Deuts.NET » Chess and Games

Wesley So Drew a Winning Position Vs. Akobian

deuts — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:39:28 +0000

Indeed, Philippines’ pride GM Wesley So spoiled the fun for his Filipino chess fans when he drew a winning position against Varuzhan Akobian in the Corus Chess 2010 Group B in Wijk aan Zee, in Netherlands.

In this particular game, Wesley might have overlooked a better play on the 25th move with (25. Rxc4) instead of his conservative (25. Re3). This could have led to an endgame where he’s up by one pawn plus a solid pawn structure on the King side.

Well, what has been done is done. We need to keep moving. 10 more games to go. Wesley is 1.5/3.0, all first three games were drawn.

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I learned about my passion in photography when I had my first digital camera in Sony DSC-S60. Then I took it the next level when I had a Canon EOS 30D. You can check out my latest photos at my flickr photostream or my self-hosted gallery (which I intend to update soon).

If you wish, I would love for you to subscribe to my flickr photostream via email. By subscribing, it means that you’ll receive an email notifications everytime I upload new photos to my photostream. Click here, enter your email address, and follow the online instructions.

Fritz12 Licensing: Activating and Deactivating the Software

deuts — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:39:47 +0000

Recently, I got Chessbase’ Fritz12 that I ordered online. Before I installed it, I was looking for any mention in the Terms and Conditions in the usage of the software regarding multiple installation. I’m particularly interested if I am allowed to install the same in multiple computers, and what happens if I reinstall the OS or change computers.

Unfortunately, there were no written Terms and Conditions in the booklets or manual that came with the DVD disk, nor in the actual contents of the disk. I scrounged the internet about it to no avail. I even emailed their helpdesk, and this is what they have to reply:

Yes, you are welcome to install and to activate the program on both of your computers.

Nothing helpful at all.

After installing the program, I checked the help file, and this is what it has to say on activation and deactivation of the software:

The program is activated with a serial number. The serial number is printed on the cover of the user manual accompanying the program. After entering the serial number you have to register the program on the Internet.

If a serial number is not already present in the text boxes type the number that is printed on the cover of the user manual. The serial number can be used to install the program on a maximum of three computers. If you want to install the program on a new computer, or you want to re-install your operating system, you should first deactivate the current registration online.

The reason for this is the hardware recognition. During the registration the program sends information about the user’s system configuration to the server. This increases the number of remaining installations by one, and the program can be re-installed on a different system configuration.

If you want to carry on using the program after changing the system configuration you also have to deactivate and re-activate the program.

Exactly what I was looking for, thank God.

I believe Chessbase should be clear about in the first place, and at least publish these provisions at their website. I’m sure there are a lot of users who are wondering about this for their purchased computer program.

Update: On a related note, you may want to check out FICS vs. Playchess.com.

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NBA2K10 Now Available in Stores in the Philippines

deuts — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:43:32 +0000

NBA2K10, which was released October 6 in the US, arrived at Philippine stores today, and they’re selling like hotcakes. I was glad I was able to grab a copy from Datablitz in Rockwell.

I was too excited I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight (LOL). A new game from my favorite series, there are a lot of adjustments to make. Hopefully, they’d be all for the better enjoyment of the game.

I’ve read a lot of reviews, negative and positive, about this new installment from 2K Sports. As a matter of fact, the 2K Sports forums are swarmed with whinings, complaints, and issues about the game, some valid while some are about simple aesthetics.

For me, it’s still fresh from the store. I’m gonna hold off with the review until maybe a week of play, both offline and online. I hope I can come up with a comprehensive review, I’ll surely post it here. Meantime, I’ll enjoy the weekend with my new game.

P.S. By the way, I got a Region 1 BLUS copy of the title, and it’s working great with my standard TV.

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They Used My Photo Without My Permission

deuts — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:49:59 +0000

I never thought I would fall victim to these widespread photo grabbing activities by big media publications without permission and not even a credit.

