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Shares rebound as investors hunt for bargains

LOCAL SHARES recovered on Wednesday as investors hunted for bargains despite continued negative sentiment due to the Hong Kong protests.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up 0.9% or 70.20 points to close at 7,858.65 yesterday. The broader all-shares index also climbed 0.56% or 26.70 points to 4,768.92

“The PSEi did a rebound from [Tuesday]’s slump as investors hunt for bargains. With some blue chips reporting stellar earnings performance [on Tuesday], investors rushed to get in to SM (SM Investments Corp.), JFC (Jollibee Foods Corp.), ICT (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.), ALI (Ayala Land, Inc.) and BDO (BDO Unibank, Inc.) which helped lifted the index in the afternoon session,” Jervin S. de Celis, equity trader at Timson Securities, Inc., said in a text message.

However, he noted that foreigners remained as net sellers for the seventh straight session due to cautiousness amid the ongoing Hong Kong protests. Net foreign selling was logged at P959.09 million outflow yesterday, down from Tuesday’s P2.12 billion.

The protest, which has been going on for weeks, has caused hundreds of flights canceled from Hong Kong’s airport. This anti-government movement started in June in response to a proposed extradition bill, which is now suspended, but later on evolved into a movement demanding for democracy and investigations into police brutality.

Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez attributed the recovery to the performance of US markets.

“The index ended 70 points in the green at 7,858.65, largely just following optimism from the US market session last night,” Mr. Perez said in an e-mail on Wednesday, adding that this “should be the barometer to look out for moving forward.”

US stocks closed higher on Tuesday after an announced delay of planned tariffs on some Chinese imports brought buyers back to the equities market in a broad-based rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 372.54 points or 1.44% to 26,279.91; the S&P 500 gained 42.57 points or 1.48% to 2,926.32; and the Nasdaq Composite added 152.95 points or 1.95% to 8,016.36.

Back home, all sub-sectors ended in the green except for the holding firms counter, which lost 0.15% or 12.19 points to end at 7,658.82.

Meanwhile, industrials went up 2.12% or 227.32 points to 10,928.30; property rose 1.99% or 79.60 points to 4,073; services climbed 1.41% or 22.22 points to 1,591.96; financials gained 0.4% or 7.28 points to 1,826.28; and mining and oil added 0.33% or 27.04 points to end the session at 8,230.03.

Some 1.17 billion issues valued at P6.56 billion switched hands on Wednesday, lower than the previous session’s P8.58 billion.

Advancers outnumbered losers, 112 to 83, while 40 issues were unchanged. — V.M.P. Galang

Iloilo City council to review franchises granted to 3 water distributors

THE ILOILO City council passed a resolution on Tuesday seeking a review of the legality of the franchises granted by the previous council to three water distributors.

Councilor Jose Efrain G. Treñas, proponent of the resolution, said he will tap the City Legal Office (CLO) to look into the franchises granted to New Earth Water System Inc. (NEWS), the partnership between Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) and Tubig Pilipinas Group, Inc. (TPGI), and Villar-led Prime Water Infrastructure Corp.

Mr. Treñas said the review would help clear out the legality, validity, or impropriety of the council’s issuance of franchises to utilities as well as guide the new set of councilors in future decisions.

“We want to be clarified by the City Legal. If it is legal, good, then we move forward, unless we find irregularities. This is also for the new members of the city council so that they will be clarified. The results of the investigation guide us on deciding future applications,” he said.

The most recent franchise was released last May to NEWS, a subsidiary of the Lucio Tan-controlled Boracay Tubig System, Inc.

The first franchise issued was to South Balibago Resources, Inc. (SBRI).

The city’s existing and main water supplier, Metro Iloilo Water (MIW) — previously known as Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) — has questioned the council’s authority to grant a franchise and filed cases in court against SBRI, Prime Water, and city officials.

MIWD cites the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Opinion No. 18 Series of 2018, which states that local governments do not have the authority to grant water and sanitation franchise.

The opinion also stated that the granting of water permits is under the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

Former councilor Plaridel C. Nava said the review is an insult to the previous council.

