THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS / QUALITIES FOR BEING A GOOD CHESSPLAYER

THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS / QUALITIES FOR BEING A GOOD CHESSPLAYER
ACCORDING TO NM ERWIN L. CARAG (IA)


1. thorough knowledge of the game of CHESS
2. sharp intellect and memory
3. good mathematical and analytical ability
4. good decision-making (assessment and judgment)
5. ability to concentrate and think – focused, resourceful, innovative, full of ideas
6. personal discipline
7. healthy mind, heart and body – endurance, resistance, stamina
good mood, fighting spirit, courage, strong nerves, positive thinking
8. drug-free (not drug dependent)
against vices and other social ills of the society
9. honest, reliable and dependable – good-natured, clear conscience

fair in play, with integrity
10. displays true sportsmanship, humble and a fine individual (gentleman / lady)
a. gracious in defeat, magnanimous in victory
b. not boastful
c. cool head
d. Defeat means lessons are to be learned.
It is not bad to be defeated.
It is bad to stay defeated.
CHESS IS A SPORT (GAME).
11. well-mannered, respectful of the rights of others, has good personal virtues
observes proper chess conduct and etiquettes, follows rules

and regulations to the fullest
12. presentable, observes cleanliness, good grooming

follows dress code
health and environment-friendly, hygienic
13. punctual, always present, time-conscious, not tardy
on time, beats deadlines, no cramming, always prepared
14. competitive and plays with inspiration – healthy chess competition
15. friendly with chess acquaintances
Chess is beneficial because it fosters goodwill and camaraderie among chessplayers.
16. understands that chess is played worldwide (global, universal)
by different languages, cultures and races
patriotic but not individualistic
good teammanship (teamwork), unity despite of personal differences
17. possesses good study habits and work ethics
proper approach to the game of chess – scientific, holistic research
studious, hard worker, patient, willing to learn, coachable
CHESS IS A SCIENCE.
18. no elitist-star complex, reasonable, level-headed, broad-minded, open-minded
19. generous, not selfish or greedy, always willing to share ideas
20. uses chess to educate others
CHESS IS AN EFFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL TOOL.
21. knows that chess is a medium for self-expression and personal style
Even the visually impaired (blind) and the physically challenged

(handicapped) can play chess.
-appreciates the aesthetic elements of chess
CHESS IS AN ART.
22. good role model
23. good chess servant
a. ability to sacrifice
b. apply the chess lessons and principles in everyday life (good values)
c. teach, promote and propagate chess for the benefit of the youth

and the future generation
d. Chess benefits mankind. Chess makes people happy.
24. love of chess – interest, enthusiasm, intensity, involvement, commitment
25. love of Christ, God (God-fearing chessplayer)
Chess is a wonderful gift from God and the excellent talent and skills

in playing chess must be nurtured.

POPE JOHN PAUL II AS CHESSPLAYER

CHESSPLAYING PERSONALITIES

DID YOU KNOW THAT POPE JOHN PAUL II (KAROL WOJTYLA)PLAYS CHESS ?

REMEMBER THAT THE FAMOUS RUY LOPEZ DEFENSE IS NAMED AFTER THE SPANISH PRIEST RUY LOPEZ !

GAME 1
WHITE – T. KAPFER
BLACK – KAROL WOJTYLA
(POPE JOHN PAUL II)

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Bb4
4. e5 c5
5. a3 Bxc3 +
6. bxc3 Ne7
7. Nf3 Bd7
8. dxc5 Qa5
9. Bd2 Ba4
10. Bd3 Nd7
11. 0-0 Nxc5
12. Qe2 Nxd3
13. cxd3 Qa6
14. Rfc1 0-0
15. c4 dxc4
16. dxc4 h6
17. Bb4 Rfe8
18. Rc3 Rad8
19. Qa2 Nc8
20. Re1 Rd7
21. Nd2 Bc6
22. Rce3 Red8
23. Ne4 Bxe4
24. Rxe4 Qb6
25. c5 Qc7
26. a4 a5
27. Ba3 Rd2
28. Qc4 R8d5
29. f4 Ne7
30. h3 Nf5
31. g4 Nd4
32. R1e3 Nc2
33. Rc3 Rd1 +
(SIMPLE IS 33…Nxa3
34. Rxa3 Rxc5 WINNING)

