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The Asian Seniors Chess Championship has started at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand with 27 players from five countries in the 50+ age group and 18 players from five countries in the 65+ age group. Visit Vega for 50+ group and Vega for 65+ group.

The tournament is organized by the New Zealand Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE. See announcement in asianchess.com.

 

Oceania Chess Confederation president Paul Spiller (right) addressing the players at the opening.

Please follow the action on Lichess: 50+ broadcast and 65+ broadcast. Check results on Vega: 50+ group and 65+ group.

Photos will be posted on Facebook.

A FIDE Trainers Online Seminar is scheduled 28-30 October 2022 organized by the Asian Chess Federation in association with the Asia Chess Academy under the supervision of the International Chess Federation’s Trainers Commission. The Seminar is for the Indian subcontinent (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Iran, Laos). Please visit FIDE web site.

Invitations and registration forms have been sent to national federations in the Indian subcontinent.

Bangladesh is in sole lead at the points table with maximum 4 points after end of the 2^nd round games of the six-nation Sheikh Russell Cup Invitational Team Chess Championship 2022. The event is sponsored by Saif Powertech Limited, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Russell Day.

Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan are sharing 2^nd position with 2 points each. The second round matches were held today 14th October at the Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room.

In the 2^nd round, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 3-1 game points. On behalf of Bangladesh, Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib, Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman and International Master Mohammad Minhaz Uddin defeated FIDE Masters Amer Karim, Junaid Sohail and Muhammad Shahzeb of Pakistan respectively. International master Mohammad Fahad Rahman lost to FM Muhammad Waqar of Pakistan.

Sri Lanka beat Bhutan by 4-0 game points. International Master L M S T 0De Silva, FIDE Master Liyanage Ranindu Dilshan, Kaluarachchi Achinthya Shamen and Tennakoon Lisara Samadhit of Sri Lanka defeated Karma Sonam, Sonam Choen, Sangay Nidup and Ugyen Wangchuk respectively.

Maldives beat Nepal by 2.5-1.5 game points. FIDE Master Mohammad Shuaau and Candidate Master Abdul Rahman Ali defeated FIDE Master Rajbhandari Rajendra and Bajracharya Rajendra of Nepal respectively.

Nepal’s Singhesor Das beat Maldives’ Ahmed Aman Ibrahim and Maldives’ Candidate Master Mohammed Hassan drew with Nepal’s FIDE Master Bilam Lal Shrestha.

3^rd round games will start on tomorrow 15th October from 3-00 PM at the same venue. The 3^rd round matches are: Nepal vs Pakistan, Sri Lanka vs Maldives and Bangladesh vs Bhutan.

A grand total of 456 children from 20 countries played in the Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship today 14th October 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. The number was too large for one hall in the Grand Inna Kuta hotel and had to be played in four halls. Below the Organizing Committee members join Guests of Honor Bali Governor Wayan Koster (seventh from left) and Indonesian Chess Federation President GM Utut Adianto (sixth from left). Asian Chess Federation was represented by ACF Executive Director Casto Abundo (second from right).

Follow us on Twitter, Faceboook and Instagram. Visit chess-results.com and click on Team-Ranking link (see below) for team ranking.

The event is organized by the Indonesian Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE. After expertly solving the usual organizational problems of visas, airport reception and hotel bookings, the organizing PERCASI launched the tournament to an exciting start with the Rapid Chess Championship. Colorful opening ceremonies were held with traditional dance group and musical troupe.

Below, parents dotingly take photos of their children who joined the Guest of Honor.

Top board of the Under-8 Open on stage with Chief Arbiter Abdulrahim Mahdi of the UAE (right) and Deputy Chief Arbiter Dharmendra Kumar of India (seated left).

ACF Technical Delegate Casto Abundo, assisted by Chief Arbiter Abdulrahim Mahdi and Pairings Committee Chairman K.K. Chan, administer the draw of lots in the time honored manner. Thailand Chess Federation president Sahapol Nakvanich (standing, left) held one white pawn and one black pawn as the Indian Head of Delegation touched one hand to choose the color of the top seed.

India and Vietnam shared most of the gold medals.

Girls Division

Sheikh Russell Cup Invitational Team Chess Championship 2022 under the patronage of Saif Powertech Limited has started 13th September at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Russell Day.

