MANILA, Philippines (philstar.com) – March 13, 2021

The Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) was the surprise beneficiary of support from no less than San Miguel Corporation President and Chief Operations Officer Ramon S. Ang last Friday, March 12^th.

Ang, who has watched the growth and explosion in popularity of PCAP in the last several months, extended full support to the two-month old league.

San Miguel Corporation is the Philippines’ largest corporation in terms of revenue. It is the biggest sponsor in many major sports including the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, ASEAN Basketball League, National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines, Volleyball teams, football teams and now the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.

“We are humbled by this unexpected sponsorship from San Miguel and its President and COO in Mr. Ang,” enthused PCAP Commission Atty. Paul Elauria.

“We are only a few months old and yet we have attracted the attention of probably the biggest sports patron in the Philippines. We are honoured,” added Elauria.

“Mr. Ang told me that he appreciates what we do in PCAP where we help the youth veer away from vices and worthless activities. He also stated that chess develops the analytical minds of our children and is the perfect balance to other physical sports that San Miguel supports.”

The announcement follows the Monday bombshell where the second conference of PCAP that is a few months away will be named the Wesley So cup.

The PCAP’s All-Filipino tournament started only last January 16 and is fast approaching its playoffs.

PCAL Board Chairman Michael Angelo Chua expressed excitement over the SMC sponsorship. “This partnership ensures that the league will continue to grow and be a resounding success for the Filipino chess community. We can surely anticipate stellar developments in the coming days. Thank you for your trust, San Miguel Corporation.”

The league’s treasurer, Atty. Arnel Batungbakal also glowed about the development.

“It strengthens the image of PCAP and ensures that all commitments to the league, the players, teams and its officials as well as the general public will be honoured.”

The third conference of PCAP will be the Open Conference where foreign teams will be allowed to compete in the season ending tourney slated towards the yearend.

 

Sanudula comes again with Dinul to top the  Group X while Three way tie for top spot among Brijeash, Laksiri & Seneviratne in Group Y

Sanudula Dahamdi of Musaeus College came to lead again in Group X of the 2^nd Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand prix by scoring two wins against Nemindi Ramanayake in the 6^th round and Vinuda Shenal Gunathilake in the 7^th round to score a total of 5 ½ points out of 7 games. Dinul Vinsitha Weerasekara of Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya also staying equal with Sanidula with 5 ½ points by scoring a win against KSCD Amaratunge in the sixth round and a draw with Thisarindu Indiwara in the 7^th round. Disal Nimsara Weerasekara is in the 3^rd place with five points and Thisarindu Induwara 4^th with 4 ½ points in this group.

Overnight leader Vivash & Oshini was overtaken by three players Brijeash Saravanabhavan (Gateway International School), Gimhan Laksiri(Asoka College) and SDBK Seneviratne (Maliyadeva College) after the 7^th round in Group Y with 5 ½ points out of 7 games.  Brigeash scored 2 points from Lalindu Sathmina and Disara Tennakoon while Laksiri scored 2 points from Devindya Oshini Gunawardena and Ashad Mohammed in the 6^th and 7^th rounds respectively. SDBK Senevirathne scored two wins from Daham Jayasundara and Thisaga Kolonne. Vivash Samarakoon of Royal College who led the event till 5^th round is now in the 4^th place with 5 points just behind a half a point of leaders.

The 2^nd Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2021 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with a total number of 24 leading Chess players of the age group in the country is in progress from 9^th to 14^th March 2021 as two round robin events of two groups of 12 players and the winner and the runner up in both groups will meet in the knocked out stage on 20^th and 21^st of March 2021. The Chess Federation has offered Rs. 55,000/= in cash and has made all the arrangements to have the event according to the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health as given below:

1. Keeping records of all participants.
2. Players should come in masks for the event.
3. CFSL supplies Sanitizer, face shields and gloves for the participants
4. Social distancing is arranged with distance among boards
5. No spectators/ Parents are allowed in the venue.