34. Kg2 R5d2 +
35. Kg3 Rg1 +
36. Kf3 Ne1 +
0 - 1

ANALYSIS: NM ERWIN L. CARAG
36. Rxe1 Rxe1
37. Qb5 Qd8
38. c6 Qd4
(OR 38. Qb7)
0 -1
-----------------------
36. Ke3 Qd8 !
(OR 36…Rgg2)
37. f5 Rg3 +
38. Kf4 Qg5 +
39. Kg3 Rg2 + MATE
0 -1
-----------------------
36. Ke3 Qd8 !
37. Rd4 Rxd4
38. Qxd4 Ng2 +
39. Ke4 Re1 +
(39. Kd3 Rd1 +)
40. Kd3 Rd1 +
0 - 1


GAME 2
KRAKOW, POLAND 1938
WHITE – PLATER
BLACK – POPE JOHN PAUL II

SICILIAN DEFENSE SCHEVENINGEN VARIATION KERES ATTACK 6. g4


1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e6
6. g4 Nc6
7. g5 Nd7
8. Be3 a6
9. h4 Be7
10. Qe2 Nxd4
11. Bxd4 0-0
12. 0-0-0 b5
13. g6 fxg6
14. h5 g5
15. Bg2 Rb8
16. h6 g6
17. a3 Qc7
18. Rh3 Nf6
19. e5 Nh5
20. Qe3 Nf4
21. Rg3 d5
22. Bf3 Bd7
23. Rdg1 Qd8
24. Bc5 Rf5
25. Bxe7 Qxe7
26. Bg4 b4
27. Bxf5 d4
28. Qxd4 bxc3
29. Bg4 Nd5
30. b4 a5
31. Qa7 Rc8
32. Rd3 axb4
33. Rxd5 exd5
34. Bxd7 Kf8
35. e6 bxa3
36. Qd4 Kg8
37. Bxc8 1 – 0

CHESS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

CHESS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

1. CHESS ENGLISH
2. AHEDRES PILIPINO
3. AHEDREZ SPANISH
4. CATUR BAHASA – INDONESIA
5. CHATURANGA INDIAN
6. CHESU NIHONGO – JAPANESE
7. CO QUOCTE VIETNAMESE
8. DAS SCHACH GERMAN
9. GUO JI XIANG QI MANDARIN CHINESE
10. JEN D’ECHE FRENCH
11. MAIN CHATOR MALAY
12. MAK RUK THAI
13. SAH ROMANIAN YUGOSLAV
14. SCHACK SWEDISH
15. SCHAKEN DUTCH
16. SHAH HEBREW
17. SHAKKI FINNISH
18. SHAMATI RUSSIAN
19. SJAK NORWEGIAN
20. SHATRANJ IRANIAN
21. SKAK DANISH
22. SZACHY POLISH
+

COACH

COACH

- IS A TITLE INDICATING STATUS, RESPECT, AFFECTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

- REQUIRES SKILL, KNOWLEDGE, TALENT AND ABILITY TO ORGANIZE


ONCE A COACH, ALWAYS A COACH.

A COACH IS ALWAYS A TEACHER.
A TEACHER IS NOT ALWAYS A COACH.


BASIC QUALITIES OF A GOOD COACH AND TEACHER

1. KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT AND INTENSE INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM

2. WILLINGNESS TO SHARE ONE’S KNOWLEDGE WITH ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED

3. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

4. A PERSONALITY WHICH DEMANDS, DRIVES, STIMULATES, EXCITES OR IN SOME WAY PUSHES STUDENTS’ / PLAYERS’ LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT BEYOND NORMAL EXPECTANCY


THE COACH AS A PERSON

1. LEADER (BOSS – follow, say, think, agree

2. FOLLOWER (COOPERATION)

3. ROLE MODEL

4. DISCIPLINARIAN

5. PSYCHOLOGIST (SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE PERSONALITY OF EACH PERSON)

6. PARENT’S SUBSTITUTE

7. SINGLE PERSON

CHESS IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

CHESS SPECTATOR
BY NM ERWIN L. CARAG (IA)


