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by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—GM Rogelio “Banjo” Bacenilla Jr. proved unstoppable at the top board as he led Laguna Heroes to a 15-6 victory over Rizal Batch Towers in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online chess tournament at Chess.com Platform January 29, 2022.
Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, defeated Salcedo after 59 moves of an English Opening in their rapid play encounter. Barcenilla also split the point with Salcedo after 45 moves of Reti Opening in the blitz portion.
“GM Banjo’s play was always razor-sharp, rational and brilliant,”  said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
“We are happy with our twin wins tonight. Though we had big winning margins against Cagayan and Rizal, they were hard-fought. All games were exciting until the endgames.” he added.
The Heroes, earlier beat Cagayan Kings, 15.5-5.5. The Heroes now have 4-0 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings, the same output of Pasig City King Pirates and San Juan Predators.
Also delivering for the Laguna backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were FM Austin Jacob Literatus, FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Literatus dismantled National Master Noel dela Cruz after 78 moves of Sicilian defense, Bagamasbad trounced National Master Elias Lao Jr. after 48 moves of Caro-Kann defense and Lorenzo subdued Anore Geron after 84 moves of Pirc defense.
Michella Concio drew with Kelly Ann David after 21 moves King’s Indian Attack while Richie Jocson settled for a truce with Jaymarc Gutierrez after 32 moves of Queen’s Gambit Declined, Albin Counter Gambit variation.
Marlon Constatino dealt Apollo Agapay after 52 moves of Caro-Kann defense to provided only wins of Rizal in the rapid game.
The Laguna Heroes bested Rizal in blitz portion, 5-2, as well as in the rapid format, 10-4.
Meanwhile, 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. spearheaded Iloilo Kisela Knights to a 16.5-4.5 victory over Camarines Soaring Eagle as well 17.5-3.5 triumph against Toledo City Trojans to grabs the solo lead in the Southern Division standings with a 4-0 clean slate

SM Sethika Hansira Samaraweera (see photo) won the Under 8 Open Championship of the CFSL Golden Jubilee International Youth Chess Championships 2022 scoring 8 ½  points out of possible 9 games convincingly. Sethika played strongly and beat Nenuka Basnayake, Sanuka Gimshan, Dewli Munasinghe, Dehas Fernando, Lohasna Jayaweera, Yesandu Koswattage, Rithmitha Kirindagoda and Dinhas Perera and drew with Mayon Nimrad to win the Championship being unbeaten.

Rithmitha Kirindagoda (photo above) also had a memorable performance with a score of 8 points out of 9 games just losing to the winner, Sethika. He beat all other his 8 opponents, Mahiru Karunanayake, Saviru Meemanage, Insitha Gunawardena, Diyasandani Vithaanarachchi, Jin Ray of Malaysia, Suhansa Wijethungaarachchi, Senuth Perera and Damsara Samaranayake.

Two Players Senehas Mahalpage (see photo) and Chamuditha Bandara Herath scored 7 ½ points each and ties for the 3^rd place. Senehas won the Bronze Medal on the better tie breaker and Chamuditha got the 4^th place. Senehas losing his very first game to Nuvindu Balapitiya scored full points with Chathum Thewsas, Nethvindu Ovitigala, Thaviru Weerasinghe, Adithya Perera, Risindu Kasturiarachchi, Suhansa Wijethungaarachchi and Senuth Perea with a draw with Yesandu Koswattage to reach 7 ½ points. Chamuditha also lost his very first game to Damsara Samaranayake and beat Dinuga Ekanayake, Kavina Abhiman, Dinura Hansana, KBDJSB Ralapanawa, GAT Nimnaada, Ritesh Tanishq and Mayon Nimrad and drew with Bagavan Mehruban to score 7 ½ points.

Oneli Wilvalaarachchi (seee photo) of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya beat Nihari Goonasekara, Dewlini Weerathunga, Gaweshi Wickramaratne, Esha Pallie, Minethma Wickramasinghe and Dehansa Sandanayake and lost to Sanudula Dahamdi in the final Round to score 6 points and win the Gold Medal.