The event is organized with the highest standard with DGT Chess Boards for all games to broadcast live. A live streaming of the event will also be arranged in selected days.

Live Games link is as given below:

Group X (Sri Lanka Youth (U14) Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Group X])

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#a2ff5296-50c7-4d77-8861-51973dcb0188

 

Group Y (Sri Lanka Youth (U14) Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Group Y])

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#38a2ebc7-d2a2-4bc8-91b2-dc385e94abbb

 

The Standings after Rd 7

Group X

Rk.	Name		Rtg	Pts.
1	Sanudula K M Dahamdi (WCM)	Musaeus College	1687	5.5
2	Weerasekara Dinul Vinsitha	Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya	1267	5.5
3	Weerasekara Dishal Nimsara	Sri Chandananda Buddhist College Kandy	1494	5
4	Induwara T H D Thisarindu	Royal College	1306	4.5
5	Amarathunga K S C D	JMC International School, Kaluthara	1286	3.5
6	Ramanayake Nemindi Linaya	Bandaranayke College, Veyangoda	1236	3.5
7	Gunathilake M D Vinuda Shenal	Royal College	1515	3.5
8	Wickramaarachchi Nayanaka	DS Senanayake College	1206	2.5
9	Nanayakkara M M	Richmond College	1170	2.5
10	Hettiarachchi D W K	Rahula College, Matara	1441	2
11	Samaranayake Pamok Methdinu	Rahula College, Matara	1085	2
12	Weerathungalage W D Malisha	DS Senanayake College	1340	2

 

Group Y

Rk.	Name	School	Rtg	Pts.
1	Saravanabaavan Brijeash	Gateway International School	1611	5.5
2	Laksiri A A Kavishka Gimshan	Asoka Vidyalaya	1331	5.5
3	Senevirathne S D B K	Maliyadeva College	1620	5.5
4	Samarakoon Vivash Ransara	Royal College	1363	5
5	Sathmina S L Lalindu (AFM)	Isipathana College	1480	4
6	Gunawardhana Devindya Oshini	Ferguson High School	1308	4
7	Thennakoon Disara (AFM)	Dharmaraja College	1308	3.5
8	Jayasundara J M Daham V	Thurstan College	1181	2.5
9	Ashad Nevan Mishal Mohomed	Lyceum International School, Wattala	1272	2
10	Dinayana Thinuga	St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda	1167	2
11	Kolonne K A Thisaja Senon	Lyceum International School, Wattala	1215	1.5
12	Bimansa D G Jayandi	Bandaragama Central College	1083	1

 

Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!

 

The 1^st Philippine Hybrid Chess Club Championship reeled off Friday 12^th March on the Tornelo platform with 46 players participating in the 5-round weekend Swiss system tournament. Represented are 17 clubs from the Philippines and the Brainy Chess Academy from Malaysia. The event was a trial run for the organization of the Zonal Hybrid Chess Championships. Watch all games at https://tornelo.com/chess/orgs/philippine-online-chess/events/1st-philippine-hybrid-chess-club-championship/summary

 

Brainy Chess Academy of Malaysia players (from left): Muhammad Haziq Muhammad Nasruddin, Muhammad Irfan Iman Mohd Khairul Anuar and Ibroh Nawwaarah Mohd Faris

Brainy Chess Academy of Malaysia players (from left): Saffiah Maisarah Mohd Fadzli, Hashsya Nawwaarah Mohd Faris and Farihah Nur Aisyah Mohd Azman

The full FIDE standard time control is used with all moves in 60 minutes plus 30 second increments for each move starting from move 1. A Local Arbiter in each club supervises their respective players. Zoom Arbiters watch over players who are required to share their screens. A fair play report is produced by Tornelo for each round.

Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz, Deputy Chief Arbiter is Rudy Ibanez and Arbiters are FA Margie Narcilla, NA Michael Pagaran and NA Susan Grace Neri.

