random thoughts: 2014

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Fight To The Bitter End - Sicilian Maróczy Bind

Rulix Batistil vs Derick Aghamalian

I've been in a bad form in this tournament losing the first two games and my confidence level plummeted rock bottom. Despite the early setback, I looked forward to the 3rd round with so much anticipation on getting back on the win column. Then came this game - a Sicilian Maróczy Bind (c4) tried for the first time. My style of play has always been fight to the finish - no draw - it's either win or loss. My third round opponent is a young player rated 1700+ way below my peak 2024 rating. This should have been a one sided affair but "wallah", a pawn down entering middle game. I can't make a headway going for an all out pawn storm attack on the Kingside. My aggressive side prodded me to sacrifice my very active Bishop in move 37 hoping to baffle my opponent but he survived. My only consolation going into the end game was my time - ahead of about 20 minutes. I'm on the losing end in materials and in position - I can sense the confidence of the young man growing as he systematically advancing his passed pawn.

But there's always a glimmer of hope - a winner never quits - fight to the bitter end. Then came the dagger - a big blunder I was hoping for - a swindle in chess that happens only once in a while - Carlsen and Anand was no exception in World Championship game. This is my first swindle win in tournament play against all odds - fighting spirit saved me from going down three games in a row.

Lesson learned in chess is the value of not giving up and surely chess imitates life. Absolutely not proud of this win but the outcome gave me a big sigh of relief. Sometimes a win comes unexpectedly that makes it very special.

A win is a win - no matter what!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Kings Indian Defense - London System

Armand Jess Mendoza vs Rulix Batistil

In the 8th and final round, I played the KID-LS against Armand Mendoza - strong player rated 2024. His early pawn storm on my castled King fizzled out as I was able to counter attack on his uncastled King. The ensuing play in the middle game featured an exchange sacrifice of my Rook with a favorable position and much better pawn structure. After exchanging Queens, I simplified the position featuring my two minor pieces against a lone Rook. My strong connected pass pawns on d6,c5 and b4 proved unstoppable. I gave up my Knight in the end to seal the deal and earned my 5th win.

This is my first win against 2000+ caliber player. Play this complete game below.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Power of Pin

Arkadiy Ugodnikov vs Rulix Batistil

Playing black in round 5 against a veteran Russian player Arkadiy Ugodnikov, I employed my pet Sicilian Defense and he replied with Rossolimo Attack. This variation caused me many troubles in my blitz games as the presence of the light colored bishop on b5 has a disturbing psychological effect pinning my black Knight on c6. We played through the opening until we exchanged Queens in moved 13. The position was so imbalance as white has pawn majority on the Queen side and a power pawn on e5. White on this instance has the advantage until Arkadiy commit a big mistake on moved 18. Here, I punished him with a paralyzing pin brought by exchanged rook sacrifice. He took the bait and this game becomes one of my favorite wins - a concentration of all my guns on his poor pinned rook on d4. He succumbed to my pressure and white just commit blunder after blunder until he resigned on moved 25.

Arkadiy is my fourth 1900+ victim in this tournament. Play this game and enjoy the ride below.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Lady Blunt Stradivarius

One of the most treasured violin made by Italian Luthier Antonio Stradivari of Cremona, Italy in 1721. The violin is named after its first known owner Lady Anne Blunt, daughter of Ada Lovelace, granddaughter of Lord Byron.
Stradivari string instruments are famous for its sound quality. Today this violin worth is staggering US$15.9 million by the latest auction value.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

The Scandinavian Queen - Trapped and Lonely

Rulix Batistil vs Harry Zhao

My third round game was very interesting one, my opponent Harry Zhao another Chinese young talent rated 1900+ played the Scandinavian Defense. I played against this defense many times in online blitz games in chess.com so I'm very familiar with it. The problem on this defense is that the Black Queen goes early out in the open and is vulnerable to whites attack and get being trapped. My plan is simple: "Take the black Queen out from the game" and that was exactly happened. In moved 11 the black Queen retreated and was practically entomb in a7 square - paralyzed never again a threat - out of commission and merely a beautiful spectator as her forces crumble and the King on her side getting mated on the last moved 35!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Taming the Sicilian - Sustained Attack

Rulix Batistil vs Hairan Liang

Playing white on the 2nd round, I faced another young talent rated 1900+. Hairan Liang put up a Sicilian Defense Taimanov variation. So much I loved Sicilian when playing black, I also loved to attack and crush Sicilian when playing white. This game demonstrates a controlled attack giving black no room to counter from start to finish - A total wiped out.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Sicilian For A Young Gun

Nameer Isaani vs Rulix Batistil

Playing black, this is my first game against the talented young gun "Nameer". He was a bit passive on my Sicilian that eventually overrun the center. The strong attack on his hapless king was too much to handle.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo

The Tiger and a Buffalo is a painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres created in 1908.

