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Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov (center, left) and Marjona Malikova (center, right), both of Uzbekistan, won the Western Asia Juniors and Girls, respectively, in the championship organized by the Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, 5-15 September 2022 at the leisure resort of Korumdu, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. Visit chess-results.com. Watch broadcast of games on lichess, and blitz.

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Abdurakhmonov got his second GM norm and the IM title. Sezdbekov Ruslan took second place while Abdilkhair Abilmansur took third place and both got IM norms.

Malikova Marjona got the WGM norm and the WIM title. Shokirjonova Barchinoy took third place the WIM norm.

The Kyrgyzstan delegation. At right is Damir Talapker, Executive Director of the Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation and Chief Organizer of the Western Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships.

NM Buto wins Angeles rapid chessfest
by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—National Master Al-Basher” Basty” Buto (photo above) of Cainta, Rizal won the Angeles City FIDE-Rated Chess Festival (Junior) September 11, 2022 at the Marquel Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga. Visit chess-results.com for round by round standings and results.

After halving the point with National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the fifth round, Buto, who hails from Marawi City, defeated Andrew James Toledo in the sixth, Woman National Master Ruelle Canino in the seventh, Allan Gabriel Hilario in the eight before beating De Asas in the last round.

That was all Buto needed to nail the title with the highest output of 8.5 points to go home with the top prize of P10,000 plus the champonship trophy.

Malls benefit from crowd-drawing chess tournaments and it helps popularize chess.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” added the 12 years old Buto, Grade 7 Student of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal, playing under the guidance of Mam Sarah Balce and Sir Ambet Balce of Faith Christian School.

Buto’s stint here is being supported by Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Cainta, Rizal Mayor Ellen Nieto,  MP Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and GPP Muslim Community Greenhills.

Jersey Marticio of Cabuyao City, Laguna, who lost to Buto in the fourth round bounced back winning her game against Sean Adryl S. Tolentino in the fifth, Lira M. Placer in the sixth, Arca in the seventh, Arena FM Gabriel Ryan Paradero in the eight and Canino in the final round to secure solo second place with 8.0 points and take home P7,000 plus trophy.

Allan Gabriel Hillario came third with 7.0 points for P5,000 plus trophy.

Arca, meantime settled for fourth with 6.5 points for P3,000 while Canino ended up fifth with 6.0 ponts for P2,000.

The tournament was hosted by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. in close cooperation with Angeles City Sports Officer Maeve Mendiola.

Last Saturday, International Master Daniel Quizon of Dasmarinas City, Cavite won the Open section with 8.0 points in nine outings. He pocketed the top prize of P20,000 plus trophy

FM Abdurakhmonov Mukhammadali of Uzbekistan leads the Western Asia Juniors chess championship by one point after 7 rounds of the 9-round RR tournament organized by the Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation, 5-15 September 2022 at the leisure resort of Korumdu, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. Visit chess-results.com. Watch live broadcast on lichess.

In the girls division, Sultanbek Zeinep of Kazakhstan and Malikova Marjona of Uzbekistan are tied for the lead with 5.5 points each after 7 rounds.

The gold medalist shall receive a GM/WGM norm while the champions of both groups earn the IM/WIM title and FM/WFM titles for runner-up and third place in accordance with FIDE regulations. .

Lhundrup Minjur Dorji representing the Youth Friendly Integrated Service Center in Thimphu is the winner of the first-ever National Youth Chess Championship 2022. He won all the rounds of the one-day championship held in the capital yesterday. Twenty-six youths from 13 youth centres across the country took part in the championship.

‘‘I feel very happy that I won today. In the future, I hope to win more of the national youth tournaments and become the best in the country at some point. And also I hope to continue going to Chess Olympiad,’’ said Lhundrup Minjur Dorji, from the Youth Friendly Integrated Service Center in Thimphu.

He also represented Bhutan in the recent Chess Olympiad hosted by India. He was among the youngest in the international tournament featuring chess masters from 187 countries.