Before the start of the games, the opening ceremony was held in the Conference-Room on the ground floor of the old building of the National Sports Council. Hon’ble Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mejbah Uddin officially inaugurated the event as the chief guest. Tarafder Md. Ruhul Saif, Director of Saif Powertech Limited, was present as guest of honor. Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and President of Zone 3.2 of World Chess Federation (FIDE), was present as a special guest. KM Shahidulllah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation presided over the ceremony. Major Farukh Ahmed Khan (Retd), Executive Director of SAIF POWERTEC Limited, Masudur Rahman Mallik Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation, two executive members of Bangladesh Chess Federation Md. Moniruzzaman Palash and Sajal Mahmud and Chief Arbiter Md. Haroon Or Rashid were present at the event.

Apart from Bangladesh, all the countries of Zone 3.2 of the World Chess Federation, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are participating in this six-nation invitational team chess event. All teams will participate in the round robin league system. At the end of the first phase, the Super League will be held with the top three teams. The Super League will also be held in round robin league format. A total of 10,000 USD will be awarded in this event, of which the champion team will receive 4,000 USD, the runner-up team will receive 3,000 USD, the third-placed team will receive 2,000 USD and the fourth-placed team will receive 1,000 USD.

First round matches started after the inauguration ceremony, in the 1^st round Bangladesh played with Sri Lanka, Pakistan played Maldives and Nepal played Bhutan.

The second round matches are Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Bhutan vs Sri Lanka and Maldives vs Nepal.

Yuma Okabe, 15, a first year student at Tokay High School in Japan, is the first foreign player registered for the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championship scheduled 17 to 26 November 2022 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Okabe was 11th at WSCC 2022 U15 Open.

The deadline for registration is 17th October 2022. Federations may submit the Registration Form Asian Jrs and Girls 2022 to asianchessfederation@yahoo.com and casto.abundo@gmail.com. Visit previous announcement on Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships to play in Knights Templar – Asian Chess

Other countries expected to participate are strong juniors and girls from the chess powers of India, Iran, Uzbekistan and neighboring countries of Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Host Philippines will be represented by national juniors and girls champions FM Alekhine Nouri and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian who are competing now at the World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Italy.

 

MANILA—The Laguna Heroes beat Isabela and Cavite to maintain their place as Northern division’s best team in the ongoing 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) conference Oct. 8 at Chess.com Platform.

With the twin wins, the Laguna Heroes notched their fourth-consecutive win in the tournament and improved their win-loss record.

“Cavite (photo above) and Isabela (photo below) are great teams. We would like to congratulate Laguna for scoring twin victories tonight. The decision of GM John Paul Gomez to play in the 3rd Conference is a big help to bring up the morale and confidence of Laguna Heroes.” said Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice Foods, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with David Nithyananthan of KALARO and Greatech Philippines, Inc, Engr. Billy Joe Ereňo of Costbusters Philippines Corp. and Dr. Fred Paez of Jolly Smile Dental Clinic.

Laguna was fresh off a stellar match day against Manila and Cagayan and continued their surge after asserting their mastery over Isabela,16.5-4.5, and Cavite, 12-9.

The Heroes held Isabela to two points after the blitz category,4.5-2.5 , and struck the final blow in the last seven playing boards after winning six of them, 12-2.

Laguna’s performance against Isabela became one of their best offensive outputs and brought their momentum against Cavite in the very next game.
Richie Jocson scored another 6/6, while GM John Paul Gomez, IM Angelo Abundo Young and FM Abelgas scored 5/6.

Jocson blasted Arena GM Melchor Fronda III and Lordwin Espiritu of Isabela and Lourecel Hernandez Ecot of Cavite.
Gomez, meantime subdued Nick Marinduque of Isabela then edged IM Joel Banawa of Cavite, 2-1.

Young, on the other hand, defeated NM Gerardo “Gerry” Cabellon of Isabela, 2-1, then blanked IM Petronio Roca of Cavite.

Abelgas, for his part, dismantled Manolito Manaois and Alvin Aguinaldo of Isabela and FM Julius Joseph de Ramos of Cavite, 2-1.-

MANILA—FM Roel Abelgas and Richie Jocson powered the Laguna Heroes to a 12-9 victory over Manila Indios Bravos in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) match held Oct. 5 at Chess.com Platform.
“We are delighted by the twin victories of the Laguna Heroes against Manila and Cagayan. The field is tough but we are hoping to perform well in every match.” said Engr. Billy Joe Ereňo of Costbusters Philippines Corp., one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO and Greatech Philippines, Inc., Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice Foods and Dr. Fred Paez of Jolly Smile Dental Clinic.

