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WIM Mobina Alinas and WFM Mitra Asgharzadeh of Iran lead with perfect 3 points each after same number of rounds of the Asian University Women’s Chess Championship on Tornelo. The tournament is hosted by the Iran University Sports Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and Asian University Sports Federation and in cooperation with the International Chess Federation (FIDE), FISU-Oceania and the Iran Chess Federation.

Alinas, 22, is from the Islamic Azad University while Asgharzadeh, 20, is from the Karaj Azad University. Four players follow with 2.5 points each, namely WFM Retno Wijayanti and WFM Faruq Afifa Ayyun of Indonesia, WFM Zahedifar Anahita of Iran and Sri M.K Poorna of India.

Thirty-two players from ten countries are competing in the Rapid chess 9-round Swiss system tournament, namely Bhutan, China, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria and host Iran. Only University students between the ages of 17 and 28 are allowed to participate.

The tournament is a combined individual and team event with 9 rounds of the Swiss System. Players from the same team will not be paired with each other. Team results will be calculated by the total scores of the top four (4) players of a team.

Visit chess-results.com for round results and standings and to download pgn files. Watch live games on Tornelo for Women’s Championship starting 10am Dubai time tomorrow. The Men’s event will be held 21st-23rd December. Time control is 15 minutes plus 10 second increments per move for the entire game.

Fair Play measures are strictly applied. Arbiters monitor players on Zoom by videocam and side camera. Players share desktop screen and only two programs, Tornelo and Zoom, are allowed on the laptop.

Here are the individual and team standings after three rounds. Iran leads the team race followed by Indonesia and India.

by Marlon Bernardino

Russian born Konstantin Sek won the Maharlika Pilipinas Chess League’s  Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival at the  Family Country Hotel in General Santos City. The event is organized by the Maharlika Pilipinas Chess League (MPCL) under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and FIDE. The tournament is financially supported by FIDE Open Aid Project through the NCFP.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round and final standings. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and facebook.

The 50-year-old Nolte defeated third seed GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden in the ninth and final round to catch Sek and second pick GM Lucas Van Foreest of the Netherlands at the helm with seven points each. Van Foreest halved the point with IM Daniel Quizon of the Philippines.

The Russian-born Sek, who split the point with second seed GM Pier Luigi Basso of Italy, eventually took first, Van Foreest second and Nolte third after tiebreaks.

The three, however, will split the total prizes for first to third places amounting to $40,000 or a cool P2.2 million–$20,000 for first, $12,000 for second and $8,000 for third—courtesy of boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao.

Nolte still made the Philippines proud regardless as he emerged the best Filipino finisher in the event organized by the MCPL headed by IM Hamed Nouri and Alex Dinoy and backed by President Bong Bong Marcos, the NCFP, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Sek got the help from Nolte, whose win prevented a two-way tie for first between the former and Van Foreest and the winner-over-the-other rule would have been applied.

If it had happened, Van Foreest (above left) would have seized first since he vanquished Sek in the third round.

Overall, Sek racked up six wins including ones over IM Ronald Bancod, Quizon and GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and two draws.
It was Sek’s win over Antonio in the penultimate round Friday that proved critical as he was on the losing end of that one before he found a way to squeeze himself out of trouble and snatch the win.

The 18-year-old Quizon wound up in a three-way logjam for fourth with GM John Paul Gomez, who downed IM Kim Steven Yap, Basso but the reigning Asian Junior blitz champion emerged with the best tiebreak to claim fourth spot.

IM Dragos Ceres of Moldova, who turned back FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, finished in a seven-man group with six points apiece but took seventh spot with the best tiebreak.

Also in the same group were top seed GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia (above left), IM Michael Concio, Jr., IM John Daniel Bryant of the United States (photo below), GM Darwin Laylo, IM Eric Labog, Jr. and GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.

Gabuzyan trounced Mark Jay Bacojo; Antonio and Bryant fought to a standoff; Concio; and Labog outlasted Danmaersk Mangao.

