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The Marcel Invitational International Rating Chess Tournament, sponsored by Walton Hi-Tech Industries plc and organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation, started today (Tuesday) at the Sports Room of Bangladesh Chess Federation.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the ground floor Conference room of the National Sports Council. FM Iqbal Bin Anwar (Dawn), Senior Executive Director, Walton Group, inaugurated the competition as the Chief Guest. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Md. Haroon Or Rashid, International Chess Arbiter gave speeches spoke on the occasion. Total 56 players including one international master, 5 FIDE masters are participating in the event.

Md. Shariatullah of Sonali Bank Sports and Recreation Club became unbeaten champion in the of the Walton (U-2000 Rating) International Rating Chess Tournament sponsored by Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC in collaboration with Bangladesh Chess Federation and organised by Manha’s Castle which was held at Manha’s Castle Hall-Room, R H Home Center, 74 Green Road, Dhaka. Sariatullah earned maximum 7 points out of 7 games to clinch the title.

Sk. Rashedul Hasan became runner-up with 6 points. Four players earned 5½ points each. In the tie-breaking system among them Jodunath Biswas of Shahnoor Khan Smirity Sangsad became 3^rd, A. B. Bappi of Palli Sanchay Bank became 4^th, Md. Sajidul Haque became 5^th and Moniruzzaman Moni became 6^th. Nine players earned 5 points each. In tie-breaking system amon them Abdul Momin became 7^th and Sarwar Hossain Ullash became 8^th. Special prizes are: Over 50: Md Abdur Rauf, Rating Category 1001 to 1599 Md. Moinuddin and Syed Mahbubur Rashid, best woman Neelava Choudhury, best unrated Kazi Moshiqur Rahman and best Under-12 Siam Chowdhury.

The prize giving ceremony was held at the same place after the games. F M Iqbal Bin Anwar (Dawn), Senior Executive Director, Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, distributed prizes among the winners as chief guest. Mr. Lokman Hossain Mollah (Lavlu) President of Manha’s Castle presided over the ceremony. Mr. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and International Arbiter Mr. Md Haroon Or Rashid were present as special guests. Mr. Parag Arman, Sports Editor of ANT-Bangla and CM Sohel Chowdhury, General Secretary of Manha’s Castle gave speeches in the ceremony. The event was held in a 7 round Swiss-League system and 84 players participated. Total fifty-thousand-taka cash prizes and fifty thousand taka WALTON gifts given to winners.

A FIDE Arbiters Online Workshop in Arabic was held 14th to 16th April 2022 on Zoom.

The Asian Chess Federation Academy organized it under the auspices of the FIDE Arbiters Commission. The Workshop had free entry for all participants.

The opening session was attended by Laurent Freyd (Chairman of the FIDE Arbiters Commission).

The Workshop was conducted by FIDE Lecturers IA Abdulrahim Mahdi (UAE), IA Omar Salama (ISL) and IA Hassan Khaled (EGY).

The Workshop was moderated by Hisham Al Taher, UAE (Asian Chess Federation General Secretary), and the organizing committee members were IA Casto Abundo, PHI (ACF Executive Director), and IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, IRI (Rules Commission Secretary).

The Language of the Workshop was Arabic.

Daily lectures were from 13.00-17.00 Dubai Time (+4 GMT).  The total sessions were (12) Hours.

Schedule: 3 sessions were held on the following schedule:

1-5pm Dubai time, Thursday, 14 April,
Updates to Laws of Chess, Online Regulations by IA/IO Mahdi Abdulrahim, UAE (RC Chairman)
1-5pm Dubai time, Friday, 15 April 2022,
Titles of Arbiters, Fair Play by IA/IO Omar Salama, ISL (AC Councillor)
1-5pm Dubai time, Saturday, 16 April 2022,
Changes to Title and Rating Regulations by IA/IO Hassan Khaled, EGY (RC Councillor)

Seventy-One (71) participants attended from Seventeen (17) Arab Federations, (Males: 59 – Females: 12). There were thirty-Three (33) from Arab Africa, and Thirty-Eight (38) from Arab Asia. There were from:

BRN(2), IRQ(14), JOR(1), KSA(4), KUW(1), LBN(2), OMA(1), PLE(1), SYR(3), UAE(1), YEM(1), ALG(3), EGY(13), LBA(9), MAR(6), SUD(5), and TUN(4).

GM Enamul Hossain Razib of SAIF Sporting Club became unbeaten champion, GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Police became unbeaten runner-up and FM Khandekar Aminul Islam of Bangladesh Navy became 3^rd in the WALTON International Rating Chess Tournament-2200, sponsored by WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation. The event was held at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room.

