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Marlon Bernardino
GRANDMASTER John Paul Gomez came up with a huge win with white, turning back International Master Joel Pimentel in 33 moves of a Sicilian defense, Alapin variation on board five to lead the Laguna Heroes to a 12.5-8.5 victory over Negros Kingsmen in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at the lichess online platform.
It was a brilliant sacrifice by Gomez in the 33 moves giving up rook for a pawn to launch a kingside attack and inevitable checkmate.
“The veterans delivered the important points to win the match.” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that includes engineer Benjamin Dy, engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
“The Laguna Heroes defeated the powerhouse Negros Kingsmen in one of the most thrilling matches in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament.” added Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, who is also Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
“It took Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and the Laguna-based squad a huge collective effort to outlast one of the best teams in the Southern Division and register a score of 12.5-8.5.” said engineer Benjamin Dy.

Laguna Heroes Team Owner engineer Benjamin Dy
The Arizona, US based two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., played black and also scored a win, defeating FIDE Master Nelson “Elo” Mariano III on board one. FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus trounced Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal on board two while Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo halved the point with Adrian Dela Cruz on board seven to tie the rapid section, 7-7, and seal the victory.
Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy “Kajoy” Acedo, National Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. and National Master Rolzon Roullo carried the fight for the Negros Kingsmen by beating Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Vince Angelo Medina on board three, four and six, respectively.
Earlier, the Laguna Heroes prevailed in the blitz portion, 5.5-1.5, against the Negros Kingsmen.
Negros Kingsmen rebounded in the next match by whipping Antipolo Cobras, 15-6 ,for a 16-3 slate in the Southern Division to join Iloilo Kisela Knights and Camarines Soaring Eagle on top with a similar 16-3 win-loss record.
The Laguna Heroes in the meantime are still on a winning streak with another victory over Jorge Mitra own Team Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 18-3.
The Laguna Heroes remain at solo third place with a 16-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division. The San Juan Predators (with 17-2 record) and the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights (with 16-2 record) currently pace the Northern Division.
The Laguna Heroes look to another great performance Saturday night (February 20, 2021) when they face Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Toledo City Trojans.
The 24-team tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and President/Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.
The tournament is being sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.-

Sanudula takes the sole Lead after the half way Mark

KM Sanudula Dahamdi of Mesaeus College got the lead with 5 points out of 6 games when she beat Naduni Abeywardena in the 6^th round at the halfway mark at the Chess Federation headquarters, Nugegoda. She beat Gaveshi Wickramarathne in the 5^th round. Sanudula, who is one of the strongest Youth Girls players in Sri Lanka will face her challenges in the next session to be started on Friday, the 19^th February 2021.

The 2^nd Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix 2021 is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 13^th to 21^st February 2021 with a total Prize fund of Rs. 70,000/=. Only 12 top players in the country are participating in this event which is conducted on Round Robin Basis for 11 rounds.

Tharushi Niklesha of Visakha Vidyalaya (photo above) got a draw with Gaveshi wickramarathne, an upcoming player to stay in 4 ½ points, just a half a point less to the leader. She beat her schoolmate Pasindi Wijesuriya in the 5^th round.

Former women’s National Chess Champion, Dasuni Hansika Mendis (photo above) and Sri Lanka Women’s National No 2 Sandeepani Tharushi (photo below) are sharing the 3^rd place with 4 points. Dasuni beat Oshini Gunawardena and Sandeepani beat Esha Pallie in the 5^th round.

The next rounds will be held on 19^th (evening only) and 20^th , 21^st February 2021 at the same venue.

