Archives: News

by Marlon Bernardino.
PH chess prodigy Michael Jan Stephen R. Inigo of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental captured the 4th United Queens Chess Club – UQCC Kiddies Cup 2021 on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Lichess.org.

The 13 year old Inigo, a grade seven student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City,Negros Oriental, collected six points on six wins and one loss to win the seven-round tournament.

Inigo  scored victories over Franiel Angela Magpily in the first round, Wrizzia in the second round, Francheska Patricio in the third round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the fifth round, Yaneah Sofia T. Morada in the sixth round and Tyrhone James Tabernilla in the seventh and final round.
His only loss to Sahib Knight in the fourth round.

Actually, Inigo and Knight, both tallied 6 points apiece, however the former (Inigo) took the title with a superior 26 tie break points than the latter’s 25 tie break points.

In solo third place is Franiel Angela Magpily who notch 5.5 points.

Inigo captivated the chess world by winning the gold in the 2019 Davao City Palarong Pambansa Elementary Boys Team Blitz event teaming up with Jerish John Velarde representing Region VII (CVIRAA).

Inigo and Velarde also won the Bronze Medal in the Elementary Boys Team Standard. He also took the Bronze Medal in the Elementary Boys Individual Blitz category.

Inigo also ended up 2nd in the National Age Group Under 16 Boys division Northern Luzon Leg and overall 7th place in the National Age Group Southern Luzon Leg Under 15 Boys division recently held in Tornelo Online Chess Platform

by Marlon Bernardino.
Jon Mark Paguntalan Anarna (above left) of Imus City, Cavite ruled the National Youth & Schools Chess Championship – Visayas Leg Under 13 – Boys division in a tournament held online Thursday through Tornelo platform.

The 10-year-old Anarna, a grade 4 student of Malagasang II Elementary School, Imus City, playing under the guidance of Estavillo Chess Academy of Coach Ederwin Estavillo and Principal IV Dr. Jocelyn A. Limosinero collected six points on five wins and two draws to win the seven-round tournament.

Anarna scored victories over Juan Ryu Bagonoc in the second round, Adriel Simbol in the fourth round,  Bonjoure Fille Suyamin in the fifth round, Keith Adriane Ilar in the sixth round and Joseph Vergara in the seventh and final round. He split the point with Stephanie Jabagat in the first round and Justin Luis in the third round.

Meanwhile, 8-year-old Jeanne Marie Arcinue (photo above) of General Trias City Chess Club topped the 2021 Zamboanga Sultans National Age Group Online Chess Championships Mindanao leg Under 10-Girls division.

Arcinue tallied 6 points in seven outings, the same output of Kezia Ruth Libo-on, whom she beat in the tie break points.

“I’m proud of my players Jon Mark Paguntalan Anarna and Jeanne Marie Arcinue, a win like this isn’t easy.”said coach Ederwin Estavillo.

by Marlon Bernardino.
The 2021 Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio National Youth & Schools Chess Championships – Mindanao Leg gets underway on April 26 and 27, 2021 at Tornelo online platform.

The two-day online chess event is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s chairman/president Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., and NCFP chief operating officer (COO) GM Jayson Gonzales. The event is held 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.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio said she believes that chess can be an avenue for participants to be successful not just in the sport but also in life.

“The game of chess has always been considered a metaphor for life, with the skills invaluable in chess also considered invaluable in life like discipline, courage, determination, sacrifice, and the ability to take risks and to make careful, calculated decisions arrived at after various considerations,” the lady local chief executive said.

According to IA James Infiesto, NCFP Assistant Executive Director for Mindanao, the age group category is divided into six groups, the 7 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 9 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 11 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 13 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories);15 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories) and 17 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories).

by Marlon Bernardino.

Philippine chess prodigy Yanie Ayesha Estavillo of General Trias City, Cavite pocketed the top honors in the 2021 National Youth and Schools Chess Championship – Visayas Leg Under 11 Open Category on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Tornelo platform.

The 9-year-old Estavillo, a grade 4 student of John Isabel Learning Center in General Trias City, Cavite, playing under the guidance of Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer and coach Ederwin Estavillo collected six points on six wins and one loss to win the seven-round tournament.

Estavillo scored victories in succeeding rounds over Julie Gelua Jr. , Miguel Enrico Daabay ,  Ghierzen Lhou Sebastian,  John Curt Valencia, Louie Marzan Nisperos and Hans Lee Villorente in the final round.