GM Razib, GM Zia and FM Kh. Amin earned 7½ points each after 9^th round games. In the Cut Buchholz of tie-breaking system GM Razib became champion, GM Zia became runner-up and FM Kh Amin became 3^rd.

Three players earned 7 ponits each in tie-breaking system among them IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy became 4^th, FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy became 5^th and FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman of Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society became 6^th. Seven players earned 6½ points each. Their positions after tie-breaking system are: 7^th– FM Md Saif Uddin Lavlu of Titas Club, 8^th– FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh Police, 9^th– CM Shawket Bin Osman Shaon of Shahin Chess Club, 10^th-CM Manon Reja Neer of Uttara Central Chess Club, 11^th– Md. Abzid Rahman of Leonine Chess Club, 12^th-Abdullah Al Raison and 13^th-CM Jamal Uddin of Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar. Asif Mahmud of Leonine Chess Club became 14^th, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh Police became 15^th, Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Sheikh Russel Chess Club became 16^th, CM Mathtabuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy became 17^th and FM Mohammad Javed of Bangladesh Navy became 18^th with 6 points each. Special prizes are: Best Woman WFM Noshin Anjum, 2^nd best woman Warsia Khusbu, Under-16 Nusrat Jahan Alo, Under-14 Wadifa Ahmed, Under-12 Neelava Choudhury, best rating 1600 to 1999 Feroz Ahmed and Md Sariatullah, best 1001 to 1599 Preetam Barua and Mohammad Shahadat Hossain and best unrated Ratan Kumar Chakma. 9^th or last round games were held today (Tuesday) at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room.

The prize distribution ceremony was held after games. F M Iqbal Bin Anwar (Dawn), Senior Executive Director of WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC distributed prizes among winners as chief guest. Masudur Rahman Mallick, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation, IO Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhury Moly Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation and International Arbiter Md. Haroon Or Rashid gave speeches in the prize-distribution ceremony. Champion GM Razib received fifty thousand taka and WALTON gift. Runner-up received thirty thousand taka and WALTON gift and 3^rd FM Kh Amin received twenty thousand taka and WALTON gift. Total two lac taka cash prize money and WALTON gifts given to winners. The event were held in 9 round Swiss-League system and total 137 players participated.

Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura won the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 – Under 10 Girls event scoring 6 ½ points out of possible 7 games  points being unbeaten throughout. Hansadie beat Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage, Buddhima Aravinda Perera, P G Lithumi Hiranya, Meenu Vihansa Hewapathirana, R B Pumudi Hansadi, Hirudini Hehenya and drew with Sasmi Sithumsa in last round to achieve the National Youth Chess Champion – Under 10 Girls and the trophy and the medal.

Haritha Hansana of Rahula College, Matara showed that he is the superior in the Under 12 Open age category by scored 7 points out of possible 8 games of the Under 12 Open event. Though he tied with Disal Nimsara Weerasekara with 7 points he won the National Youth Chess Champion – Under 12 Open title with the better tie breaker. Hansana beat Randula Indumina, Thushanu Ganepola, LRDB Bandara, YPGP Yapa, U M Senal Vishmin Francis and Thisarindu Induwara and drew with Budmina Gunawardena and U J Nimuthu Nimthaka to win the Championship Trophy and the Gold Medal.

Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara(Sri Chandananda Buddhist College) also scored 7 points out of 8 games and had to satisfy with the silver medal on poor tie breaker. Disal beat Yethum Herath, Thisen Bandara, NS Thalgaswatte, Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, Budmina Hettigoda, Aayush Haputhanthri, Thisarindu Induwara and K A R G W D R B G Galkotuwa to achieve 2^nd place.

Two players B Janukshan(Jaffna Hindu College) and Pamok Samaranayake (Rahula College) scored 6 ½ points each and Janukshan won the Bronze Medal with better tie breaking points. Janukshan beat GA Hiyarapitiya, Naveen Fernando, Sadev Minsara, Dulnith Sanviru, Sanuk Nanayakkara, Induwara Wijewickrama, drew with Chenitha Ovitigala and lost his only game to Pamok Samaranayake to reach 3^rd place. Pamok beat Hesandu Herat, Methuka Ekanayake, Induwara Wijewickrama, DDLD Dandeniya, B Janukshan, Budmina Gunawardena, drew with Dulnith Sanviru and lost his 7^th round game to Thisarindu Induwara to score 6 ½ points and 4^th place.

