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By IA S. Ganesh Babu, Chief Arbiter.

The 68^th Tamil Nadu State Open Chess Championship was organised by Tirunelveli District Chess Development Association held at Thamirabharani Engineering College, Tirunelveli from 29^th March to 02^nd April, 2021. The Prize fund of Rs.1,50,000 was split into 25 main prizes and 80 trophies for age category players.       The five day event was inaugurated by Mr.M R Paulraj, Chairman, Thamirabharani engineering college in the presence of Mrs. Annalakshmi, Principal, TEC, Prof. R Anantharam, Vice President, TNSCA and Tournament coordinator, Mr. M Ephrame, Joint Secretary, TNSCA, Mr.Paul Kumar, Secretary, TDCDA, Mr. Prethip, Vice President, TDCDA, Mr. Rex, Secretary, Kanyakumari DCA, Mr.R P Senthil Kumaran, Secretary, Thanjavur DCA, Mr.S Ganesh Babu, Chief Arbiter and Mr.Selva Manikandan, Deputy Chief Arbiter & Treasurer, TDCDA.

Three hundred and seventy four players from 30 districts participated in this nine round swiss format tournament out of which 207 players were internationally rated. The seeding list was spearheaded by the fifteen year old defending champion V Pranav (2348 rating) of Velammal Vidyalaya, Chennai. N Lokesh of Krishnagiri, K Senthil Maran of Thiruvallur, IM Balasubramaniam R of Chengalpattu and the runner up of the last edition SS Manigandan of Madurai were seeded from 2^nd to 5^th respectively.

The first round witnessed a mild upset when S Jai Karthik of Trichy held sixth seeded FM T Purushothaman of Thanjavur who recently migrated from Andhra Pradesh. In the third round, second seeded N Lokesh had to share the point with Sudharsun Gurukrishnan of Salem in a same colour bishop ending. There were two more drawn encounters among the top seven boards, wherein former national blitz champion Ram S Krishnan of BSNL had to give up half a point to V Mithun Anand of Thoothukudi and higher rated G Gugan of Salem had to concede a draw to S Sathyanarayanan of Chennai.

Of the top five games of the fourth round, FM Senthil Maran and M Barath Kalyan of Tiruvarur were forced to split the point with Aadith R of Chengalpattu and Sree Veeramani P of Kanchi respectively. Twelve players shared the lead with four points each at the end of the fourth round. Three players Pranav, IM Balasubramaniam and fourteen year old R. Shadhursshaan of Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar district emerged leaders with a full score of five points from five rounds. The friends and foes SS Manigandan and RM Subramanian both from Golden Knights Chess Academy Madurai drew their games, as did Arnav Maheshwari and Nikhil Magizhan of Tiruvallur district. In this round, Shadhursshaan played a beautiful game to subdue FM VInoth Kumar M of Chennai, rated 500 points above him.

Pranav continued his winning spree recording his sixth continuous victory in six games, this time over the experienced international master Balasubramaniam. On the second board, the in-form Shadhursshaan played on par with the 2019 edition runner up SS Manigandan to extract half a point. Former under 9 national champion and runner up in the under 11 nationals, AR Ilamparithi also drew with Arnav. B Vignesh of Chengalpattu and Barath Kalyan defeated G Gugan and Arunachalam Shivaa of Coimbatore respectively to join Shadhursshaan, K  Nandha Kumar of Coimbatore and RM Subramanian on the second spot, half a point behind Pranav.

Pranav maintained his spectacular form to outwit B Vignesh to register his seventh win of the tournament and another decisive result on the third board enabled Nandhakumar over RM Subramanian to be the only player on the second position with 6.5 points. Again, the tiny Shadhursshaan held Barath rated 600 points above him, to a draw on the second board. Ten players were on the third place with six points each. Pranav did not relax and raced to his eighth win beating Nandhakumar in the eighth round. IM Balasubramaniam, AR Ilamparithi and S Suganthan of Tirunelveli to move to second place, one point behind Pranav.

In the final round, Pranav went on to beat Suganthan to retain his title with a record score of 9.0/9. IM Balasubramanian and Ilamparithi drew their game to finish second and third respectively with 7.5 points each. SS Manigandan and Dinesh Kumar Jaganathan also scored 7.5 points and were placed fourth and fifth. Pranav studying 10^th standard in Velammal Vidyalaya, Chennai is coached by FT K Visweswaran.

Sri Senthil Kumar Palraj, Secretary Thamirabharani Engineering College presided over the function and Sri MR Paulraj, Chairman of the college was the chief guest. Other guests of honour present were Mrs. Annalakshmi, Principal of the college and Mr. Prethip, Vice President, TDCDA, Prof. R. Anantharam, IA, Tournament coordinator, Mr. Paul Kumar, Secretary, TDCDA, Mr. S Ganesh Babu, Chief Arbiter and Mr. Selva Manikandan, Deputy Chief Arbiter & Treasurer, TDCDA.