The Standing after the 6^th Round

All games are webcasted live with the following link:

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#a4c60806-9110-4891-b324-5b37df93c64d

by Marlon Bernardino.
The Laguna Heroes team maintained its winning streak with another victory over Mindoro Elgin Tamaraws, 16-5, in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday, February 13, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez provided the twin draws for the Heroes, while teammates FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo posted convincing victories in the rapid play.
Barcenilla split the point with FIDE Master David Elorta on board one, while Enriquez settled a truce with Michella Concio on board three (female).
Literatus, on the other hand waylaid Sherwin Tiu on board two, Bagamasbad toppled International Master Domingo Ramos on board four (senior), Gomez routed Joel Buenaventura on board five (homegrown), Medina subdued Arena Grandmaster Emmanuel Asi on board six (homegrown), while Lorenzo outclassed Paul Leandru Elauria on board seven (homegrown).
The Heroes edged Elgin Tamaraws in blitz portion, 4-3, according to Team Owner-Playing Coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez.
The Heroes will meet Negros Kingsmen and Palawan Queen’s Gambit on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
The Heroes, earlier beat Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 18-3.
Other members of the Laguna Heroes winning team were Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril, Benjamin Dy and David Nithyananthan, backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic.
The Laguna Heroes remains at solo third place with a 14-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
The Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and the San Juan Predators currently pace the Northern Division with 15-2 records.

File photo shows two-time Asian junior champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and his wife former World Chess Olympiad member Woman National Master Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla.

New Delhi, February 14: The newly elected president of the All-India Chess Federation, Dr Sanjay Kapoor, unveiled a blueprint to turn the country into a chess superpower here on Sunday, starting with the decision to bid for the next available Chess Olympiad and commencing a high-profile Indian Chess League soon.

 “We want India to become the chess destination for the world. We have drawn out a detailed plan to achieve this goal,” Dr Kapoor said at a press conference, immediately after a power-packed AGM.

 He revealed that a foolproof bid would soon be prepared to bag the coveted world event as and when the process would begin.

 “For a long time, we have been keen on starting the Indian Chess League with an international flavour to popularise the game even more. The first edition, following the franchise-model, will be organised before this year is through,” Dr Kapoor, who is also the chairman of the Kanpur Cricket Association, said.

 Dr Kapoor added that the AGM had also decided to host the Women’s Grand Prix, which is an important part of the world women’s championship cycle, to give a huge boost to women players in the country.

 “Not just that, we are also going to initiate an AICF-Chess in Schools program to popularise chess at the school level. All our 33-State affiliates will be implementing this simultaneously. We want every school-going kid in India to play chess. This will help in developing smarter future generations, thanks to the life-skill benefits that come naturally from the game,” Dr Kapoor said.

 Among the other major decisions taken at the AGM are: single window registration for all players, establishment of a Centre of Excellence and Organisation of a Super Tournament.

 “The Super Tournament will see many top-level players in action. It will give our higher-ranked GMs an opportunity to compete with the best in business at home while also help upcoming youngsters improve by watching them from close quarters,” Dr Kapoor explained.

 Honorary secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan underpinned the importance of the single window registration process too, saying that from now on every player will be registered for his or her district, State as well the AICF itself.

 “The Centre of Excellence will help tap and train talent at the grassroots level, with the ultimate vision of infusing at least 10 players from India in the Top 50 rankings of the world,” Mr Chauhan said. 

by Marlon Bernardino,
PALAWAN Queen’s Gambit team edged Isabela Knight Raiders, 11.5-9.5, in the on-going All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday, February 13, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
The Jorge Mitra owned Palawan team relied on Woman International Master elect Shania Mae Mendoza, Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito and Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego.
Mendoza swept Alvin Aguinaldo on board one, Secopito blanked National Master Gerardo Cabellon on board two, while San Diego downed Genlaiza Bagorio on board three in their blitz duel before winning in the rapid play against Sheryll Andres Bordon.
Woman National Master Cecilia Cuizon, on the other hand yielded to Francisco Cabe on board four (senior) in the blitz format, however her teammate Woman National Master Carmelita Abanes prevailed in the rapid play.
Overall, Palawan started well via a 3.5 deadlock in the blitz portion then followed with an 8-6 win in the rapid format.
Meanwhile, the Cavite Spartans, bannered by coach Ederwin Estavillo, Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, International Master Petronio Roca, Ricardo Batcho, Jayson San Jose Visca, Lloyd Rubio and Israel Landicho defeated Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 12-9.
The Cavite Spartans tallied 9-8 win-loss record in the Northern Division while the Jorge Mitra own Palawan team notch 2-5 win-loss record in the Southern Division.
The Cavite Spartans campaign was made possible by the undying support of Rep. Jon-Jon A. Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga and Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical Dist4 ,CARSIGMA Cavite

by Marlon Bernardino.

