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Manila, Philippines, 29 July —Former FIDE Secretary General Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was elected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president at elections yesterday held at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

Tolentino got 24 of the 44 possible votes made up of national sports associations, two Olympians from the athletes commission and the International Olympic Committee representative.

Photo: Tolentino being interviewed by the Press after his election as POC president.

 

“Now that this is over, we can move forward and focus on the SEA Games,” said Tolentino, a Congressman, Secretary General of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and PhilCycling president. Tolentino is chairman of PHISGOC, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee which includes chess among the official sports.

Steve Hontiveros of handball was elected the new chairman. Tolentino defeated track and field head Philip Ella Juico, 24-20, in a tight race at the special elections.

Tolentino, 55, takes over the position vacated by former POC president Ricky Vargas, who resigned last June 18. Tolentino, former POC chairman, will fulfill the rest of Vargas’s tenure, and will hold office until November 2020.

“Thank you very much to my supporters. Hopefully, this finishes the POC squabble. So I think, as the saying goes, set aside the differences, and move forward. Let us all be united, because we are preparing (and) focused on the SEA Games, and next year Para Games and Olympics,” Tolentino said following his election.

by Philip Lawer Alimo, International Freelance Sports Journalist

Al-Ain, July 21,2019- The President of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), His Highness Shiekh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout Al-Nahayan on Saturday, July 20th, 2019 crowned winners of the Asian Chess Academy Festival to commemorate International Chess Day at the Danat Hotel in Al-Ain, UAE.

20th of July, is the International Day of Chess as declared in 1966 by UNESCO to commemorate the day, the International Chess Federation was founded in 1924. The Asian Chess Federation joined the international chess community in celebrating the International Day of Chess.

The President in his remarks shared more insights on the significance of chess in societal development and the celebrations. “The Asian Chess Federation Academy aims to teach our youth the values of chess – discipline, vision, fortitude. You learn how to discipline yourself, your thought process and study habits. You strengthen your character as an athlete. We follow the motto “Healthy mind in a healthy body”. “Asia is a major partner in the growth of chess worldwide. Asia is proud to have the Chess Olympiad champions, the Women’s World Champion and a number of World Youth and School champions” he added.

The President urged the winners of ACF Academy Festival to continue improving their talents saying “you start with these small steps and grow to become tomorrow’s Grandmasters”. The talented Moafaq Algaddah from the United States of America won the 2019 ACF Academy Festival with six and a half points from seven grueling rounds. Seven year old Moafaq dominated all seven games of the championship to win the tournament convincingly. Mr.  Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah a proud grandfather of Moafaq expressed his delight at the performance of his grandson and encouraged all parents to use chess as a tool in shaping the values and character of their children to become responsible adults in the future. Rola El Gendy of Egypt was second with six points while Faisal Al-Issa of Jordan took the bronze medal.

In the youth category, Hashem Al-Issa of Jordan took the first place while American born Yousef El Gafy originally from Egypt won the silver medal and Ahmed Al Kabi of the United Arab Emirates went home with the bronze medal. The tournament was supervised by International Arbiter Ahmed Adel.

The Asian Chess Academy festival was attended by the crème de la crème of the continents chess icons and noble personalities of the international business community including the Secretary-General of the ACF Mr. Hisham Al-Taher, Mr. Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah a successful business mogul and chairman of the MAG Group, as well as, a host of other dignitaries.

Our National Champion, Harshana achieved the most Popular Emerging Sportsmen in Sri Lanka at the Presidential Sports Awards held at BMICH Yesterday. Congratulations! Harshana.

Mrs. Suneetha Wijesuriya, the Chess Olympiad Gold Medalist of Manila Chess Olympiad received the Kreeda Rathne award which is a life time award for her performance in the past. Congratulations! Mrs.Suneetha.

Sayuni Gihansa, the Women’s National Champion was in the nominees list for Popular Emerging Sportsmen in Sri Lanka. Congratulations! Gihansa.

This is a proud achievement not only for them, But also for Chess as a Sport in the country.

Luxman Wijesuriya

For and on behalf of The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and WGM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat, both of Iran, won the Men’s and Women’s Zone 3.1 Zonal Championships, respectively, organized by the Royal Jordanian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation from 18 to 27 June 2019 in Amman, Jordan.