Abelgas (photo above) defeated NM Rolando Andador while Jocson trounced NM Carlos Edgardo Garma.
Also delivering for Laguna in the blitz event were WNM Jean Karen Enriquez and AG Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Enriquez subdued WNM Ludivina Ortega Nadera while Lorenzo crushed Jhulo Goloran.
FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad split the point with FM Nelson “Elo” Mariano III while IM Angelo Abundo Young drew with IM Chito Garma.
Alji Cantonjos provided the full point for Manila after beating Christian Nanola.
After their blitz encounter ended in a 5-2 triumph in favor of Laguna, Abelgas struck the hardest in the rapid chess phase which ended in a 7-7 all deadlock.
Laguna, meantime blasted Cagayan Kings, 14.5-6.5, in the following match.

Sobhan Zahmati and Niki Nadernia, both of Iran, won the Asian Amateur Chess Championship Open and Women’s, respectively. 146 men and 51 women from 20 countries participated in the tournament organized by the Oman Chess Committee on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation 29 September to 5 October 2022 at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download games.

In photo above Zahmati receives the champion’s trophy from Her Excellency Layla Al-Najjar, Minster of Social Development in Oman. At left is Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the UAE and at right is Oman Chess Committee Chairman Ahemd Bin Darwish Al Bulushi. Zahmati finished alone in first with 8.5 points for the top prize of $1,500 Compatriot Fooladi Behrooz placed second with 7.5 points for $1,000 in cash prize.

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Above, Niki Nadernia receives the women’s champion’s trophy from Her Excellency Layla Al-Najjar, Minster of Social Development in Oman finished alone in first with 8 points for the top prize for women of $1,000.

Dignitaries at the closing ceremony. At center is Her Excellency Layla Al-Najjar, Minster of Social Development in Oman flanked by Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher at right and Oman Chess Committee Chairman Ahemd Bin Darwish Al Bulushi at left.

Her Excellency Layla Al-Najjar, Minster of Social Development in Oman (right) presents a memento to Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the UAE.

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA—IM Angelo Abundo Young (above left) and FM Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri topped their respective division in the 1st PEZA Invitational Rapid Chess Tournament held at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority September 30, 2022.
IM Young, the 8-time Illinois (USA) champion and two-time MVP for the Chicago Blaze in the United States Chess League, trounced GM Darwin Laylo, a 4-time member of the Philippine team in the Chess Olympiad, to rule the Group A Division in this 15 minute plus 5 seconds increment time control format, supported by JC Premiere Marikina Business Center.
Other Group A finishers were chess ironman GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and IM Petronio Roca for 3rd and 4th place, respectively.

For the Group B top two winners, current Philippine Junior Champion FM Nouri (above) and the youngest FM in the world at the age of 7, foiled the winning streak of FM Suelo who recently bagged the top spot this year at the Singapore Holiday Rapid III championship.
As for the teen chess sensation Nouri, he is set to compete this month at the World Juniors Under 20 Chess Championships in Sardinia, Italy. For the last 2 spots, another teener NM Jasper Faeldonia defeated CM Genghis Katipunan Imperial.
Earlier, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Officer-In-Charge Director General Mr. Tereso “Theo” O. Panga led the opening rites.

National Ecozone Premier Queens Lady Eagles Club, with its President Elvira Roca visited the chessfest to show support. In photo are Leomarie Roca, Mary Grace Echapare, Rose Anova, National Ecozone Premier Eagles club members Alden Echapare, Paolo  Anova and Lady Eagle Atty. Nori Tañag.
Washington State based Mr. and Mrs. Jessie and Carol Villasin , New York based Jun Encarnacion, Elizsa Gayle Cafirma and Edel Fay Cafirma of Thick and Thin Donut, Mike Tamonan of Busog28 Chinese-style Fried Chicken and Gerald Yulo also watched the event that featured some of the country’s top chess players.

Final Standings and Tournament Winnings
(Group A)
Champion IM Angelo Young (P10,000)
2nd GM Darwin Laylo (P7,000)
3rd GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (P4,000)
4th IM Petronio Roca (P3,000)
(Group B )
Champion FM Alekhine Nouri (P7,000)
2nd FM Robert Suelo Jr. (P5,000)
3rd NM Jasper Faeldonia (P4,000)
4th CM Genghis Imperial (P3,000)