“He (Mr. Treñas) should respect the previous council because of the assumption of regularity because he was part of it before,” Mr. Nava said.

He added that such a review will create a negative impression on possible investors in the city.

“This will create an impression to the investors that businesses in the metro have no permanency and guarantee because it is being questioned,” he said.

Mr. Nava also said the decision on the legality of the council-issued franchises should be left to the court where MWID filed cases.

“Let us respect the judicial process. There are pending cases in the court and it is only the court that can determine, whether or not our actuations before, were valid or null,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Piñol vows to “work just as hard” as MinDA chair

FORMER AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol on Wednesday took his oath as the new chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). In a social media post, Mr. Piñol said: “Today, I took my oath to serve as the new Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), a Cabinet portfolio which carries the rank of Secretary.” He said the position has a fixed term of six years “thus ensuring sustainability of all initiatives beyond the term of the incumbent President.” Mr. Piñol noted that his new responsibility is “a multi-task job” that would involve agriculture, trade and commerce, international relations and security concerns. “The MinDA Chair is also the Philippine Government’s representative to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asia Growth Area Regional Grouping ( BIMP-EAGA),” he said. “My added task is to serve as President Rody (Rodrigo R.) Duterte’s ‘Point Person’ to the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).” A Mindanaoan, Mr. Piñol said the new post “will also bring me closer to my family and, of course, my farm.” He also vowed that: “Just as when I was Secretary of Agriculture I will work just as hard.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

GenSan starts road, sidewalk clearing operations

THE GENERAL Santos City local government has started road and sidewalk clearing operations, with dialogues held between authorities and affected vendors. Among the first areas covered last Aug. 13 were Cagampang-Casquejo streets to corner Magsaysay Avenue, and Santiago Boulevard-Magsaysay Avenue to Cagampang streets. In the evening, the clearing team under the City Administrator’s Office went to Pioneer Avenue, where food vendors set up shop at night, mainly to cater to students. Clearing team head Jorge Manzano assured vendors that an alternative site will be provided as he appealed for them to cooperate. The clearing operations is in line with the President’s order during his State of the Nation Address last July for local governments to clear public roads and sidewalks from all obstructions. The Department of Interior and Local Government has also issued a memorandum in line with the directive.

Nationwide round-up

Bill filed for establishment of emergency medical care facilities for tourists

A LAWMAKER has filed a bill that aims to establish emergency and trauma facilities in tourism hubs in the country following recent reports of accidents involving tourists. Biñan City Rep. Marlyn B. Alonte filed House Bill 3873, which requires the Department of Tourism and Department of Health to jointly develop standards for trauma and emergency medical care for all three- to five-star resorts and hotels. “To address the gap in emergency medical care at tourist destinations, House Bill 3873 establishes in every Department of Health regional medical center at least ten (10) trauma and emergency care field facilities in cities and municipalities where there are clusters of tourism resorts,” Ms. Alonte said in a statement on August 14. Under the measure, tourists without health care insurance might be charged with a minimal amount that could be included in the hotel bill. “If they don’t have HMO (health maintenance organization) or health care coverage for medical emergencies, a small and affordable charge can be included in their hotel bill upon booking that would represent the premium for emergency health care coverage,” said Ms. Alonte. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Sanctions vs schools, officials proposed for ‘tolerating’ recruitment in leftist movement

A SENATE committee is considering the imposition of criminal and administrative liabilities against schools and its administration for “tolerating” the recruitment of students by leftist groups. The Philippine National Police-Manila Police District (PNP-MPD) made the proposal Wednesday during the continuing hearing of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs on the alleged illegal recruitment of minors by groups linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines. “We know for a fact there are some school or school administrators, who are tolerating one way or another, and nakita naman natin kanina na alam ng (we saw here earlier that) school administrators (do know),” PNP-MPD director Vicente D. Danao, Jr. said during the hearing. “Wala po tayong batas (We have no law) administratively and criminally penalizing these people, even if the occurrence of such recruitment is happening before their eyes,” he said. Mr. Danao also pushed for the imposition of stiffer penalties for those involved in the recruitment of minors, which at present is a prison term of six months to six years, and a fine of P700. Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa, the panel chair, said he will consider the recommendation. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Nation at a Glance — (08/15/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (08/15/19)

After convincing win, options abound for Pacquiao’s next fight — Gibbons

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons — ALVIN S. GO

SUCCESSFULLY and convincingly overcoming the latest challenge in his Hall-of-Fame boxing career, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is not short in options for his next fight.