Reference:
'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Rousseau'
'http://www.henrirousseau.org/'

The Flamingoes

The Flamingoes is a painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres created in 1907.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Vicente Silva Manansala

Vicente Silva Manansala (January 22, 1910 - August 22, 1981) was a Filipino cubist painter and illustrator. Manansala was born in Macabebe, Pampanga. From 1926 to 1930, he studied at the U.P. School of Fine Arts. In 1949, Manansala received a six-month grant by UNESCO to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Banff and Montreal, Canada. In 1950, he received a nine-month scholarship to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris by the French government.

Two of his greatest works, Kalabaw

Isda

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicente_Manansala
website: https://manilenya222.files.wordpress.com

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee - Rembrandt

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee is a painting from 1633 by the Dutch Golden Age painter Rembrandt van Rijn that was in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, prior to being stolen on March 18, 1990. The painting depicts the miracle of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, as depicted in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is Rembrandt's only seascape.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt

Spoliarium - Juan Luna

The Spoliarium is a painting by Filipino artist Juan Luna. The painting was submitted by Luna to the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 in Madrid, where it garnered the first gold medal (out of three). In 1886, it was sold to the Diputación Provincial de Barcelona for 20,000 pesetas. It currently hangs in the main gallery at the ground floor of the National Museum of the Philippines, and is the first work of art that greets visitors upon entry into the museum. It is the 'Mona Lisa' and the most prized painting in the Philippines.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoliarium
website: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/

Oath of the Horatii - Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David (French, August 1748 – December 1825) was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era. In the 1780s his cerebral brand of history painting marked a change in taste away from Rococo frivolity toward a classical austerity and severity, heightened feeling chiming with the moral climate of the final years of the Ancien Régime.

The "Oath of the Horatii" is one of his famous works.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Louis_David
website: http://www.jacqueslouisdavid.org/

The Dream - Henri Rousseau

Henri Julien Félix Rousseau (French, May 1844 – September 1910) was a French Post-Impressionist painter in the Naïve or Primitive manner. He was also known as Le Douanier (the customs officer), a humorous description of his occupation as a toll collector. Ridiculed during his lifetime, he came to be recognized as a self-taught genius whose works are of high artistic quality.

The "Dream" is one of his famous works.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Rousseau
website: http://www.henrirousseau.org/

Le Rêve - Pablo Picasso

Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, also known as Pablo Picasso (Spanish, October 1881 – April 1973), was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet and playwright who spent most of his adult life in France. As one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century,

The "Le Rêve" is one of his famous works.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso
website: http://www.pablopicasso.org/

Red Vineyards - Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Willem van Gogh (Dutch, March 1853 – July 1890) was a post-Impressionist painter of Dutch origin whose work—notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color—had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art.

The "Red Vineyards" is one of his famous works.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh
website: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/

The Yellow Christ - Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (French,June 1848 – May 1903) was a leading French Post-Impressionist artist who was not well appreciated until after his death. Gauguin was later recognized for his experimental use of colors and synthetist style that were distinguishably different from Impressionism.

The "Yellow Christ" is one of his famous works.

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gauguin
website: http://www.paul-gauguin.net

Christina's World

Christina's World is a 1948 painting by American painter Andrew Wyeth, and one of the best-known American paintings of the middle 20th century.

References:
https://www.thoughtco.com/christinas-world-by-andrew-wyeth-183007
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina%27s_World
https://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/21/a-closer-look-at-christinas-world/

Rest during the Flight into Egypt

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Milan, 28 September 1571 - Porto Ercole, 18 July 1610) He was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. He is commonly placed in the Baroque school, of which he is considered the first great representative.

The “Rest during the Flight into Egypt” is one of his masterpieces.

reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_on_the_Flight_into_Egypt_%28Caravaggio%29

On Children - Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Secrets of the Samurai Sword

A documentary

How this weapon is being made, the quality that makes it a legend

The Legend of Samurai Warrior Miyamoto

A documentary

This is story of the legendary Japanese Samurai Miyamoto who lived the code of "Bushido" as narrated by Mark Dacuscus.