Sasmi Sithumsa (Lyceum International School), Oshini Gunawardena(Wycherley International School) and RB Hasadi Sethumsa (Sujatha Vidyalaya) scored 6 points out of 7 games but Sasmi had the better tie breaking points to earn the Silver Medal. Sasmi beat Oshini Gomes, Thyonne Barthelot, Tharaniga Ramanpirakash, Seneli De Mel, Nethuli Raseema, drew with Amaya Hemachandra and Hansadie, the winner to win the Silver being unbeaten. Oshini managed to win the Bronze medal wins scoring against Thenuji Nemindi, Dahamsa Patabendi, Danara Herath, Dinuli Rajaguru, Sithuli Sithumya, Dewli Chanseya . But, she lost to RB Pamudi Hasadi in her 4^th round game. Hasadi Sethumsa after losing her 1^st game to Methuli Fernando scored 6 points in a row with Siluni Gallage, Labibha Lifthikan, Yumindi Jasinghe, Thathsara Fernando, Saheli Abeywardhana and Senudhi Jayasinghe.

The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 of the Golden Jubilee year of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (1972 – 2022) is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka in 12 categories as under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years Open and Girls. Only the Under 12 Open and Under 10 Girls categories were conducted on 9^th, 10^th and 12^th of April 2022 as International Rated Events at Sastrananda Vidyalaya, Dehiwala. The other 10 events will be held in coming weekends.

The top three players will be included in the National Youth Chess Teams which represent the country in Asian/ World Youth events.

The San Juan Predators edged the Iloilo Kisela Knights, 2-1, in the Armageddon tiebreak for the second set to win the grand finals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.

FM Narquingden “Arden” Reyes displayed nerves of steel in the endgame to force a draw on the 50-move rule with only 1.2 seconds left in his clock, handling the black pieces against Karl Victor Ochoa in board two securing the Armageddon win and the title to the San Juan Predators virtually held at chess.com Platform on Saturday.

GM Oliver Barbosa scored a win using the white pieces against fellow GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. in board three while FM Nelson “Elo” Mariano III, employing white side could only manage a draw which is an Armageddon loss against loilo’s NM Rolly Parondo Jr. in board one.

The first set match ended with San Juan winning, 16-5.  The San Juan Predators become the first team to not only win multiple PCAP Championships, but also win them back-to-back. They are looking forward to continue this streak and maybe a possible grand slam campaign coming into the Import Conference according to San Juan Predators team owner Michael Angelo Ong Chua (below right with San Juan Mayor Vico Sotto)..

“FM Arden (Narquingden Reyes) really is a clutch player, but all our players player really well,” said San Juan Predators team owner Michael Angelo Ong Chua.

In their storied rivalry, the Predators won against Iloilo twice in their three meetings in PCAP’s grand finals.

In last year’s inaugural season’s second conference, Iloilo defeated San Juan, but the latter avenged themselves in the third conference grand finals.

Other members of the winning  team San Juan Predators are IM Rolando Nolte, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IMRicardo de Guzman, FM Christopher Castellano, Narquingel “Archie” Reyes, Narciso Gumila, AGM Gavin Lloyd Ong, Shariz Ngo,  head coach-manager Hubert Estrella and consultant Simeon Co.

Meanwhile, Pasig City King Pirates finished  third overall place by defeating Davao Chess Eagles, 13-8.

Thisarindu Induwara of Royal College scored full 6 points out of possible 6 games after the 6th round of the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 – Under 12 Open event today. Thisarindu leads the event scoring his six points with SMDM Herath, Melone Berthelot, GHS Sanulya, Senal Francis, Ramiru Gunawardena and Pamok Samaranayake.

Nine players, Pamok Methdinu Samaranayake (Rahula College), Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala (Nalanda College), B Janukshan (Jaffna Hindu College), G Haritha Hansana (Rahula College), U J Nimuthu Nimthaka (Rahula College), K A R G W D R B G Galkotuwa (Dharmaraja College), U M Senal Vishmin Francis (Bandaranaike College, Gampaha), Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara(Sri Chandananda Buddhist College), G H A Dulnith Sanviru (Royal College) and D D L N Dandeniya (Maliyadeva College) are in the 2nd spot with two more rounds to come’

Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura is leading the Under 10 Girls event with 5 points out of possible five games. Only five games of the event held so far and two more to come tomorrow. Hansadie beat Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage, Buddhima Aravinda Perera, P G Lithumi Hiranya, Meenu Vihansa Hewapathirana and R B Pumudi Hansadi to get the lead.
Hirudini Dehenya (Royal International School), GH Nethuli Rasheema (H/Therapuththa Primary School) and HG Sasmi Sithumsa (Lyceum International School) are following closely with 4 ½ points out of 5 games with two more games to spare.