15^th BRDCA Karnataka state open Fide rated chess championship 2021 was held at Virginia Mall, Whitefield Main Road, Varthur Kodi Circle, Bangalore-560066. The Tournament was organized by Bangalore Rural District Chess Association (BRDCA).  The Tournament attracted 211 players from all over Karnataka out of which 86 players were rated. This event was conducted with 9 rounds in Swiss format. Top seed was Sanjay N of Bengaluru with a rating of 2330. Total cash prize fund was Rs.225,000.

The tournament was inaugurated on 31^st March 2021 by Chidanand A Vice President of united Karnataka chess Association and Secretary of Bangalore Rural District Chess Association (BRDCA).

All COVID norms are followed as instructed by Indian Government and BBMP norms Bangalore. All players are wearing mask during play. Sanitizer kept at enough places for players to wash their hands. After every round disinfectant spray was sprayed in all boards and clocks.

In the 9^th round which started on 4^th April 2021 by 1:15 PM, on the top board with white pieces Prachura PP (7 Pts) DREW with Ojas Kulkarni (7 Pts). In Second board white pieces played by Sharan Rao (7 Pts) BEAT Balakishan A (7 Pts). In the 3^rd Board white pieces played by Sudharshan Bhat (6½ Pts) DREW with Parthasarthy R (7 Pts). 4 players who qualified to represent Senior Nationals at Kanpur are Sharan Rao, Ojas Kulkarni, Prachura P.P. and Parthasarathy R. (photo above)

The Prize Distribution Ceremony took place on 4^th of April 2021 at 6.00 pm, the Chief Guest was Mr. Hanumantha R, Secretary United Karnataka Chess Association and Events committee Chairman in All India Chess Federation and Mr. Chidanand A, Secretary BRDCA & Vice president of UKCA gave away the prizes.

FA Murugasundaram K

Chief Arbiter

by Marlon Bernardino.

Chess wizard Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Reyes (above left) put on a strong start and a stronger finish to run away with the kiddies boys crown, while wunderkind Bonjoure Fille “The Flash” Suyamin (above right)  sustained her fine start to pocket the girls plum in the National Youth & Schools Chess Championship – North Luzon Leg online tournament on Friday, April 16, 2021.

The 9 year old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga finished with 5 wins and 2 draws for a total of 6 points, the same output of Mark Gabriel Usman. Reyes, however, was proclaimed champion in the Under-13 Boys category due to better tie break points.

Reyes scored victories over Cleiford Kortchnoi Molinyawe in the first round, Marion Erx Daabay in the second round, John Curt Valencia in the third round, Yaneah Sofia in the sixth round and Sumer Justine in the seventh and final round. He split the point with Keith Adriane Ilar in the fourth round and Mark Gabriel Usman in the fifth round.

“Congrats kuya Oshrie Jhames Constantino Reyes (9 yrs old, grade 4 student of EZEE, Pampanga) for snatching the title for nationwide “National Youth & School Chess Championship (U13), North Luzon Qualifying leg.” said Jubail, Saudi based Jaime “Jimmy” Reyes, OJ’s father and coach.

Yosef Immanuel Morada, John Curt Valencia and Yaneah Sofia Morada tied for third with 5 points while Sumer Justine Oncita, Jayson Jacobo Tiburcio and Joshua Manire ended up with identical 4.5 points in this event, hosted by Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen C. Paulino in close cooperation with City Sports and Youth Development led by OIC David B. Bayarong, FIDE national instructor Joel Escorial Villanueva, the Philippine Sports Commisison, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s Chairman/ President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and tournament director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

In the Under 15 Girls section, the 11 year old Suyamin, a grade 5 section Daniel pupil of Del Rosario Christian Institute Of General Trias tallied perfect 7 points to romp home with the title.
Suyamin, one of the top players of General Trias City Chess Club under the guidance of coach Ederwin Estavillo swept all her matches against Angel Laurice Paradela, Sophia Jabagat, Yezka Mendoza, Kaye Lalaine Regidor, Lorraine Paradela, Daniella Louise Dee and Raya Georgette Paradela, respectively. She finished 1.5 points ahead of Kaye Lalaine Regidor who had 5.5 points. Sophia Jabagat wound up with 4.5 points and shared third place with Lorraine Paradela.

“Congratulations Bonjoure Fille Suyamin for winning the prestigious chess tournament. We are proud of you,” said her mother Mrs. Elizabeth Suyamin.