While Lhendrup took home the winner’s trophy without a dispute after winning all the five rounds allocated to each player, the game to decide the runners-up was nothing short of a spectacle to witness. After winning four rounds each from the five rounds they played, three players competed for the 1^st and 2^nd runners-up places. A stalemate in the first round, and then the places were decided by cutting down the game time to a minute.

‘‘I am glad after getting first from Bajo and getting an opportunity to participate here. But in the tournament, it didn’t go too well. But luck is on my side and I won second. I am so happy,’’ said Kinga Norbu, from Bajothang Youth Center.

The Youth Center Division of the Department of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Bhutan Chess Federation conducted the championship.

According to Bhutan Chess Federation, such a tournament is an opportunity for the youth to get trained to feature on international platforms.

‘‘The winners will get the opportunity to compete with renowned international masters, grandmasters, and candidate masters,’’ said Ugyen Wangchuk, the General Secretary of Bhutan Chess Federation.

The initiative is also to make chess an integral part of youth engagement at the Youth Centers and Youth Friendly Integrated Service Centers.

‘‘This is to promote professional chess in our Youth Centers and Youth Friendly Integrated Centers. So that more young people get the opportunity to play chess and then benefit from it. Because we are aware that chess significantly contributes to enhancing creativity, critical thinking problem-solving skills, and many others, especially in young children and youth,’’ added Amrith Bdr. Subba, the Deputy Chief Councillor with the Department of Youth and Sports.

The championship also saw young players like 10-year-old Sidanath Bhandari. He says he started playing chess when he was four years old.

‘‘I was inspired by my brother who started playing at the age of 10. So I really got interested and learned the basics of this game. Then I used to watch YouTube videos about how to play chess and tricks and traps so that you could defeat other opponents,’’ said Sidanath.

He is a class V student at Loseling Middle Secondary School. He gave a tough fight to Lhendrup, the champion of this championship, which is a reassurance that the future of chess is in safe hands.

by Marlon Bernardino – Manila – In preparation for bigger tournaments lined up for him this year, Philippine NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca from Panabo City, Davao del Norte dominated the 81st Birthday of GM/Lawyer Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. 14 years old and below kiddies Rapid Chess Tournament held September 10, 2022 at the Rockwell Business Center in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and full standings.

“This is an Annual Event to commemorate our Philippine Chess Hero GM Rosendo C.Balinas Jr.,” said the late GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. daughter and Singapore based Nur Rose Balinas.

“The Only Filipino who conquered Russia in the Chess History, The Conqueror of Odessa. The Chess Tiger of Asia. A Fearless Lawyer. A Genius Journalist and Writer. And the Best Father,” she added.

Arca swept all of his opponents in the 7-round Swiss system tournament organized by Dr. Joe Carreon Balinas and Engr. Antonio Carreon Balinas, both co-founding chairmen of Bayanihan Chess Club, and sponsored by Balinas Family, in close cooperation with Ms. China Aurelio and Ms. Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, Ms. Elizsa Gayle Cafirma of Thick and Thin Doughnuts, National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. and NCFP Chief Executive Officer, FST/GM Jayson O. Gonzales.

Among those who were crushed by Arca were Tetsuri Ikemoto, David Francis Modesto, Jian Carlo Rivera, National Master Ivan Travis Cu,  Jersey Marticio, National Master Oshrie Jhames Reyes and National Master  Al-Basher “Basty” Buto.

Arca went home with the top prize of P10,000 and a medal from the tournament participated in by 108 players.

Earlier, Ms. China Aurelio of Open Kitchen and NM Arca made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day National Chess Federation of the Philippines sanctioned tournament also graced by Ms. Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, NM Cu, NM Reyes, Woman National Master Ruelle Canino, FM Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri, NCFP board of director Martin “Binky” Gaticales and Chief Arbiter NA Ranier Pascual of Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation (PACC).