The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 of the Golden Jubilee year of the Chess Federation (1972 – 2022) is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka in 12 categories as under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years Open and Girls. Only the Under 12 Open and Under 10 categories are conducted on 9th, 10th and 12th of April 2022 as International Rated Events at Sastrananda Vidyalaya, Dehiwala. The other 10 events will be held in coming weekends. The winner will be named as the National Youth Chess Champion for the respective Age group for 2022 with a trophy while, the top three is awarded with medals. The top three players will be included in the National Youth Chess Teams which represent the country in Asian/ World Youth events.

Six players are sharing leads in the points table with maximum 4 points each after 4^th round games of the WALTON International Rating Chess Tournament-2200, sponsored by WALTON Hi-Tech Industries PLC and organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation.

Tjhe tournament is now being held at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room and Conference room of National Sports council old building.

Leaders are: GM Ziaur Rahman, GM Enamul Hossain Razib, IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag, FM Khandekar Aminul Islam and CM Md. Sharif Hossain.

Three players are sharing 2^nd position with 3½ points each. They are: IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, Avik Sarker and Asif Mahmud.

Pune, April 5: The National Chess Tournament ‘Sava Herbals 15th AICFB National Chess Championship for Visually Challenged’, one of the largest chess competitions for the visually impaired in the country, was inaugurated today at PYC Hindu Gymkhana by Maharashtra Cricket Association President Vikas Kakatkar, Rotary District 313 PYC Hindu Gymkhana President Kumar Tamhane.

Vinayak Pethe, President of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage, Dr. Manish Thul, General Secretary of All India Chess Federation for the Blind, Dronacharya Award winning chess coach Raghunandan Gokhale, Chief Executive Officer of Sava Healthcare Dinesh Kapoor, Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner Chandrasekhar Gokhale, 2 times Shiv Chhatrapati Award winner Jayant Gokhale, the youngest Grand Master of Pune Abhimanyu Puranik and Kedar Godbole of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Kakatkar lauded the efforts of PYC Hindu Gymkhana to promote various sports. Raghunandan Gokhale also emphasized the importance of fitness in sports like chess. Rotary Club of Pune Heritage President Vinayak Pethe made the presentation and Kar Avinash Ogle conducted the program. The competition will start till next 9th.

55 players from four zones( West Zone 21 players, South Zone 17Players.East Zone 10players and North zone 7 players) qualified from four different zones , The tournament will select Indian teams for the Asian and World Championships in China, Macedonia and France.

Today, many chess lovers from Pune had gathered to watch the matches. This included the young Grandmaster of Pune, Abhimanyu Puranik. Chess is the only game where the blind player can play without compromising the standard rule of sighted. Only their folds are different. The competition is in full swing as the men’s, women’s and junior players are going to be selected for the three major events – the Para Asian Games in China in October, the World Team Championships in Macedonia and the World Junior  and women Championships in France.

National Woman Blind Champion Vaishali Salavkar fought hard against six times Champion Kishan Gangoli from the Black side of King’s Indian Defense but Kishan won the hard fought battle in 38 moves. Olympiad top board medalist Aryan Joshi tricked A.R.Ramesha in the London Opening to join Darpan and Kishan(Karnataka) at the top.

Playing with Black pieces in Sicilian Alapin Opening, top seeded Darpan Inani set up a beautiful trap in which Chirantan fell headlong and lost a piece after which Chirantan sportingly resigned the game in 12 moves.

Megha Chakravorty of WB fought hard to hold former International Swapnil Shah (Maharashtra) even though Swapnil was ahead by a pawn. The matches were witnessed by many sports enthusiasts from Pune city at PYC Hindu Gymkhana. Grandmaster Abhimanyu Puranik was thrilled to watch the blind players playing so well.

The matches will be played in  rounds till Saturday.

How to Read the Results : 1-0 Means White wins, 0-1 Means Black wins, 1/2 Means Draw

Photo line

Inauguration photo 2 – Avinash Ogle of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage from left, Pankaj Shah, Governor of Rotary District 3131, Vikas Kakatkar, President of Maharashtra Cricket Association, Vinayak Pethe, President of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage, Dr. Manish Thul, General Secretary of All India Chess Federation for the Blind and Kumar Tamhane, President of Hindu Gymkhana. Darpan Inani (chess player from Gujarat) and Vaishali Salvakar (chess player from Maharashtra) are also seen in the photo.

Opening photo – From left, Dinesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer of Sava Healthcare, Pankaj Shah, Governor of Rotary District 3131, Vikas Kakatkar, President of Maharashtra Cricket Association, Vinayak Pethe, President of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage, Dr. Manish Thul Gymkhana President Kumar Tamhane.