Here’s what I discovered today from Inquirer Sports’ “RP chess great in BBC-HBO documentary“. They posted a photo that I took of Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre during the Battle of GM’s in May 2008.

Here’s the screenshot of the webpage taken some minutes ago (click on the image to enlarge):

The same photo I originally posted with my article entitled, “Victorious So in the Battle of GM’s“:

I wouldn’t have required compensation for the use of this photo, and any other photos I posted here at Deuts.NET or in flickr. A simple courtesy would have sufficed. These people, it seems, they don’t know how to show respect! They do deserve some whipping…BAD!

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Playing Chess Online via FICS (Part 1)

deuts — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:13:33 +0000

Unlike other sports or games, chess could probably benefit the most with the advancement of the internet. With the internet you can sit in one corner of your room and play chess against other players from around the globe.

I have searched through the web on ways to play chess online. There are correspondence chess (or conventionally called e-mail chess) which I initially was hooked into. But I missed where the real action is with correspondence chess, that which to make the right move under the right amount of pressure—time.

Of course, there are also live/real-time/online chess available around. The most popular probably especially for newbies is the one from the Yahoo! Games, which is free but often lacks serious players (think about trash talks while playing). If you are a seasoned player, and wants serious play, you’ll most probably go to ICC or Chessbase’s Playchess.com, both of which also serve as online home for some famous Grandmasters, but then you have to pay a premium in order to access all functionalities within their chess servers. There was a new site lately, ChessCube, which uses flash in its web-based playground, but I find it too slow to load at start-up (although so far I experienced no problem during a game or two, but encountered errors while navigating the system).

I want to play in a competitive but free online chess community.

FICS: The Background

FICS stands for Free Internet Chess Server. You can check out the official website at freechess.org.

FICS is a volunteer-run internet chess server, and was organized as a free alternative to the Internet Chess Club (ICC) after the latter began charging for membership.

The first Internet chess server, named the Internet Chess Server (ICS), started in the 1980s. Volunteers coded and ran it free of charge. In 1995, administrators began charging players for membership and changed the name to ICC.

Unhappy with the commercialization of ICS, which they saw as exploiting their work, a handful of programmers, led by Chris Petroff (Sparky on FICS), formed FICS and gave users free, unrestricted access. The server debuted March 5, 1995.

FICS is a non-profit site, administered entirely by volunteers. There are over 310,000 registered accounts, and in the past 12 months the server has been accessed by over 73,000 users.

— Wikipedia

(to be continued)

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The NBA2K10 is Coming October 6, 2009

deuts — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:40:41 +0000

The latest, the most exciting and the best simulated basketball video game is coming soon. The official release date is slated October 6, 2009, although I’m not sure of the actual date that it will actually hit the video game stores in the country (Philippines).

In case you’re not aware as of yet, last season’s MVP, Kobe Bryant, will grace the cover of this year’s installment of the game. Check out the video trailer below:

I just wish that versions should be available for standard TV just like mine (NTSC format).

So far, my experience with the 2K Series of this basketball game has been outstanding. As a matter of fact, I’m currently in the 7th season of my custom league and just entering the playoffs. I’m sure with the latest installment of the game, I’ll enjoy it better.

I wonder how the game is progressing with EA’s NBA Live series. In my experience, the NBA Live ‘09 for PS3 has been disgusting, if not a total crap. I hope they could come with with a better competition this time.

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Parañaque Chess Open ‘09 — Another Photo Op with the Masters

deuts — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:29:45 +0000

Went to the Parañaque Chess Open ‘09 today, not really to join in the tournament (although I would have loved to), but to take some pictures. Another photo op with the young Grandmaster Wesley So.

I recalled four (4) grandmasters participated in the tournament: Wesley So, Bong Villamayor, Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo (somebody correct me if I missed some other grandmaster/s who was/were in the tourney). Wasn’t able to get the final results, although I heard Wesley So lost the tournament to the defending champion Darwin Laylo by tie-break (everybody is welcome to post the actual/official results in the comments below).