NA Edwin Cablao of Cebu 

Many players spent time thinking on traditional chess boards before inputting the moves on their laptops. Games took between one hour to the full three hours to finish.

Twenty players hurdled their first round assignments. Results and pairings are published in chess-results.com.

At stake are certificates for the top three individuals plus P4,000 in cash prizes sponsored by W.J. Villadiego Customs Broker. Club awards shall be given to best combined scores of 2 players of each club.

Here are results of round 1:

Bo.	No.	Name	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.	Name	Rtg	No.
1	1	BATISLAONG Knarf Lawrence	1890	0	1 – 0	0	ESCUSA Nicole	0	24
2	25	GOCELA Paul Emher	0	0	0 – 1	0	ELLOSO Michael	1886	2
3	3	VELARDE Jerish John	1870	0	1 – 0	0	HERNANDEZ Lexie Grace	0	26
4	27	IMPERIAL Alejandro	0	0	0 – 1	0	GARCIA Glenn H.	1796	4
5	5	BUTO Rohanisah	1761	0	0 – 1	0	INIGO Michael Jan Stephen	0	28
6	29	LEGASPI Jose Rafael	0	0	0 – 1	0	RUIZ Wayne D.	1613	6
7	7	PETEROS Jave Mareck	1577	0	1 – 0	0	LICUP Nicholas Curvie	0	30
8	31	MANGUBAT Teodor Francis	0	0	½ – ½	0	CRUZ Jeremiah Luis S.	1576	8
9	9	MARANAN Junsen Audric	1562	0	1 – 0	0	Mohd Azman Farihah Nur Aisyah	0	32
10	33	Mohd Fadzli Saffiah Maisarah	0	0	0 – 1	0	BUTO Al-Basher	1510	10
11	11	CLAROS April Joy	1459	0	1 – 0	0	Mohd Faris Hashsya Nawwaarah	0	34
12	35	Mohd Faris Ibroh Nawwaarah	0	0	0 – 1	0	IBANEZ Kishey	1430	12
13	13	PADILLA Heart	1419	0	1 – 0	0	Mohd Khairul Anuar Muhd Irfan Iman	0	36
14	37	Muhammad Nasruddin Muhammad Haziq	0	0	1 – 0	0	OPRIASA Elijah Josh	1398	14
15	15	REYES Oshrie Jhames C.	1136	0	½ – ½	0	NARZABAL Joemel	0	38
16	39	ORLINA Lance Nathaniel	0	0	0 – 1	0	VERA CRUZ Quarl Maverick	1026	16
17	17	ARADO Fletch Archer	0	0	½ – ½	0	PADILLA Aries	0	40
18	41	PANSACULA Roniel	0	0	0 – 1	0	BORCE John Cyrus	0	18
19	19	BUTO Abdul Rahman	0	0	0 – 1	0	PAQUINOL Ashzley Aya Nicole	0	42
20	43	PASCUAL David Harrison	0	0	0 – 1	0	BUTO Alysah	0	20
21	21	BUTO Mickayla	0	0	0 – 1	0	PUTIAN Aaron	0	44
22	45	SANTOS Kim Kenneth	0	0	1 – 0	0	CABLAO Edwin	0	22
23	23	CRUZ Daniella Bianca S.	0	0	1 – 0	0	TUANDA James	0	46

