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):
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. Continue reading Playing Chess Online via FICS (Part 1)
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). Continue reading The NBA2K10 is Coming October 6, 2009
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). Continue reading Parañaque Chess Open ’09 — Another Photo Op with the Masters
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. Continue reading The Curious Case of a Chess Enthusiast
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.
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:
Continue reading Tekken 5: Offline Play is as Good as Online
Inquirer.net reports that the DepEd in a memo dated January 8 of this year, chess will form part of the curriculum of Elementary and High School students.
“Global studies have shown that chess is a game that improves individual organizational and analytical skills. Children when exposed to this game at an early age achieve academically better or even faster than those who have not been engaged in said game,” Lapus said.
“Likewise, chess is among the activities that help build memory skills, concentration, self-confidence, self-esteem and in making disciplined decisions,” he added.
“Playing chess provides opportunities to practice such values as perseverance, honesty, and sportsmanship,” Lapus said.
Console: Playstation3
Game: NBA 2K9
I created an online league over at 2K Sports network for NBA 2K9. I’m currently looking for active NBA 2K9 players who are willing to religiously finish each game and finish the season (no matter what their win-loss standings are). Preferebly Filipinos who are located in the Philippines, or at least living in the same time zone (GMT+8) so we’ll find a common time for playing the games.
I joined several leagues in the past, and so far either they haven’t started at all or the players appear to be not interested to start a single game. In this view, I limited the number of players to 8, with 10 games maximum for each team.
Continue reading Looking for Active NBA 2K9 (PS3) Online Players
First and foremost, I’m in the Philippines. Obviously, our standard TV uses and able to play NTSC formats only for videos and video games.
Before I purchased my Sony Playstation3, I was worried that I might not be able to play NBA 2K9 in my standard TV at home. Inquiring with the local retailers at the stores only brought disappointments, as they were expressing with certainty that NBA 2K9 will only work for HDTV.
For one thing, I don’t want to entertain the idea of buying a new TV for the PS3. I was looking desperately on the web about any experience playing the game on a standard TV, but to no avail.