Her only loss at the hands of Sebastian Marbas in the fifth round.
“When the game is over I just want to look at myself in the mirror. Winning is important to me, but what brings me real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever I’m doing.” said Estavillo, who is best remembered for her runner-up finish in the 2019 Thailand Chess Festival in Pattaya, Thailand

by Marlon Bernardino.
13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.will be the man to beat in the Fidaire Online Chess Tournament which gets underway April 24, 2021 at lichess.org.

The 59-year-old Quezon City-based Antonio is one of the winningest Filipino players in the free registration online chess tournament, hosted by United States based Woman National Master Cristina Santos-Fidaire, who hails from Tayuman, Tondo, Manila , a former World Chess Olympiad member.

Challenging Antonio are International Masters Angelo Young and Michael Concio Jr., FIDE Masters Robert Suelo Jr. and Roel Abelgas, National Masters Nicomedes Alisangco, Gerardo Cabellon, Nick Nisperos and Jonathan Tan.

The 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format aims to help the development of chess among young people.

The champion will receive P800 while the second P700, third P600, fourth P500 and fifth P400. Sixth to Tenth will each earn P300 while 11th to 20th will receive P250 each

by Marlon Bernardino.
THE Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series dubbed as “Chess for a Cause” gets underway on May 29, 2021. FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr. goes up against Dale Bernardo.

The Singapore based Suelo (in photo) gained attention after winning the 1996 Philippine Junior Championships and spearheading Rizal Technological University Mandalyong City to the over-all championships of the National Inter-Collegiate in the mid 90’s.

Bernardo, on the other hand was one of the mainstays of the UAAP Champion Far Eastern University chess team.

Race to 12 wins, Draws not counted in the battle between two of the country’s hottest woodpushers according to Bayanihan Chess Club president Arena Grandmaster Almario Bernardino.

“We are looking for sponsors for this match.” said AGM Bernardino, whose main aim is to raise funds for needy chess players.

Among the past beneficiaries of Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series are polio victim/ senior citizen and PWD Rondina Magtangol of Pateros, senior citizen and street vendor Mang Joe of Cubao, Quezon City, PWD and senior citizen Kuya Rolly of Cubao, Quezon City and another street vendor Richard Catindoy of Cubao, Quezon City.

Beneficiaries also include National Master Romeo Alcodia of Baras, Rizal, who suffered a mild stroke before the global pandemic, Alvin Gayeta Roma and Jollibee Oliva Sidaya and Langlang and Hope Icao of Rodriguez, Rizal, Stephen Manzanero and Eduardo Nival Campos of Caloocan, Andrew Elpedes of Makati and Gilbert Macutay of Pagadian City.

The Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series Chess For a Cause is being held in cooperation with Bethesda, Maryland, US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas, Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas, Jubail, Saudi based Mr. Jimmy Reyes, Arena Master Mark Anthony Dulatre, Hardegen Family from Andrew, Kathryn, Zoe and Eva and Cruz Family  from Jonas, Rosalyn and Jennifer, Auckland, New Zealand based Retired Capt. Jun Isaac, New York, USA based US master Rainier Labay, Ms. Carmina Joy Mariano, Mr. Zaldy Rigals Aliwaros, Mr. Juancho Caunte and coach Marguel Laborte Soria

by Marlon Bernardino.
In a battle of resistance, mental strength and alertness, the España Chess club Philippine International team prevailed to claim its 3rd straight championship in a 12-hour marathon team battle held at lichess. com last April 20, 2021, from 6:00 PM up to April 21, 2021, 6:00 AM. Time control was 4 minutes & zero increments. It shall be recalled that ECC-PHIL. INT’L team won the 2 other marathon battles for the month of April last April 6 & April 13.

Former Polytechnic University of the Philippines mainstay Victor “Bong” Anas of Bulacan scored a tournament-high of 266 points from a total of 135 games, 51 points ahead of 2nd placer Adit Uruci of Albania. Anas was supported by the other 19 team leaders who maintained the lead from other participating teams for 12 hours of play.

Other team members are Ted Ian Montoyo, NM Elwin Retanal, Mark Anthony Carganilla, AGM Joseph Galindo, Clement Valledor, Leo Mirana, Ricardo Jimenez, Mark Ceasar Agustin, Eduardo Campos Jr., Josevito Tapulgo, Darwin Secorata, Judemund Ramirez, FM Jony Habla, Vincent Brimbuela, Russel Codamos, Eric Calacday, Nicky Nikoy Olvina, Josefino De Guzman and Roland Villa.