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino.
National Master Jonathan Tan showed yet again why he is one of the greatest athletes in the field of online bullet chess.
The 1988 Philippine Junior Champion Tan topped the Cavite Spartans 1+1 Bullet Practice Arena at the lichess.org last Thursday, hosted by International Master Petronio “Rony” Roca and organized by Bayanihan Chess Club.
Tan, the pride of Davao City, won with a score of 42 Arena points on 14 wins and four loss in this one minute plus one second increment tournament.
Tan’s superior tie break points earned him the championship crown against eventual runner-up Jayson Visca of Romblon, who notched similar 42 Arena points.
Arena Grandmaster and sports journalist Marlon Bernardino took solo third with 40 Arena points.
Francis Parro of Makati City, Noel Jay Estacio of Quezon City and Lourecel Hernandez Ecot of Imus City, Cavite were tied fourth to sixth at 38 points.
Rounding up the top 10 were Rhenz Rheann Auza, Michael Linde, Ramon Manon-og and Richard Ausan.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows some members of the Cavite Spartans chess team who paid a courtesy call to Cong. Jon-Jon Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer and Vice Mayor Morit Sison of General Trias City, Cavite.

Bangladesh Chess Federation has maintained the continuity of organising chess competitions over the board in Dhaka city which is the capital of Bangladesh. Over-the-board chess competitions resumed last January after a long hiatus due to the Corona virus Covid-19. So far, Bangladesh Chess Federation has organized Mujib hundred Years Invitational Rating Chess Competition, Marcel 2^nd Division Chess League and WALTON First Division Chess League.

The WALOTN 1^st Division Chess League was held from February 25 to March 7, 2021 under the auspices of WALTON Group, the largest electronics manufacturer in the country. This time WALTON 1^st Division Chess League is represented by 12 teams players where 61 players from Bangladesh and 8 players including one IM from India. The 1^st Division Chess League is a closed team chess event. The competition was officially inaugurated on February 25 by F M Iqbal Bin Anwar (Dawn), Executive Director and Head of Games & Welfare of WALTON Group.

Rupali Bank Krira Parishad (photo above) became unbeaten champion. Rupali Bank Krira Parisad earned 21 points after 11^th round matches to clinch the title. Players of Rupali Bank Krira Parisad are: IM Neelash Saha (India), Arpan Das (India), CM Saiful Islam Chowdhury, Shafiq Ahmed, Md. Nurul Islam and Md. Shafiqul Islam.

Manha’s Castle (photo above) became Runners-Up with 19 points. Players of Manha’s Castle are: Anata Choudhury, CM S M Sharon, FM Mohammad Javed, CM Sharif Hossain, Mostakim Billah and Suhasini Marium Manha.

Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar (photo above) became 3^rd with 18 points. Players of Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar’s are: Feroz Ahmed, Arpal Das (Jr. India), Mohammmad Shameem, Arya Bhakta (India), Mortuza Mahathir Islam and Md. Saiful Islam.

Other position’s are: 4^th-Dhaka Chess Club, points-11, Game points-23½, 5^th-Esoft Arena Chess Club, Points-11, Game points-21, 6^th-Khelaghar Daba Sangah of Gopalganj, points-10, Game points-20½, 7^th-Agrani Bank Daba Dal, points-10, Game points-19½, 8^th-Mir Chess Club, points-9, 9^th-Basir Memorial Chess Club, points-8, game points-18½, 10^th-Kasparov Chess Club, points-8, game points-16, 11^th-Morning Glory Chess Club, ponts-6 and 12- Dhaka Knight’s Chess Club (photo below).

Board Prizes goes to: 1^st Board-IM Neelash Saha of Rupali Bank, 2^nd Board- Sourath Biswas of Dhaka Chess Club, 3^rd-CM Saifur rahman Chowdhury of Rupali Bank, 4^th Board Arya Bhakta of Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar, Reserve 1-A. B. Bappi of Esoft Arena Chess Club and Reserve 2-Shazzad Kishor of Dhaka Knight’s Chess Club (photo below).

Mr. F. M. Iqbal Bin Anowar (Dawn), Executive Director and Head of Games & Welfare of WALTON Group distributed prizes among winners as chief guest in the prize distribution and closing ceremony. K M Shahidullah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation presided over the ceremony. Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary Bangladesh Chess Federation and President FIDE Zone-3.2 was present as special guest. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Secretary Chess League Committee and International Arbiter Md Haroon Or Rashid gave speeches. Md. Sajo; Mahmud, Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation was present in the ceremony.