This according to Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions.

Meeting members of sports media for the first time at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the Amelie Hotel-Manila, Mr. Gibbons said their camp is weighing various options to take coming on the heels of the conquest of the Filipino legend of American champion Keith Thurman and his WBA super welterweight title in July.

A “convincing” split decision winner. 40-year-old Pacquiao, the MP Promotions president said, proved he is still a force to be reckoned with and ready to take on any opponent when he returns to the ring early next year.

American Gibbons mentioned champion fighters Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia and Shawn Porter as possible next opponents for Pacman even as he expressed reservation over a rematch with Mr. Thurman.

“Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, there’s other guys out there to fight. Shawn Porter,” said Mr. Gibbons at the PSA Forum, presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel-Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Danny Garcia, the former holder of the World Boxing Council welterweight title, was initially considered as an opponent for Mr. Pacquiao prior to the Thurman fight while Mikey Garcia is a former lightweight and junior welterweight title holder.

Mr. Porter, meanwhile, was a former sparring partner of Mr. Pacquiao and current WBC champion who’s scheduled for a unification match against Errol Spence this September at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Gibbons went on to say that they are not so high in having a rematch with Mr. Thurman, especially after how Mr. Pacquiao convincingly beat the former.

“He (Thurman) had his opportunity, he had his shot. If there’s a real demand for it like the (Juan Manuel) Marquez, the (Marco Antonio) Barrera, the (Erik) Morales, those type of fights. If the public have a huge demand to do it again, if there’s an outcry for it. But he (Pacquiao) beat him clean,” the veteran international matchmaker said.

Against Mr. Thurman, Mr. Pacquiao showed firmer command for the most part of the scheduled 12-rounder and took everything that his opponent threw at him on his way to the 115-112, 113-114 and 115-112 split decision win; an outcome Mr. Gibbons insisted should have been a unanimous decision.

Just the same, split decision or not, Mr. Gibbons said it was a convincing victory.

As to a possible rematch with undefeated retired fighter Floyd Mayweather, Mr. Gibbons said they are very open to it but as of the moment there is nothing definite yet on that front.

Sale makes strikeout history

CLEVELAND — Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a tiebreaking home run in the top of the 10th inning as the visiting Boston Red Sox overcame blowing a five-run lead to beat the Cleveland Indians 7-6 Tuesday night.

After the Indians tied the score on Francisco Lindor’s RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, Bradley’s one-out homer off Nick Wittgren (4-1) in the 10th restored the Red Sox’s lead.

Earlier in the game, Red Sox starter Chris Sale made major league history by becoming the fastest pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts when he whiffed Oscar Mercado to end the third inning. Sale accomplished the feat in 1,626 innings, besting Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez’s mark of 1,711 1/3 innings.

Sale gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings, recording 12 strikeouts. Rafael Devers had four doubles among a career-high six hits, and he also drove in three runs to lead the Boston offense. Carlos Santana and Franmil Reyes homered for the Indians. — Reuters

Teenager Gauff, former champ Stosur get US Open wild cards

NEW YORK — American teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff and former champion Samantha Stosur were among players to be given wild cards into the main draw of the US Open starting later this month, organizers said on Tuesday.

Gauff, 15, stunned players and fans alike when she made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam at this year’s Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round where she was beaten by eventual champion Simona Halep.

Gauff, the youngest finalist in the girls’ singles event at the US Open in 2017 aged 13, is one of five teenagers given wild cards at Flushing Meadows.

