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Peso rebounds ahead of trading break

THE PESO rebounded against the dollar on Monday as banks pocketed gains ahead of the Holy Week break.

The local currency closed at P52.215 against the greenback yesterday, 17 centavos higher than the P52.39 finish on Friday.

The peso traded stronger the whole day, opening the session at P52.37-per-dollar, which was also its intraday low. Its best showing, meanwhile, was at P52.21 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded slipped to $690.9 million from the $701.2 million traded on Friday.

A trader said in a phone interview that banks reduced their long dollar positions to take profit.

“Peso appreciated today as investors started to close their foreign exchange positions ahead of the Holy Week trading break towards the end of the month,” a trader said in an e-mail on Monday.

On Thursday and Friday, foreign exchange trading will be suspended due to the Holy Week holidays.

Another trader attributed the stronger peso to profit taking following the local currency’s plunge before the weekend.

“The peso moved [higher] steadily throughout the day. I think banks are just taking profit following the [plunge] last Friday,” the trader said in a phone interview.

Last week, the local currency dipped to P52.39 as President Donald J. Trump slapped new tariffs on Chinese goods worth about $50 billion following a seven-month investigation into alleged intellectual property theft.

In response, China’s top economic leader warned US Treasury Secretary in a phone call that they are ready to protect its national interest.

The phone call was made after Beijing said in a Web post that they might impose tariffs on 128 American products to counter the measure done by Washington.

In a previous interview, a trader said the fears of an impending trade war between the world’s two biggest economies created a “risk-off sentiment that affected the Asian currencies.”

However, Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, said yesterday that the tension “somehow subsided” and “has been muted,” adding that this may continue in the following days.

For today, the first trader sees the peso moving between P52 and P52.30, while the second trader gave a forecast range of P52.15 to P52.35.

“The peso is expected to strengthen amid possible continuous closing of foreign exchange positions amid lack of anticipated market movers within the week,” the first trader noted.

Most emerging Asian currencies also edged higher on Monday as trade tensions faded slightly after South Korea was exempted from US steel tariffs and a media report said quiet negotiations between China and the United States have begun.

Emerging currencies received a boost from the news the United States had agreed to exempt South Korea from its steel tariffs.

South Korea is the third-largest steel exporter to the United States and the world’s top importer of Chinese steel. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal with Reuters

Peso rebounds ahead of Holy Week break

The peso rebounded against the dollar on Monday, March 26, as banks took profits ahead of the Holy Week break.

The local currency closed at P52.22 against the greenback yesterday, 17 centavos higher than the P52.39 finish on Friday.
The peso traded stronger the whole day, opening the session at P52.37-per-dollar, which was also its intraday low. Its best showing, meanwhile, was at P52.21 versus the greenback.
Dollars traded slipped slightly to $688.9 million from the $701.2 million traded on Friday.
A trader said in a phone interview that the banks reduced their long dollar position to take profit.
“Peso appreciated today as investors started to close their foreign exchange positions ahead of the Holy Week trading break towards the end of the month,” a trader said in an e-mail yesterday.
On Thursday and Friday, foreign exchange trading will be suspended due to the Holy Week holidays. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

BSP unveils new designs for peso coins

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has rolled out new designs for coins, with the new currency series to all come in silver but will carry different features for distinction.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo unveiled the new generation currency (NGC) coins on Monday, March 26, saying the central bank will “start releasing” the designs to the public via banks.

The coins are nickel-plated steel to be more durable, resulting in a metallic silver color for all denominations. This will likewise deter illegal hoarding for the extraction of metal content, which was present in the old set of coins.

However, sizes of the coin as well as varying designs should allow the public to distinguish one from the other. Mr. Guinigundo said the public should touch and feel the coins and realize that “it is difficult actually to make a mistake” in setting each one apart.

 

The coins also carry enhanced security features, including micro-printed details using laser technology for the P5 and P10 denominations to deter counterfeiting.

Meanwhile, the BSP has decided to drop the 10-centavo coin in response to soft demand and use for this denomination.