Arca is scheduled to compete in the Asian Youth Chess Championships to be held on October 13-22, 2022 in Bali, Indonesia.
Recently, Arca has been picked as the newest Dasmarinas Cavite Chess team member.

Dasmarinas chess team head Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. picked Arca as the newest team member, composed of some of the top young chess players in the Philippines.

As the team’s newest member, Dasmarinas has become a much tougher team to beat.

Arca decided to accept the offer from Barzaga to be part of his team since it would greatly help in his young chess career.

Final Standings: (108 entries, 7 Rounds Swiss System, tiem control of 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment)
7.0 points—NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (P10,000)
6.0 points—NM Ivan Travis Cu (P7,000)
6.0 points—Mar Aviel Carredo (P5,000)
5.5 points—Phil Martin Casiguran (P3,000)
5.5 points—WNM Ruelle Canino (P2,000)
5.5 points—Jersey Marticio (P1,000)
5.5 points—Davin Sean Romualdez (P1,000)
5.5 points—Vincent Ryu Dimayuga (P1,000)
5.5 points—Jerick Faeldonia (P1,000)
5.0 points—Stephen Zane Quinto (P1,000)
5.0 points—NM Oshrie Jhames Reyes (P1,000)
5.0 points—NM Al-Basher “Basty” Buto (P1,000)
5.0 points—AFM John Peter Allen Cabales (P1,000)
5.0 points—Cleiford Kortchnoi Molinyawe (P1,000)
5.0 points—Prince Khen Mina (P1,000)

Manila—The Mindanaoan team Davao City Durianburg Stallions defeated Mindmovers. PH Chess Club to win the championship trophy of the highly competitive professional Philippine Chess League Season 4 held at Tornelo Platform.

The Stallions, owned by Chess patron and lawyer Jose Dionisio “Jong” Guevarra Jr. (photo above), defeated the Mindmovers 109-87 in the finals to take the coveted PCL crown.

The Stallions team got the slot earlier in the finals after beating the PFCC Wildknights in their semifinal duel 2-0.

The Mindmovers owned by Singapore based Van Lanuza, on the other hand beat San Miguel Chess Association, 2-0, to arrange a titular showdown with the Stallions team.

PCL is an online chess league organized by the Philippines’ Finest Chess Club.

Most team members are part of the veteran-laden Davao City Eagles chess team that reached the semifinals of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines chess tournament season two.

The team, dubbed the Davao Chess Wizards, joined the PCAP Premier Cup tournament last year as a guest team, where they were able to reach the quarterfinals round.

This year, the team focused and prepared to win the PCAP crown with a formidable line-up mostly of veteran chess players who have carried the city’s flag in local, national, and international chess tournaments.

Leading the team is lawyer Guevarra, GM Darwin Laylo, World chess champion for the differently-abled FM Sander Severino, national chess coach FM Roel Abelgas, Panabo City, Davao del Norte NM Henry Roger Lopez, DPWH engineer Aglipay Oberio, Philippine chess team coach for the differently-abled IA James Infiesto, Engr. Allan Diez, Alexander Lupian, Arnel Iton, Anthony Mosqueda, Cris Yap, Atty. Mary Segara and former DLSU college chess team member Joy Acedo. –Marlon Bernardino-

Chitambaram finishes with 7.5 points, half a point ahead of Predke and Praggnanandhaa

er Arvindh Chitambaram of India was crowned champion of the 22nd Dubai Open Chess Tournament during the awarding ceremony Sunday night at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Hall of the Dubai Chess and Culture Club in Al Mamzar. The closing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Khalid Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Chairman of the club’s board of directors, His Excellency Tarim Matar, President of the UAE Chess Federation, and members of the club’s board of directors.