Other category winners were Drinian Villanueva (Boys U9, 7/7),  Christian Tolosa (U11, Open 6/7), Joemel Narzabal (Boys U15, 5.5/7), Juncin Estrella (Boys U17, 6.5/7),  Gllasea Ann Hilario (Girls U9, 7/7), Ma. Theresa Barry (Girls U13, 5/6) and Ruelle Canino (Girls U17, 7/7).-Marlon Bernardino-

Final Standings:
(Under 13 – Boys, 7 Round Swiss-System)
6 points—Oshrie Jhames Reyes, Mark Gabriel Usman
5 points—Yosef Immanuel Morada, John Curt Valencia,  Yaneah Sofia Morada
4.5 points—Sumer Justine Oncita, Jayson Jacobo Tiburcio, Joshua Manire
(Under 15 – Girls, 7 Round Swiss-System)
7 points—Bonjoure Fille Suyamin
5.5 points—Kaye Lalaine Regidor
4.5 points—Sophia Jabagat, Lorraine Paradela

The Thailand Chess Association has held an over-the-board tournament, the 1st Chinag Mai Friendly Chess Tournament, 3, 4 and 6 April in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Jonathan Bodemar won the Open section, Tanawat Sankham won the Under-14 section, Chatchaya Abhiromasawat won the Under-12 section, Punyathon Kaenratana won the Under-12 section while Ornpattraikulra Sethak and Phuwin Louwakul tied for first in the Under-7 and Under-8 sections.

by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA—PH Chess wunderkind Al Basher Jumangit Buto bested his more experienced opponents to rule the Bawah 12 Tahun Putrajaya (Under 12 category, Malaysia virtual chess tournament) 2021 chess online tournament on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

The 11-year-old Buto, a grade five pupil of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal, whose stint here is being supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., Sen. Ping Lacson and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) scored ten victories out of the possible eleven including an impressive final-round triumph over Muthupyr of Chenai, India after 62 moves of Scotch Opening. The 10 minutes rapid time control format which attracted 1,997 young chess players worldwide was organized by Kejohanan Catur Atas Talian Piala Timbalan Menteri Wilayah of Malaysia.

It was another victory for the veteran age group internationalist, an Asean Master who is being groomed to be the next Wesley So.

The young Cainta-based Maranao chess player, who traces his roots from Marawi City is fresh from winning the Luzon Leg of the Philippine Sports Commission-National Chess Federation of the Philippines online selection tournament last Thursday.

Buto’s other wins came at the expense of Tavamathie Surendran of Malaysia in the first round, Izzat Naqib of Malaysia in the second round, Emily May Rosly of Malaysia in the third round, Shreeneshen of Malaysia in the fourth round,  CK of Malaysia in the fifth round, Wei Shen Yeoh of Malaysia in the sixth round, Hasif of Malaysia in the seventh round, Suryavarman Chandrasekar of Singapore in the ninth round and Ree Herng Shen of Malaysia in the tenth round.

His only draw came in the eight round at the hands of Quinsha Adinda Syahirah of Indonesia.
“Our sacrifices have paid off… I would like to thank my personal mentor International Master Chito Garma and American chess coach Dave Fenton,” said Al-Basher, fondly called “Basty” in the chess world.

With the victory, Buto’s performance boosted the nation’s morale, said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr.

“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayan Al-Basher “Basty” Buto got another magnificent performance,” he said.
“This proved once again that Filipinos can be at par with the world’s best chess athletes. With ample training and preparation we can even become world champions,” said 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Arena Grandmaster Robert Suelo Jr., secretary-general of Bayanihan Chess Club, one of the first chess coach and trainer of Super Grandmaster Wesley So, the reigning World Fischer Random Champion.

Visit lichess.org for the full results:

Under 9 – https://lichess.org/swiss/h9DcHGn3
Under 12 – https://lichess.org/swiss/FCrghZq4
Under 15 – https://lichess.org/swiss/QhIAuFfw
Under 17 – https://lichess.org/swiss/olOujNvY

His elder sister, Rohanisah Buto, placed 2nd in the Under 17 category, 509 participants after tallying 8 out of 9.

Meanwhile, her elder sister Alysah Buto (7/9) is 21st place out-of-509 players in the Under 17 category while his older brother Abdul Buto (7/9) is 49th place out-of-634 players in the Under 15 category.

It shall be recalled that last March 16, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed the Resolution No. 356 commending Al-Basher for his outstanding feats in both national and international chess championships, and providing support for his future development, during its Session No. 55 at the Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City.

The resolution was introduced by principal authors members of the Parliament Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr., Atty. Laisa Alamia, Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Rasul Ismael, and Engr. Don Mustapha Loong. “One of the goals of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission [BSC] is to actually develop young athletes in the Bangsamoro,” said Atty. Mitmug.