Hackers

A documentary

In the computer security context, a hacker is someone who seeks and exploits weaknesses in a computer system or computer network. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, such as profit, protest, challenge or enjoyment - source wikipedia

The Boy With The Incredible Brain

A documentary of extraordinary people

This is the breathtaking story of Daniel Tammet. A twenty-something with extraordinary mental abilities, Daniel is one of the world's few savants. He can do calculations to 100 decimal places in his head, and learn a language in a week.

This one of a kind brain explain how powerful human brain is. It's capacity and potential is enormous.

Mind Over Matter

A documentary

I become interested on this topic when I first read the book "Tracks In The Psychic Wilderness" by Dale E. Graff, former director of Project STARGATE. This study, discover, harness and explain, ESP, Remote Viewing, Precognitive Dreaming, Synchronocity and Clairvoyance. This area defies science and physics of the material world.

Planet Earth 100 Million Years In The Future

A documentary

A glimpse of the distant future how it will look like in scientifically analyze perspective.

Future Earth

A documentary

Looking forward to the advance future on how technology drives and shape our future.

Quantum Physics

A documentary

I was introduced into quantum mechanics when I first read the biographical book 'Genius' by James Gleick. Since then Richard Feynman is my hero on this field. From Max Planck revolutionary "Quantum Theory" to Neils Bohr "Quantum Leap" theoretical ideas, the "Wave Mechanics" invented by Erwin Schrödinger, the "Uncertainty Principle" of particle physics by Werner Heisenberg, QED of Paul Dirac perfected by Feynman, "Photoelectric Effect" theory of Einstein, the "Eightfold Way Quark Model" of Gellman and now the current "String Theory" all of these give light to understand the observable realities that we are all living in this planet and in the universe.

Future Space Travel

A documentary

Space travel has been an apex of human technology pushing boundaries beyond our comfort zone. This amazing documentary reveals from early rocket technology up to the present super rockets that brings space machine into distant frontier in void space.

Eric Clapton - MTV Unplugged

Eric Clapton

Freddie ... The Phenomenon Story

Freddie Mercury - The legendary Queen's frontman

Born and raised in Kashmir in a Parsee Indian family

Watch and listen on his phenomenal story.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Redemption - Attacking the Sicilian

Rulix Batistil vs Greg Stavropoulos

This is last round game of the tournament before heading off to summer break. My opponent is a familiar foe as he already got a +1 against me during the last Club Championship. There is a bit of stake on this game as I want to avenge my earlier loss. A win or a draw will make me the top dog in under 1800 section. He played the Sicilian and I went for a win.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Agile and SCRUM Practice

Scrum is a subset of Agile Methodology in software development. It is way for teams to work together as a cohesive unit within a given time frame from one, two or three weeks period calls "sprint". Scrum also cultivate the idea of collaboration because constant communication and quick decision to address and adapt unforeseen dynamic changes . One of the its main characteristics are the periodic meetings that governs the sprint activities in a modular scope base nature. Scrum function as a special force to create and deliver functional MVP product in a timely manner.

Here's an example of an Agile practice that tailored to specific need within an organization.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones Interview

Joan Bakewell Interviews Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (20 December 1899 – 1 March 1981) was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. Lloyd-Jones was strongly opposed to Liberal Christianity, which had become a part of many Christian denominations; he regarded it as aberrant. He disagreed with the broad church approach and encouraged evangelical Christians (particularly Anglicans) to leave their existing denominations. He believed that true Christian fellowship was possible only amongst those who shared common convictions regarding the nature of the faith.

Watch and listen as we will never see another interview like this.

website: http://www.mljtrust.org/meet-mlj/

Filipino Martial Arts Demo at the Smithsonian

Dan Inosanto

Is a Filipino martial arts practitioner that popularized the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) that cover many system mainly using weapons such as stick and blades among other things. He is well known in martial arts circle not only because he once a student of the famous JKD of Bruce Lee but as a master teacher himself. On this occasion Guro Dino Inosanto demonstrated at the Smithsonians the secrets of the Filipino Martial Arts that originated far back early before the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

Watch and enjoy the 75 year old man reflexes and skills.

Sparring with an old master.

Monday, June 16, 2014

My Elementary Teachers

Ten of these educators were my elementary teachers. I owed a lot of good learning foundations from them.

