Back in the summer of 1995, I happened to play a game with National Master Julius Sinangote, then a Varsity Player of a University, the name of which I can't remember. The game was held in a barangay tournament at Cavite St., Tondo, Manila. I started with e4 and he responded with Alekhine Defence. I played my usual style: ala Kaparov since I'm not familiar with bookline theories regarding openings. To my amazement, I was able to make the correct moves and even managed to upstage NM Julius in the opening phase of the game. Reaching the middle game, I sacrifice a pawn and was able to loosen up his fortress and constrict him to a very limited space. This made Julius felt so uneasy in our game. After a long thought in a certain position, thereby diminishing his remaining minutes, my brother in law heard him whisper to someone, "Idadamay pa yata ako ni Ric ah. Kahit anong mangyari, itatabla ko ito." True to his word, he played so gritty and defended well. I found my position too difficult to convert to a win. I'd like to play so tenaciously that time and show to everyone that "Hey, I've got the spunk!" And this is my habitual problem which greeted me while in deep thought, converting a winning game to a win. With the time dwindling down, I majestically moved a piece that proves to be a blunder. I was horrified and told myself why did I do that? I resigned a few moves later and saw Julius grinning from ear to ear savoring the result. Well, what can I do? To this date, I play the game just for fun and have no intention of curing my problem of how to convert to a win a virtually winning game. It would take so much precious time to study different position in chess with no assurance at all that I will still improve. I still remember the games I have played against Jasper and Spartan where I have some proverbial advantage and end up losing because I was unable to execute the coup d' grace. Ah, that is the chess that I have known, play until I lose. LOL!