Initial production involved 139.567 million pieces of the new coin design, BSP officials said. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Cebu Pacific books lower profit in 2017

Cebu Pacific (Cebu Air Inc.) posted a net income of P7.91 billion for 2017, 18.9% lower than the P9.75-billion it earned in 2016, primarily due to aircraft expenses and depreciation of the peso against the dollar, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The Gokongwei-led airline said it generated revenues of P68.03 billion for the year ending December 31, 2017, 9.9% higher than the P61.9-billion revenues earned in 2016.

Shares for Cebu Air were down P3.90 or 4.15% to end at P90.00. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Arthaland secures ‘green building’ certifications for Taguig tower

Arthaland Corp. is keeping its commitment to go green by securing the certification of both local and global sustainability rating systems for its Century Pacific Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The listed property developer said its 30-storey building is certified by both the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) standards, which the company said is to ensure that the building address requirements in both the local and global setting.

“By having both, we adhere not just to the global standards, but also to the local requirements in our local setting. So think global act local,” Arthaland Executive Vice-President and Treasurer Arthur T. Po said during the building’s launch last week. — Arra B. Francia

Philippine Azkals shoot for AFC Asian Cup spot

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE fate of the Philippine national men’s football team in the AFC Asian Cup will be known today as it takes on Tajikistan in an all-important final group play match.

Set for 7:30 p.m. at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, the Azkals and the visiting Tajikistan side slug it out in a virtual eliminator for the right to advance to the next round of the prestigious tournament set to take place next year in the United Arab Emirates.

A win or a draw for the Philippines books it a place in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The Azkals currently lead Group F of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with a record of two victories and three draws for nine points, two points clear of Yemen (1-4-0) and Tajikistan (2-1-2) which each has seven points.

Nepal (0-2-3), the other Group F team, is already eliminated in the race with only two points to show for.

As per tournament format, the top two teams in each of the six groups in the third round of qualification advance to the Asian Cup, joining 12 other teams which have already qualified previously.

Azkals 2
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley (R) and captain Phil Younghusband speak in the press conference yesterday for their big AFC Asian Cup game today against Tajikistan. — MIKE MURILLO

BIG GAME
“This is a big game for us but we know it’s not going to be an easy one. A draw will make it for us but we will obviously go for the win,” said Azkals coach Thomas Dooley during the prematch press conference yesterday at the Century Park Hotel.

“I expect them (Tajikistan) to bring their best players but we are not minding that too much and instead focusing on what we need to do,” he added.

Mr. Dooley went on to say that the team is ready and determined to take the victory.

“I think the team is ready both physically and mentally. The team is in a better condition heading into the match against Tajikistan than in any of our recent big matches,” he said.

The Azkals enter the game off a goalless draw in their last match against Nepal in November in Kathmandu.

The result set up the team needing to have a favorable outcome in its home game today.

If the Azkals manage to break through, it will mark the first time they will play in the AFC Asian Cup.

Experience together key for Blazers, says Lillard

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

CURRENTLY third in a very tough Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers have asserted themselves to be one of the teams to contend with come playoff time in the National Basketball Association. And for their star player Damian Lillard, it is something he is basking in but at the same time not surprised at all, seeing how they have grown together as a team.

Speaking at a global media conference last week along with other Portland stalwarts, “Dame” said he welcomes how they have evolved as a group across the board and how it is proving to be a difference-maker in their current campaign.

“I think the biggest difference between our team this season and last season is our experience together; one more year of us being on the same team, understanding each other a little bit better. Also just being a much better defensive team,” said Mr. Lillard at the conference call the transcript of which was shared to BusinessWorld.

“In the past we’ve had the ability to score points. Obviously, we’re doing a much better job offensively this season because everybody’s a part of it. We’re getting offensive production from more guys than we have in the past. But I think our defense has been a huge deal. We worked our way into being one of the top defensive teams in the league. Just our experience together. We’re a tight-knit group. Over time we’ve gotten comfortable with each other, and I think we’re starting to mesh really well,” added the All-Star guard.

Mr. Lillard, who is averaging 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds, has also gotten much support this year, not only from fellow starters CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, but also from guys coming off the bench, the significance of which is not lost to him.

“I think we have become a much better team because of how we’re leaning on each other and counting on each other. We’re a better team that way. I think guys have more confidence because we’re making the right plays,” said the 2013 rookie of the year.

