PGMA 2008

The 3rd President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) Cup international chess championship is being held from 6-13 September 2008 at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranque City. Below are few upset and blunder from the tournament.

Blunder Blues

GM Dao Tie Hai is once a talented player. However his play has drop drastically and now he is "only" rated at 2489. The 30 years old GM is once rated as high as 2609 in 2005 but in 3 years, he has lost more then 100 points. Below he played against the top seed. The game was balance until Dao made the desicive blunder on move 53.

GM Murtas Kazhgaleyev (2641) vs GM Dao, Thien Hai (2489)
3rd Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Round 2, 2008.09.07

The position after white 53 move is equal. Although white have the bishop pairs against black knight pairs, the advantage is not enough because the pawns are on the same side.
53...Ne5?? 54. Bxf5 black resign because after 54...gxf5 or 54...exf5 , he will lose the knight with 55.Bd4 1-0


Below is another upset of the tournament. Philipines new star - GM Wesley So was expected to win against his compatriot GM John Paul Gomez but a blunder on move 29 cost him the point.

GM Wesley So (2577) vs GM John Paul Gomez (2457)
3rd Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Round 2, 2008.09.07

29. Bxc8?? So should have take the queen with 29. Qxf4 Bxf4+ 30. Kb1 Re8 ( 30...Bxd1 31. Bxc8 =) 31. Rg1 Rxe6 32. Bxg7+ Kg8 33. Be5+ Kf7 34. Bxf4 and a draw would likely be the results 29... Qh4 30. Bxg7+ Kxg7 31. Rg1 Bg2 ! probably So missed this move 32. Rxg2 Qe1+ the sting in the tail ! 33. Kc2Qxe3 34. h4 Qe4+ 0-1