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!

Rulix Batistil - Derick Aghamalian

2024 - 1742

Scarborough Chess Club - Falling Leaves Swiss Tournament 2014, Nov 20 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Derick Aghamalian (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c4 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. Be3 Bd7 9. f4 Rc8 10. O-O O-O 11. Rc1 Na5 12. b3 Nc6 13. Qe1 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxd4 15. Bd3 a6 16. Qf2 Nf5 17. Bb6 Qxb6 18. Qxb6 Bd4+ 19. Qxd4 Nxd4 20. h3 Bf5 21. Rce1 Ne6 22. g4 Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Nc5 24. Bg2 Rc7 25. Re3 Rd8 26. h4 a5 27. Kh2 b6 28. Kg3 Ne6 29. f5 Nc5 30. Bd5 gxf5 31. gxf5 Re8 32. Rfe1 Na6 33. Kf4 Kg7 34. Kg5 h6+ 35. Kh5 Kf6 36. Rg3 Nb4 37. Bxf7 Kxf7 38. Reg1 Rc5 39. Rg7+ Kf6 40. R1g6+ Kxf5 41. Rf7+ Ke4+ 42. Kxh6 Nxa2 43. Rg5 Nb4 44. Rxc5 bxc5 45. Kg7 Nc6 46. h5 Ne5 47. Rf1 Ng4 48. h6 Nxh6 49. Kxh6 e6 50. Kg6 d5 51. Kf7 Rb8 52. Kxe6 dxc4 53. bxc4 Rb4 54. Rc1 Kd4 55. Ra1 a4 56. Kd6 Rxc4 57. Rd1+ Kc3 58. Rh1 a3 59. Kd5 Ra4 60. Rh3+ Kb4 61. Rh4+ Kb5 62. Rh8 a2 63. Rb8+ Ka5 64. Kxc5 1-0

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.

Armand Mendoza - Rulix Batistil

2024 - 1794

Scarborough Chess Club - Howard Ridout Memorial Swiss Tournament 2014, Oct 30 2014

60 min

Armand Mendoza - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Bf4 O-O 5. e3 b6 6. Be2 Bb7 7. h4 d6 8. Rg1 Nbd7 9. g4 c5 10. d5 a6 11. h5 b5 12. hxg6 fxg6 13. Ng5 Qa5 14. Ne6 Nxd5 15. Nxf8 Rxf8 16. Kf1 Nxf4 17. exf4 Rxf4 18. Nd5 Rd4 19. Nxe7+ Kf8 20. Qe1 Qd8 21. c3 Re4 22. Nxg6+ hxg6 23. Qd2 Re6 24. c4 Qh4 25. Qf4+ Ke7 26. Qg3 Qxg3 27. Rxg3 Bxb2 28. Rd1 b4 29. Rh3 Bd4 30. Rh7+ Kd8 31. g5 Re7 32. Rxe7 Kxe7 33. Rd3 a5 34. Rh3 Ba6 35. f4 Nb6 36. Rh7+ Kf8 37. Ra7 Bxc4 38. Rxa5 Bxe2+ 39. Kxe2 Ke7 40. Ra6 Nd5 41. Kf3 Ke6 42. Ra8 Nc3 43. Kg4 Kd5 44. f5 gxf5+ 45. Kxf5 Nxa2 46. Rxa2 b3 47. Rd2 b2 48. Rd1 c4 49. g6 Kc5 50. Kf4 c3 51. Ke4 c2 0-1

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.

Arkadiy Ugodnikov - Rulix Batistil

1990 - 1794

Scarborough Chess Club - Howard Ridout Memorial Swiss Tournament 2014, Oct 09 2014

60 min

Arkadiy Ugodnikov - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Qc7 4. Nc3 e6 5. O-O d6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8. Be3 Nf6 9. f4 Be7 10. Qf3 O-O 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bxc6 Qxc6 13. Rad1 b5 14. e5 Qxf3 15. Rxf3 dxe5 16. fxe5 Ng4 17. Bd4 Rfd8 18. h3 Rxd4 19. Rxd4 Nxe5 20. Rg3 Bc5 21. Nxb5 Nc6 22. c3 e5 23. Nc7 Rd8 24. Rg5 f6 25. Ne6 fxg5 0-1

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!