“Anytime you get the kind of production that we’re getting from everybody, not just a few guys, it will make you a better team. So they’ve been really consistent. We’ve gotten a lot from Ed [Davis], we’ve gotten a lot from Chief [Al-Farouq Aminu], Moe [Harkless], Pat [Connaughton], Zach [Collins], Evan [Turner], everybody who has come into the game has impacted the game in a positive way. Not just sometimes, it’s been all the time,” he added.

As of this writing the Blazers (44-28) were playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, the number four team at 44-30, where a victory could further solidify their spot in the playoff race.

Mr. Lillard said he feels confident of their chances moving forward, especially since they are seemingly peaking at the right time.

“I think sometimes people come out in the beginning of the season and they play great and they look great. You always hear people saying they’re playing really well early, and it’s almost kind of scary because you want them to be playing really well late, going into the playoff stretch, going into the playoffs,” he said.

“But I think for us it’s just been a factor of we’ve gotten production from so many different guys, not just in the starting lineup, but off the bench. Guys are consistent. Our team was able to count on that and trust that, so I think it’s reflecting in the way we’re playing together,” Mr. Lillard added.

Tiger Woods at Ryder Cup would be unbelievable — European captain Bjorn

VAL-D’ISÈRE, FRANCE — European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has said that having a rejuvenated Tiger Woods playing in September for the Americans against his team in Paris would be a “massive bonus” for golf.

Fourteen-time major champion Woods has impressed since returning to the PGA Tour after a series of injury problems, notching back-to-back top-five finishes for the first time since 2013.

Bjorn insisted that he wouldn’t be disappointed if his players have to face up against the former world number one, saying a fit and firing Tiger at the Ryder Cup would be “unbelievable for the game.”

“Tiger Woods’ involvement for the game of golf is hugely important,” Dane Bjorn told AFP.

“He is the ultimate superstar in sport and that’s very important for the game that he’s involved.

“I think it’ll be great for the game if he (Woods) plays and a massive bonus for the Ryder Cup in France. If he got back to a place where he was among the best 12 players in America… I think for the game of golf that would be unbelievable.”

Woods will head into the Masters next month as one of the favorites for the green jacket, a remarkable situation given he was ranked outside of the world’s top 1,000 just last year.

The 42-year-old, a veteran of seven Ryder Cups, has only been part of one winning American side — back in 1999.

But Bjorn warned against underestimating “the best that’s ever played.”

“Now that he’s back on the golf course and playing well, once he starts getting confident he’s the best that’s ever played and he can do incredible things,” he added.

“It will be interesting to see how the next three or four months develop in Tiger Woods’ golf life, because there seems to be the thing about him that’s a bit more humble.

“I think he’s really happy with the way things have developed and I think he’ll go and do really good things.”

Woods, who will be hoping to claim an 80th PGA Tour title in the coming months, has already been appointed as a vice-captain to US skipper Jim Furyk for the matches in France.

But Bjorn knows that having an in-form Woods playing instead of on the sidelines would be anything but a boost for Europe’s chances of regaining the trophy.

“He can play himself into the team and then the vice-captaincy disappears a little bit because he has to focus on his playing,” said Bjorn.

“But America have a very good setup now with Jim (Furyk) being captain and guys like Davis Love and Steve Stricker. They’ve been around a long time and they know each other very well.”

With Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas fighting it out for the world no. 1 spot and the likes of Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed hitting form, the addition of Woods could make an already-formidable American line-up look even stronger at Le Golf National in six months’ time. — AFP

8990 Holdings completes EDSA condo

Mass housing developer 8990 Holdings, Inc. said it has completed its first high-rise development in Metro Manila, ending the project with all units fully sold out.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday, March 26, the listed firm said it has completed Urban Deca Towers EDSA, a 42-storey residential building offering 1,143 units. — Arra B. Francia

Hole-in-one helps South Korean Ji Eun-hee to Kia Classic crown

LOS ANGELES — South Korea’s Ji Eun-hee aced the par-three 14th hole en route to a two-shot victory on Sunday in the LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.

Ji finished with five birdies and her eagle one in a five-under par 67 at the par-three 14th at Aviara Golf Club.

Her 16-under par total of 272 put her two strokes in front of Americans Cristie Kerr and Lizette Salas.