Thirty players from ten countries competed in the Men’s Zonal championship in a 9-round Swiss while ten players from four countries competed in a round robin in the Women’s zonal. Visit chess-results.com for results and standings, and to download games.

Maghami finished alone undefeated with 8 points, beating, in order of rounds, CM Loay Sameer and FM Mansour Samee of Jordan, IM Nezad Husein Aziz of Qatar, drawing with IM Gholami Aryan of Iran and FM Issa Rafat of Jordan, followed by four straight wins against GM Pourramezanali Amirreza of Iran, FM Salih Akar Ali Salih of Jordan, FM Alhuqar Jasem of the UAE and FM Abdulwahhab Ahmed Abdul Sattar of Iraq.

Photo: GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami receiving his trophy. From left are: Zone 3.1 President Sami Khader, Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher of the UAE, Jordanian Minister of culture and Youth Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman and Royal Jordanian Chess Federation president Nawaf Irshedat.

 

IM Sarasadat finished in a tie with compatriot WIM Alinasah Mobina at 8.5 points each. They beat all other participants and drew with each other. They had the same tie break scores but Sarasadat won both games in the Rapid chess playoff.

Photo: WGM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat receiving the women’s championship trophy.

 

The tournament was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Talal who was represented by His Excellency  Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman, the Minister of culture and Youth. Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher and Royal Jordanian Chess Federation president Nawaf Irshedat attended the awards ceremonies.

Photo: Dignitaries at the closing ceremony.

 

FIDE Zone 3.1 President Sami Khader organized the tournament in the 4-star MENA Tyche Hotel in Amman. Chief Arbiter was Iran Chess Federation president Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh. Winners shared a total of $5,000 in cash prizes. The men’s and women’s champions qualified to the respective World Cups.

Report by Paul Spiller

The Howick-Pakuranga in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its inception hosted a  “Chess Week” from July 6-15 which involved a Blitz chess match between FM Martin Dreyer (current president of the Howick club and co- NZ Blitz Champion Nigel Metge.

The match was played in the local “ Poppies Bookshop” and ended in a 5-1 victory for FM Dreyer.

Other activities included a problem solving competition and hosting of the NZ Junior and NZ Senior/ Oceania Seniors Championships.

The NZ Junior was won by CM Alphaeus Ang on 6.5/7 followed by FM Daniel Gong on 6 points while the NZ/Oceania Seniors was tied between IM Leonid Sandler ( Australia) and FM Mike Steadman who also won the NZ Seniors Cup.”

Harshana, the King and Sayuni, Queen at Sri Lanka Chess Nationals!
CFSL provide the highest cash fund, Rs. 320,000/= this year

Harshana Thilakarathne (Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala) being the highest rated player for last 3 decades is the favorite from the start and did the justice for his rating scoring 11 points out of possible 13 points, just giving four draws to his opponents. Harshana was 1 point ahead from early of the event to Isuru Alahakoon, the former National Chess Champion but assured his final position when he beat Isuru on the 10th round. Harshana was awarded the beautiful National Chess Championship Trophy with the Gold Medal and Rs. 100,000/=. Experienced Isuru Alahakoon (SL Navy) did a hard fought event to finish in the 2nd place to earn Rs. 50,000/- with the Silver Medal. The veteran, Chinthaka Anuruddha also played fighting Chess to earn the 3rd place. He was awarded the Bronze medal with Rs. 25,000/=. Chirasana Lamahewa and Youngest, LMST De Silva (Nalanda College) placed 4th and 5th to fill the National Chess Team for this year.

The Sri Lanka National and Women’s National Chess Championships 2019 was held from 28th June to 8th July 2019 at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka Headquarters, Nugegoda. Chess Federation of Sri Lanka has increased the cash awards to a considerable stage to Rs. 320,000/= giving Rs. 100,000/= for the National Chess Champion.