UPDATE

Final standings/rankings (300 participants):

8.0 points—GM Darwin Laylo, GM Mark Paragua, GM Wesley So

7.5 points—Merben Roque, NM Ronald Llavanes, IM Chito Garma, Roel Abelgas

7.0 points—IM Richard Bitoon, Rustum Tolentino, Jerry Areque, Nazario Ubanan, Emmanuel Emperado, Mc Do,imigue Lagula, Harrison Maamo, Ali Branzuela, Deniel Causo, Ryan Dungca, Rodolfo Panopio

6.5 points—GM Bong Villamayor…

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The Curious Case of a Chess Enthusiast

deuts — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:26:42 +0000

Got a comment in my post, “Wesley So, the Gifted Child“. I prepared a long response that I decided to actually just post a new entry about it instead. And so here goes.

Here’s what my commentator has to say:

I don’t think that Wesley So is a gifted child. In today’s world where computer softwares are readily available to budding chessplayers earning a GM norm or title is not really that hard anymore. And to compare him to the great Bobby Fischer is indeed a blasphemy! Fischer was a true genius never before and shall never be seen again in chess. However, Wesley’s achievements should make the Filipinos proud. But as we all know India is million miles ahead of us in chess considering its long list of Super GMs.

To Mr. Panday, if you think Wesley So is not a gifted child, that’s your opinion. You’re definitely entitled to one. Any software is available to everyone to help him/her in analyzing a game, but it does not conclude anyone can also be a grandmaster. It takes patience and determination on top of the inherent skills in someone who is a grandmaster in order to master the craft of chess. Computer chess softwares are merely a tool in studying and preparing for a game or tournament. They are not there to think for you during the actual game.

I am a fan of both So and Fischer. Again you are entitled to you own opinion about this.

Now let’s try to look at the Top 100 in the recent (July 2009) FIDE list, there are three Indians compared to one from the Philippines. Million miles you say, hmmm thousand miles maybe!

India has a long list of Super GMs, you say? Hmmm, well let’s consult Wikipedia about what it means by Super GM.

In order to differentiate the best players from lesser grandmasters, a top-level grandmaster is sometimes informally called a “super-grandmaster”. The term is unofficial, and has no generally accepted definition. One possible definition of a “super-grandmaster” is one who is rated above 2700. Another would be a player who is a perennial threat to win the strongest yearly tournaments and who is a viable world championship contender.

— Source

If we base our analysis on the above criteria, looking back at the top 100 list, it appears only Viswanathan Anand qualifies for India. Now is that what you call a long list?

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Wesley So Wins Corus Chess 2009 Group C

deuts — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:09:15 +0000

Philippines’ pride GM Wesley So emerged as the sole winner in the the Group C category of Corus Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee in Netherlands.

Nothing grand upset, though. He was the top seed in that category to start with. But it is yet a great achievement in such a prestigious event in the world of chess. We may expect So to at least be promoted to Group B in the next year.

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Tekken 5: Offline Play is as Good as Online

deuts — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:46:40 +0000

Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online

Before purchasing the game from the Playstation Network Store, I was worried because as the title suggests, “Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online”, it’s only good for online play. I do want to play offline with 2 players with friends as well.

I searched the internet for what is the real deal, and this is the closest I got:

which points to a forum posing the same question, but was left unanswered.

But then, curiosity has led me to purchase online, and yes, you can play offline in Arcade, Ghost, VS Battle, Survival and Practice modes. Hope this helps others who are searching for the same answer as well.

Tekken: The Movie

On a sidenote, a Tekken movie is brewing in Hollywood. According to IMDB:

A Young Man Who seeks revenge of his mothers death. He finds his grand-father, Heihachi Mishima, and pleas to be trained. When the Mishima leader announces a “King of Iron Fist” tournament. He finds out that his mother’s killer, OGRE, will be participating in the tournament. He must fight against the worlds top competitors to achieve his goal with no interference.

Checkout the overview.