Americans Cathy McNally, Whitney Osuigwe and Katie Volynets (all 17) and France’s 16-year-old Diane Parry, who became the youngest player this decade to win a main-draw match in the French Open in May, also received them.

Australia’s Stosur, US Open champion in 2011, will be making her 15th appearance in the main draw. The 35-year-old, who last reached a Grand Slam singles semifinal in 2016 at Roland Garros, was also a doubles champion in New York in 2005.

“Parry and Stosur earn their entry via the USTA’s reciprocal wildcard arrangement with the French Tennis Federation and Tennis Australia,” organizers said in a statement.

American Jack Sock headlines the men’s singles wildcards.

The 26-year-old, who was sidelined for six months after sustaining a thumb injury at the Australian Open, is looking to maintain his streak of playing in every US Open main draw since 2010. — Reuters

Philippine national women’s football team begins campaign at 2019 AFF Women’s Championship

THE Philippine national women’s football team plunges into action in the 2019 AFF Women’s Championship in Thailand today with an eye on making a run for a podium finish this time around.

Failed to go deep in recent iterations of the tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, the Malditas are angling for a better finish in this edition of the championship while also looking to kick their Southeast Asian Games preparations into a higher gear.

Happening in Chonburi, the Philippine team is bracketed in Group A of the competition along with host Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.

The Malditas, whose campaign is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and MVP Sports Foundation, will play Malaysia first today at IPE Chonburi Field 1 followed by Timor-Leste on Aug. 17.

They then play Thailand on Aug. 21 before finishing their group play assignment two days later.

Tournament format calls for the top two teams in the two groupings advancing to the knockout stage.

Group B has Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

For the 2019 AFF Women’s Championship, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) formed a 23-player squad culled from the various University Athletic Association of the Philippines teams and PFF Women’s League clubs.

The players are Mari Caparros, Stacey Cavill, Inna Palacios, Mea Bernal, Alesa Dolino, Chelo Hodges, Mary Lam, Claire Lim, Hali Long, Tara Shelton, Calah Simarago and Sara Castañeda.

Also part of the team are Eloiza Fagsao, Patrice Impelido (captain), Kyla Inquig, Charisa Lemoran, Hazel Lustan, Rocelle Mendano, Irish Navaja, Kathleen Rodriguez, Dionesa Tolentin, Alisha Del Campo and Quinly Quezada.

The team started preparation for the tournament in late June that saw them play tune-up matches along the way.

The bad weather in the recent weeks made practicing outdoor tough but the team made up for it by training indoors.

“We’re ready for the tournament. We had some challenges during training because of the heavy rain in the last couple of weeks which forced us to cancel some training sessions. But we also did indoor training to make up for some of the lost time,” said Malditas coach Let Dimzon at the team’s send-off last weekend, as she spoke of the preparation they had.

“We had a number of tune-up games, including one against Macau, which we used as gauge of where we are,” she added.

Ms. Dimzon went on to say that key for them is polishing their attacking and sticking to their game plan.

For Ms. Impelido, the team being together for a long time now is something they are banking on.

“This team has been together for a time now. We have team chemistry which is good for the team heading into the tournament. We are excited and confident to make a run at a podium finish,” said the Malditas captain.

“The Philippine Women’s National Team has continuously set the bar in the recent times,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes of the Malditas, who vied for the first time for a World Cup berth in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

“We wish them luck as they look for a podium finish in the AFF Women’s Championship 2019 which serves as preview for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games,” he added.

The 30th SEA Games happens this Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 here in the country.

ARANETA IS OLYMPIC CDM
Meanwhile, PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. was appointed chef de mission (CDM) of the Philippine delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The appointment of Mr. Araneta, who is at the helm of the PFF since 2010, was announced at the Philippine Olympic Committee general assembly on Tuesday.

“It is a great honor to represent the country and our national athletes as the Chef de Mission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We look forward to this upcoming campaign as we yearn for our first-ever Olympic gold medal,” said Mr. Araneta of his appointment.