Final Standings: ( 9 Rounds Swiss System, 68 participants)
7.0 points—Konstantin Sek (Russia), GM Lucas Van Foreest (Netherlands), IM Rolando Nolte (Philippines)
6.5 points—IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), GM Pier Luigi Basso (Italy)
6.0 points—IM Dragos Ceres (Moldova), GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Armenia), IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), IM John Daniel Bryant (USA), GM Darwin Laylo (Philippines), IM Eric Labog Jr. (Philippines), GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines)

The Asian-Oceania University Chess Championship has started with Opening Ceremony and Technical Meeting today by Zoom. Ten University teams are participating, namely Bhutan, China, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria and host Iran.

Dr. Hadi Bashirian, president of the host Iran University Sports Federation and Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher delivered the welcome addresses which were followed by introduction of teams and a Trial Run for players new to Tornelo. Appeals Committee is composed of Sri lanka Chess Federation president Luxman Wijesuriya, AUSF Executive Council representative Dr. Ayu Hanafiah of Malaysia and ACF Executive Director Casto Abundo. Fair Play controls were emphasized for this online event by Fair Play Arbiter IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh.

The tournament is a combined individual and team event with 9 rounds of the Swiss System. Players from the same team will  not play each other. Team results will be calculated by the total scores of the top four (4) players of a team.

Visit chess-results.com for women’s and men’s divisions.

Watch live games on Tornelo for Women’s Championship starting 10am Dubai time tomorrow.

Here are the participating teams in alphabetical order.

The Asian Chess Federation Executive Board met 12 December 2022 by Zoom and was informed that the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is organizing the Leaders Sport Business Summit 1-2 March 2023 in Abu Dhabi. Visit asianchess.com story.

The Board noted the good opportunity to hold the Chess Summit together with the Leaders Sport Business Summit and maximize the benefits for the Asian Chess family to join both events. Since the ACF elections will be a formality with only one Presidential ticket, the aim is to benefit Delegates by holding the Asian Chess Summit together with the Leaders Sports Business Summit.

Considering the opportunity provided by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Executive Board resolved to hold the Asian Chess Summit from 26^th February (arrival) and cover the participation of Chess Delegates in the Leaders Sport Business Summit 1-2 March 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

The games of Bangabandhu 47^th National Chess Championship under the financial sponsorship of Abul Khair Group and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation began from today (Thursday) afternoon at the Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room.

A total of 14 players including 4 grandmasters, 2 International Masters, 4 FIDE Masters and 2 Candidate Masters are participating in this year’s Bangabandhu 47^th National Chess Championship-2022 in round robin league system.

In the first round games today, reigning national chess champion GM Enamul Hossain Razib, last time runner-up GM Ziaur Rahman, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh Ansar, IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy and CM Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh Police won their first round game and got full points.

Anata Choudhury drew with GM Niaz Murshed. In the first round, GM Niaz played with black pieces in the Sicilian defense, the game continued to Taimanov variation and GM Niaz drew with Anata after 60 moves.

GM Razib defeated FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh Police. GM Razib played with black pieces, in the Taimanov variation of Sicilian defense and won against FM Parag after 35 moves.

GM Zia beat his teammate GM Reefat Bin Sattar. GM Zia played with white pieces against English Defense of GM Reefat and GM Zia won at 33 moves.

IM Fahad defeated FM Khandekar Aminul Islam of Bangladesh Navy. IM Fahad played with white pieces against FM Amin’s Queen’s Gambit accepted and IM Fahad won at 47 moves.

IM Minha CM Md Shawket Bin Osman Shaon of Dhaka City. IMaster Minhaz played with black pieces against Nimzo-Indian Defense of CM Shaon and IM Fahad won after 52 moves.

CM Neer defeats FM Subrota Biswas. CM Neer played with white pieces against Caro-Kann defense of FM Subrota, the game continued Tartakower Variation and CM Neer won at 30^th moves. FM Tahsin defeated Hrishin Talukdar of Chattogram. FM Tahsin played with black pieces with Caro-Kann defense and won against Hrish after 36 moves.

Saif Sporting Club became unbeaten champion in the Bangabandhu Premier Division Chess League-2022 sponsored by Saif Powertech Limited held at the Asia Hotel & Resort, Topkhana Road. Saif Sporting Club earned 18 points out of 10 matches to clinch the Premier League title.