The tournament was participated in by 141 teams worldwid., The top 10 participating teams are:
1st- España Chess Club Phil. Int’l – Philippines
2nd- Iloilo Philippines Friendly Chess Club- Philippines
3rd- Federata E Shahut E Kosoves – Phristine Kosova, Serbia
4th- Schacchierando- Italia
5th- KBPL Indonesia- Lampung, Indonesia
6th- Trio Fantastico & Friends- Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
7th- Colegas De Kike- Madrid, Spain
8th- Karo Team- Karo, Indonesia
9th- Top Team Distrito- Capital District, Venezuela
10th- Morocco.

by Marlon Bernardino.

PH chess wunderkind Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga,  a consistent online winner, stamped his class again by topping the 2021 National Youth & Schools Chess Championship – Visayas Leg on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Tornelo platform.

The 9 years old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga, tallied the highest output of perfect 7 points to rule the 7-round Swiss system competition, Under-15-Boys division, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s Chairman/ President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commisison and assisted by tournament director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

Cyrus James Damiray of Tanza, Cavite finished second with 6 points. Robert James Perez of Lipa City, Batangas, Mark Jovan Ventayen of Lingayen, Pangasinan and Joshua Manire of San Pedro, Laguna finished with identical 5 points while Allan Gabriel Hilario of Manila and Josh Castro of General Trias City, Cavite completed the top seven finishers with 4.5 points each.

“Congrats kuya Oshrie Jhames Constantino Reyes for the impressive performance (perfect score 7/7 pts) of bringing another crown in the recently concluded Nationwide prestigious National Youth & School Online Chess Championship , Vizayas leg Qualifying U15. Keep it up kuya OJ.”said Jubail, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia based Jaime “Jimmy” Reyes, OJ’s father and coach.

Reyes  is on the roll in the online tournament champion in the National Youth & School Championship , North Luzon Leg qualifying U13 and GM Eugene Torre Search for kiddies Grand Master U12 2nd leg.

Reyes captivated the chess world after winning three (3) silver medal during the 20th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championship in Myanmar two years ago.

Final Standings:
(Under 15 – Boys, 7 Round Swiss-System)
7 points—Oshrie Jhames Constantino Reyes
6 points—Cyrus James Damiray
5 points—Robert James Perez, Mark Jovan Ventayen, Joshua Manire
4.5 points—Allan Gabriel Hilario, Josh Castro

by Marlon Bernardino.
All is set for the 3rd staging of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour’s (OLOPSC) “Surfin D’ Board” Online Chess Tournament on May 8.

The tournament is a pet project of the OLOPSC Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) according to its President, Sir Errol Bernard Torres. “Even in a pandemic, online chess tournament  is a thriving and welcome activity for our students to showcase their talents and intellectual prowess”, said Sir Torres.

A seven round swiss system using 10 minutes plus 3 seconds increment time control format will be staged on the online platform Lichess.org.

Registration is free and is open to all bonafide Grade school and High School students of the school. It also offers a whopping P20,000 worth of cash prizes, plaques, and medals, with each participant to be given an e-certificate. The Champions for both the grade school and high school categories will receive the top prize of P1,500 each, with cash prizes to be given for winners up to 10th places for both categories.

The tournament is held in cooperation with the arbitration team of the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation (PACC). Its  Chief Arbiter is NA Ranier B. Pascual and its Deputy Chief Arbiter is NA Ferdinand Reyes Sr.  “We, in the PACC, hope to contribute in spurring the grassroots development of Chess in our country”, said NA Pascual.

Among the early registrants of the tournament are Allen Sison, Marcus Rafer, Desmond Pimentel, Keandra and Keira Aviso, Oliver Sanchez, Vince Yu, Xyleen Sunga, Gerome Cubangbang, Yang Lumbre, Mervin Manalang, Jacob Alfonso, Jacques Alog II, Carly Cuaresma, Lance Balean and Arkin Suaco.

According to OLOPSC PTA officer Mam Grace Balean, deadline of registration will be on April 26.

National Arbiter Ranier B. Pascual (standing, seventh from left) is with some of the members of OLOPSC Parent’s Teachers Association (PTA) in this photo taken before the global pandemic.