Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Advice, Strength)

If your strength is small, don't carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don't give advice.

-- CHINESE PROVERB :

He who gives unworthy and unsuitable advice is like a blind leading another blind to the abyss. He who chews more than what he can swallow is like an overloaded train travelling on a railroad made of marshmallow.

-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Education)

The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.
-- RABINDRANATH TAGORE :

Education gives us a peripheral edge to adapt in a hostile environment and co-exist or make proper modification and balance with illiterate and uncivilized.
-- ALEX P. VIDAL

US chess instructor eyes Mansion World Cup title

"Among a great many other things that chess teaches you is to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good. It trains you to think before grabbing and to think just as objectively when you're in trouble."
--Stanley Kubrick

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Elmhurst Chess Club mainstay Gilbert Buenaflor Gonzales has warned that the entry of United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Master Tyrell Harriott, among other foreign chess masters in the final edition of the 2017 Mansion World Chess Cup Rapid Championship, might derail the chances of Pinoy players aiming for a grand slam. 

USCF Master Tyrell Harriott

"Tyrell will wipe out all our previous edition winners because he is fast and an active blitz player anywhere in New York," feared Gonzales, winner of the Cup's 13th edition.
Gonzales' concern came after tournament arbiter Rainier Labay hinted that they might invite Harriott, a Chess-in-the-Schools full-time classroom instructor, in the Cup's final leg.
"We have the best line-up among the Filipino players and I am confident that we can give the foreign players a run for their money as what they did in the past," quipped Labay, the fastest blitz player in the community.
Meanwhile, Ejhay Labuac, second placer in the 10th edition and former University of Manila champion, disagreed with Gonzales.
"I will retire (from playing chess) if Tyrell will beat us," enthused Labuac, who has played with Harriott in Steinway on several occasions.

CLUB

According to the Manhattan-based Marshall Chess Club, Harriott is an active tournament player who has traveled to many countries to play chess.
"His competitive milestones include: 2nd place U2000 at The World Open in 2012, 1st place U2000 at The Continental Open in 2012, and 1st place U2100 at The Manhattan Open in 2012. Tyrell is passionate about technology and incorporates chess learning software, SMARTBoards, and online assessments into his pedagogy," the chess club reports in its website.
"I want to play in the next one," Harriott, who tots a World Chess Federation rating of 2175 (rapid) and 2197 (blitz), told Labay in a social media message.
"We will invite you next," replied Labay, who, along with FIDE Master Rico Salimbagat, is one of the highest rated Pinoy chessers now campaigning in the US.
The previous winners were: Benchly Buccat (2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th editions); Alex P. Vidal (3rd, 5th, 11th, 12th editions); Normando "Lolo Andy" Punzalan (1st and 4th editions); Gonzales (8th, 13th editions); Albert "Etik Etik" Riviera (10th edition); Thomas Hagakore (14th edition).
The Mansion World Chess Club Rapid tournament was organized in honor of Wesley So, a Cavite-born 24-year-old super-grand master now ranked No. 2 in the world, after he reached the 2017 World Chess Cup semi-finals in Tbilisi, Georgia recently.
He lost to China's GM Ding Liren, who lost to Armenia's GM Levon Aronian in the championship.

'Despite GM So's fall, Britton World Chess Cup will go on'

"In chess, knowledge is a very transient thing. It changes so fast that even a single mouse-slip sometimes changes the evaluation."
-- Viswanathan Anand

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Mansion World Chess Cup Blitz Championship organizer and chief arbiter Rainier M. Labay vowed to continue holding the five-round tournament despite the elimination of Filipino Grand Master Wesley So in the ongoing FIDE World Chess Cup 2017 in Tbilisi, Georgia. 

BLITZ BOSS AND ARBITER RAINIER M. LABAY

The Mansion World Chess Cup was conceptualized after So, 24, a Cavite-born Filipino who now plays for the United States, vaulted into the sem-final of the 128-player single elimination chess tournament.
So lost to upset-conscious Chinese Ding Liren, who is now playing Armenian Grand Master Levon Aronian for the championship in the Biltmore Hotel.

RATED

"Our own version of the World Chess Cup is for the players rated 2200 and below, including those unrated," said Labay, a blitz champion and one of the highest rated Filipino players now based in the United States.
The Mansion edition will be on its sixth edition this week.
"We will also have a tournament for the rated players," added Labay, former coach of the dreaded De La Salle University Chess Team.
A trophy is awarded to the edition champion plus cash.

THIRD AND FIFTH EDITION CHAMPION ALEX P. VIDAL RECEIVES A TROPHY FROM NEW YORK MASTER EJHAY LABUAC 

"We are inspired by Grand Master So's conquest because even if he is playing for the United States, he is still a Filipino by heart," stressed Labay of Valenzuela City in the Philippines.

KNOCK-OUT

The Georgia World Chess Cup tournament is a knock-out, with the exception that there was a provision for the two semi-final losers to play off for third place if necessary.
Matches consist of two regular time limit games (except for the final, and playoff for third if required, which consist of four regular time limit games).
For these two games, players have 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move from the start of the game.
The champion gets $120,000 while the runner-up will bring home $80,000.
Aside from So, among those highest rated super grand masters who have been ousted were reigning FIDE world champion and top-seeded Magnus Carlsen of Norway, third-seeded Fabiano Caruana (USA), fourth-seed Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), and eight-seeded Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) who lost to Aronian in another semi-final tussle.