Players of Saif Sporting Club are: GM Enamul Hossain Razib, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, Indian GM S L Narayanan, Iranian GM Idani Pouya and FM Subrota Biswas. IO, WCM Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhury Moly was non playing captain of Saif Sporting Club.

Last three years Premier Chess League champion Bangladesh Police became runners-up. Bangladesh Police earned 16 points out of 10 matches. Players of Bangladesh Police are: CM Manon Reja Neer, GM Ziaur Rahman, Indian GM Sandipan Chanda, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid and Indian GM Harsha Bharathakoti & FM Mehdi Hasan Parag. Dr. Shoeb Reaz Alam is non playing captain of Bangladesh Police.

New team of Premier Division chess Palli Sanchoy Bank became 3^rd with 15 points. Players of Palli Sanchoy Bank are: GM Niaz Murshed (Captain), Shafiq Ahmed, Georgia Pantsulaia Levan, Russian GM Rakhmanov Aleksandr, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia and Md Anichuzzaman.

Manha’s Castle & Bangladesh Biman earned 14 points each. Their position was decided by game points. Manha’s Castel became 4^th with 26½ game points and Bangladesh Biman became 5^th with 25½ points. Leonie Chess Club became 6^th with 10 points, Titas Club became 7^th with 9 points, Uttara Central Chess Club became 8^th with 6 points, Sheikh Russel Chess Club became 9^th with 4 points, Rupali Bank Krira Parisad became 10^th 2 points and Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar became 11^th with 1 points.

Board Prizes- First Board-GM Enamul Hussain Razib of Saif Sporting Club, 7½ points out 9 games rating performance 2459, Second Board-GM Mendonca Leon Luke of Manha’s Castle, 7½ points in 10 games, rating performance -2442, 3^rd Board- GM Diptayan Ghosh, 7½ points in 10 games, rating performance-2553, 4^th board-GM Rakhmanov Alekandr of Palli Sanchoy Bank, 8 points out of 10 games, rating performance-2622, Reserve 1- GM Harsha Bharathakoti of Bangladesh Police, 8 points out of 10 games, rating performance-2557 and Reserve 2- Asif Mahmud of Leonine Chess Club, 2½ points, out of 6 games, rating performance-2212.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA–Filipino Grandmaster John Paul Gomez forged a four-way tie for the lead after scoring a crucial third-round victory in the MCPL’s Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival in General Santos on Wednesday, Dec. 14. In photo above are all Filipino titled players and Chief Arbiter IA Patrick Lee and Deputy Chief Arbiter IA James Infiesto. In photo below are all foreign players. The tournament is financially supported by FIDE Open Aid Project through the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Gomez defeated International Master Michael Concio Jr. in 56 moves of a Guioco Piano Opening to share the top spot with fellow three pointers GMs Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia, Lucas Van Foreest of the Netherlands and Pier Luigi Basso of Italy in this event that coincided with the 44th birthday of patron and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao o,n Saturday.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings, Instagram, Twitter, and facebook.

Gomez, 37, who was the country’s best scorer with an undefeated seven points out of 10 games in the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India early this year, showed his vast knowledge of the opening and his superb endgame technique to ground the 17-year-old Concio.

Thanks to the win, the Binan, Laguna native continued to inch closer to reigning supreme in this nine-round tournament that stakes P1.14 million to the eventual titlist, the biggest prize in recent years.

Gabuzyan toppled American IM John Daniel Bryant; Van Foreest routed Russian Konstanin Sek; and Basso subdued Filipino IM Kim Steven Yap.

In the chase pack just half a point behind with 2.5 points were six others headed by FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, who crushed Jeriel Manlimbana.

GM Darwin Laylo, GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden, GM Joey Antonio, IM Cris Ramayrat, IM Rolando Nolte and FM Jeth Romy Morado were in that same bunch of 2.5 pointers.

Panabo City wonder boy and Dasmarinas City, Cavite resident, 13-year-old National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca (above left) sustained his fairy tale run as he followed up his stunning win over ninth seed IM Dragos Ceres of Moldova (above right) in the opening round Tuesday with two straight draws with Ramayrat and IM Chito Garma to climb to a huge group with two points.