Ji began the day in a three-way tie for the lead with compatriot Kim In-kyung and Salas.

Her four birdies on the front nine included three in a row at the sixth, seventh and eighth, and she added another at the 10th.

Her lead had been trimmed to one, however, when her tee-shot at 14 bounced on the green and rolled in, boosting her advantage back to three.

She maintained that edge despite a three-putt bogey at 15 when Kerr bogeyed the 17th.

Ji dropped one more shot with another three-putt at the last, where her first putt raced past the hole.

By then, however, her fourth LPGA Tour title was virtually in the bag.

“I hit it pretty well today,” said Ji, who hit all 18 greens in regulation. “I was driving the ball really nice and I rolled in nice putts.”

She laughed when she learned she’d won two cars from tournament sponsor Kia — the one that comes with the trophy and one on offer for the ace at 14.

“Really?” she said. “I didn’t know that!”

Even better, she gained a big boost heading into the first major of the year, the ANA Inspiration at Rancho Mirage, California, next week.

“I’m really confident,” said the 31-year-old, who won the 2009 US Women’s Open.

Her latest win comes five months after she ended an eight-year title drought with a victory at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan in October.

Kerr, who led after 36 holes after a second-round 64 but stumbled with a three-over 75 on Saturday, was pleased to put herself back in contention with a four-under 68 that included six birdies.

“Eun-hee’s playing some great golf,” Kerr said after reaching the clubhouse on 274. “I did my best. I had a tough day yesterday and it would have taken a super-low round today to catch Eun-hee. I’m happy with my first good tournament of the year.”

Salas had three birdies in her three-under 69.

Kim had five birdies and three bogeys in a two-under 70 that left her tied for fourth on 275 along with Americans Jane Park (67) and Kris Tamulis (68). — AFP

Mercedes vows to bounce back after ‘one that got away’

MELBOURNE — Mercedes has vowed to bounce back in Bahrain next month after throwing away Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix to Ferrari, with team boss Toto Wolff admitting it was tough to take.

Sebastian Vettel got the jump on world champion Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes blundered their calculations on the Ferrari ace’s pit stop under Virtual Safety Car (VSC) conditions.

Vettel went on to keep Hamilton at bay for his second straight win in Melbourne and third overall.

It’s a defeat that sticks in the craw of Mercedes and team principal Wolff, who is determined the champion team will not repeat the same error again.

“This was one that got away and it’s a bitter pill for us all to swallow,” Wolff said.

“Following Lewis’s pit stop, we believed that we had the scenarios of both the safety car and the virtual safety car covered, so that Sebastian could not pit and come out ahead of Lewis on track.

“We should have been several seconds safe, then suddenly saw on the TV screens that we were not.

“Of course, under the VSC sometimes you benefit and sometimes you lose out — but it was clearly a problem on our side and we need to analyze that to understand what happened and correct it.”

Wolff said what was particularly frustrating was that Mercedes had the pace to win the Melbourne race.

“Lewis was in control through the opening stint, then after the pit stop as well, and looked on course for a strong victory but it wasn’t to be,” he said.

“Congratulations to Ferrari on their win. For us, it’s a tough one to take, but there are lots of lessons to be learned so we can come back stronger next time.”

Mercedes has already set its sights on the second race of the season in Bahrain on April 8.

‘NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE’
Hamilton said he was bewildered to find himself behind as Vettel emerged from the pits to hold on to the lead around the notoriously restrictive Albert Park street circuit.

“I did everything I could, but it’s not what anyone expected to happen,” said the Briton.

“I’m still in a little bit of disbelief as I don’t really understand what happened yet.

“At least in my heart I know that I gave everything this weekend. I’m sure the team is feeling pain right now but we will regroup and we’ll work on it.”

For his part Vettel believes Ferrari’s 2018 car is not currently “a true match” for Mercedes, despite having won the first race.

Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen had been unable to challenge Hamilton in Melbourne qualifying, both finishing almost seven-tenths of a second off the defending champion.

The German conceded he was “a bit lucky” to win, and admitted Ferrari was not yet where it wanted to be.

“If you look at the gaps the whole weekend, we are not yet a true match (for Mercedes),” he said.