Rulix Batistil - Harry Zhao

1794 - 1911

Scarborough Chess Club - Howard Ridout Memorial Swiss Tournament 2014, Sept 25 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Harry Zhao (PGN)

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 Nc6 6. Bd2 a6 7. h3 Be6 8. a3 O-O-O 9. b4 Qb6 10. Be3 Nd5 11. Na4 Qa7 12. c4 Nxe3 13. fxe3 g6 14. Nc5 Bh6 15. Qb3 Bd7 16. Kf2 b6 17. Nxd7 Rxd7 18. Be2 Bg7 19. Rhd1 e6 20. Rac1 Rhd8 21. d5 exd5 22. Rxd5 Ne7 23. Rxd7 Rxd7 24. c5 Nf5 25. Ng5 Re7 26. Nxf7 Rxe3 27. Qd5 Bf6 28. Nd6+ Nxd6 29. cxd6 Rc3 30. Qe6+ Kb7 31. Rxc3 Bxc3 32. Bf3+ c6 33. Qd7+ Kb8 34. Qe8+ 1-0

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.

Rulix Batistil - Hairan Liang

1794 - 1942

Scarborough Chess Club - Howard Ridout Memorial Swiss Tournament 2014, Sept 18 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Hairan Liang (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 g6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. Bd6 Bxd6 9. Qxd6 Qe7 10. e5 Qxd6 11. exd6 Rb8 12. O-O-O O-O 13. Be2 Bb7 14. Na4 c5 15. f3 Rfc8 16. c4 Nh5 17. g3 g5 18. Rhf1 e5 19. f4 Ng7 20. fxe5 Ne6 21. Rf6 Bc6 22. Nc3 Nd4 23. Bh5 Rf8 24. Rdf1 Rb4 25. b3 a5 26. Bxf7+ Kg7 27. Bd5 Rxf6 28. exf6+ Kf8 29. f7 Rb8 30. Kd2 Kg7 31. Bxc6 Nxc6 32. f8=Q+ Rxf8 33. Rxf8 Kxf8 34. Ne4 Ne5 35. Nxg5 h6 36. Ne4 Nf7 37. Nxc5 Nxd6 38. Nxd7+ Ke7 39. Ne5 Nb7 40. Kd3 Ke6 41. Kd4 Nd6 42. a3 Nf5+ 43. Ke4 Nd6+ 44. Kf4 Nb7 45. b4 a4 46. c5 Kd5 47. h4 Kd4 48. Kf5 Kc3 49. c6 Nd6+ 50. Ke6 Nb5 51. Kd5 Kb3 52. Kc5 Nc7 53. b5 Kxa3 54. b6 Ne6+ 55. Kd5 Kb3 56. Nc4 1-0

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.

Nameer Issani - Rulix Batistil

1922 - 1794

Scarborough Chess Club - Howard Ridout Memorial Swiss Tournament 2014, Sept 11 2014

60 min

Nameer Issani - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb3 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Be2 Be6 8. Be3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. f3 a6 11. Qd2 Qc7 12. Rfd1 b5 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Na5 16. Qd3 Nd7 17. Rac1 f5 18. Bf2 Kh8 19. Kh1 Bg5 20. Be3 Bxe3 21. Qxe3 Rf6 22. f4 Nc4 23. Bxc4 Qxc4 24. fxe5 dxe5 25. Na5 Qh4 26. Nc6 Rh6 27. h3 Re8 28. Qe1 Qg5 29. Nxb4 e4 30. Kh2 f4 31. Nc6 Nf6 32. Nd4 Ng4+ 33. Kg1 Ne3 34. Rd2 Rxh3 35. Ne6 Rxe6 36. dxe6 Rg3 37. Qf2 Rxg2+ 38. Qxg2 Nxg2 39. Rxg2 Qc5+ 40. Kh1 Qh5+ 41. Kg1 f3 42. Rd1 f2+ 43. Rxf2 Qxd1+ 44. Kg2 Qg4+ 45. Kf1 Qd1+ 46. Kg2 Qd8 47. Rf7 Kg8 48. e7 Qd2+ 49. Rf2 Qg5+ 50. Kf1 Qxe7 51. b3 e3 52. Rf3 Qe4 53. Ke2 Qxc2+ 54. Kxe3 Qxb3+ 55. Kf2 Qxa4 56. Rd3 0-1

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.