The 13 years old Arca, Grade 8 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, playing under the guidance of Rep. Pidi Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, National Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, and Class Adviser Mrs. Melinda Calumaya, wielded the Caro-Kann Defense with impunity and delivered the knockout blow via an unstoppable queenside passed pawn to hack out the stunning 57-move win.

When it was over, the 18-year-old Ceres, a European Under-15 silver winner and a reserve of the Moldovan team that saw action in Chennai Olympiad early this year, was left with two pawns down, an exposed king and an Arca b-file pawn ready to get promoted to a queen.

Arca was eyeing a fitting follow up to his mammoth win as he was clashing with veteran IM Cris Ramayrat in the second round at press time.

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA—International Master Michael Concio Jr. scored a crucial win over Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego in the ninth and final round to claim the championship of the 6th Edition of Kamatyas Rapid Invitational Chess Tournament 2022 dubbed as Chess Avengers held at the SM City Sucat in Paranaque City last Saturday, Dec.10.

Photo shows from left IM Ronald Dableo (2nd), IM Michael Concio Jr. (champion) and IM Angelo Abundo Young (3rd).
Also in photo Kamatyas Chess Club president International Master Roderick Nava and Kamatyas Chess Club co-founding head David Almirol Jr

After losing to International Master Ronald Dableo in the sixth round, Concio bounced back with aplomb to down FIDE Master Jeth Romy Morado, National Master Christian Mark Daluz and San Diego in his last three assignments.

That was all Concio needed to nail the title with the highest output of 8.0 points in nine rounds. He pocketed P30,000 for his efforts in this FIDE rated tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Concio, figured in a triple tie with Dableo and International Master Angelo Abundo Young with similar 8.0 points but Concio settled for the top honors by virtue of a higher tie-breaker.

Dableo and Young got P10,000 and P7,000 for winding up second and third, respectively.

Actually, Dableo was a full point ahead going to the last round but was beaten by Young.

“I am very happy with this victory,” said the 17-year-old Concio, a Grade 12 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, whose stint here is being supported by Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, National Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, Mr. Martin Meneses and Papadu Sportswear.

International Master Daniel Quizon finished solo fourth with 7.5 points followed by Rowell Roque, Morado, National Master Prince Mark Aquino, Mark Daluz and Kevin Mirano with 7.0 points each.

In tenth place was San Diego who had 6.5 points in a tie with FIDE Master David Elorta, National Master NM Noel Dela Cruz  and Chester Neil Reyes but the former (San Diego) was given the tenth spot with superior tie break.

Earlier, Kamatyas Chess Club co-founding head David Almirol Jr., Kamatyas Chess Club president International Master Roderick Nava, San Diego and 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., made the ceremonial moves to kick off the one-day rapid tournament also graced by International Arbiter Reden Cruz, FIDE National Arbiter Byron Gabrentina Villar, National Arbiters Boyet Tardecilla and Fedinand “Ferdie” Reyes Sr. of the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation.

Final Standings: (150 participants)
8.0 points—IM Michael Concio Jr., IM Ronald Dableo, IM Angelo Abundo Young
7.5 points—IM Daniel Quizon
7.0 points—Rowell Roque, FM Jeth Romy Morado, NM Prince Mark Aquino, NM Christian Mark Daluz, Kevin Mirano
6.5 points—WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego, FM David Elorta , NM Noel Dela Cruz , Chester Neil Reyes

The 5th Leaders Abu Dhabi Business Summit will be held 1-2 March 2023 at the Yas Marina Circuit in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sport Council.

Combining over 400 senior leaders in sport from across the globe with world renowned sports venues and topics that look towards the future of sport. This event will give sports leaders a chance to learn, connect and experience the opportunities for sport in Abu Dhabi.

The key themes that we will be covering include:

• Importance of sporting landmarks
• Keeping fans involved
• Navigating the transition from Web2 to Web3
• From global to grassroots

Among the fantastic speakers already confirmed are Peter Silverstone, Chief Commercial Officer, Newcastle United, Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal, Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Royals & Benny Bonsu, Director of Daily Content, International Olympic Committee.

Early bird rate is £795+VAT until the middle of January where it will increase to £995+VAT.

Visit The Sport Business Summit, Abu Dhabi – Sport Business (leadersinsport.com)