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by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Unheralded Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya (photo above) held Olympiad veteran GM Darwin Laylo to a draw to help lift the Cavite Spartans to an 11-10 win over the Pasig Kings Pirates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines’ (PCAP) online tournament dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Saturday, May 15, 2021.

Paraguya and Laylo agreed a draw after 30 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening, Mikenas Defense in their Rapid Game encounter.

“The Cavite Spartans pulled off a win over the highly rated Pasig City King Pirates. The Spartans’ come from behind victory was simply phenomenal as they played without any GM in their team but managed to score 11-10 over King Pirates with 3 GMs as their top board players. Kudos to the Cavite Spartans.” said Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Theo Panga, staunch supporter of Cavite Spartans together with Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer of General Trias City, Cavite, coach Ederwin Estavillo and assistant coach Israel Landicho.

Winners for Cavite were Melizah Ruth Carreon, International Master Petronio Roca, Jayson San Jose Visca and Renie Malupa.

Carreon routed Woman FIDE Master Sherily Cua on board 3, Roca trounced National Master Master Rudy Ibanez on board 4, Visca crushed Carl Espallardo on board 6 while Malupa outplayed Jaymarc Gutierrez on board 7.

Filipino GM Roland Salvador and Singaporean GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming  led the Pasig side. Salvador beat Singaporean Arena International Master Wagish Kumar Rai on board 1 while Goh Wei Ming edged Lourecel Hernandez Ecot on board 2.

Cavite defeated Pasig, 9-5 in Rapid portion. Earlier, Pasig beat Cavite, 5-2, in blitz side.

Pasig blitz portion winners were IM Eric Labog Jr., Goh Wei Ming, Cua, Ibanez and Laylo against Rai, Ecot, Carreon, Roca and Paraguya.

Visca and Malupa, the two survivors of Cavite, on the other hand, won over Cromwell Sabado and Gutierrez, respectively.

The Cavite Spartans will face Manila Indios Bravos and Isabela Knight Raiders on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.
Manila bested inaugural winner Laguna Heroes, 2-1, in the Armageddon tiebreak while Isabela waylaid Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 11-7

by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Jayson San Jose Visca of Sta. Fe, Romblon captured his 4th title in Romblon Chess Club after winning the championship crown of the weekly Blitz 5+0 Swiss System last May 9, 2021. The tournament was held at lichess. com with a time control of 5 minutes and zero increments.

Visca, a coach & a member of PCAP’s Cavite Spartans scored 9.5 points with 9 wins, 1 draw & a loss against 7-time Phil. Executive Champion Dr. Jenny Mayor.

Blairy Andal Fallarme took the second place while Nephtali “Neph” Bantang finished third.

Rounding up the top ten (10) were 4th Bryan Blair Fallarme, 5th Dr. Jenny Mayor, 6th Christian Ygerr Servanez, 7th Jasper Faeldonia, 8th Yaneah Sofia Tanguilan Morada , 9th Ernie Faeldonia and 10th Vance Thristian Fetil Fajarit.

“Congrats to all the winners. RCC would like to thank the following sponsors,” said Engr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia.

The 1-day event was supported by Mayor Dental Clinic, Mr. Orly Pascual, MLGOO Carlito Faina Jr., GM/Engr. Joseph Galindo, Mr. Jasper Faeldonia and Mr. John Paul Canulo

by Marlon Bernardino.
Oshrie James “OJ” Constantino Reyes (above left) humbled Rafiel Irvin Lacorte in the sixth round then drew with Pat Ferdolf Macabulos in the seventh and final round to capture the Under 10 crown while Gaye Thalia Ventura (above tight) took the Girls Under-8 plum in the National Age Group Chess Championship Semi-Finals online tournament Friday, May 14, 2021 at Tornelo platform.

The 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga, outwitted  Lacorte after 36 moves of a French defense then split the point with Macabulos after 32 moves of a Four Knights Game for a six-point total in the seven-round Swiss system tournament to finish solo first in the boys’ 10-and-under division. Reyes, who swept his first four matches, settled for a truce with John Curt Valencia in the fifth round.

Macabulos and Valencia, wound up tied for second with 5.5 points.

The 6-year-old Ventura, a grade 1 student of Francisco E. Barzaga Memorial School in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, on the other hand defeated Millery Gen Subia after 50 moves of Modern defense to top the Girls U-8 class with 6 points.

Mary Janelle Tan and Glaiza Celine Romero finished second and third placers with 5.5 points apiece.

“Congrats Kuya Oshrie Jhames Constantino Reyes  for winning the prestigious National Age Group Championship U10 Semi Finals. Road to Grand Finals.” said Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Jimmy Reyes, father and coach of OJ.

“Thank you to all who believe and support our very own,  one of Pampanga’s Youth Chess Warriors. Mabuhay Balen Santa Rita & Guagua, Province of Pampanga.” added Mr. Jimmy.

The event is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s president/chairman Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero ” Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission. Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Executive Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Ivan Travis Cu, a consistent winner of an online tournaments, stamped his class again by topping the National Age Group Chess Championship (Semi-Finals) Friday, May 14, 2021 at Tornelo platform.

The 12-year-old Cu, a grade six student of Xavier School, San Juan City, playing under the guidance of Xavier School Athleltic Director Larry De Las Peñas and coach International Arbiter Rolly Yutuc, outwitted Romualdez at a rook and pawn endgame with the black pieces to fashion out the victory in 64 moves of a London System Opening to emerge solo champion in the Under 12 age group category with perfect 7 points.

Cu scored victories over Karl Adrian Dalauta, Yosef Immanuel Morada, Mark Alfonso Azaola, Cassey Miguel Tabamo, James Tuanda, Paulo Efren Castino before beating Romualdez in the last round.

“Congratulations to our son, Ivan Travis Cu for an awesome showing in the National Age Group Chess Championship Semi-Finals (Friday, May 14, 2021). He scored a perfect 7 out of 7 in the competitive U12 Boys category participated in by the top players all over the Philippines (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao). Top 6 finishers will advance to the grand finals in June. It was a phenomenal performance and we are very proud of you.” said Mr. Teddy Cu, father of Ivan Travis.

“Let this tournament inspire you to continue your hard work and reach even greater heights. We’re behind you all the way. Luceat Lux.” he added.

The tournament is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s president/chairman Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero ” Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission. Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Executive Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

Cu is on the roll in the online tournament winning the 2021 Zamboanga Sultans National Age Group Chess Championship Mindanao leg Under-18 Boys division last April 17, the Southern Luzon Under-12-category, 2nd place in the Northern Luzon Under-14-division and another runner-up place in the Visayas leg Under -16-section.

Cu also topped the 1st Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held last February 13, 2021.

Cu gained attention after finishing second place in the Boys 10 and under 36th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships held at the Expo MAX Atria in Singapore on Dec. 27–30, 2019. Cu who amassed seven wins and one loss got a total performance of 1622 for his effort including his last round victory over Oscar Gao (elo 1595) of Australia

On May 07-10, 2021, the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, under the auspices of the FIDE Events
Commission (EVE) and the Asian Chess Federation, held a seminar for International Organizers
concurrently with the Zone 3.4 Open Championships that took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This event was made possible due to financial support from FIDE and the Asian Chess
Federation. The seminar’s objective was to train and certify Organizers of international chess
events in compliance with FIDE regulations. For the first time among such seminars, the topics
included FIDE Online Chess Regulations and emphasized the practical aspects of organizing
hybrid chess competitions. The exam material and format were also updated significantly.

The seminar was given by Vadim Tsypin (CAN) IA, IO, FIDE EVE Lecturer using Zoom
videoconferencing platform. Fifteen (15) participants from five (5) Asian and European
federations took part: UZB, KAZ, KGZ, LAT, UKR. Attendees who passed the exam will be
awarded a FIDE EVE norm necessary for a FIDE IO title application.

Report by Chief Organizer Husan Turdialiev, IA, IO, FIDE Zone 3.4 President, First Vice-
President, Uzbekistan Chess Federation.

by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine chess wunderkind Lexie Grace Hernandez pocketed top honors in the PSC-NCFP Selection – Semi-Finals (Women) online tournament held last May 11 to 13, 2021 on Tornelo platform.

The 15-year-old Hernandez, a grade 9 student of Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga collected 5.5 points on four wins and three draws to win the seven-round tournament.

Actually, Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro City tallied a similar 5.5 points on five wins, one draw and one loss.
Hernandez, however, was proclaimed champion due to better tie break points.

In third place was Ma. Elayza Villa of Mandaluyong City who had 5 points. Thailand based Woman National Master Arvie Lozano took the fourth spot with 4.5 points while Lovely Ann Geraldino of Taguig City finished fifth with 4 points.

“To play with the best player in the country is amazing,” said Ms. Hernandez, who is also the champion in the PSC-NCFP Selection Luzon Leg Elimination (Women). “I’m so happy to have been part of such an incredible event,” added Ms. Hernandez.

Hernandez scored victories over Lovely Ann Geraldino in the first round, Mary Joy Tan in the third round, Ma. Elayza Villa in the fifth round and Rinoa Mariel Sadey in the seventh and final round. She split the point with Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily in the second round,  Ruelle Canino in the fourth round and  Divine Grace Luna in the sixth round.

“Congrats & well done to our Future WGM Lexie Grace Hernandez for winning PSC – NCFP Selection – Women Chess Semi Finals. Good luck to the last one Grand Finals,” said Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Jimmy Reyes, staunch supporter of Ms. Hernandez.

“Soar high Pampanga youth chess warriors,” added Mr. Jimmy, father and coach of Philippine child prodigy siblings Oshrie Jhames “OJ” and Prince Jhamie Constantino Reyes.

Meanwhile, International Master Barlo Nadera of the Philippine Airforce (5.5 points), John Jasper Laxamana of Far Eastern University (4.5 points), Nezil Arj Merilles of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (4.5 points), Jarvey Labanda of Bicol (4 points) and Francis Talaboc of Taguig City ( 4 points) finished top five (5) in the Men’s Division.