Rulix Batistil - Greg Stavropoulos

1634 - 1744

Scarborough Chess Club - Spring into Summer 2014, June 26 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Greg Stavropoulos (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be2 Nf6 7. a3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 d6 10. f4 Nbd7 11. Nb3 b5 12. Qe1 Bb7 13. Bd3 Ng4 14. Rf3 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Rac8 16. Kh1 Nc5 17. Nd4 Bf6 18. Rh3 g6 19. f5 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Qc5 21. Qh6 Rfe8 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Nxe6+ fxe6 24. Qxg6 Qd4 25. Rf1 Ke7 26. Rh7+ Kd8 27. Rxb7 Qe5 28. fxe6 Rxe6 29. Nd5 Qg5 30. Qf7 1-0

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.

Rulix Batistil - Pino Verde

1634 - 1639

Scarborough Chess Club - Spring into Summer 2014, June 12 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Pino Verde (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Be2 Qc7 7. O-O Bb4 8. Qd3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 Nc6 10. Ba3 Ne5 11. Qg3 Rg8 12. Nf5 exf5 13. exf5 d5 14. Bd3 Nfd7 15. Rae1 Kd8 16. f6 Nxf6 17. Rxe5 Be6 18. c4 Nd7 19. Qh4+ Nf6 20. Rfe1 Kc8 21. cxd5 Nxd5 22. c4 Nf6 23. Rc5 1-0

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.

Rulix Batistil - Dean Ward

1634 - 1725

Scarborough Chess Club - Spring into Summer 2014, May 29 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Dean Ward (PGN)

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Bc4 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. a3 Bg4 8. Be3 Bd7 9. h3 e6 10. Qd2 Na5 11. Ba2 b6 12. Bg5 Qc8 13. Rad1 Qb7 14. Rfe1 a6 15. d5 Qc8 16. b4 Nb7 17. e5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Nxd5 Kh8 20. Bf6 dxe5 21. Qh6 Rg8 22. Ng5 1-0

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.

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil

1735 - 1535

Scarborough Chess Club Championship 2014, May 08 2014

60 min

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 g6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 Re8 8. Ne5 Nxe5 9. dxe5 Ng4 10. Nf3 c5 11. Bb5 Bd7 12. Qa4 Bxb5 13. Qxb5 Qc7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Qa4 Nf6 16. Qh4 Ne4 17. Qg4 Qc6 18. h4 Rf8 19. Ng5 Nxg5 20. Qxg5 Qd6 21. Qg4 Rf5 22. e4 Rf7 23. h5 gxh5 24. Qxh5 Raf8 25. Qh4 d4 26. Bg5 e5 27. Rad1 h6 28. Bc1 c4 29. b4 b5 30. Bd2 Qg6 31. a4 a6 32. axb5 axb5 33. Ra1 Rf3 34. Qxe7 Rd3 35. Rfd1 dxc3 36. Be3 Qxe4 37. Re1 c2 38. Bxh6 Qg6 39. Bxg7 Qxg7 40. Qxg7+ Kxg7 41. Rxe5 Rd1+ 42. Re1 Rfd8 43. Rc1 Rxc1 0-1

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

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil

1735 - 1535

Scarborough Chess Club Championship 2014, May 08 2014

60 min

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil

1735 - 1535

Scarborough Chess Club Championship 2014, May 08 2014

60 min

Yanchun Zhao - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

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.

