may thought I got nothing to loose, but would actually hear a little bit of scolding from my father (well don't worry, it's fine, it was an advice... a positve advice). It was like little cub learning the facts of life from father tiger. Because if I loose this game, they might not play again with me. No match they will conclude. But just like a prepared growing cub I successfully fuse my tiny self into the forest. I won most of the games, draw some and loose some. Today, I am now being welcomed by chess players from those places. I don't just gain experiences, admiration and appreciation, but friends as well.

Inspiration of being a cub taken from this site: http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/kidsfortigers/tigersden/familylife.php

My Future Agenda

I have been to the opening day of the 'Palarong NCR 2008' held at Valenzuela City. Since I am not one of the players I only had a 'sneak preview' of how it is to be on the event. I saw my chess player friends and I quite envied them because I also woulld like to play. But unluckily my school had showed no support on this little endeavor of mine. What a pity! But nonetheless, I still play my favorite game not inside but outside of the tournament area. Bawal kasi! (Its restricted!). I got to play with some of the coaches and had some games with the players of AdU (Adamson University).
Lately I been hanging around with the chess varsities of AdU, my new kuya (big brothers) and ate (big sisters). They are the 2007 UAAP chess champions! Playing with them is such a privilege because they got to appreciate my efforts and my skill. And to think of it, I am playing with the best!
Hopefully i can already join the next palarong ncr and palarong pambansa. I hope i'll to be great this coming National Age Group and Shell Active Chess. I been training hard now, no vacation, no weekend. With God's help, my training coach's patience and selfless contribution of his knowledge, hopefully these all paid off in the very near future.

Zapanta Chess Tambayan

After a long lull of chess tournaments I still need to practice every now and then. Along the street of Zapanta, Singalong Manila I played chess with some 'manongs' there. They are the oldies who play chess to spend or more often than always are there to play their favorite game with a little betting on the side. It’s the 'tambayan' area of Zapanta chess players. I got to play chess with most of them and won most of the games. I am happy that they were able to accept a kiddie player like me as one of them, though at first they were hesitant to let me play since I am only a kid and they thought it would be an effortless game. Well, to their surprise! I just did my best. (January 2008).

CAPP chess 16-under chess tournament Dec 29, 2007

The Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP) sponsored chess tournament for 16 under boys and girls that was held at the Ramon Magsaysay High Scholl in Cubao, Q.C. went on properly. First round was finished before lunch break and the 7-round games ended at around 6:30 pm. The arbiters were very conscious of the people and parents watching so close around the players. After the submission of the last player on a certain round they were able to release new pairings immediately. We just hope other chess organizers will do the same discipline.

I (Daryl Unix) came short with a .5 point from getting the 10-under category. Kuya Ferdie (Ferdinand Reyes) did it again. I played with the same guy on my QC circle tourney last Thursday (Dec 27). Here at RMHS we are again paired on our last game. Twice I should have gotten the 10-under category… Sayang! But kuya is really good, I am still very far away from his skills. Well I am just playing chess for barely 6 months only. This been a very good game. More practice for me!

See pictures of CAAP chess tourney on my flicker.com

QMC Plaza holiday tournament Dec. 27

The recently held Christmas holiday tournament held at the Quezon Memorial Circle Chess Plaza last Thursday, December 27, for kids aged 14 years old and younger ended up in giving out prizes and toys for the top players. Just hope they would not change hobby. = )

Thanks to the Tournament director Mr. Alex Dinoy, and organizers Mr.Alfredo V. Chay, Mr. Ray Hipolito, Atty. Turqueza.

see pictures on my flicker.com

Daryl Unix champions 8 Under Category Marikina City Invitational Chess

Daryl Unix is the top player for 8 Under category on the recently held
Marikina City Invitational Chess Championship at the Marikina Sports Complex Marikina City on December 23, 2007. I score 3 out 5 games. Won the first game with Joribene Bonifacio (11 yrs old), lost by blunder to Renato Cruz (11) on the game, won the 3rd game to Oliver Knight Caranto (10), lost by technical to Carlo Caragayan (9). Well I almost won the game with 2 pawns ahead on the end game. I even offered a draw but he refused to. Less of knowledge about some rules of the games, i should have call the arbiter.. well, lessons learned. Won my last game to Jean Enriquez (11), who have a very good opening... a dutch opening, unexpected of her age. But luckily i was able to get my position and eventually won the game. My last two games were very interesting, we were able to reach the end game and we were actually the last players to stand up. But all the hard work paid off. I got a gold medal, a trophy and P800.00 cash prize. My Christmas wish... hope to win more tournaments.

Anyway, my one wish had been granted on that day. I am able to meet and have pictures with my idol, Mr. Eugene Torre.

see picture taken on my flicker.com

TOURNAMENTS ATTENDED AT AGE 8


ART BORJAL OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT, SM Manila, November 11, 2007
Top Kiddy - 8 under category

SK Pitogo Chess Cup 2007 Non Master & Kiddy Tournament
November 30, 2007, Nemesio I. Yabut Elem School, Escuela St.Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City

- although i got no place but my top achievements were:
1. I am able to play on board 2 with the top kiddie finalist Jan Rodilyn Fronda who is 13 years old and has a current rating of 1913.

2. The lowest ranking player I have played with have an NCF ranking of 1750.

3. The youngest that I am able to play with are age 13 and the oldest is 16. Hey guys, i am only 8 years old and been only a few months playing chess seriously.

4. I am able to play with 2007 Shell Active Chess no. 2 kiddy player Narqiuiden Reyes on board 6.

5. The most amazing game, a draw with Kristian Paulo Cristobal. After that play they kept on analyzing the position but nonetheless it is really a draw. They can't believe i could make a draw with a 12 year old varsity player with a rating of 1888.

I have taken a picture of the final standing.... see my photos on flicker.