In a speech during the ceremony, tournament director Saeed Yousuf Shakari praised the strong support extended by the Dubai Sports Council to the club and its various chess programs, and for supporting the development of Emirati chess talents and their participation in tournaments in the UAE and outside the country. He also commended all the participants for the high level of competition and exciting matches during tournament, and the arbitration team, headed by the Emirati International Arbiter (IA) Mahdi Abdulrahim.

Final round results

Chitambaram, who started as the tournament’s 13^th seed, finished alone at the top with 7.5 points after a draw in the final round with his compatriot GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. Top-seed GM Alexandr Predke of Russia and Praggnanandhaa finished with seven points, but the Russian claimed second place with a higher tiebreak score, relegating Praggnanandhaa to third.

Predke had a chance to tie Chitambaram for first place and even win the tournament with a higher tiebreak score over the Indian, but the Russian could only manage a draw in his game against GM Ahmed Adly of Egypt.

“It’s always nice playing in Dubai,” said Chitambaram, who had been a guest at a friend’s house during his stay in the emirate. “The conditions are great and it’s a brilliant venue.”

Chitambaram had nursed a slight edge against Praggnanandhaa, but eventually conceded to a draw by repetition of moves when the fourth-seed Praggnanandhaa was able to mount a dangerous counterattack against the white king.

“The position was equal, so I had to take a draw,” Chitambaram said.

“I’ve not done too well in any of the Dubai tournaments before, but this one came out a surprise, like I cannot believe that I won the championship.”

His triumph in Dubai, in addition to winning the Indian blitz and rapid titles earlier this year and a tournament in Benasque, Spain, has helpedChitambaram rebound from a heartbreaking campaign in 2021, when he lost rating points and missed a chance to join the Indian teams to the World Chess Olympiad, which India hosted last month.

“It’s always nice to win any tournament in general and I’m really happy with this win,” said the 2018 and 2019 Indian champion.

Chitambaram received USD13,000 and a championship trophy during the awarding ceremony, while the rest of the top 15 players also received cash prizes.

Three other players finished with seven points: the tournament’s 2011 champion GM Abhijeet Gupta, IM Sammed Jaykumar Shete and former Asian champion GM Sethuraman S.P., who finished fourth to sixth in that order.

Gupta defeated GM Sandipan Chanda, Shete upset Armenia’s GM Aram Hakobyan after over four and a half hours of play in one of the two last games to finish in the tournament, and Sethuraman outplayed IM Das Arghyadip.

The rest of the top 15 finishers were GM Arjun Erigaisi of India (6.5 points), FM Seyed Kian Poormosavi of Iran (6.5), who was the only Fide Master in the top 10 and also picked up a GM norm with a 2658 performance rating, GM Aleksandar Indjic of Serbia (6.5), GM Harsha Bharathakoti of India (6.5), Adly (6.5), GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh (6.5), GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan of Armenia (6.5), GM Arjun Kalyan of India (6.5) and GM Aram Hakobyan of Armenia (6).

Special Prizes

IM Omran Al Hosani received the Best Emirati Player award, while India’s WGM Divya Deshmukh took the Best Female award. Indian players, meanwhile, took the rating category prizes: Panda Sambit (under 2400), Sanket Chakravarty (under 2300), Ayush Sharma (under 2200), Raghav Srivathsav V (under 2100), and Joel Paul Ganta (under 2000).

Rating gains

Nine-year-old Rami Talab from Syria earned the most rating points in the tournament, adding 142 points to his international rating, followed by Kuwait’s Meshal Alhejab with 138 points, and India’s Rohit S. with 116 points.

Khalid Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Chairman of the Dubai Chess and Culture Club, congratulated Chitambaram for joining the elite list of Dubai Open champions. Back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Al Falasi underlined the very strong field of the tournament and the high level of competitiveness with the leadership changing hands in almost every round.

He added that the success of the tournament’s 22nd edition serves as a strong motivation to continue to enhance the event and attract even more top players to achieve the club’s ultimate goal of developing the sport in the UAE and nurturing new talents in the country.