Al-Basher is the the first and youngest Bangsamoro master chess player.

Negros Occidental native rules Malaysia chess tilt
by Marlon Bernardino.

La Carlota City, Negros Occidental-native FIDE Master Nelson Villanueva recently won the 2021 Pahang International Open Chess Championship last April 10 to 11, 2021.

Villanueva, one of the top players of Caloocan Loadmanna Knights team owned by Atty. Arnel Batungbakal collected 7.5 points on six wins and three draws to win the nine-round Open section tournament.

Anadkat Kartavya of India took second place with similar 7.5 points but got lower tie break points.

Third to fourth are FIDE Master Sander Severino of Silay City, Negros Occidental and International Master Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental who notched 7 points apiece.

Four players tallied 6 points each and after the tie break points was applied FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental placed fifth, Subramaniam Sumant of Malaysia placed sixth, A/P Loganathan Divyadarrshini of Malaysia placed seventh and Yunusmetov Hakeem of Malaysia placed eight.

Final Standings: (Open section, Nine Round Swiss-System)
7.5 points—FM Nelson Villanueva (Philippines), Anadkat Kartavya (India)
7 points—FM Sander Severino (Philippines), IM Joel Pimentel (Philippines)
6 points—FM Alekhine Nouri (Philippines), Subramaniam Sumant (Malaysia), A/P Loganathan Divyadarrshini (Malaysia), Yunusmetov Hakeem (Malaysia)

by Marlon Bernardino.
Jayson San Jose Visca of Sta. Fe, Romblon won his 2nd championship crown in the 21st Romblon Chess Club (RCC) Blitz weekly online tournament last April 11, 2021.

The former University of the East stalwart gathered a perfect 11 points in a swiss system tournament with a time control of 5 minutes & zero increment. Also a member of PCAP’s Cavite Spartans, coach Jayson defeated 3 former champions, Jasper Faeldonia, Nepthali Bantang, and John Paul Canulo, duplicating the first crown he won last December 23, 2020, in the 6th edition of RCC Blitz.

Teorwin Talapian took second place,  followed by Jerry Morada Jr. in third place, Nephtali Bantang in fourth place. Christian Yrreg Servanez wound up in fifth place.

Rounding up the top 10 were  Jasper Faeldonia, John Paul Canulo, Joel Forcadas, Orly Pascual and Blairy Fallarme.

The 21st edition was sponsored by Mayor Dental Clinic, Engr. Ernie Faeldonia, Mr. Rewmel Formento, AGM/Engr. Joseph Galindo, Mr.Jasper Faeldonia and Mr. John Paul Canulo.
RCC is headed by DILG Regional Director, Engr. James F. Fadrilan, supported by 7-time Phil. Executive Champion Dr. Jenny Mayor & DSWD MIMAROPA RIO-III Engr. Ernie Faeldonia.

The 22nd edition will be on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

GM Parham Maghsoodloo won the Iran Championship with 14 points out of 15 games in the 16-player Round Robin.

Parham collected 21.8 rating points and won the first prize of $4000 cash prizes for this championship.

Pouya Idani with 13 points finished second, collecting 26.1 rating points, followed by Aryan Gholami in 3rd, Amin Tabatabaei in 4th and  Ehsan Ghaemmaghami in 5th.

Visit chess-results.com for full report and to download games.

by Marlon Bernardino.
The 2021 Zamboanga Sultans National Age Group Online Chess Championships – Mindanao Leg for ages 20 years old and below (Boys & Girls) gets underway on April 17 and 18, 2021 at tornelo online platform.

Cavite chess wunderkind eyes another online chess title. The young chess genius from Ternate, Cavite and grade 4 pupil of Maragondon Elementary School is fresh from being co-champion in the National Youth and Schools Online Chess Championships Boys Under-11 Southern Tagalog qualifying leg last April 3, 2021.

“I trained hard for this national event so I can give a good show for chess fans,” said 10-year-old Piel co-champion (3rd place) in Marinduque National Age Group Chess Championships U12Boys (Southern Luzon Leg), 6th place in the National Age Group Chess Championships U16Boys (Northern Luzon Leg) and 7th place in the National Age Group Chess Championships U14Boys (Nothern Luzon Leg)

Piel also was a member of the Sharp Kids Diamond Under 12 Philippine chess team which won the overall championships in the Worldwide U-12 East A Team Battle last March 10, 2021.
Piel was also Champion in the AFPI Chess Clinic Arena, Champion in FEU Youth Chess, Champion of the CEFAG Kiddies, Champion of the 5th BCA Kids U13 and Champion in the FIDE Online Arena last March 13, 2021