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Good Luck to Iraqi, Laos and New Zealand Teams

Good luck to Iraqi (above), Laos (below) and New Zealand women’s teams to the Chennai Olympiad. Standing at center is Iraqi Chess Federation president Dhafer Al Madhloum.

The New Zealand women’s team, from left,  Weiyang (Cadence) Yu, WCM Yixuan ( Isabelle) Ning, Anya Thurner, WFM Vyanla Punsalan, WIM Jasmine Zhang

Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Play-Offs

The Quezon City Simba’s Tribe had another impressive performance in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online chess tournament after sweeping both of their matches in their Northern division back-to-back clashes virtually held over Chess.com platform on Saturday night, July 23, 2022. Visit Professional Chess Association of the Philippines facebook page.

The Simba’s Tribe defeated Isabela twice, 11-10, and 13-8, to formalize its entry to the PCAP quarterfinals.
“We are happy with our twin wins tonight. It was a close fight against Isabela, they were hard-fought and twice-to-beat advantage. All games were exciting until the endgames.” said Playing Team Owner Danilo Ponay.

” Quezon City advances to Quarter Finals due to superb performances and displaying chess tactics of QC tonight leading scorer NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. who got undefeated 3 wins and 1 draw.” added Playing Team Manager Samivin Delos Santos.
Isabela got a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing overall 8th place in the Northern division elimination round.
In the 1st match, the Simba’s Tribe were down 3-4 after blitz play against Isabela.

However, when push came to checkmate, the Simba’s Tribe ran roughshod over Isabela in rapid play, 8-6.

In the 2nd match, the Simba’s Tribe immediately grabbed the early lead,4-3, in the first seven playing boards of the blitz game courtesy of National Master Edgardo Garma (Board 1), National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Board 2), National Master Robert Arellano (Board 5) and Freddie Talaboc (Board 7).

Quezon City dominated the rapid category, 9-5, as Bernardino checkmated Alvin Aguinaldo in Board 2 and Navarro outpointed Lordwin Espiritu in Board 6 then Talaboc nipped Arena Grandmaster Melchor Foronda III in Board 7.
A draw by Michaela Concio against Arena FIDE Master Melizah Ruth Carreon in Board 3 and Garma smashed crushed Sevillano Obana in Board 1 for the win of Quezon City.

National Master Gerardo Cabellon (Board 4) and Anwar Cabugatan (Board 5) carried the good fight for Isabela after edging Ponay and Arellano, respectively.

In other results in the Northern Division, Rizal Batch Towers edged Cavite Spartans twice, 11-10, and 11-10, to reach the Quarter Finals.
In the Southern Division, Camarines-Iriga dismantled Cagayan de Oro, 13.5-7.5, while Tacloban beat Palawan, 11-10.

Malaysian Chess Festival is Back!

The Dato’ Arthur Tan Chess Centre (DAT Chess Centre) with endorsement from the Malaysian Chess Federation will be organizing the 17th MALAYSIAN CHESS FESTIVAL 2022 comprising the following events as per the details below: All the events will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1) ASTRO MERDEKA TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2022

Dates: 2nd & 3rd September 2022 (Friday & Saturday)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Rapid, Time Control: 20 minutes + 5 seconds to finish

No of Rounds: 9 (nine), Team Swiss System (Prize Fund: RM 25,000)

 2) 4th DATIN YEE WAI FONG MERDEKA JUNIOR TEAM (U-12) CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dates: 2nd & 3rd September 2022 (Friday & Saturday)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

No of Rounds: 9 (nine), Team Swiss System (Prize Fund: RM 10,000)

3) 11th DATCC / DATO NG CHEE CHEONG AGe-GROUP CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2022

Dates: 04 September 2022 (Sunday)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Rapid, Time Control: 25 minutes to finish

No of Rounds: 6 Round Swiss

 4)  11th DATO TAN CHIN NAM SENIORS OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dates: 04th September 2022 (Arrival)  – 11th September 2022 (Departure)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Standard, Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1

No of Rounds: 9 Round Swiss System(FIDE RATED) (Prize Fund: RM 20,000)

 5) 17th DATO’ ARTHUR TAN MALAYSIAN OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dates: 04th September 2022 (Arrival)  – 11th September 2022 (Departure)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Standard, Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1

No of Rounds: 9 Round Swiss System (FIDE RATED) (Prize Fund: US$ 20,000)

6) 15th MALAYSIA CHESS CHALLENGE

Dates: 04th September 2022 (Arrival)  – 11th September 2022 (Departure)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Standard, Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1

No of Rounds: 9 Round Swiss System(FIDE RATED) (Prize Fund: RM 15,000)

 7) INDIVIDUAL RAPID OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (OPEN / UNDER 18 / UNDER 12) 

Dates: 8th September 2022 (Thursday)

URL: WEBPAGE & ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://datchesscentre.com

Type: Rapid , Time Control: 20 minutes to finish

No of Rounds: 6 Round Swiss System (Prize Fund: RM 3,000)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 8) MERDEKA BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP – (Saturday, 3rd September 2022)