CHESS IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
CHESS LECTURE WRITTEN BY: NM ERWIN L. CARAG (IA)
JANUARY 5, 2005

1. Devise your own personal chess programme / lesson plan.

CHESS PROGRAMME / LESSON PLAN
DRILLS AND ASSIGNMENTS –
CHESS QUIZZES, CHESS PROBLEMS, CHESS STUDIES

3 PHASES OF THE CHESS GAME -
OPENING
MIDDLE GAME
ENDGAME

2. Develop your chess style and enrich your repertoire and chess skills.

REPERTOIRE / S :
OPENING / S AS WHITE ____________________
OPENING / S AS BLACK ____________________
DEFENSE / S AS WHITE ____________________
DEFENSE / S AS BLACK ____________________

STYLE :
CLASSICAL ____________________
HYPERMODERN AND MODERN ____________________
OPEN GAMES, SEMI-OPEN GAMES ____________________
CLOSED GAMES, SEMI-CLOSED GAMES ____________________

CHESS HEROES AND CHESS IDOLS ____________________

3. CHESS is a thinking game.
Recognize and not merely memorize the chess moves, chess positions and chess patterns.

3As IN CHESS

a. ANALYSIS –
Concepts:
tree of analysis, candidate moves (by Alexander Kotov)
“forest of analysis” (CCATS)

b. ASSESSMENT

c. ANNOTATION

4. CHESS is an outstanding educational tool.
CHESS must be studied using a scientific and holistic approach.

a. CHESS LEARNING TOOLS
Computers – CDs, chess videos, databases, chess engines
Books and magazines – Sahovski Informator, ECO, MCO, Batsford
Chess Openings, New in Chess, Tournament Chess
Internet – chess websites, chess groups, chess newsletters,
correspondence / e-mail chess, chess forums, The Week in Chess(TWIC)
Online Chess -Internet Chess Club (ICC), playchess.com

Improve on:

b. SPEED
TIME CONTROLS :
lightning chess, bullet chess
blitz chess
active chess
rapid chess
FIDE time control – with increment
long game

c. COMPREHENSION
CHESS THEORY AND PRACTICE (APPLICATION)

5. Chess is a combination of mental and physical sport. Believe it !

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS

a. BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CHESS BOARD / CHESS CLOCK.
1. rules and regulations – basic, rudiments, fundamentals of chess
2. FIDE LAWS OF CHESS
3. claims and offers

b. BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR OPPONENTS.
1. chess preparation
2. chess scouting, dossier – individual info on chessplayers

c. BE FAMILIAR WITH YOURSELF.
CHESS DIAGNOSIS
1. strengths
2. weaknesses
3. limitations and potentials
4. PHYSICAL FACTORS
stamina, endurance, adrenalin, momentum

6. Devise a set of criteria or method of evaluating your personal chess performance. Join as many chess tournaments as you can. Practice with worthy chess opponents.

CHESS PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

a. CHESS AS AN ART (AESTHETICS, BEAUTY OF CHESS)
chess brilliancies, gems (sacrifices)

b. WIN – LOSS – DRAW RECORD (CHART)

c. CHESS RATING

d. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE – classroom grades

e. SOCIAL FACTORS
ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS
gain friends, acquaintances
dealing with wins and losses (triumphs and defeats)

KING SITUATIONS

KING SITUATIONS

CHESS LECTURE WRITTEN BY: NM ERWIN L. CARAG (IA)
DECEMBER 11, 2004

In a chess game, it is very important for a player to plan where to put his king (stay in the initial position / center, castle in the kingside or queenside, or "walk" in the kingside or queenside). Reviewing our chessboard terminologies, the d and e files are the center files; f, g and h files are referred to as the kingside; and a, b and c files are referred to as the queenside. In the same manner, while defending your own king for life, the player should also know the location of the opponent’s king – how to attack it and make threats, destroy its shelter or protection and ultimately to mate the opponent’s king.