Champion Rupali Bank Krira Parisad received fifty thousand taka cash prize, trophy, medals and WALTON Home appliances. Runners-Up Manha’s Castle received thirty thousand taka cash prize, trophy, medals and WALTON Home appliances and 3^rd Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar received twenty thousand taka cash prize, trophy, medals and WALTON Home appliances. Champion Rupali Bank Krira Parisad and Runners-Up Manha’s Castle promoted in the Premier Division Chess League-2022. Morning Glory Chess Club, Kushtia and Dhaka Knight’s Chess Club relegated in the 2^nd Division Chess League. The event was held in round-robin league system.

IA Md Haroon Or Rashid

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino.
Thirteen-time National Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. proved unstoppable at the top board as he led the Iloilo Kisela Knights to a 16.5-4.5 victory over Negros Kingsmen in the clash of the league titans in the PCAP All-Filipino Conference Wednesday night, March 10, 2021 at chess.com.
Antonio, who is best remembered for finishing second in the 50-and-above division of the 27th World Seniors Chess Championship in Acqui Terme, Italy four years ago, dismantled International Master Joel Pimentel after 51 moves of a Sicilian defense, Alapin variation.
“We had to do our job. It was a tough match but we showed our character.” said Antonio, who posted his Knight at e6 square in move 51 and threatened double attack on Pimentel’s rook and king that forced the latter to resign.
Karl Victor Ochoa crushed FIDE Master Nelson “Elo” Mariano III after 33 moves of a Ruy Lopez Game, Morphy defense in board 2 to help propel the Kisela Knights to a share of first with Camarines Soaring Eagles and Negros with identical 25-4 win-loss records in the Southern Conference.
Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bermas and National Master John Michael Silvederio again took care of the lower boards outplaying their equally talented counterparts, Junaico Segismar, National Master Rolzon Roullo and Adrian Dela Cruz.
Porras bested Segismar after 113 moves of a Queen’s Pawn Opening, Accelerated London System in board 5, Bermas trounced Roullo after 45 moves of a Scandinavian defense in board 6 while Silvederio nipped Dela Cruz after 71 moves of a King’s Indian defense in board 7.
Arena Grandmaster Rowela “Kajoy” Acedo’s win over Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia in board 3 and National Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. split the point with National Master Cesar Mariano in board 4 in the rapid but it was not enough to prevent Negros’s fourth loss in the game.
Iloilo also won in blitz portion, 5.5-1.5, before crushing Negros, 11-3, in the rapid format.
“It is encouraging to see the hard work of team Iloilo starting to pay off. The win against The Kingsmen last night opens the possibility for Iloilo Kisela Knights to end the elimination round on the very top spot within the southern division, if not overall. While our playoffs spot is virtually secured, being on the top spot is strategically ideal going into the division final – and that’s the target we are aiming for. Looking forward for a deciding match at the playoffs.” said Team Owner Leo Sotaridona.
The Leo Sotaridona-mentored chess club also completed its quest with a dominating performance against Lapu-Lapu, 18-3.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez powered the Laguna Heroes to a 17-4 victory over a GM Darwin Laylo-led Pasig City King Pirates in a battle of division heavyweights in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, March 10, 2021 online tournament at chess.com.
The Arizona, US based Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, checkmated fellow Olympiad veteran Laylo after 59 moves of English Opening, Anglo Indian, Queen’s Knight variation in blitz portion then fought well into a fighting draw after 32 moves of Scandinavian defense in rapid play in their board 1 skirmish.
For Enriquez, on her part,  a former Jose Rizal University, Mandaluyong City standout swept Woman FIDE Master Sherily Cua in their blitz (resigning after 26 moves of Reti Opening, Sicilian Invitation) and rapid (checkmated after 64 moves of Caro-Kann defense ) showdown in their board 3 encounter.
“We did not expect to win against Pasig City Pirates, 17-4, since it’s powered by GM Laylo and IM Labog. We were just lucky in the match” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes Engineer Benjamin Dy, Engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
Also delivering for Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Bagamasbad won the blitz  and drew the rapid against National Master Rudy Ibanez in board 4, GM Gomez outlasted Cromwell Sabado in blitz and rapid in board 5, as Medina downed Carl Espallardo in blitz and rapid in board 6 and Lorenzo won the blitz and rapid against Leonel Escote in board 7.
Eric Labog Jr. carried the good fight for Mayor Vico Sotto Pasig chess team by beating FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus after 49 moves of a Trompovsky Opening in blitz and split the point after 28 moves of Neo-Grunfeld defense in rapid in board 2.
With an earlier 17-4 victory over Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, the Laguna Heroes create a three-way tie for first place together with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and San Juan Predators. The trio tallied similar 26-4 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
Other members of the winning Laguna team were Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, engr.Benjamin Dy, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
Photo shows US based Grandmasters Julio Catalino Sadorra, Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and Wesley So