“Therefore at this point we know that we are not yet where we want to be, because we want to be fastest.” — AFP

FIDE Candidates Tournament: two rounds to go

FIDE Candidates Tournament 2018
Berlin, Germany
March 10-28, 2018

Standings (12 of 14)

1-2. Sergey Karjakin RUS 2763, Fabiano Caruana USA 2784, 7.0/12

3-5. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2809, Ding Liren CHN 2769, Alexander Grischuk RUS 2767, 6.5/12

6. Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2800, 5.5/12

7. Wesley So USA 2799, 5.0/12

8. Levon Aronian ARM 2794, 4.0/12

Average Rating: 2786 Category 22

Time Control: 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 50 minutes for the next 20 moves followed by 15 minutes play-to-finish with 30 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1.

Both of the front-runners Fabiano Caruana and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov lost in the 11th round and suddenly it is a wide-open race with two rounds to go. Any of the top 5 players have chances to win and earn a ticket to challenge the world champion Magnus Carlsen for the world championship title this November. Even Vladimir Kramnik at no. 6 still has mathematical chances to win.

At this stage it is timely to review the tie-break rules. There is no immediate playoff. First you apply the tie-breaks and if the players remained tied (which, given the circumstances, looks unlikely) then we get rapid and blitz tie-breaks.

Tie-break Rules. In the event of a tie, the following tie breaks are used, in order:

Results in the games between the tied players. This is favorable to Karjakin — in case Caruana and Karjakin finish in a tie the world championship slot goes to Karjakin as he defeated Fabi 1.5-0.5 in their individual match.

The most number of wins. Also favorable to Karjakin – he has four against the American GM’s three.

Sonneborn–Berger score. This score is calculated by adding the sum of the conventional scores of the players he has defeated to half the sum of the conventional scores of those he has drawn against. Also favorable to Karjakin.

Do you get the drift? For Caruana to win he has to score more points than Karjakin in the final two rounds. Who are the front-runners’ remaining opponents?

Karjakin — Wesley So (W), Ding Liren (B) (read: Wesley So in round 13 has White and Ding Liren in round 14 has Black)

Caruana — Levon Aronian (B), Alexander Grischuk (W) Mamedyarov — Alexander Grischuk (B), Vladimir Kramnik (W)

Ding Liren — Vladimir Kramnik (B), Sergey Karjakin (W) Grischuk — Mamedyarov (W), Fabiano Caruana (B)

It appears that Karjakin’s game with Wesley So will determine if he qualifies or not for the London World Chess Championship.

By the way, this confirms my earlier observation that Karjakin’s strength is that he is a strong finisher — in the 2014 Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates tournament he was in last place after the first half (2.5/7) but concluded with 5.0/7 to finish in second place a point behind Anand. Karjakin might even have caught up with Anand if he had managed to win their 13th round encounter where he had winning chances but ultimately drew.

In the 2016 Moscow Candidates after 11 rounds the standings were: Caruana and Anand 6.5 points, Karjakin 6.0 points. Everyone was discussing whether Caruana or Anand would win it but it was Karjakin who overtook them both with a whirlwind 2.5/3 finish including a brilliant victory over Caruana in the last round.

Here in Berlin Karjakin started the event with losses in rounds 1 and 4 to finish at the bottom of the field after round 6. There followed wins in rounds 7, 9, 11 and 12 and he is now tied for first with better tie-breaks against long time leader Fabiano Caruana. Here is Karjakin’s impressive take-down of Caruana in the 12th round here in Berlin.

Karjakin, Sergey (2763) — Caruana, Fabiano (2784) [C42]
FIDE Candidates 2018 Berlin GER (12), 24.03.2018

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3

This move against the Petroff should not be a surprise as Karjakin has already played it several times.

5…Nxc3 6.dxc3 Nc6 7.Be3

White’s plan is simple and straightforward — he will follow-up with Qd2, and then castle long. On the other hand Black can also copy his moves and go Be7, Be6, Qd7 and then castle kingside or queenside.

7…Be7 8.Qd2 Be6 9.0–0–0

White can try to disrupt Black’s bishops with 9.Ng5 but after 9…Bxg5 10.Bxg5 Qd7 11.0–0–0 f6 12.Be3 0–0–0 White has nothing. Smirnov,P (2624)-Carlsen,M (2548) Warsaw 2005 1/2 27.