Ivan Travis Cu of San Juan City emerged champion in the 1st Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held at the lichess platform on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Cu scored 6.5 points in seven games of play to edge Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao Oriental who finished second and third, respectively, in the 21-player field, elementary division of the rapid five minutes plus five seconds increment time control format.
Buto earned  six points while Arca got five points in this event, organized by Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Team.
Cu scored victories over Joash Alton Gumiran in the first round, Aeiona Lou Mendoza in the second round, Oshrie Jhames Reyes in the third round, Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto in the fourth round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the sixth round and Christian Tolosa in the seventh and final round.
He split the point with Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the fifth round.
It shall be recalled that the 12-year-old Cu, a grade six pupil of Xavier School under the guidance of coach Rolly Yutuc, defeated Oscar Gao (elo 1595) of Australia in the eight and final round to finish second place in the Boys 10 and under of the 36th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships held at the Expo MAX Atria last Dec. 27–30, 2019. Cu who amassed seven wins and one loss got a total performance of 1622 for his effort.

(Final Standings: 7 Round Swiss System, 5 minutes plus 5 minutes increment time control format, 21-player field, )
6.5 points-Ivan Travis Cu
6 points-Al-Basher “Basty” Buto
5 points-AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
4 points—Christian Tolosa, Jian Carlo Rivera, John Curt Valencia, Quarl Vera Cruz, Oshrie Jhames Reyes, Gabriel Ryan Paradero, Aeiona Lou Mendoza

by Marlon Bernardino.
Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily of Makati City leaned on her vast experience to capture the 1st Rabu Rabu Online Bullet chess tournament for women on Friday, February 12, 2021.
Magpily, former Philippine Junior champion was unbeaten in 9 matches on account of seven wins and two draws.
Magpily scored victories over Jemaicah Yap Mendoza in the first round, Yaneah Sofia T. Morada in the second round, Ryien Bahita in the third round, Princess Nicole Ballete in the fifth round, Jarel Lacambra in the sixth round, Maria Kristine Lavandero in the seventh round and Jee Ann Faye Barry in the eight round.
She split the point with Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia in the fourth round and Melizah Ruth Carreon in the ninth and final round.
Rounding up the top 10 were Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia (second, 7.5 pts.), Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy “Kajoy” Acedo (third, 6.5 pts.), Jee Ann Faye Barry (fourth,6.5 pts.), Ryien Bahita (fifth,6.5 pts.), Melizah Ruth Carreon (sixth, 6.5 pts.), Jarel Lacambra (seventh, 6 pts.), Shiela Mer Alican Donoga (eight, 6 pts.), Princess Nicole Ballete (ninth, 6 pts.)and Mary Israel Palero-Segarra (tenth, 6 pts.).
The tournament was organized by Cabuyao City Chess Club in coordination with the United Queens Chess Club, Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Consistently promoting local chess, the province of Marinduque under the stewardship of Board Member Engineer John Pelaez will sponsor and host the 3rd Marinduque Online Chess Tournament set February 19, 2021, Friday, 7pm at lichess platform.

“Board Member engineer John Pelaez is very intelligent, helpful and understanding when it comes to the welfare of young and budding pawnpushers in the locality,”   said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez who is also National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon.
“Young and budding chess players in province of Marinduque will get a chance to test their mettle against our top woodpushers,” he added.

The playing format of the tournament will be a eleven-round Swiss System with a time control of five minutes for each player. Open to all players who are in good standings with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
Cash prizes await winners with the champion taking home P3,000, the runner-up will receive P2,000 while the third-placer will settle for P1,000. The next two chessers will pocket  P700 and P500 each, respectively. Sixth to 10th placers will receive P300 each.
There will be a P300 cash prizes each for the category winners, Top Executive, Top Kiddie, Top Junior, Top Senior, Top Lady, Top Marinduqueno and Top Marinduquena.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez and her daughter Arena International Master Alexandra Sydney Paez