Esha Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya and Sanudula Dahamdi (see phto) of Musaeus College scored 5 ½ each out of 7 games and Esha claimed the Silver medal on the better tie breaker. Esha beat Ruwanya Piyatilake, Javindi Akuratiya, Esandi Newansa, Chanindi Mewna Attanayake and Vincent Alaina of India with a draw with Sanudula and losing to Oneli the Champion.

Dahamdi had to satisfy with the Bronze medal due to the poor tie breaking points. She beat Devindi Vithana, Saheli Abeywardhana, Alaina Vincent, Desandi Dihansa Gamage and Oneli wilvalaarachchi with a draw with Esha, the runner up and losing her 2^nd  round game to young Gaweshi Wickramaratne.

The CFSL Golden Jubilee International Online Chess Championship is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka to commemorate the completion of 50 years to the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka after it’s establishment in 1972. The CFSL has made it open for International players and few players from India, Malaysia and Australia participated in the events.

The Under 8 Open and Under 16 Girls event which held in this week-end on the Tornelo platform. Nine rounds were played in the 8 years Open while 7 events played in under 16 Girls considering the number of participants, 165 in Under 10 and 26 in under 16 Girls. Both events were held according to the Swiss System on the FIDE Online regulations. The players were observed thoroughly with a live zoom meeting and the games were sent for expert analysis.

 

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—GM Rogelio ” Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (in photo) powered the Laguna Heroes to a 11.5-9.5 victory over a NM Jerry Areque-led Manila Indios Bravos in the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online chess tournament held on Chess.com January 26th.

Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated Areque in 55 moves of an English Opening in the blitz portion then split the point with National Master Rolando Andador in 70 moves of a Caro-Kann defense in the rapid encounter in board 1. Lorenzo swept Jhulo Goloran in their blitz (45 moves of Four Knights Games) and rapid (56 moves of French defense) showdown in board 6 to help propel the Heroes to a share of first with Pasig and San Juan with identical 2-0 win-loss records in the Northern Conference.

“Manila is a strong team. We were just lucky for beating them tonight. It was indeed a tight match.” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Also delivering for the Laguna backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Michella Concio, FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Richie Jocson in boards 3, 4 and 7.

Concio drew with Woman National Master Mira Mirano, Bagamasbad won by forfeiture against Dr. Jenny Mayor and Jocson toppled Candidate Master Genghis Imperial.

Andador and International Master Chito Garma carried the good fight for Manila woodpushers.
Andador trounced FM Austin Jacob Literatus in board 2 while Garma subdued Vince Angelo Medina in board 5.
According to AGM Paez, Laguna beat Manila, 4.5-2.5, in blitz format and 7-all deadlock in the rapid play.
Manila slipped to fourth with a 1-1 mark together with Quezon City, Isabela, Caloocan, Cagayan and Cavite.
Meanwhile, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Negros are leading the way in the Southern Conference with a 2-0 win-loss records

The 2nd season of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online chess tournament has started on Chess.com Platform last January 22, 2022. Laguna Heroes thwarted the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 by a score of 13-8,

Powered by FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Michella Concio, FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Richie Jocson and Apollo Agapay, Laguna beat their opponents from boards 1, 3 to 7 in the blitz portion to underscore the depth of the Laguna team, backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali.

Literatus defeated Nelson Busa on board 1, Concio trounced Angel Mae Orijuela on board 3, Bagamasbad won by default over Adriano Valenzuela on board 4, Lorenzo toppled National Master Gefer Imbuido on board 5, Jocson nipped National Master Kim Kenneth Santos on board 6 and Agapay smashed Lou Anton Rivera on board 7.

However, Laguna failed a possible shut out win over Olongapo in the bitz event after board 2 player Vince Angelo Medina lost by default against Gil Conrad Corre.