Mrs Milan Biong	Second row 3rd from the right, my first grade teacher
Mrs Benicula Robocca	Second row 1st from the left, my second grade teacher
Mrs Fe Tan	Second row 3rd from the left, my third grade teacher
Mrs Solita Zamora	Third row on top 1st from the left, my fourth grade teacher
Mrs Salamputan	Top row 2nd from the right, my fifth grade teacher
Mrs Expectacion Imboy	Second row 1st from the right, my sixth grade teacher
Mr Robocca	First row 1st from the left, my Industrial Arts teacher
Mrs Payosing	Second row 2nd from the left, my Home Economics teacher
Mr Macalolot	First row 1st from the right, my Music and Arts teacher

This photo if I'm not mistaken was photographed on the north wing side close to Mrs Herminia Cinco's (top row 3rd from the right) room, my Physical Education teacher. The classroom and those desks behind (see the room entrance) still exists today.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Desolation of the Sicilian

This is my first official game against Pino Verde - a veteran chess campaigner in Scarborough Chess Club.
We played the standard Sicilian and on move 12 I sacrificed my Knight to open up the center for a strong initiative. This game demonstrates the mighty use of pin, pressure and poison attack on the uncastled King trapped in the center.
Pino at first nodding then shaking his head at the realization of the difficult predicament he was facing.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Ludovico Einaudi - Piano and Music

Enjoy these three of his compositions

"Nuvole Bianche - White Clouds"

"Divenire - Becoming" Live @ Royal Albert Hall London

"Oltremare - Overseas"

Website: http://www.ludovicoeinaudi.com/

Thursday, May 29, 2014

The Quick and the Dead

This game occurred during the 2nd round Scarborough Chess Club - Spring into Summer 2014 Chess Tournament.
My opponent is a seasoned club player rated 1725. This game demonstrates how to attack a castled King (Bishop on g7) when the Queen is just whistling far from the distance.
Dean Ward played the Pirc Defence.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Great Banyan - What A Tree

I am amazed how this Tree grow, expand and have long life.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Queen's Pawn Game - Yanchun Zhao vs Rulix Batistil

This game occurred during the penultimate round (7th) of Scarborough Chess Club Championship 2014.
My opponent is a seasoned club player rated 1735. This games demonstrated the chess imbalance concept "Pushing your own Agenda" accompanied with Nimzowitsch - The power of 7th rank pawn motif.
We played the Queen's pawn game.

My Queen's Pawn Game - Scarborough Chess Club Championship 2014

Mother, I'm Forever Grateful

From your womb, we came
In your arms, we are protected
from your breast, we are nourished
In your hands, we stand
from your feet, we follow
In your lips, we learn
from your eyes, we dream
In your wits, we become wise
from your character, we are strengthen
In your wisdom, we know God
By your love, we live

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Jackson Pollock - The Master Abstract Painter

One of the most astonishing human talent is painting. Since civilization began, arts and creativity is part of man's nature. Jackson Pollock was a rare breed of a painter, a master in his own right. He may have similarity with Van Gogh's works but he was far more extreme as if paint pouring and dripping are his magic brushes - art reveals itself.

Two of his most famous paintings below that worth a million dollars.

Convergence - 1952

Blue Poles - 1952

References:
https://www.biography.com/artist/jackson-pollock
https://www.jackson-pollock.org/jackson-pollock-paintings.jsp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock

God's Plan of Salvation

Joseph Prince - Noah—The Real Story

This is one of the best sermon preached to give light to the Gospel to those who are lost and to strengthen the faith of those falling and failing. Not only this refuted the twisted movie "Noah" but most importantly showed the mighty and mysterious work of God's great love, His plan of salvation that was consummated in the coming of His one and only Son - Jesus Christ - the Savior.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Dmitry Chernik vs Rulix Batistil - 2014 Greater Toronto Chess League

This game occurred during the 1st round of the GTCL 2014.
My opponent was Dmitry Chernik rated 1999.
I played black with my favorite Sicilian Defense.

Rulix Batistil vs Ju Dongli - 2014 Greater Toronto Chess League

This game occurred during the 2nd round of the GTCL 2014.
My opponent is Ju Dongli rated 1644.
I played white and my favorite Ruy Lopez Opening.

Winter Swiss - Rulix Batistil vs William Li

This game occurred during the 2nd round of Scarborough Chess Club Winter Swiss Tournament.
My opponent is William Li, a promising young player rated 1636 more than a 100 points above my rating.

I played Sicilian Defense Variation.

Rulix Batistil vs David Southam - French Winnawer

This game occurred during the 2nd round of Club Championship.
My opponent is David Southam, a national master. A very entertaining game that I gave away all winning chances including a Queen sacrifice.
I played e4 and he played the French Defense Winnawer Variation.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Slaying the Dragon - Rulix Batistil vs Sean Lei

This game occurred during the 6th round of the Club Championship.
My opponent is Sean Lei an upcoming young Chinese rising star in my club.
I played e4 and he played the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian.