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Philippine juniors IM Daniel Quizon, 17, IM Michael Concio Jr, 16, and Indonesian IM Mohamad Ervan (above left) share the lead with 3.5 points after 4 rounds of the Zone 3.3 Zonal Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com to download games and for round by round results and standings. Watch games live on Followchess, chessbomb, chess.com and chess24.

Ervan essayed the English Attack against the Sicilian Najdorf of Quizon. The Indonesian IM unleashed a sacrificial attack with 28. Nxf6+ (see diagram) which Quizon wisely declined.

Advantage seesawed between both sides and the game was drawn by repetition of position on the 49^th move.

Concio used the Hungarian Defense against FM Lye Lik Zang of Malaysia. In the endgame, Lye was forced to give up his Rook to stop pawn promotion and resigned on the 72^nd move.

Seven players follow with 3 points each, namely Indonesian GM Novendra Priasmoro and IMs Yoseph Theolifus Taher, Sean Winshand Cuhendi and Lutfi Ali Muhammad, and FM Pitra Andyka, Filipino Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Singaporean FM Jagadeesh Siddharth.

Meantime, Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre paid a courtesy call on Mayor Atty. Rommel “Mel” Gecolea on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Torre is in Cabuyao City, Laguna to promote chess especially among the youth. Cabuyao is one of the venues for the Zone 3.3 Zonal Hybrid Chess Championship.

Also in photo are BayaniCa Executive Director Mike Aranzanso, Vice-Mayor Leif Opiňa, Cabuyao Sports Committee Head Mr. Jerome Lualhati, City Legal Officer Atty. Randy Hemedes and AGM/FA Dr. Alfredo Paez.

Last month, GM Torre was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), becoming the first male from Asia to be given such an honor.

In 2016, Torre was part of the 2nd batch of inductees of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame cited by the Philippine Sports Commission.-Marlon Bernardino-

by Marlon Bernardino.
PH chess prodigy Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes once again demonstrated why he is one of the country’s top kiddy athletes for his “never-say-die” spirit.

The 9 year old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga overcame a 0-4 deficit to eke out a come-from-behind 9-8 win against 10 year old Arnel Mahawan Jr., a grade 4 student of San Rafael Central Elementary School, San Rafael, Bulacan in the Mobile Chess Club Philippines Match Up Series, Blitz Edition, Monday night, May 3, 2021 at lichess.org.

“I had to keep my composure if I had to win this game,” said Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga, who brought down Mahawan, 8-6, last February 5.

Actually, Reyes found himself on the brink of defeat after Mahawan widened his lead  from 4-0, 5-1, 8-4, in this race-to-nine wins, draws not counted, 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format, hosted by the dynamic duo Mr. Mark Angelo Godino and Mr. John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines featuring the players from Jessie Villasin Cup.

But Reyes won the next four game to level the count at 8 all.

Mahawan had a chance to win the game but overlooked a Knight to g4 sacrifice in the 15th moves of their 17th games allowing Reyes to win the match.

“Luck was on my side until the end,” Reyes referring overlooked a Knight to g4 sacrifice of Mahawan in the 15th moves of their 17th games.

Fondly called OJ in the chess world, the young Reyes will be seeing in action in the semifinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships as well the National Youth & School Championships this month of May according to Jubail, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia based father and coach Jimmy Reyes.

“I did my best but OJ still emerged better,” said Mahawan.

“I look forward to play against Arnel again in the future,” last word of OJ.
OJ is also scheduled to face Yanie Ayesha Estavillo on May 22 and Megan Althea Obrero Paragua on May 29, a chess for a cause project of Bayanihan Chess Club which aims to help needy chess player

Seventeen year old IM Daniel Quizon of the Philippines (photo above) and Mohamad Ervan (below left) of Indonesia share the lead with perfect 3-point slates after as many rounds of the Zone 3.3 Zonal Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com to download games and for round by round results and standings. Watch games live on Followchess, chessbomb, chess.com and chess24.

Quizon crushed the Sicilian Defense of FM Pitra Andyka of Indonesia in 65 moves. Ervan turned back the Queen’s Gambit Declined of Michael Gotel of the Philippines to win the endgame using the Bishop pair against Rook.

Four players from four different countries follow with 2.5 points each, namely IM Michael Concio, Jr. (photo above) f the Philippines, IM Theolifus Yoseph Taher of Indonesia, FM Jagadessh Siddarth of Singapore (below left) and FM Lye Lik Zang of Malaysia (below right).

A total of 52 players from six countries are participating, namely Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Laos. Games are scheduled 14:00 (Manila time) daily.

Four Players shares the top spot in CFSL Online Under 16 Open Youth Rapid Chess Championship- 2021

Kosala Amaratunge (above left) of JMC International School, Kaluthara won the Championship after three more players, Senuka Ahangama (above center) (DS Senanayake College), Bridjesh Saravanabhavan (abofe right) (Gateway International School) and SMMP Kulathilake(Sangabodhi Vidyalaya, Nittambuwa) shared the highest points of 7 ½ out of 8 games at the above event. All four players were unbeaten where they just gave 1 draw to their opponents and received a forefeet point where Kosala had the better Tie-breaker.

Senuka Aswin Ahangama won the Silver Medal while Brijeash Saravanabhavan won the Bronze Medal on their tie break performance. S M M P Kulathilake had to satisfy with the 4^th place.

CFSL Online Under 16 Open Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2021 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka was successfully held on 1^st and 2^nd of May 2021 via the Chess.com Platform. A total of 137 players from all over the country registered for the event which was conducted for 8 rounds with the time control of 15 minutes +10 seconds increment per each move played. Players were logged in to chess.com/live (not only www.chess.com) and played on laptops. Players were instructed to register their real name in their chess.com profile and upload their real photo. Age was considered by the 1^st of January 2021.

The event was conducted with the highest precautions for anti-cheating regulations. Mobiles or other equipment were not allowed during the games. Only the player was allowed in his/her playing room. Player’s webcam, speaker, and microphone worked at all times. Also, players shared their screens with the organizers with task bar. All other programs except the Chess.com & the zoom were closed while playing the games. Players were not allowed to make noise and to avoid background noise. All the games were closely monitored. Engines were used for the analysis purpose and randomly games were analyzed by www.chess.com and the world Chess representative, Prof. Regan. If any misconduct or violation found, the player to be removed from the event and disciplinary actions will be taken accordingly by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. Players may be banned for two years from competitive chess in case of ssever misconduct.

Final Standings of top 10 players are as follows.

You may find the complete list of final standings from the link here:

http://chess-results.com/tnr559156.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=8

by Marlon Bernardino.

Philippine Juniors IM Michael Concio Jr. (photo above), 17, and IM Daniel Quizon, 18, set the pace after two rounds of the Zone 3.3 Hybrid Zonal Chess Championship on Tornelo. Six players, three Filipinos and three Indonesians, share early lead with 2 points each. Visit chess-results.com to download games and for round by round results and standings. Watch games live on Followchess, chessbomb, chess.com and chess24. Read earlier stories of round 1.

Concio checkmated IM Tin Jingyao of Singapore after 53 moves of a Slav defense for his second straight victory. The Dasmariñas City, Cavite ace, crafted the win with the white pieces to create a six-way tie for first with compatriot Quizon, National Master Michael Gotel of the Philippines, IMs Yoseph Theolifus Taher and Mohamad Ervan and FM Pitra Andyka of Indonesia.

Concio earned his International Master title and a GM norm as well during the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships at the Lima Hotel in Tanauan City, Batangas two years ago when he was only 14.

Concio, who at a young age is also a businessman selling fried duck and egg, earlier beat Choong Wai Edwin Lam of Malaysia in the first round.

Quizon, another Dasmariñas City, Cavite bet playing under the guidance of Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. and national coach FM Roel Abelgas, nipped 14-year-old CM Prin Laohawirapap of Thailand after 44 moves of Sicilian defense. Gotel of Bulacan province routed IM Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia after 56 moves of a French defense.

Prin, is the tormentor of top seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia in the first round Saturday. Megaranto drew his second round assignment against Christian Mark Daluz of Bulan, Sorsogon after 73 moves of Closed Sicilian defense.

In other matches, Taher outplayed FM Zhuo Ren Lim of Malaysia after 55 moves of a Sicilian defense, Ervan defeated FM Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao City after 43 moves of Alekhine defense while Andyka smashed IM Muhammad Lutfi Ali of Indonesia after 28 moves of a Sicilian defense.

Meanwhile, IM John Marvin Miciano of Davao City forced stalemate against second seed Grandmaster Novendra Priasmoro of Indonesia in a 62-move Dutch Defense after holding a slightly worse bishop versus knight endgame.

Miciano now has 1.5 points, the same output of countryman lone Filipino GM Darwin Laylo, who brought down Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo after 52 moves of a Sicilian defense.

Also with 1.5 points are Merben Roque, Ellan Asuela and Jeremy Marticio of the Philippines, GM Priasmoro, IMs Gilbert Eroy Tarigan and Sean Winshand Cuhendi and CM Aditya Bagus Arfan of Indonesia, FM  Jagadeesh Siddharth of Singapore, FM Lik Zang Lye and Jun Ying Tan of Malaysia.

Fifty-two players from six nations are taking part in the event that has a prize fund of $1,500

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Zeus Alexis T. Paglinawan (above left) of Cabusao, Camarines Sur and Michael Jan Stephen R. Inigo (above right) of Bayawan City,Negros Oriental continue to reap honors as they finished first and second in the 17th Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI)-Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales Birthday Arena online chess tournament on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at lichess.org.

The 14-year-old Paglinawan, ZPaglinawan_Bicol_13 on Lichess, finished with 36 points in 13 games for a win rate of 85 percent and performance rating of 2280 to win the event that drew 111 players nationwide.

The event was presented by Lichess Battle Arena, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI), Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) and Endgame Sports Multi-Events, Inc. (ESMI) headed by it’s founding president National Master/Atty. Cresencio V. Aspiras Jr.

The online tournament had time control of three minutes with an increment of two second and players must win as many games in one hour and thirty minutes of play, according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Sunday, May 2, 2021.

The 14-year-old San Mateo, Rizal based Paglinawan, a Grade 8 student of Far Eastern University-FERN, Quezon City, won 11 games and lost two games for his aggregate score and P1,000 top purse.

The 13 year old Inigo, a Grade 7 student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City,Negros Oriental, on the other hand took the second spot with 35 points on 12 games and a win rate of 83 percent on ten wins,  drew one, lost one for a performance rating of 2269 and the P700 second place prize.

Fondly called Bonbon in the chess world, Inigo is one of the Top 15  Qualifiers for Semi Finals.
Inigo competed among 59 strong Chess Players all over the Philippines during PSC-NCFP Men’s Division Quarter Finals was held last April 28,29 and  30, 2021 at Tornelo platform. Inigo landed over-all 12th place which topped by  14-year-old Gio Troy Ventura, a Grade 8 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School.

The Zone 3.3 Zonal started 1st May with 52 players from six countries participating, namely Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Laos. Games are scheduled daily from 14:00-20:00 Manila time until 9th May. Watch games live on Followchess, chessbomb, chess.com and chess24. Download games at chess-results.com and see round by round pairings and standings. The World Cup time control is applied, namely 40 moves in 90 minutes followed by 30 minutes to finish with increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1.

As required by FIDE regulations, each venue has a Local Chief Arbiter and a Local Technical Assistant. Stable internet connection for players is the responsibility of the national federation. Players are grouped together in Zoom breakout rooms. In addition, each venue is monitored over Zoom by Arbiters. IA Hamid Majid of Malaysia proctors Philippines, IA Reden Cruz monitors Singapore, Thailand and Laos venues assisted by NA Susan Neri, IA Patrick Lee proctors Indonesia venue while FA Rudy Ibanez proctors Malaysian venue.

Players can play only on laptops. Before the start of each game, Local Arbiters check that the Task Manager is “Always on Top” and players are required to share their screen. After the game the browser history is saved by the Arbiters. Arbiters monitor video and audio. Players may not leave the playing area without the permission of the Arbiter. Players may not speak to others during the game and no spectators are allowed. No phones, headphones or earphones are allowed.

COVID restrictions are strictly observed. All are required to wear masks or face shields and hand sanitizers are provided. Temperatures are checked with clear warning that those with high temperatures will not be allowed to enter.

Above photos show the perfect conditions of the well lit, air-conditioned Indonesian venue in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta. Closely watching the players is IA Endar Sakti Lubis (at far right corner).

The Indonesian Chess Federation, headed by its President, Senator GM Utut Adianto, billeted their players in the Utut Adianto Chess Academy and Arbiters in nearby hotel. The Indonesian players are GM Susanto Megaranto, GM Novendra Priasmoro, IM Azarya Jodi Setyaki, IM Muhammad Lutfi Ali, IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi, IM Gilbert Elroy Tarigan, IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher, IM Mohammad Ervan, FM Pitra Andyka and CM Aditya Bagus Arfan.

Above is the Kuala Lumpur venue with one match played over-the-board. Regulations allow players in the same venue who are paired together to choose to play over-the-board. The Kuala Lumpur players are FM Rohan Shan Tze Navaratnam, FM Lim Zhuo-Ren, Ang Ern Jie Anderson, Wee Zhun Teh, FM Lye Lik Zang, Edwin Lam Choong Wai and Chee Sian Sebastien Chua. Local Chief Arbiter is FA Syawal Aqmar Shahrir Ariff.

Above is the Penang venue. Players are Looi Xin Hao, Poh Yu Tian, CM Tan Jun Ying, Keok Kai En, Wei Sheng Lim, Divyadarrshini Loganathan. Local Chief Arbiter is Lim Poay Sim.

The Singapore players above are IM Tin Jingyao and FM Jagadeesh Siddharth under the watchful eye of Local Chief Arbiter IA/IO Nisban Koh. They are playing at the Singapore Chess Federation headquarters.

Above is the Thailand venue with players Laohawirapap Prin and Wiwatanadate Poompong. Local Chief Arbiters are Klubwong Prakarn and Phanudom Khosak.

The Cebu, Philippines venue above in a plush hotel was arranged by chess patron Dr. Ariel Potot. Cebu players are WIM Bernadette Galas, Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Jerish John Velarde, Richard Natividad and Jave Mareck Peteros.

FIDE Arbiter Dr. Fred Paez of Cabuyao City arranged above venue for Laguna. Players are Ellan Asuela, Christian Mark, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Jeremy Marticio and Vince Angelo Medina.

Congressman Elpidio Barzaga, Jr., an avid chess player and patron, sponsored the Dasmarinas, Cavite venue for his players GM Darwin Laylo, IM Daniel Quizon, IM Michael Concio Jr. and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido. Keeping an eye over them is Local Chief Arbiter FA Ricky Navalta.

Local Chief Arbiter FA Hubert Estrella stands over Pasig, Metro Manila players Michael Gotel and Narciso Gumila.

For Mindanao, IA James Infiesto (standing center) is the Local Chief Arbiter in Davao City. Davao players are IM John Marvin Miciano, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Henry Roger Lopez, Gabriel Umayan, Samantha Umayan and Allan Diez

by Marlon Bernardino.
GIO TROY VENTURA of Dasmariñas City, Cavite scored a crucial win over Mark James Marcellana of Santa Rosa, Laguna in the ninth and final round to claim the championship of the PSC-NCFP Selection Quarter Finals Men’s online chess tournament Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Tornelo platform.

After losing to Emmanuel Asi in the first round, Ventura bounced back with aplomb to down Janmyl Dilan Tisado in the second round, Michel Jackson Ambuang in the third round and Christian Marcelo Olaybal in the fourth round.

He split the point with Freddie Talaboc in the fifth round then defeated Cedric  Daniel Macato in the sixth round, John Jasper Laxamana  in the seventh round, Jarvey Labanda in the eight round and Mark James Marcellana in the ninth and final round.

That was all Ventura needed to nail the title with the highest output of 7.5 points. The 14-year-old Ventura, a Grade 8 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School whose stint here is being supported by Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and Chester Caminong is fresh from winning the Under-15 divsion of the 2021 National Youth & Schools Online Chess Championships – Southern Luzon Leg last April 7, 2021.

Laxamana, on the other hand, settled for the second place honors with 7 points.
Labanda and Alfred Moulic, meantime tallied 6.5 points apiece winding up third and fourth, respectively.

Rounding up to the top 10 finishers who totes 6 points each were Marcellana, Talaboc, John Kenneth Gelua, Joseph Lawrence Rivera, Jasper Faeldonia and Leonardo Navarro.

Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily split the point with Lexie Grace Hernandez in the last round to scored 8.5 points in nine outings to went home the title in the Women’s division.
Woman Fide Master Samantha Glo Revita lead the huge group of 6.5 pointers that includes Rinoa Mariel Sadey, Justnin Macapuno, Franchesca Largo, Hernandez and Melizah Ruth Carreon.
Mary Joy Tan, Ruelle Canino and Samantha Babol Umayan shared 8th to 10th placers with 6 points each

by Marlon Bernardino.

JEANNE MARIE ARCINUE (above right) of General Trias City, Cavite and Stephen Johnel Extra (above left) of San Pascual,  Hagonoy, Bulacan earned triumphant finishes by besting their rivals during the conclusion of the 2021 Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio National Youth & Schools Chess Championships – Mindanao Leg  held last April 26 and 27, 2021 at Tornelo online platform.

Arcinue, one of the top players of the star-studded General Trias City Chess Club under the guidance of Rep. Jonjon Ferrer and coach Ederwin Estavillo, topped the Girl’s Under-9 title. The 8-year-old chess prodigy won her first five matches then lost to Raya Georgette Paradero in the sixth round, bounced back with an seventh and final-round win over Mica Claire Clar.
Actually, Arcinue and Faith Argenal, both tallied 6 points apiece in seven outings, however Arcinue took the title with a better tie break points.

Arcinue is also fresh from winning the 2021 Zamboanga Sultans National Age Group Online Chess Championships Mindanao leg Under 10-Girls division last April 17, 2021.

The 13-year-old Extra, meanwhile, drew with Christian Erickson Costuna in the final round of the Boy’s Under-15 to top the division with 6.0 points.

Extra, a grade 8 pupil of Ramona S. Trillana Highschool drew his first round matches to Arleah Cassandra Sapuan in the first round, then bested Lorenzo Guevara in the second round, Mysoul Malabarbas in the third round, Richard Haiden in the fourth round, David Rey Ancheta in the fifth round,  Jerome Pullos in the sixth round before beating split the point with Costuna in the last round.

The two-day online chess event, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s chairman/president Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., NCFP chief operating officer (COO) GM Jayson Gonzales and  NCFP Assistant Executive Director for Mindanao IA James Infiesto in close cooperation with City Government of Davao, Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) and Go IPSB Sports Program ni Mayor Inday and backed up by Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates team owner AIM/NA Rey Urbiztondo, CPA Cipriano Magalso, NM Jonathan Tan and Atty. Jong Guevarra and Davao Chess Eagles