Basically, there are 9 possible KING SITUATIONS for both the white and black kings together. Of course, we encounter varying KING SITUATIONS in every game, especially when the king wanders and when the game undergoes transition in 3 phases. Here are the 9 KING SITUATIONS (where the white king and black king are situated together in one instance):

IA – WHITE KING IN THE CENTER AND BLACK KING IN THE CENTER
IB – WHITE KING IN THE CENTER AND BLACK KING IN THE KINGSIDE
IC – WHITE KING IN THE CENTER AND BLACK KING IN THE QUEENSIDE
II A – WHITE KING IN THE KINGSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE CENTER
II B – WHITE KING IN THE KINGSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE KINGSIDE
II C – WHITE KING IN THE KINGSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE QUEENSIDE
III A-WHITE KING IN THE QUEENSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE CENTER
III B–WHITE KING IN THE QUEENSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE KINGSIDE
III C–WHITE KING IN THE QUEENSIDE AND BLACK KING IN THE QUEENSIDE

The concepts of king safety, coordination of the king with the chesspieces, king tempo, space and mobility (active king, inactive king) should be studied by any serious chessplayer in relation to the 3 phases of a chessgame (opening, middlegame and endgame).

The following game between 2 former FIDE world chess champions Viswanathan Anand of India and Alexander Khalifman of Russia is a fine example of KING SITUATION III B (white king in the queenside and black king in the kingside) during the middle game phase.

Marvel at how Anand demolished Khalifman starting from the developing moves in the opening; relentless attack on the castled king in the kingside during the middlegame; and finally activating his king in the endgame for the win.

KERES MEMORIAL RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT
TALLINN ESTONIA
NOVEMBER 27,2004
ROUND 5
WHITE – VISWANATHAN ANAND BLACK – ALEXANDER KHALIFMAN
2781 2669
FRENCH DEFENSE
ECO C10
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 dxe4
4. Nxe4 Nd7
5. g3 Ngf6
6. Nxf6 + Qxf6
7. Nf3 ! Bd6
8. Bg5 Qf5
9. Bd3 ! Qa5 +
10. Bd2 Qb6
11. Qe2 c5
(11… Qxb2
12. 0-0)

12. Bc3 cxd4
13. Bxd4 Qa5 +
14. c3 e5
15. 0-0-0 0-0
16. Be3 Nf6
(16…Be7, 16…Bc5)

17. Bb1 Be7
(17. Bxh7 + !? Kxh7
18. Rxd6 Qxa2
(or 18. Qd3 +) )

18. Bg5 h6
19. h4 !! Be6
20. Qxe5 Qxe5
21. Nxe5 hxg5
22. hxg5 Rfd8
(22…Nd5
23. Bh7 + Kh8
24. Be4 + Kg8
25. Bxd5
-------------------
22…Ng4
23. Bh7 + Kh8
24. Bf5 + Kg8
25. Bxg4 )

23. gxf6 Bxf6
24. Rde1 Bd5
THE ENDGAME PHASE.
WHITE IS A PAWN UP.

25. Bh7 + Kf8
26. Be4 !! g6
27. Bxd5 Rxd5
28. Ng4 Bg7
29. Rd1 Rad8
30. Ne3 R5d6
31. Nc4 Rd5
32. Na5 ! Rxd1
33. Rxd1 Rxd1 +
34. Kxd1 b6
35. Nc6 a5
36. Kc2 Ke8
ACTIVATE THE KING !

37. Kd3 Kd7
38. Nd4 Kd6
39. Kc4 Bf6
40. Kb5 Bd8
41. Nc6 Bc7
42. c4 f5
43. f4 Ke6
44. b3 g5
45. Nd4 + Kf6
46. fxg5 + Kg6
(46…Kxg5 ??
47. Ne6 + WINS)

47. Nf3 1 - 0

NEW FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA)

NEW FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA)

Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) chess coach National Master (NM) Erwin L. Carag became the Philippines 14TH international arbiter (IA) after his IA application has been approved by the Federacion Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE) during the 36TH Chess Olympiad (75TH FIDE Chess Congress) in Calvia, Majorca, Spain. He is the 4TH Filipino IA who gained the distinction since the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) became the sole governing chess body in year 2000.

