Happy Birthday Rik!

January 1st is the birthday of my good friend Rick of SMC. Chessplayers from Batangas gathered in his magnificent house and me as perrenial guest. Rik is the strongest chessplayer in Batangas and if not for the nature of his work, he could easily be a National Master at the very least. Every year, he sponsored mini-tournaments normally blitz with prizes for 1st to 3rd place. This year's edition was divided into two tournaments- the 10 min blitz and 5 min blitz. Rik did not play in the 1st tournament (10 min) to my dismay as I am looking forward in upsetting him. The were 19 participants and we decided to effect the 5 Round SWISS System which I volunteered to officiate. Now I realized the importance of playing and officiating as my beloved Queen was taken by my opponent without compensation in a winning position in the third round, luckily I drew the game using "gulang". I end up 3.5 points after five round which is good for 5th place. I happened to beat Bong in the last round which served as a consolation.
I was looking forward in the 5 min tournament as Rik will surely participate and the format is Round Robin. I was very excited as I will be playing white against him based on the schedule. During the game, I teased him to play Ruy Lopez which he obliged but at the back of my mind I was hoping that he will be playing Guicco Piano when I played 3. Bc4 as I observed him to reply in some of his games against other opponents in the past. In the end I was badly beaten. I placed 3rd with 9.5 points in 9 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw.
I am looking forward in beating him next year. I will emerge victorious in our battle and infict the defeat in the most important day of his life. I hope...