“Almost every team has tremendously improved for the 2nd PCAP season. Laguna Heroes expect to have a lot of tough matches. We are happy that we won against Olongapo in the opening match.” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez (in photo above), one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes together with Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

In the rapid games, Laguna and Olongapo ended in a 7-all deadlock.

Concio, Bagamasbad and Jocson are leading the way for Laguna after beating Orijuela, Valenzuela and Corre on board 3, 4 and 6 while Agapay halving the point with Rivera on board 7.

Olongapo fought the good fight with the big wins of FM Rustum Tolentino, Busa and Imbuido on board 1, 2 and 5 against Laguna’s Literatus, Medina and Lorenzo.

In other matches in the Northern division, defending champion San Juan whipped Caloocan, 12.5-8.5, Cagayan outpointed Rizal, 16.5-4.5, Quezon City dealt Cavite, 17.5-3.5, Pasig subdued Isabela, 12.5-8.5, and Manila edged Mindoro.

In the Southern division, Zamboanga prevailed over Cagayan de Oro, 14-7, Camarines outscored Toledo, 12-9, Davao smashed Surigao, 18-3, Negros clobbered Iriga, 13.5-7.5 and Iloilo waylaid Palawan, 11.5-7.5. The game between Cebu and Tacloban was re scheduled

The Chess Federation declared the Golden Jubilee Celebrations

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka is completing the 50 years in 2022 and they declared the Golden Jubilee year with the plans of the Celebration activities at a grand Ceremony held on Saturday, the 22^nd of January 2022 at the Russian Center in Colombo. The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Ajith De Alwis, the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Moratuwa where he delivered the Keynote address.

About 50% of the National Chess Champions in last five decades were present where most of the others are abroad. Dr. Harsha Aturupane, Harinlal Aturupane, Sudharman Pitigala, TDR Pieris, Luxman Wijesuriya, Muditha Hettiagama, Chamika Perera, Rajeendra Kalugampitiya. Minul Doluweera, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage and the Current National Chess Champion, Susal De silva were present. The Women’s National Chess Champions, Suneetha Wijesuriya, Pramodya Senanayake, Dasuni Mendis and the reigning Champion Niklesha Tharushi were there. The National Team members of last five years and all Chess enthusiasts were invited for the function.

The official Logo of the Golden Jubilee year designed by a former Chess player Sanali Nathasha was launched by the National Chess Champion, Susal De Silva while the launching of the new CFSL Website was done with the hands of the current women’s National Chess Champion, Niklesha Tharushi.

Speaking at the Ceremony, the President of CFSL said that the Chess in Sri Lanka has come to the current level with a lot of ups and downs in the last 50 years. He said that Sri Lanka is third among Asia in Number of Players, Number of Rated Chess players and the Number of Technical officials. So, the required Chess Grand Master will come in soon if the current programs continues.

Prof. Ajith De Alwis, himself being a Chess player in his early years made a excellent speech on a way combined Chess with the science and Technology.

The Following are the plans of CFSL for the Golden Jubilee year:

1. The CFSL Golden Jubilee Online International Youth Chess Championships 2022 is already started and the age groups of under 10 years and Under 16 Years Girls are happening on 22^nd and 23^rd January 2022. This event will continue for another 8 Weekends for the Age groups of Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18, as Girls and boys separately.
2. The Online Asian Under-14 Nations Cup will be organized from Sri Lanka
3. The FIDE Online World Junior Chess Championships 2022 will be conducted from Sri Lanka
4. The Asian School Chess Championships 2022 will be held from 20^th to 30^th August 2022
5. The Golden Jubilee Online Grand Master Chess Tournament will happen from 20^th to 30^th June 2022.
6. There are many Seminars on Training Trainers, Training arbiters and Women’s Chess.
7. The Final Ceremony will be held to felicitate the people who contributed to the game with appreciation for the winners will be held on 3^rd of September 2022, the Establishment of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka

 

Luxman Wijesuriya

President – CFSL

Chess Federation is 50 years old!