Hunan International Open

Hunan Belt and Road International Open
Hunan, China
July 29-August 6, 2019

Final Top Standings

1. GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly IND 2638, 7.0/9

2-3. GM Yu Yangyi CHN 2736, GM Bassem Amin EGY 2707, 6.5/9

4-9. GM Ivan Cheparinov GEO 2666, GM Wang Hao CHN 2725, GM David Anton Guijarro ESP 2678, GM Francisco Vallejo Pons ESP 2687, GM Wei Yi CHN 2737, GM Maxim Matlakov RUS 2701, 6.0/9

10-14. GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son VIE 2636, GM Yu Ruiyuan CHN 2464, GM Zhou Jianchao CHN 2608, GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac ROU 2621, GM Ju Wenjun CHN 2595, 5.5/9

Total Number of Participants: 73 players, out of which there are 43 International Grandmasters (GM), 21 International Masters and 2 FIDE Masters.

Time Control: 90 minutes with 30-second increment from move 1

The Belt and Road China Hunan International Chess Open had a lot of 2700+ GMs taking part because of its huge cash prizes:

$50,000 for 1st place

$25,000 for 2nd place

$15,000 for 3rd place, etc.

There was a no prize-sharing policy in place. If, for example, two players tied for first place normally each of them will receive $37,500 ($50,000 1st place plus $25,000 2nd place then divided by two). In Hunan whoever finishes first after tie-breaks are applied receives the 50,000.

In addition to the large prize fund this policy may have contributed to the fighting atmosphere in the tournament and a large number of bloodthirsty chess was played.

Do you remember the Indian GM Parimarjan Negi? Born Feb. 9, 1983 in New Delhi, he achieved the grandmaster title at the age of 13 years, four months and 22 days. At that time he was the second youngest ever GM ever in history behind Sergey Karjakin (12 years seven months), but that record has slipped down to 6th because of the recent wave of new child prodigies. No. 2 now is Gukesh of India (12 years, 7 months, 17 days), no. 3 Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) at 12 years, 10 months, 5 days, no. 4 Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India) 12 years, 10 months, 13 days, and no. 5 Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) at 13 years, 1 month and 11 days.

Negi became champion of India in 2010, the Asian champion in 2012, then played top board for his country in the 2014 Chess Olympiad in Tromso (Norway) where they made history by winning the bronze medal.

Then, at the very height of his career, he retired from chess to go to the USA and study in Stanford University where he graduated as a Mathematics Major in 2018. Negi is currently a research student (PhD) in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Anyway, in order to finance his schooling in Stanford he wrote a series of awesome opening books for Quality Chess. Since he did not have any more plans to compete there was no reason not to reveal his opening secrets and special theoretical studies. In “1.e4 versus the French, Caro-Kann and Philidor” he recommended a theoretical novelty against a certain line in the Winawer French which we are going to see on the board in the following game.

Lagno, Kateryna (2549) — Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2638) [C18]
Hunan Belt and Road Open Changsha CHN (2.4), 30.07.2019

Over the years there have been many claims of refutations of the French Winawer. I remember in the 80s Yasser Seirawan’s “Inside Chess” magazine even had a series on its untimely demise. But for every refutation a counter is always found, and the fight goes on up to today. GM Ganguly is one of the opening’s loyalists, and he is proven right once again in the following game.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 cxd4 8.Bd3 Qa5

The main line is 8…Qc7. The text move also become popular because of GM Alexander Rustemov (more well-known as the former second of Alexander Morozevich) who scored many good wins with this move.

9.Ne2 0–0 10.Bg5 Ng6 11.Qg3!

Negi’s novelty, instead of the standard 11.f4. The idea is to “prepare a quick h4–h5 while crucially safeguarding the queen from the …Nd7/…f5 plan which has been solving all of Black’s problems.” (Negi).

11…Nd7

Keeping f6 guarded as well as threatening …Nc5 to get rid of the dangerous d3–bishop. 11…Nxe5 12.Bh6! Ng6 13.h4 gxh6 14.h5 Nc6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.Bxg6 Rf6! 17.Be8+ Kf8 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Rh4 “White intends Rg4 with an ongoing attack” (Negi).

