Cheating

Philippine Chess is sinking in quick sand. After dismal results in the Olympiad, SEA Games, Asian Games and Asian Zonals, Philippine Chess suffered another blow with the current game-fixing scandal involving some of the country's top chess players.

Cheating happens in elections, exams, tax payments, gambling and in sports but I never thought that it will occur in chess. I thought that chess is a game for ladies and gentlemen who uphold honor but it seems that there were some greedy and immoral individuals who are destroying this beautiful game. They should be ashamed of themselves for causing embarrassment to our country. Those who will be found guilty must be suspended or even be banned for life.

In a country where basketball, boxing and billiards are the sport of choice, It's hard already to find sponsors for big chess tournaments. This scandal will further turn-off sponsors. I hope that this nightmare will end soon.

January

This month rocks!!! I registered top ten finishes in my first two tournaments this year. Last January 7, I tied for 7th to 12th places (12th overall after tie-breaks) in the Metropolitan Chess Club 1900 and below active tournament with a score of 4 points out of a possible 6. Then I followed it up with a fine performance in the Metropolitan Chess Club 2000 and below active tournament held last January 14. I scored 3 points out of 6 against strong opposition. Good for a tie for 9th to 12th places (10th overall after tie-breaks).

Besides Chess, I have another reason to be happy. I was accepted to be a legal transcriptionist trainee. This is my first job and I hope to pass the training. Last Wednesday, I experienced my first medical exam. I submitted myself to X-ray, blood test, urine test, stool test and eyes examination.