JEDDAH, 21 February 2003 — Clairvoyant Ferdie Patricio of Pizza Express won the Community Chess Club Series 7 in sudden-death against Vice-Consul Jose Jacob of Philippine Consulate at Al Faf hotel.
The championship included two games of Active Chess (30-30 minutes) was extended into a final sudden-death tie-breaker (15-15 minutes) a white or Patricio must win or a black draw victory for Jacob. Playing white, the Pizza Express player Patricio was one pawn up, maintained his advantage throughout the first set prevailed in the end game and forced Jacob to resign after 39 moves of Ruy Lopez-Marshall attack.
After 30 minutes rest, Game Two was followed. Vice-Consul Jacob lost a pawn in two games but this time it was an ingenious gambit with well-hidden points to level the score at one all.
The final phase: White Ferdie Patricio
Black Vice-Consul Jacob (Colle System Opening) d4 d5 2. nf3 nf6 3. e3 c6 4. bd3 e6 5. nbd2 nbd7 6.
0-0 b6 7. b3 bb7 8. bb2 be7 9. ne5 0-0.
Jacob’s game plan to split the point came close by two perpetual checks but on the 3rd check Patricio sacrificed a rook to avoid a draw.
The crowds were in disbelief upon seeing the newcomer Patricio in a losing position Patricio moved his queen in b4 to snatch a pawn in b7. Jacob immediately responded by protecting the b7 from his black queen at e1 towards to e7 where he lost the Queen and the game.
Meanwhile CPA Gerry Calixto of HILTI clinched the Amateur Semi-Active Chess One Day Tournament at Al Faf Hotel followed by Anselmo Seidel of Al Oberi Rent A Car.
The Community Chess Club will resume on Sept. 21. Series 8 is now open for registration. For details visit Willy Lumboy at www.communitychessclub.resourcez.com or call Bong Marquez residence at 256 8408 and Jess Galang at Al Faf hotel.