12.h4 dxc3

Alternatives:

12…Nc5 13.h5 Nxd3+ 14.cxd3 dxc3 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.Qh4 h6 17.Nf4 White has a winning attack;

12…Ngxe5 13.Bh6 g6 14.Bxf8 Nxf8 15.h5 White has an extra exchange and the initiative to boot (Negi).

13.f4 h5!

Since White has sufficiently fortified his e5–pawn Black must prevent h4–h5 by any means. 13…f6 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.h5 Nh8 16.h6 g6 17.Qh4 Nd7 18.Be7 Re8 19.Bb4 Qd8 20.Qg3 There is no solution in sight for the h8–knight, and the bishop will soon become a lot more powerful from c3 (Negi).

14.Qe3!

The queen moves away from g3 to make way for the pawn on g2. g4 is a big threat now. IM John Watson: “White’s coming attack is dangerous, and he even has the better of it when the queens are exchanged. But you have to do a thorough analysis to understand this!”

14…Qb6 15.Nd4 Nc5!?

Now this is Ganguly’s idea. Negi only took up 15…Nb8 with the idea of …Nc6 to put pressure on the d4–knight. There is a long analysis after this but in the end the conclusion is that White has the better chances in the ensuing endgame.

16.g4 Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 Bd7!

A really deep move. This clears the way for the a8–rook to come to e8. Why would it want to go to e8? You will see later on.

18.gxh5 <D>

POSITION AFTER 18.GXH5

It looks like Black is being overrun but he has a way out …

18…f6! 19.exf6

Best. Other moves don’t work.

19.hxg6 fxg5 20.hxg5 Rxf4 21.Qh3 Re4+ 22.Ne2 Kf8 23.Qh8+ (23.Rf1+ Ke7 24.Rf7+ Kd8 everything is still complicated) 23…Ke7 24.Qxg7+ Kd8 25.Qf8+ Kc7 26.g7 Rxe5 27.g8Q Qe3 and, shockingly, Black is the one who wins;

19.Qxg6 Qxd4 20.exf6 Qe3+ 21.Kf1 Qf3+ 22.Kg1 Qg3+ 23.Kf1 Bb5+ wins. Another reason why the bishop had to go to d7.

19…Nxf4!

Unbelievable move and the point of Black’s defense.

20.Bxf4 e5!

Now you see why Black wants his a8–rook to go to e5.

21.Bg5?

A mistake, but Lagno couldn’t believe that she is not winning. After 21.Bxe5 Rae8! 22.0–0 Rxe5 Black is at the very least equal.

21…Qxd4 22.Qxd4 exd4 23.0–0–0 gxf6 24.Bf4 Bf5 25.Rxd4 Be4

After all those complications Ganguly emerges a pawn up in a superior endgame, and he plays efficiently to convert.

26.Rg1+ Kh7 27.Rg3 Rac8 28.Rd1 Rg8 29.Rdg1 Rxg3 30.Rxg3 d4 31.h6 Re8 32.Rg7+ Kh8 33.Rd7 Bd5! 34.Kb1 Re1+ 35.Bc1 Ba2+ 36.Kxa2 Rxc1 37.Rxd4 Rxc2+ 38.Kb3 Rd2 39.Rc4 c2 40.Kb2 Rd6 41.Rxc2 Rb6+ 42.Ka2 Kh7 43.Rc5 Kxh6 44.a4 Rb4 45.Ka3 Rxh4 46.Rc7 Rh3+ 47.Kb2 Kg6 48.Rxb7 Rh7 49.Rb8 Rc7 50.Kb3 f5 51.a5 f4 52.Kb4 f3 53.Rg8+ Kf5 54.Rf8+ Ke4 0–1

GM Ivan Cheparinov (born Nov. 26, 1986 in Bulgaria but now representing Georgia), was in the leading group for much of the event but the following game cost him dearly.