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Opinion)

The opinion which other people have of you is their problem, not yours.
 -- ELIZABETH KUBLER-ROSS :

Opinions don't necessarily translate into problems as long as we don't suppress them and let them flow freely in a democratic platform. Negative or positive, opinions are healthy and will make us strong especially if we are open-minded and aren't onion-skinned.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

QUIZ OF THE DAY

By Alex P. Vidal

1.  The Philippines won its first Olympic Games gold medal in which year and city?

a. 1992, Barcelona
b. 1928, Amsterdam
c. 1988, Seoul
d. None of the above

2.  Friday Camaclang is a member of which Philippine sports team?

a. Dragon Boat Race Team
b. Fencing Team
c. Soccer Team
d. Chess Team

3. In 2012, former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Hall of Famer Billy Ray Bates of Crispa Redmanizer was arrested in Quezon City for what offense?

a. Non-payment of taxes
b. Throwing a rock at a Mercedez Benz
c. Punching a prostitute in a Pasig motel
d. Drunk driving

4. He is considered as one of the most famous Filipino golfers of all time and has been awarded the Philippine Athlete of the Year twice. He has played constantly on the Asian tour for many seasons, winning a number of titles and has also played at the British Open and the U.S. PGA Tour.

a. Ramon Brobio
b. Franki Minoza
c. Ben Arda
d. Gerard Cantada

5. Who was the first Filipino professional boxer to fight in the United States?

a. Elino Flores
b. Pancho Villa
c. Small Montana
d. Little Dado

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Thoughts)

Men harm others by their deeds, themselves by their thoughts.
 -- HARE BROTHERS :

When we squarely tackle down known enemies, there's a chance we can shield ourselves from mortal blows and even defeat them. But if we mess up with our thoughts and become paranoid, we don't need a warm body to deliver the knock out blow that would bring us to kingdom come. Our lunacy itself will expedite our destruction.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Character Assissination)

Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?'
-- JOHANN K. LAVATER :

It's a moral obligation to warn others about the obnoxious character of certain individuals. It's a moral courage to reveal their shenanigans in order to protect others. But it's downright immoral to expose them to shame and embarrassment while trying to rebuild their shattered lives and bury their sordid past.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Forgive, Friend, Enemy)

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
-- WILLIAM BLAKE :

It is more honorable to lose and lick a wound inflicted by a known enemy after a fierce battle. It is twice an agony and humiliation to be defeated after being stabbed in the back by a friend.
-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Mistake)

Strong people make as many mistakes as weak people. Difference is that strong people admit their mistakes, laugh at them, learn from them. That is how they become strong.
-- RICHARD NEEDHAM :

It isn't how many mistakes we commit that defines our worth and competence. It's how we pick ourselves up after a bad fall, how we rebound from an almost catastrophic slump, and how we turn despair into hope that counts.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Favor)

To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.
 -- PUBLILIUS SYRUS :

We shouldn't feel guilty after saying "no" for no one can give what one doesn't have. Our mental and emotional health would be at risk if we forced ourselves to say "yes" when, in truth and in fact, it's beyond our capacity to help. By being gracious, frank and honest, we protect our well-being and preserve our self respect.  
--ALEX P. VIDAL

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.-- JAMES McNEILL WHISTLER:

Any laborer can be looked up to as producer and builder, but only an artist can be hailed as genius and visionary.-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Lie)

By a lie, a man annihilates his dignity as a man.
--IMMANUEL KANT :

Lying degrades our personality. Habitual lying destroys our character. Perpetual lying demolishes our soul. 
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Right Decision)

There's no wrong time to make the right decision.
-- DALTON MCGUINTY :

Timing is a circumstance. Decision-making is a choice. We can never make a choice without being aware of what is right and wrong. Ergo, “wrong timing” can't be a valid excuse, alibi or justification for a wrong decision. 
-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Love what we do)

In doing something, do it with love or never do it at all.
-- MAHATMA GANDHI :

Success of our tasks hinges on the degree of enthusiasm and passion we hammered out while doing them. Satisfaction is the byproduct of amount of love we injected while performing them.
-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Listen)

It is greed to do all the talking but not to want to listen at all.
-- DEMOCRITUS :

In any conversation, no one holds the franchise to exclusively talk non-stop before a captive audience. Conversation is a two-way street. If our intention is to unload heartaches, worries and soap opera-type predicaments, we must also be willing to lend our ears when someone is trying to make a point. Like crossing a railway, we must learn to stop, look and listen.
-- ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Kindness)

Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It's like medicine-very healing.
-- MAX IRONS :

It's not enough that we are kind. Kindness is good but we need to also laugh from time to tome. We must possess a sense of humor so that our partners will not have to talk to the lizards and spiders if we say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing because we are "kind."
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (God)

Do not be afraid of tomorrow for God is already there.
--AUTHOR UNKNOWN :

God won't be there to babysit us if we act like spoiled brats just because we have been assured of His presence tomorrow. While waiting for tomorrow we must behave, do what is right, and show to God that we are worth His attention and won't abuse His kindness.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Education)

Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.
--CHANAKYA :

He who is educated only in mind is a best friend of those who love learning and expansion of knowledge. He who is educated both in heart and mind is a best friend of  those who love wisdom and preservation of life from all living things to natural environment.
--ALEX P. VIDAL

Alex P. Vidal Quotes (Tears)

Invisible tears are the hardest to wipe away.
-- TERRI GUILLEMETS :

Even if tears are visible, wiping them away does not immediately end the heart's agony unless the root cause of the heartache has been totally wiped out from memory.
-- ALEX P. VIDAL