9) MALAYSIA FESTIVAL BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP – (Sunday, 11th September 2022)

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND WEBSITE: http://datchesscentre.com/

 Email: aham@pc.jaring.asia  –  ahamchess@yahoo.com  –  datcc@outlook.com

 

Pichay Reelected President of National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao Joins NCFP Board.


by Marlon Bernardino
PARANAQUE CITY, PHILIPPINES—For a fifth straight term, former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. will serve as President and Chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. In photo above are, left to right, NM Jose Rafael Legaspi, Engr. Martin Gaticales, Judge Gonzalo Mapili, Mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Mayor Abraham Tolentino, Atty. Ruel Canobas, Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino, Mr. Luisito Ramos, FST / GM Jayson Gonzales, FST / GM Eugene Torre. Present in Zoom were Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad and Mr. Rey Urbiztondo

“It is an honor to be re-elected as the Chairman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
I would like to thank the officers and members of NCFP for placing your trust and confidence in my abilities to lead this prestigious organization.
Mabuhay ang NCFP!
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipinong Chess Players!
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!,” posted Pichay in his facebook account.

Pichay got a new mandate after he and Judge Gonzalo Mapili, who was reelected as board of director and auditor, made it back to the 15-member NCFP Board of Directors following elections held 23rd July at the East Ocean Palace in Paranaque City. Pichay accumulated 28 votes during the proceedings.

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao joined the National Chess Federation of the Philippines after he was elected third vice president during elections. Pacquiao was in General Santos City and was not present during the polls but has reportedly agreed to his election. The former Senator, who faces Korean YouTuber DK Yoo this December in a charity match, has always supported chess tournaments before.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. was present as observer along with POC deputy secretary-general for administration Carl Irving Sambrano.

Interestingly, Tolentino’s daughter, Cavite vice governor Athena Tolentino was elected first VP.

The other officials are Atty. Ruel Canobas (second VP, Marino Party list Rep. Carlo Sandro Gonzalez (secretary-general), Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian “Agila” Natividad (Treasurer), Engr. Luisito Ramos (finance chair), former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares (youth development chair), NM/ Atty. Cresencio “Cris” Aspiras (ratings and titles chair), and Jose Rafael Legaspi, Jonas Silvano, Engr. Rey Urbiztondo, Martin “Binky” Gaticales and Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos as directors.

Good Luck to Bhutan, Malaysia and Philippine Teams to Chennai Chess Olympiad

Good luck to Bhutan in their first Chess Olympiad. Malaysia is fielding the Open Team of FM Lim Zhuo Ren, FM Lye Lik Zang, FM Wong Yinn Long, Poh Yu Tian, and the recently crowned National Master CM Tan Jun Ying. Visit Malaysian Chess Federation (malaysiachess.org)

For the Malaysian Women’s Team, sisters WIM Puteri Munajjah and WFM Puteri Rifqah with WCM Sim Jia Ru – fresh from their Bronze medal haul at the SEA Games, are included in the team. Together with the trio are the newly crowned 2022 National Women Master (again – for the 9th time) WIM Siti Zulaikha Foudzi, and WFM Agnes Chong Kai Ni who was in 3rd place in the same event.

Please send your team photos in Chennai to asianchessfederation@yahoo.com.

 

Sri Lanka International Chess Day Celebration with Softlogic Glomark

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka celebrated the International Chess day in a grand manner in partnership with GLOMARK Super Market in Sri Lanka with the GLORMARK Chess Festival which included 5 Blitz events and Simultaneous Exhibition with a participation of 600 players. A total of nearly Rs. 100,000/= was distributed among the winners.
All the five tournaments were held at President’s College, Homagama and were played with a Blitz time control of 03 minutes plus 2 seconds per move on the Swiss System.
In ELO Blitz Rating Under 1300 and unrated category, Kosala Sandeepa Chamikara Amarathunga of Super Fighters Chess Club could secure first place after he was able to defeat Chenuka Nethvidu Jayawardana whereas Chamin Devnaka and D Binuka Lavanaga secured second and third place respectively. The tournament consisted of nine rounds. Above, Sri Lanka Chess Federation president Luxman Wijesuriya awards the trophy to Kosala Sandeepa Chamikara Amarathunga.
At the open tournament which also comprises nine rounds, IM LMST De Silva of Nalanda College Colombo emerged victorious although he lost his last round opponent, FM JAK Saranath Nanayakkara of Super Knights Chess Club. Subsequently, FM JAK Saranath Nayanakkara scored 7 points and was able to secure second place while CC Weerasinghe of Maroons Chess club was placed third.
At the Women’s ELO Blitz rating of less than 1150 and unrated category which played nine rounds, from out of 136 chess players who took part in the tournament, HG Sasmi Sithumsa (photo above) of Lyceum International School, Ratnapura secured first place after competing against Chanithma Lkdinee G Gamage in the final round. DG Jayandi Bimansa of Super Fighters Chess Club and D Sathini Disathna Liyanage of Super Fighters Chess Club were placed second and third respectively.
At the Women’s tournament which also had nine rounds, Oshini Devindya Gunawardhana (above, left) of Wycherley International School became the winner after a draw with her opponent Dehansa Nisanduni Sandanayake in the final round. WCM K M Dahamdi Sandula of Museaus College became the first runner up and Desandhi Dhihansa Gamage of Srimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya became the second runner-up.
At the parents’ event which was held as an exhibition event, HGD Bodhika became the winner. Nilakshi Alwis and TT Wadduwage became the first and second runners up respectively. The tournament consisted of five rounds.
The National Chess Champion, Susal De Silva (above left), Women’s National Chess Champion, Sachini Ranasinghe and CFSL President made the Simultaneous Games with around 40 players who attended.
International Chess Day is celebrated on the 20th of July every year mainly to remember the establishment of the International Chess Federation. It was founded on 20th July 1924. The day has been celebrated since 1966 by people around the world. The International Chess Federation comprises 181 chess federations. To mark the day, various chess events are organized by the members of the chess federation.