Amin, Bassem (2707) — Cheparinov, Ivan (2666) [C55]
Hunan Belt and Road Open (8.3), 05.08.2019

Egypt’s GM Bassem Amin (born Sept. 9, 1988) is the only African player who is rated 2700+. He is one of the very few GMs in the world who is a medical physician. Offhand I can think of only three others: Alex Sherzer (USA), Daniel Fridman (GER) and Wong Meng Kong (Singapore).

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3

You’d think that most people would go for 4.Ng5 and the fun lines which come with it, but FUN FACT: in Megabase, which is supposed to contain the majority of all tournament games ever played, 4.d3 outnumbers 4.Ng5 by a 6:1 ratio.

4…h6 5.0–0 d6 6.c3 g5

A surprise move. However, if you think about it, in the Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5) the incidence of …g7–g5 is going up, so why not in this similar position?

7.Bb3 Bg7 8.Nbd2 a6 9.Nc4 Be6 10.Re1 g4 11.Nfd2 Qd7 12.a4 h5 13.a5 h4

Threatening the standard 14…g3 15.fxg3 hxg3 16.h3 0–0–0 17.Qf3 Nh5 18.Nf1 d5 which, no matter how hackneyed, is quite strong. White needs to bolster his defenses.

14.Nf1 0–0–0 15.Ba4 g3 16.fxg3 h3 17.gxh3 Rxh3

Black has mistimed his pawn advance and White’s defensive line is quite solid. It is now the first player’s turn to go on the attack.

18.b4 Qe7 19.Nce3 d5?

Opens himself up for White’s two bishops. He should have played something like 19…Bh6 and exchange itself for the knight — anyway his bishop is not doing anything.

20.Ba3! Qe8 21.b5 axb5 22.Bxb5 dxe4 23.a6 b6 24.Qa4 Bd7 25.Nf5 Bxf5 26.a7 Kb7 27.Be7!! Bd7

[27…Ra8 28.Qa6#]

28.Bxd8 1–0

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

Twitter game

Phil Mickelson hasn’t been consistently good for a while now. Arguably, he started the year on a high; he claimed a bridesmaid finish at the Desert Classic in January and then a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am three weeks later. Yet, even then, there were signs that he would have trouble staying sharp; for instance, his competitive stints sandwiched a missed cut at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he had previously won thrice. He would wind up tinkering with his swing off the tee and stroke on the greens as he negotiated his 2019 campaign, and his results underscored both the causes and effects of his efforts to find comfort in his mechanics.

Following a 32nd-place showing at The Northern Trust, Mickelson dropped four spots to 36th in world rankings. It reflected his continuing — and so far futile — search for peace inside the ropes. Every week, he would start a tournament with promise, and, every week, he would end it with disappointment; his win at the Monterey Peninsula was the last time he handed a scorecard good enough to be in the Top 10. Meanwhile, he would accumulate seven MCs in 15 events, with a tie for 18th at the Masters his best standing of all the stops in which he managed to stay for the weekend.

Mickelson isn’t about to give up anytime soon, though. In fact, he remains optimistic about his chances with a club in his hand, his confidence borne as much of a rightful recognition of his outstanding short game as of his contentment in his life outside the sport. He’s not the people’s champion for nothing, and his public persona — which may or may not be genuine depending on the quarter assessing it — has thrived precisely because of the warmth he conveys. In fact, he understands the value of spreading good cheer, and how to do so with aplomb.

By the standards of household names, Mickelson has a modest following on Twitter. Considering that his account isn’t even a year old, however, 414,000 is nothing to scoff at. And, regardless, it has become well worth the constant lookup. The other day, for instance, he posted a video in which he recounts the final round of — what else? — the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2012, by his reckoning one of only three times he beat Tiger Woods on the course. It was a humorous take that guest-starred former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and a digital photo frame of his longtime rival. Lots of needling, self-deprecation, and, most importantly, insights in a span of two minutes and change.

Under the circumstances, Mickelson doesn’t have to be told that his Twitter game is much, much better than his actual one. If anything’s a sure thing, though, it’s that he will strive to be at his finest in both. And fans of his golf and his unique brand of comedy and candor can’t ask for anything more.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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