9…Qd7 10.a3

The main line here is 10.Kb1 waiting for Black to decide on whether to castle long or short. Now, 10…0–0–0 would be a mistake because of 11.Nd4! when 11…Nxd4 12.Qxd4 wins a pawn for White (both a7 and g7 pawns are attacked). However, Black can play simply 10…a6 getting the a7–pawn out of harm’s way as well as preventing Bb5. After this Black has no weaknesses and maybe White still has the initiative but it should not amount to much.

10…h6 11.Nd4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Rg8

This is of course much safer than 12…0–0 as White will immediately play Rg1 and g2–g4 to assault black’s king right away.

13.Be2 c5

This is the move that the chess engines suggest but Karjakin expressed some doubts as to its correctness and suggested 13…Qa4.

14.Be3 d5 15.f4 0–0–0 16.Bf3 Bg4 <D>

[With the benefit of hindsight Caruana suggested that better would have been 16…f5 17.Qf2 Qc7 18.Rd3 Rd7 19.Rhd1 Rgd8 20.h3. But what is wrong with the text?

POSITION AFTER 16…BG4

17.Bxd5!

A very strong exchange sacrifice. Comments from GMs include:

Karjakin: “I think this is very interesting at least from a practical point of view.”

Caruana: “Yeah, I should not have allowed this. It becomes very difficult to play.”

Fedoseev: The result of the exchange sacrifice is a position where the bishop on d5 becomes a kind of ‘Eye of Sauron’ which holds down and hypnotizes the Black forces.”

17…Bxd1 18.Rxd1 Qc7 19.c4

This is a true sacrifice with no immediate way for White to recover his material. For the exchange the first player has a pawn and the bishop pair. He should also try to advance his kingside pawns and create threats on that side of the board.

19…Rge8 20.Qf2 b6 21.g4 Bf6 22.Kb1 Rd7

[22…Qe7 was better trying to make something of the e-file. After 23.Bc1 Qe2 24.Qg1 Bd4 it looks like Black has equalized]

23.Rd3 g5 24.Ka2!

Karjakin is just slowly improving the position of his pieces.

24…Ree7 25.Qf3 Kd8 26.Bd2 Kc8 27.Qf1!

I was watching this game online and the computer engines were suggesting 27.Qf1 followed by Rh3. Some players remarked that it is a very strong move but a “computer move,” not something humans would play. But after long thought Karjakin executed the move. Karjakin: “I was very proud of this idea.”

27…Rd6

Caruana decides to give up a pawn to activate his queen.

28.fxg5 Bxg5 29.Bxg5 hxg5 30.Qf5+ Rdd7 31.Qxg5 Qe5

[31…Qxh2 does not work because of 32.Qg8+ Kc7 (32…Rd8 33.Be6+!) 33.Qa8! with strong mate threats]

32.Qh6 Kd8 33.g5 Qd6 34.Qh8+ Re8 35.Qh4 Qg6 36.Qg4

White’s threat is 37.Qxd7+ Kxd7 38.Bxf7+

36…Re5 37.h4

[37.Qxd7+ no longer works because 37…Kxd7 38.Bxf7+ Qxd3 the black rook is no longer on e8 for White’s bishop to capture]

37…Ke7 38.Rd2 b5

Desperation.

39.Bxf7! Qf5 40.Rxd7+ Kxd7

After 40…Qxd7 41.Qxd7+ Kxd7 42.g6 is the same as in the game

41.Qxf5+ Rxf5 42.g6 Ke7 43.cxb5 Rh5 44.c4 Rxh4 45.a4 Rg4 46.a5 Kd6 47.a6

With the idea 48.b6.

47…Kc7 48.Kb3 1–0

Black resigned. The Black king is stuck in the queenside and so White’s king can just stroll over the other side of the board to escort home his g6–pawn.

By the time you read these lines the 13th (penultimate) round would have been concluded. You still have time though to watch the final round, which is tonight. I suggest you go to either www.chessbase.com or www.chess24.com and look for the “live events” tab. Games usually start at 10:00 p.m. Manila time but this is the last round and they usually start it earlier to give allowance for the closing ceremonies. You should log in as early as 7:00 p.m. to check if play has started.

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant, 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

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