Rulix Batistil - Ju Dongli

1356 - 1644

2014 Greater Toronto Chess League, January 21 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Ju Dongli (PGN)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. h3 Nf6 5. d3 g6 6. Bg5 Bg7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. c3 a6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Nf1 Qd7 12. Qd2 Nh5 13. Bh6 Kh8 14. g4 Bxh6 15. Qxh6 Nf4 16. O-O-O Na5 17. Bc2 f6 18. Ng3 Qg7 19. g5 Qxh6 20. gxh6 c5 21. h4 Rf7 22. h5 c4 23. d4 Nd3+ 24. Bxd3 cxd3 25. hxg6 hxg6 26. Rxd3 Kh7 27. d5 Rc8 28. b3 b4 29. c4 Rd8 30. Ne2 Bc8 31. Nh4 g5 32. Nf5 Bxf5 33. exf5 Nb7 34. Ng3 Nc5 35. Re3 a5 36. Kb2 Ra8 37. a3 Rb7 38. Nh5 Rf8 39. Ng7 Re7 40. Ne6 Nxe6 41. dxe6 Rc8 42. Rd3 Rc6 43. Rd5 Ra7 44. axb4 axb4 45. Rb5 Rca6 46. Rxb4 Ra2+ 47. Kc3 Rxf2 48. Rb6 Rf3+ 49. Kb4 e4 50. Rxd6 Rb7+ 51. Kc5 Rxf5+ 52. Kc6 Rb8 53. Rd7+ Kh8 54. e7 Re5 55. Rd8+ Kh7 56. Rxb8 Rxe7 57. Kd6 Ra7 58. c5 e3 59. c6 Ra6 60. Rb7+ Kg6 61. h7 Ra8 62. h8=Q Rxh8 63. Rxh8 e2 64. Re7 Kf5 65. c7 e1=Q 66. c8=Q+ Kf4 67. Rxe1 1-0

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.

William Li - Rulix Batistil

1636 - 1528

Scarborough Chess Club - Winter Swiss, March 7 2014

William Li - Rulix Batistil (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 Be7 6. Be3 d5 7. exd5 exd5 8. Bg5 Be6 9. Nge2 h6 10. Bd2 O-O 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 a6 13. Nf4 Bg4 14. Qc1 d4 15. Ne4 Ne5 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Bxb7 Ra7 18. Bg2 Nf3+ 19. Bxf3 Bxf3 20. Ba5 Qc8 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8 22. Bb6 Rb7 23. Bxc5 Qc6 24. b4 g5 25. Nh3 Bg2 26. Qe1 Bxh3 27. Qe4 Qxe4 28. dxe4 d3 29. Rd1 dxc2 30. Rc1 Rd7 0-1

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.

Rulix Batistil - David Southam

1535 - 2230

Scarborough Club Championship 2014, April 10 2014

Rulix Batistil - David Southam (PGN)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 dxe4 6. Qg4 Nf6 7. Qxg7 Rg8 8. Qh6 Nbd7 9. Nh3 c5 10. Nf4 Qa5 11. Bd2 Qa4 12. Be2 Qxc2 13. g4 e3 14. fxe3 Ne4 15. Rd1 Nxd2 16. Rxd2 Qe4 17. Rf1 Qxe3 18. Rd3 Qe4 19. Kd2 cxd4 20. Rxd4 Qe5 21. h3 Qg5 22. Qxh7 Nc5 23. Kc2 Bd7 24. Nd5 O-O-O 25. h4 Qe5 26. Ne7+ Kb8 27. Bf3 Rh8 28. Qxf7 Rdf8 29. Rxd7 Rxf7 30. Rxb7+ Nxb7 31. Nc6+ Kc7 32. Nxe5 0-1

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.

Rulix Batistil - Sean Lei

1535 - 1961

Scarborough Club Championship 2014, May 1 2014

60 min

Rulix Batistil - Sean Lei (PGN)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Qd3 O-O 11. h3 a6 12. Rad1 Ne5 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nc4 16. Bc1 Nb6 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. Qe4 Qc5 19. Nb3 Qc4 20. Na5 Qb5 21. Nb3 Rac8 22. c3 Nc4 23. Qh4 Bf6 24. Qe4 Qa4 25. Rd4 Qxa2 26. Rxc4 Qxb3 27. Rb4 Qa2 28. Rxb7 Rb8 29. Qb4 Rxb7 30. Qxb7 Qc4 31. Bh6 Qb5 32. Qa7 Qxb2 33. Qxa6 Bg7 34. Rxe7 Rd8 35. Qxd6 Qb1+ 36. Kh2 Qb8 37. Qxb8 Rxb8 38. Bxg7 Kxg7 39. Rc7 Kf6 40. f4 h5 41. h4 Rd8 42. c4 Re8 43. c5 Rd8 44. d6 Ke6 45. Kg3 Rf8 46. Kf3 Rb8 47. d7 Ke7 48. c6 Kd8 49. Rb7 Ra8 50. Ke4 f6 51. Kd5 Ke7 52. Kc5 Ra2 53. Rb8 Rc2+ 54. Kb6 Rb2+ 55. Kc7 Rxb8 56. Kxb8 g5 57. Kc7 1-0