Tarim commends the Dubai Chess and Culture Club

Tarim Matar Tarim, President of the UAE Chess Federation, congratulated the management of the Dubai Chess Club on the great success of the tournament. He said events such as Abu Dhabi International, Dubai Open, Sharjah Masters and more have put the UAE prominently on the international chess calendar.

He added that the federation and its member clubs will be focusing on two important goals: first is cultivating the sport in schools and the grassroots to discover new talents among citizens and residents, and the other is to continue organizing tournaments and sending top talents to international events to develop their skills in the game.

MANILA—National Master (NM) lawyer Bob Jones Liwagon carried the AE BOB chess team on his shoulders as they ripped the Philippine Army N Heroes For Hire chess team to emerge victgorious in the Sen. Manny Pacquiao Tuna Festival Chess Team Tournament champions September 4, 2022 at the Robinsons Place in General Santos City.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao (left) playing blitz with Bob Jones Liwagon (right)

Liwagon, a Captain officer ranks at the Office of the Army Judge Advocate and playing under the guidance of Col. Liberato O. Ramos (GSC) JAGS, defeated International Master Daniel Quizon on Board One to seal the 3-0 win in their seventh and final round encounter as the AE BOB chess team cliamed the crown plus the P200,000 champion’s purse in the event back up by Extreme Gaming, Luminuex Glutathione Capsule and businessman Changsuk Lyu, organized by United States chess master Rodolfo “Jun” Panopio Jr.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” said Liwagon (photo above), a former top board player of University of Sto. Tomas (UST) chess team and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Commerce Major in Business Administration graduate student. He won his biggest award in 2001 when he won the Philippine Age Group Chess championships and the coveted National Master title.

Samson Lim Jr. beat Vince Angelo Medina on Board Two while Vince Duane Pascual toppled Wenlan Temple in Board Three to complete the shut-out victory.

LGU Iligan, meantime edged GM Balinas, 2-1, as Engr. Cecil Cuevas subdued multi-awarded painter Drigo Teves on board two.
IM Ronald Bancod and Julius Dan Augustine Ablin halved the point with GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Michael Jan Stephen Rosalem Inigo on board one and board three as LGU Iligan caught eventual champion AE BOB chess team on top with similar 12 match points.

LGU Iligan pocketed the runner-up prize of P100,000 despite losing to AE BOB chess team in the tie break.

Tiktokerz chess team spearheaded by FM Narquingden Reyes, Chester Neil Reyes and Rhenz Rheann Auza settled for third while LGU-Bukidnon-Nemesis 2 chess team composed of  Jeriel Manlimbana, Randolph Christopher Dalauta and Bryan Jose ended up overall 4th place to receive P50,000 and P25,000, respectively. Tiktokerz and Nemesis 2 tallied 11 match points apiece.

Four Teams—University of Sto. Tomas, Ligon All Stars, GM Balinas Team and Negros Team B—shared fifth to eight places with 10 match points each.

Completing the top 10 with 9 match points each were ninth MP Team and tenth Philippine Army N Heroes For Hire chess team.
Chief Arbiter was FIDE Arbiter Felix Poloyapoy assisted by National Arbiters Jojo Palero and Elias Banguiran in this NCFP sanctioned tournament, FIDE rated standard time control format, 1 hr + 3 secs. delay., hosted by NCFP Vice President Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Final Rankings: (FIDE rated standard time control format, 1 hr + 3 secs. delay, 56 participating teams)
Champion: AE BOB (P200,000)
2nd: LGU ILIGAN (P100,000)
3rd: TIKTOKERZ (P50,000)
4th:LGU BUKIDNON – NEMESIS2 (P25,000)
5th: UST (P15,000)
6th:LIGON ALL STARS (P10,000)
7th: GM BALINAS TEAM (P9,000)
8th: NEGROS TEAM B (P8,000)
9th:MP TEAM (P7,000)
10th:PHILIPPINE ARMY N HEROES FOR HIRE (P6,000)