 

Dinul and Sanidula in the lead in Group X Vivash in Group Y with full points

Dinul Vinsitha Weerasekara (above left of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya) and Sanidula Dahamdi (above, center of Musaeus College) of Group X and Vivash Samarakoon (above right, of Royal College) of Group Y came to the lead with 3 points out of possible 3 games after the 3^rd round of the  2^nd Sri Lanka Youth (Under 14 ) Chess Grand Prix 2021 today. Dinul beat Pamok Samaranayke, Insara Wickramarachchi and Disal Weerasekara while Sanidula beat Disal Weerasekara, KSCD Amaratunga and DWK Hettiarachchi in first three rounds in group X respectively. Vivash beat Ashad Nevan Mohammed, Daham Jayasundara and Thisaja Kolonne in the 1^st three rounds in Group Y respectively in.

The 2^nd Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2021 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with a total number of 24 leading Chess players of the age group in the country is in progress from 9^th to 14^th March 2021 as two round robin events of two groups of 12 players and the winner and the runner up in both groups will meet in the knocked out stage on 20^th and 21^st of March 2021. The Chess Federation has offered Rs. 55,000/= in cash and has made all the arrangements to have the event according to the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health as given below:

1. Keeping records of all participants.
2. Players should come in masks for the event.
3. CFSL supplies Sanitizer, face shields and gloves for the participants
4. Social distancing is arranged with distance among boards
5. No spectators/ Parents are allowed in the venue.

THD Thisarindu Induwara(Royal College) is in the 3^rd place in Group X while SDBK Seneviratne (Maliyadeva College) and Brijeash Saravanabhavan(Gateway College) are in the 2^nd place in Group Y with 2 ½ points, Just a half a point behind the leaders. The 4^th round will start on 11^th March 2021 at CFSL Headquarters at 9.00a.m.

The event is organized with the highest standard with DGT Chess Boards for all games to broadcast live. A live streaming of the event will also be arranged in selected days.

Live Games link is as given below:

Group X (Sri Lanka Youth (U14) Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Group X])

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#a2ff5296-50c7-4d77-8861-51973dcb0188

 

Group Y (Sri Lanka Youth (U14) Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Group Y])

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#38a2ebc7-d2a2-4bc8-91b2-dc385e94abbb

 

The Standings after Rd 3

Group X

 

Rk.	Name		Rtg	Pts.
1	Weerasekara Dinul Vinsitha	Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya	1267	3
2	Sanudula K M Dahamdi (WCM)	Musaeus College	1687	3
3	Induwara T H D Thisarindu	Royal College	1306	2.5
4	Ramanayake Nemindi Linaya	Bandaranayke College, Veyangoda	1236	2
5	Gunathilake M D Vinuda Shenal	Royal College	1515	2
6	Amarathunga K S C D	JMC International School, Kaluthara	1286	1.5
7	Samaranayake Pamok Methdinu	Rahula College, Matara	1085	1
8	Wickramaarachchi Nayanaka	DS Senanayake College	1206	1
9	Weerasekara Dishal Nimsara	Sri Chandananda Buddhist College Kandy	1494	1
10	Nanayakkara M M	Richmond College	1170	0.5
11	Weerathungalage W D Malisha	DS Senanayake College	1340	0.5
12	Hettiarachchi D W K	Rahula College, Matara	1441	0