Sayuni Gihansa Jayaweera (Dharmasoka College) had a great show when she completed the Women’s National Chess Championship with 11.5 points, just giving 3 draws to her opponents. This is the 2nd time she achieved for the title, 2017 being the 1st. She was awarded Rs. 60,000/= with the Trophy and the Gold medal. It is Young, Devnethmi Dahampriya (Visakha) who had a great performance who improved to the level in a very short period of time. She had 9 points out of 13 to be the winner of the Silver Medal with Rs. 30,000/=. Asvini Pavelchandran was also maintaining a standard level through out to win the Silver Medal. Nethmi Fernando and Niklesha Tharushi managed to placed 4th and fifth consecutively to fill the Women’s National Chess Team this year.

Mr. Upali Gunasekara, the Principal of Polymath International School and Former Principal Royal College was the Chief Guest at the Awards Ceremony. Mrs. Buddhi Panagoda, the Hony. Secretary of the Chess Federation was also present.

Sri Lanka Chess Nationals 2019 – Final Ranking
Rk. Name Rtg Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3 TB4
1 FM Thilakarathne G M H 2405 11,0 0,0 9 64,75 5,0
2 Alahakoon Isuru 2099 9,5 0,0 9 53,00 4,5
3 FM Galappaththi Chinthaka Anuruddh 2082 9,0 0,0 7 51,75 4,5
4 Lamahewa C 1829 8,0 0,5 6 43,75 3,0
5 FM De Silva L M S T 1871 8,0 0,5 4 50,75 4,5
6 CM Liyanage Ranindu Dilshan 2133 7,0 0,0 3 39,75 2,5
7 Randil Lakshitha 1953 6,5 1,0 4 37,25 2,5
8 Dissanayake R K T 1865 6,5 0,0 6 33,00 1,5
9 Ilampoornan Raguparan 1934 6,0 0,0 4 34,00 2,5
10 Ariyawansa K A P M 1787 5,5 0,0 4 28,25 2,0
11 CM Wijekoon Chandana 1889 5,0 0,0 4 22,50 1,5
12 Thenuka Kuruwita Gamalathge Kinon 1740 4,0 0,0 2 17,75 1,0
13 Jayasinghe Keeth M S 1811 3,5 0,0 2 20,50 2,0
14 Danushka M A N 1851 1,5 0,0 1 10,50 1,5

Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Nationals 2019 – Final Ranking
Rk. Name Rtg Pts. TB1 TB2 TB3 TB4
1 WCM Jayaweera Sayuni Gihansa 1719 11,5 0,0 10 68,50 5,0
2 Dahampriya H K T Dewnethmie 1433 9,0 0,0 5 55,50 3,5
3 Pavalachandran Ashvini 1578 8,0 0,0 5 47,75 3,5
4 Fernando G W Nethmi L 1689 7,5 1,0 5 45,75 3,0
5 WCM Tharushi T H D Niklesha 1628 7,5 0,0 6 41,50 2,5
6 WFM Kodikara K K M Sachintha 1578 6,5 1,0 3 38,25 2,5
7 WIM Methmani Nelunika 1623 6,5 0,0 5 34,50 1,0
8 WIM Ranasinghe S D 1844 6,0 0,0 2 35,25 3,0
9 Wickramasinghe Thesandi 1297 5,5 0,0 4 31,00 1,0
10 Jayatilaka W M M Amodya 1388 5,0 1,5 3 29,25 2,5
11 Premanath Prasansa 1347 5,0 1,0 3 30,50 2,0
12 WCM Sanudula K M Dahamdi 1364 5,0 0,5 2 28,25 1,5
13 WCM Pallie Ehsha Mishela 1428 4,5 0,0 3 26,50 2,0
14 Mapa M M W H 1412 3,5 0,0 2 22,50 1,5

Luxman Wijesuriya
Tournament Secretary – Chess Federation of Sri Lanka
General Secretary – Commonwealth Chess Association
Vice President – Asian Chess Federatio

Uzbekistan won 19 gold medals to top the Asian Schools Chess Championship organized by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE from 19 to 29 June 2019 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Three best Federations by gold medals and other medals in all categories received team trophies: First place went to Uzbekistan with 19 gold medals, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals. Second place went to Kazakhstan (5 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals), and third place went to Turkmenistan (5 gold medals, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals).

A record 186 players from 16 countries participated in the Standard, Rapid and Blitz championships. The tournament venue and official hotel of the event was the 5-star hotel International Hotel Tashkent.

Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher awarded prizes together with First Vice Chairman of Uzbekistan Chess Federation Mr. Husan Turdialiev and Sheikh Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Mualla, President of Arab Chess Federation and President of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club.

Visit chess-results.com for final standings in Standard, Rapid and Blitz.

Video Assisted Referee (VAR) used for the first time in chess

Anecdotally, VAR was used for the first time in chess at the Asian Schools Rapid chess championship. A Bangladeshi girl cried when her opponent made an illegal move which would lead to unstoppable mate. There was no proof since no Arbiter or witness observed the game and the electronic board did not function. Fortunately, Asian Chess Federation Secretary General Hisham Al Taher had his photo taken nearby which showed the position on the board immediately before the irregularity. The Bangladeshi girl won the game and eventually became champion.

Open 17	Asian Schools Standard Chess	Fed	Pts	Medal
FM	Nurmamedov Azat	TKM	7.0	Gold
FM	Abdilkhair Abilmansur	KAZ	6.0	Silver
FM	Kasimov Ali	UZB	6.0	Bronze
Open 15
	Shermuhammadov Samandar	UZB	6.5	Gold
	Sulaymonov Elbek	UZB	6.5	Silver
	Sharipov Davron	UZB	6.0	Bronze
Open 13
	Jalalvand Amir Hesam	IRI	7.5	Gold
	Rajabboev Ibrat	UZB	6.5	Silver
	Khazhatuly Alikhan	KAZ	6.5	Bronze
Open 11
	Mirpulatov Mirabror	UZB	6.5	Gold
	Dhruv Khosla	IND	6.5	Silver
	Kalvandi Mohammad Naeim	IRI	6.0	Bronze
Open 9
	Jalalvand Amir Hesam	IRI	7.5	Gold
	Rajabboev Ibrat	UZB	6.5	Silver
	Khazhatuly Alikhan	KAZ	6.5	Bronze
Open 7
	Allaberganov Akbar	UZB	7.0	Gold
	bdsattar Alisher	KAZ	7.0	Silver
	Tuvshintulga Tumurchudur	MGL	6.5	Bronze

Girls 17	Asian Schools Standard Chess	Fed	Pts	Medal
	Khusainova Ozoda	UZB	7.5	Gild
	Saparova Sitora	UZB	7.5	Silver
WFM	Mekanova Annagozel	TK,M	6.5	Brojnze
Girls 15
WCM	Khegay Yuliya	UZB	7.5	Gild
WCM	Sultanbek Zeinep	KAZ	7.5	Silver
	Sathwika N	IND	5.5	Brojnze
Girls 13
WFM	Omonova Umida	UZB	8.5	Gild
	Bobomurodova Maftuna	UZB	7.5	Silver
WFM	Shohradowa Lala	TKM	7.0	Brojnze
Girls 11
WCM	Khamdamova Afruza	UZB	7.5	Gild
	Khulan Bayarsaikhan	MGL	6.5	Silver
WCM	Olimova Odina	UZB	6.0	Brojnze
Girls 9
	Kaliakhmet Elnaz	KAZ	9.0	Gild
	Khasanova Shakhzoda	UZB	6.5	Silver
	Arshiya Das	IND	6.5	Brojnze
Girls 7
	Warsia Khusbu	BAN	7.5	Gild
	Amanzhol Khanzada	KAZ	6.5	Silver
	Misheel Ganbayar	MGL	6.5	Brojnze

Open 17	Asian Schools Rapid Chess	Fed	Pts	Medal
FM	Nurmamedov Azat	TKM	5.5	Gold
	Hamad Essam	UAE	5.0	Silver
FM	Abdurakhmonov Mukhammadal	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Open 15
	Halynyazow Vepaly	TKM	5.5	Gold
	Anadkat Kartavya	IND	5.0	Silver
	Sharipov Davron	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Open 13
	Rakhmatullaev Almas	UZB	5.5	Gold
CM	Sindarov Islombek	UZB	5.0	Silver
	Madaminov Mukhiddin	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Open 11
	Suyarov Mukhammadzokhid	UZB	6.0	Gold
	Burbach Brunel Baron	THA	6.0	Silver
	Daaevik Wadhawan	IND	5.0	Bronze
Open 9
	Begmuratov Khumoyun	UZB	6.0	Gold
	Jalalvand Amir Hesam	IRI	6.0	Silver
	Umurzakov Alisher	UZB	4.5	Bronze
Open 7
CM	Tuvshintulga Tumurchudur	MGL	6.0	Gold
	Islamov Shakhzod	UZB	5.5	Silver
	Abdsattar Alisher	KAZ	5.0	Bronze