"I am extremely happy with this achievement and consider it a blessing from God.
I could have chosen to pursue my personal chess playing career but I decided to become a full-time chess coach and chess arbiter. I guess my sacrifice (to set aside for a while my personal ambition as a chessplayer and concentrated on chess coaching and arbitration which started when I am still at the peak in playing chess) paid off because right now I feel fulfillment as a chess arbiter and chess coach," said Carag.

Carag was a former Philippine national kiddies chess champion in the '80s together with his younger brother FM Elmer L. Carag. He garnered the national master (NM) title in the 1991 Far East Bank-RP International Open Chess Championship. As a chess coach, he has trained GM Mark C. Paragua (in his formative years), NMs Robert Suelo, Michael Gotel, Marlon Bernardino, Jr., Robert Arellano (National University chess coach), Deniel Causo (2003 Shell National Youth Active Chess-grand champion), WNMs Kathryn Ann Cruz, Rachelle Pascua and Cristina Santos (1994 National Women co-champion). He is affectionately called "chess coach ng bayan". He was elected as a founding board of director of NCFP (2002-2001). Currently, he is training students of Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School (RMCHS).

With the recent string of successes of Filipino chessplayers internationally, this feat is a welcome news. "My motto is : Win in CHESS ! Win in LIFE ! Filipino chessplayers are really talented, world-class and definitely are winners." added Carag.

INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA) - PHILIPPINES

INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA) - PHILIPPINES

1. CASTO P. ABUNDO (TOTI)
2. ROBERTO N. BAUTISTA (BOBBY)
3. NM CARLOS BENITEZ
4. NM FLORENCIO B. CAMPOMANES(CAMPO)
5. IM RODOLFO TAN CARDOSO (RUDY)
6. NM EDGAR DE CASTRO
7. RAFAEL HOLAZO
8. JOEY LIVELO
9. ERLITO LLUCH - deceased (+)
10. GENE POLIARCO
11. NM ROUMMEL REYES
12. ROLANDO F. YUTUC (ROLLY)
13. NM JUAN SORIA (CHING) - deceased (+)

NEWEST INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA)
APPROVED AT THE 36TH CHESS OLYMPIAD (75TH FIDE CHESS CONGRESS)
CALVIA, MAJORCA, SPAIN

14. NM ERWIN L. CARAG

NEW FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA)

NEW FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL ARBITER (IA)

Diliman Preparatory School (DPS) chess coach National Master (NM) Erwin L. Carag became the Philippines 14TH international arbiter (IA) after his IA application has been approved by the Federacion Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE) during the 36TH Chess Olympiad (75TH FIDE Chess Congress) in Calvia, Majorca, Spain. He is the 4TH Filipino IA who gained the distinction since the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) became the sole governing chess body in year 2000.

"I am extremely happy with this achievement and consider it a blessing from God.
I could have chosen to pursue my personal chess playing career but I decided to become a full-time chess coach and chess arbiter. I guess my sacrifice (to set aside for a while my personal ambition as a chessplayer and concentrated on chess coaching and arbitration which started when I am still at the peak in playing chess) paid off because right now I feel fulfillment as a chess arbiter and chess coach," said Carag.

Carag was a former Philippine national kiddies chess champion in the '80s together with his younger brother FM Elmer L. Carag. He garnered the national master (NM) title in the 1991 Far East Bank-RP International Open Chess Championship. As a chess coach, he has trained GM Mark C. Paragua (in his formative years), NMs Robert Suelo, Michael Gotel, Marlon Bernardino, Jr., Robert Arellano (National University chess coach), Deniel Causo (2003 Shell National Youth Active Chess-grand champion), WNMs Kathryn Ann Cruz, Rachelle Pascua and Cristina Santos (1994 National Women co-champion). He is affectionately called "chess coach ng bayan". He was elected as a founding board of director of NCFP (2002-2001). Currently, he is training students of Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School (RMCHS).

With the recent string of successes of Filipino chessplayers internationally, this feat is a welcome news. "My motto is : Win in CHESS ! Win in LIFE ! Filipino chessplayers are really talented, world-class and definitely are winners." added Carag.