International Chess Day 20th July

Asian Chess Federation joins the international chess community in celebrating International Chess Day today, 20th July 2022. Visit FIDE site.

The International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20, the day the International Chess Federation was founded in 1924. The idea to celebrate this day as the international chess day was proposed by UNESCO, and it has been celebrated as such since 1966, after it was established by FIDE.

 

Auckland Schoolgirls Championship and Live Chess Match

The Auckland Schoolgirls Championship was held on July 1st and attracted 141 entries. This event has for many years been organised by FM Bob Smith and his wife WFM Vivian Smith. The overall (over 12 Open section) was won by 14-year-old Anya Thurner with a score of 5.5/6, a full point ahead of the field. Anya is a member of the NZ Women’s Olympiad team that will be competing in Chennai.
To support the FIDE Year of the Woman in Chess a special live 6 game Blitz Match was held at Poppies Bookstore in Howick (Auckland) between 12-year-old NZ Girl’s Champion WCM Isabelle Ning and 17-year-old NZ Women’s Champion WFM Vyanla Punsalan on July 16th. Vyanla won the match convincingly by a score of 4.5 to 1.5 and was awarded the winner’s prize of $300 while Isabelle received $200 which will help with their travel expenses to Chennai.
In addition, the NZ Women’s Team were presented with their official NZCF Olympiad jackets by local Member of Parliament Simeon Brown.

Join Asian Youth Chess Championships 13-22 Oct. 2022 in Bali, Indonesia

The Indonesian Chess Federation (PERCASI) on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and FIDE has the honor to invite all Asian National Chess Federations to participate in the 2022 Asian Youth Chess Championships and Asian Youth Rapid and Blitz Championships, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia. This event will be held from 13th (arrival) to 22nd (departure) October 2022.

The Official Hotel (4 stars) are The Grand Inna Kuta Hotel and The Kuta Beach Heritage Hotel. Distance between these two hotels is about 400 meters or 5 minutes away on foot. The Official Venue is the Grand Inna Kuta Hotel, which is also the official hotel.

Entitled player must not have reached his/her respective birthday before January 1st, 2022 as follows:

The tournament will be played using the Swiss System with 9 rounds. The rate of play will be:

Standard 90 minutes for the whole game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.

Time Control for Rapid 15 minutes + 10 seconds and 7 rounds.

Time Control for Blitz 3 minutes + 2 seconds and 9 rounds.

Prizes

The top three players in each event will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.

Three best Federations, by ranking of medals collected in all categories in Standard Chess, will receive a trophy. For ranking, the number of gold medals will be considered first, and if there is a tie, then the number of silver medals, and if there is still a tie, then the number of bronze medals. If finally this is still tied, then the total number of medal winners in Standard, Rapid and Blitz applies.

Team Medals – will be awarded based on the total score of the top three players of a country. Countries with less than 2 players will not be eligible for a team award. In case of any tie, the tie-break scores of each player shall be considered.

The champions of Asian Youth Championships shall have the personal right to participate in the World Youth Championship of the corresponding age-category or a higher age-category if the stipulation age limit is met. This privilege may be exercised once exclusively in the subsequent year following the year of qualification.

E-Certificates of Participation shall be given to all participants.

Direct FIDE Titles

 Gold medalists of U18 categories shall be awarded the title of International Master (IM)/Woman International Master (WIM). 1st equal player shall get IM norm. The Silver & Bronze Medal winners shall be awarded the FIDE Master (FM)/Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title.

Gold medalists of U16 category shall be awarded the title of FM/WFM and an IM/WIM norm. 1st equal player will get FM/WFM title. The Silver & Bronze Medal winners shall be awarded the Candidate Master (CM)/Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title.

Gold medalists of U12 & U14 categories shall be awarded the title of FM/WFM. The Silver & Bronze Medal winners shall be awarded the CM/WCM title.

Gold, Silver & Bronze Medal (after tie break up to 3 players) winners of the U8 & U10 categories shall be awarded the CM/WCM title.