Girls 17	Asian Schools Rapid Chess	Fed	Pts	Medal
WFM	Mekanova Annagozel	TKM	6.0	Gold
	Malikova Marjona	UZB	5.0	Silver
	Saparova Sitora	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Girls 15
WCM	Sultanbek Zeinep	KAZ	6.5	Gold
	Sathwika N	IND	5.0	Silver
	Saidova Rukhshona	TJK	4.0	Bronze
Girls 13
FM	Omonova Umida	UZB	6.5	Gold
	Kaldarova Ayaulym	KAZ	5.0	Silver
	Karimova Guldona	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Girls 11
WCM	Khamdamova Afruza	UZB	7.0	Gold
	Khulan Bayarsaikhan	MGL	5.0	Silver
WCM	Olimova Odina	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Gurks 9
	Kaliakhmet Elnaz	KAZ	6.5	Gold
	Khasanova Shakhzoda	UZB	5.5	Silver
	Olimova Rukiya	UZB	4.5	Bronze
Girls 7
	Warsia Khusbu	BAN	6.5	Gold
	Amanzhol Khanzada	KAZ	6.0	Silver
	Misheel Ganbayar	MGL	5.0	Bronze

 

Open 17	Asian Schools Blitz Chess	Fed	Pts.	Medal
FM	Abdisalimov Abdimalik	UZB	6.5	Gold
FM	Abdurakhmonov Mukhammadali	UZB	5.5	Silver
FM	Abdilkhair Abilmansur	KAZ	5.0	Bronze
Open 15
	Satybaldy Amir	KAZ	6.5	Gold
CM	Nisban Cyrus	SGP	6.0	Silver
	Sharipov Davron	UZB	4.5	Bronze
Open 13
	Rakhmatullaev Almas	UZB	6.0	Gold
	Madaminov Mukhiddin	UZB	5.5	Silver
	Aaditya Dhingra	IND	5.5	Bronze
Open 11
	Iunusov Nuriddin	KGZ	5.5	Gold
	Daaevik Wadhawan	IND	5.0	Silver
	Mamedov Edgar	KAZ	5.0	Bronze
Open 9
CM	Begmuratov Khumoyun	UZB	5.5	Gold
	Sawalakhe Jay	IND	5.0	Silver
	Jalalvand Amir Hesam	IRI	5.0	Bronze
Open 7
	Islamov Shakhzod	UZB	6.0	Gold
	Rashid Husain Alhammadi	UAE	6.0	Silver
	Tuvshintulga Tumurchudur	MGL	5.5	Bronze

 

Girls 17	Asian Schools Blitz Chess	Fed	Pts	Medal
	Kalvandi Nashmil	IRI	6.0	Gold
	Tursunova Aziza	UZB	6.0	Silver
WFM	Mekanova Annagozel	TKM	5.0	Bronze
Girls 15
	Alimova Sevinch	uzb	6.0	Gold
	Batyrowa Merjen	tkm	5.5	Silver
WFM	Sultanbek Zeinep	kaz	5.0	Bronze
Girls 13
WFM	Shohradowa Lala	TKM	5.5	Gold
WFM	Omonova Umida	UZB	5.0	Silver
	Shokirjonova Barchinoy	UZB	5.0	Bronze
Girls 11
WFM	Khamdamova Afruza	UZB	7.0	Gold
	Atabayeva Aygul	TKM	4.5	Silver
wcm	Olimova Odina	UZB	4.5	Bronze
Girls 9
	Arshiya Das	IND	5.0	Gold
	Kukreja Suguna	IND	5.0	Silver
	Khasanova Shakhzoda	UZB	4.0	Bronze
Girls 7
	Amanzhol Khanzada	KAZ	6.0	Gold
	Warsia Khusbu	BAN	6.0	Silver
	Omirserik Alima	KAZ	5.0	Bronze