 

 

Group Y

Rk.	Name	School	Rtg	Pts.
1	Samarakoon Vivash Ransara	Royal College	1363	3
2	Senevirathne S D B K	Maliyadeva College	1620	2.5
3	Saravanabaavan Brijeash	Gateway International School	1611	2.5
4	Laksiri A A Kavishka Gimshan	Asoka Vidyalaya	1331	2
5	Gunawardhana Devindya Oshini	Ferguson High School	1308	2
6	Sathmina S L Lalindu (AFM)	Isipathana College	1480	2
7	Jayasundara J M Daham V	Thurstan College	1181	1
8	Thennakoon Disara (AFM)	Dharmaraja College	1308	1
9	Dinayana Thinuga	St. Joseph’s College, Nugegoda	1167	1
10	Ashad Nevan Mishal Mohomed	Lyceum International School, Wattala	1272	0.5
11	Kolonne K A Thisaja Senon	Lyceum International School, Wattala	1215	0.5
12	Bimansa D G Jayandi	Bandaragama Central College	1083	0

 

 

 

by Rick Olivares (Philstar.com) – March 10, 2021

MANILA, Philippines – For one of the last teams formed in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights are showing they aren’t lacking in fight.

With a 23-4 slate, Caloocan is second in the Northern Conference of the PCAP and behind the Laguna Heroes on mere percentage points as of posting time.

“I was given the enviable task of forming a competitive team with a limited budget a few days before draft day,” recounted Arnel Batungbakal, team manager of the Loadmanna Knights.

How difficult was it?

Batungbakal has been absent from the chess scene for two decades.

“Of course, I know Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio, Rosendo Balinas, Rony Roca, Rico Mascariñas and others who were making waves in chess many years ago,” clarified Batungbakal. “However, I do not know the new generation of players except for NM Pico Villasenor and his son, who both consult along with myself for Loadmanna, which is owned by Engineer Bong Velasco.”

Batungbakal planned on drafting GM Rogelio Bracenilla but he heard that the latter wanted to play alongside GM John Paul Gomez with the Laguna team.

“I was hoping the league would be pushed back to February and March to give me more time (in forming the team),” said the Caloocan team manager.

Through PCAP Commissioner Paul Elauria, Batungbakal learned that IM Paulo Bersamina was possibly available. Bersamina agreed, but intimated of the desire to play alongside IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

With his spots on Boards one, two, and four (Villasenor) filled in, the rest of the slots were filled in on draft day. WNM Arvie Lozano was recommended by Palawan head coach Susan Neri with FMs Nelson Villanueva and Barlo Nadera, and NM Emmanuel Emperado coming in as homegrown players. Rosauro Caunti and Art Villasenor were added as senior players.

“With an 11-0 slate in the first round, we ruled the northern division and proved that for a last minute team, we can compete,” pointed out Batungbakal. The second round caught up with Caloocan losing two matches to southern division powers Iloilo and Negros. We also lost to Camarines; our toughest loss so far.”

The Loadmanna Knights lost in Armageddon play.

“I do not know personally if the Loadmanna Knights have sparked the interest of people from Caloocan to play chess, but I have heard that people across our nation have taken up the sport once more,” summed up the Caloocan team manager. “Just the other night, I saw a group of people playing chess in the Coffee Bean Coffee Shop near my residence in Sta. Rosa Laguna. It made me smile that we at PCAP are doing the right thing.”