The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s president/chairman Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero ” Butch Arreza Pichay Jr. in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission. Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer (COO) Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

by Marlon Bernardino.
It’s official. The Zamboanga Sultans acquired the service of International Master Angelo Abundo Young, an 8-time Illinois State Champion and over-all 8th in the 2019 World Senior Chess Championship in Bucharest, Romania.
Young came back from Chicago, USA for more than 2 decades to pursue his dream to become national champion. He won both the National Junior Champion in 1982 and the National Senior Champion in 2019.
He holds the record of achieving the required three IM norms in just 21 days and also twice US Chess League member of all stars.
“I would like to thank Zamboanga Owner Mr. Zulfikar Sali and Mr. Rey Reyes and all the members of the team for their warm welcome.” added Young, who previously played for the Manila Indios Bravos in the PCAP All Filipino tournament.
“I hope to contribute well to my new home and my team,” he added.
Joining Young in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Chess League dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup which begins on May 15 are Brazilian Grandmaster Alexandr Fier (Import) and Natori Biazza Diaz (Lady player).
Aside from Young, Fier and Diaz, also back for the team are NM Zulfikar Sali, AGM Rey Reyes, International Master Chito Garma, Siblings National Masters Joey and Paulo James Florendo, Sarah Chua, Jezreel Lopez, Jordan Gadayan and 8-times Philippine Executive Champion  Dr. Jenny Mayor

by Marlon Bernardino.
Singaporean Siew Kai Xin (above left) and Filipino Robert Suelo Jr. (above right) will be put to the test as they lead the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the upcoming GM Wesley So Cup which kicks off on May 15, 2021.
Siew will serve as import while Suelo will be part of homegrown players.
“We are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity that Singaporean Siew Kai Xin and Filipino Robert Suelo Jr. will serve as import and homegrown player in the upcoming GM Wesley So Cup which kicks off on May 15,” said Team Manager and Playing Coach Danilo Ponay.
Siew is a 2-time Chess Olympiad member of the Singapore National Team (2016 Baku, Azerbaijan and 2018 Batumi, Georgia) while Suelo won the 1996 Philippine Junior Championships.
Providing support for the team are 1991 Philippine Junior Champion International Master Arlan Cabe, 1985 Philippine Junior Champion National Master Carlos Edgardo Garma, female player Michaela Concio, Joseph Navarro, Jesus Benjamin Lising, Erwin Calar and Noel Jay Estacio.
The champion team will receive P150,000, the runner-up P75,000, the third placer P40,000, and the fourth placer P20,000.
Top individual performers – Best Import, Player of the Conference, and Finals Most Valuable Player – will get P10,000 each.
All these prizes will be shouldered by Super GM Wesley So, the wunderkind from Bacoor, Cavite, who is now an American and one of the world’s elite chess players.
So, the former top Filipino player is the reigning United States and Fischer Random world champion.
The PCAP is headed by president commissioner lawyer Paul Elauria and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua

by Marlon Bernardino.
Mervin Sebastian Manalang and Gerome Benedict Cubangbang continue to reap honors as they finished first and second in the 3rd edition of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour’s (OLOPSC) “Surfin D’ Board” Online Chess Tournament last May 8, 2021 at lichess.org.
Manalang collected 6 points on six wins and one loss in seven outings to romp home with the title in the Elementary Division.
On the other hand, Cubangbang tallied a similar 6 points on six wins and one loss.
Manalang, however, was proclaimed champion due to better tie break points.
Jonathan Wayne Cellesa finished in third placel with 5.5 points while Jacques Spencer Alog II took the fourth spot with 5 points.
Yang Shenhan Lumbre and David Magalong finished fifth and 6th with 4.5 points apiece.
The 7th-9th spots were taken by Lian Allen Sison, Joaquin  Carlos Luis Pacol and Desmond Michael Flores Pimentel with 4 points each while Apollo Julione Barcelon landed in 10th place with 3.5 points.
Meanwhile, Cyrill Kieon Eustaquio (7 points), Francis Ian Fernandez (5.5 points) and Viggo Nicholas Paras (5 points) finished top three (3) in the High School Division.
Special Awards were Keira Alexandria Alfonso (Top Grade 1), Jacob Kristof Alfonso (Top Grade 3), Apollo Julione Barcelon (Top Grade 4), Arkin Angelo Suaco (Top Grade 5), John Marcus Jacob Rafer (Top Grade 6), Juan Gabriel Paguirigan (Top Grade 7), Julien Adao (Top Grade 8), Mark Alwyn Banzuela (Top Grade 9), Lance Balean (Top Grade 10), Bench Serote (Top Grade 11) and Evanescence Naad (Top Grade 12).
The tournament is a pet project of the OLOPSC Parent’s Teachers Association (PTA) according to its President, Sir Errol Bernard Torres using the 10 minutes play to finish rapid time control format, being held in cooperation with the arbitration team of the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation (PACC). Chief Arbiter is NA Ranier B. Pascual while Deputy Chief Arbiter is NA Ferdinand Reyes Sr.