The Chess Federation is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. The CFSL was formed at the time of the famous World Chess Championship match between Russian Grand master and reigning World Chess Champion Borris Spassky and energetic American Grand Master Boby Fischer in 1972. As the two countries were great rivals at the time and with Russia dominating the Chess World, American Fischer’s winning of the World Chess Championship became a golden history in World Chess.

As a result, the local chess enthusiasts got together and formed the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on 3^rd September 1972 under the presidency of Mr. VP Vittachchi. After a ew years Mr. Bodinagoda who was the Chairman of the Lake House became President and some progressive activates happened at the time. There were some ups and downs between 1988 – 1999 due to political unstability in the country and security level. The current era began in 1999 under the presidency of Mr. Derrick Perera where two huge events, the Asian Junior Chess Championships were held in 2000 and 2001 in a grand style. Derrick was appointed as the General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation in 2002.

The 1^st National Chess Champion was Christopher Parakrama of Royal College and Sri Lanka started to play the FIDE Chess Olympiad for the first time in 1978 at Buanos Aires, Argentina. A team led by Arjuna Parakrama with Harsha Aturupane, L.C. Goonatilleke and Sunil Weeramantry were the team. After a non regular participation in 1982 to 1996 the CFSL started their regular participation of Chess Olympiads from 2000 in Turkey. After the year 2000 we were regular members in all Chess Olympiads which took place in Slovenia 2002, Spain 2004, Italy 2006, Germany 2008, Russia 2010, Turkey 2012, Norway 2014, Azerbaijan 2016 and Georgia 2018. But, Suneetha Wijesuriya brought honour to the country at the FIDE Chess Olympiad 1992 in Manila by winning a Board prize Gold Medal.

The current development came when Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya took control. He started a strong Internal structure of events with cash prizes, educated players on ratings and titles, started organizing official Asian events regularly. This resulted in developing the game rapidly and Sachini Ranasinghe became the winner of the Asian Zonal Women’s Chess Championship 2011 and became the first Woman International Master in the country. She qualified for the FIDE Women’s Chess  World Cup in 2012 and became the first player to play in the event.

Then Romesh Weerawardena performed well in the Asian Zone 2013 to win the first International Master title. Nelunika Methmani also got the Woman’s International Master title this year. Then Harshana Thilakaratne was the one who reached the highest level when he got the IM title in regular system with 3 IM norms and 2400 rating. Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage was fortunate to be the first player to play in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2021 in Russia.

Chess Federation has become the one of the most active Federations in Sri Lanka as well as one of the most active Chess Federations in Asia. Even with the pandemic situation the CFSL was having 100 odd Online events and possible over the board event. Golden Jubilee has come in the right time with the right person, Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya who is even the Genera Secretary of South Asian Chess Council and Commonwealth Chess Association and a Vice President of Asian Chess Federation is leading the CFSL.

The CFSL have planned a lot of activities to mark their Golden year as below:

1. Golden Jubilee International Youth Chess Championships 2022 – 12 categories
2. World Junior Online Chess Championships 2022
3. Asian Nations Cup U-14 Chess Team Championships
4. Asian Schools Chess Championships 2022
5. Training programmes for Technical officers
6. Golden Jubilee International Open Grand Master Chess Championships
7. Religious Ceremony on 2^nd and 3^rd of September 2022
8. The gathering of all top Chess Players and Officials

Be a part of this memorable year!

“Chess Association of Khorasan-Razavi province” in accordance with “The I.R. IRAN Chess
Federation” and “Khorasan Razavi Sporting and The Youth Office” holds the 11th
Ferdowsi International Chess Open Tournament (21st internaonal chess tournament,
held by chess association of Khorasan-Razavi) in Mashhad, northeastern of Iran, from
February 20-26, 2022, under the following regulations: Ferdowsi cup 2022-En