Archives: News

Untitled V.S. Rahul (2387) of India continues to lead alone with 5 ½ points as  he drew with his colleague from India, International Master Srihari Ragunandan (2448) in the 6^th round of the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2021 held at Citrus Hotel Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka. Earlier he beat International Master GB Harshawardana in the 4^th round and the top seed, International Master Mitrabha Guha, both from India in the 5^th round convincingly. He is meeting Sri Lanka’s top player, the National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage in the 7^th round on Tuesday.

Woman International Master B Shri Savitha of India also leads the Girls division after she drew her 6^th round game with Melika Mohmmedi of Iran to reach 5½ points. Earlier in 4^th and 5^th round she beat Devindya Oshini Gunawardena of Sri Lanka and Woman International Master K Priyanka of India convincingly. She is supposed to meet Woman FIDE Master Anousha Mahdian of Iran in the 7 the round.

Three players, India International Masters Srihari Rgunandan, GB Harshawardana and Mitrabha Guha  are running behind with 4 ½ points each out of 6 games in the boys division.

Melika Mohammed from Iran is in the 2^nd place with 5 points out of 6 games while Woman International Master K Priyanka of  India is in the 3^rd place with 4 ½ points out of 6 games in the Girls event. Sri Lanka’s Sanudula Dahamdi and Anousha Mahdian of Iran are closely following Priyanka with 4 points each.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 are conducted by the Sri lanka Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women, are participating in this event which is in progress from 17^th to 23^rd December 2021  according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The winners in two categories are offered a Grandmaster norm and International Master Title by the International Chess Federation. Even two tied players to top points will also be awarded International Master Titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists are offered International Master Norms.

The Tournament details are at the Chess-results.com – Links

http://chess-results.com/tnr599045.aspx?lan=1

http://chess-results.com/tnr599044.aspx?lan=1

The live games off the event can be seen at the following link:

Asian Girls Chess Championship 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#1d2fce85-a004-410d-93e5-a485328ef4dd

Asian Juniors Chess Championship – 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#5b19c578-e00f-4e8d-b77e-ccf6c5e56f4f

 

Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!

Luxman Wijesuriya

 

Sri Lanka’s Young Talent, World Youth Online Under 10 Champion. Oshini Devinya Gunawardena of Ferguson High School came to share the lead with top seed, Women International Master Shri Savitha (photo below) of India after the 3^rd round of the Asian Junior Girls Chess Championship 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Wadduwa.

Oshini beat Anujana  Sendanayake, strong WFM, Mahdian Anousha from Iran and Almaamari Zainab of UAE in her 3 rounds to score full three points while Savitha beat Gimashi Weerathunga, Niklesha Tharushi and WFM Al Maamari Wafia of UAE to reach 3 points. The crucial battle of leaders are expected tomorrow.

VS Rahul of India leads the open event with International Master Harshawardena of India scoring full 3 points after three games. Rahul beat Kosala Amarathunga, Isara Dahanayake and International Master Vardaan Nagpal to reach 3 points while Harshavardhana beat Thisarindu Induwara, Hamad Al Shamsi of UAE and Seyad Poormosavi of Iran in his 3 points.

The top seed Indian International Master Mitrabha Gua and Iran’s top Orimi Gholami are closely behind the leaders with a half a point behind with 2 ½ points each in open section. Women International Master K. Priyanka of India and Melika Mohammadi of Iran are closely behind the leaders in Girls section also with 2 ½ points each.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 which is conducted by the Asian Chess Federation is organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women are participating in this event which is in progress from 17^th to 23^rd December 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The winners in two categories are offered a Grandmaster norm and International Master title by the World Chess Federation. Even two tied players to top points will also be awarded International Master titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists are offered Inernational Master norms.

The Tournament details are at the Chess-results.com – Links

http://chess-results.com/tnr599045.aspx?lan=1

http://chess-results.com/tnr599044.aspx?lan=1

The live games off the event can be seen at the following link:

Asian Girls Chess Championship 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#1d2fce85-a004-410d-93e5-a485328ef4dd

Asian Juniors Chess Championship – 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#5b19c578-e00f-4e8d-b77e-ccf6c5e56f4f

 

Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!

Luxman Wijesuriya

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan hosted a dinner for chess friends last Sunday at the plush Armani Mediterraneo in the Armani Hotel at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (in center above) led FIDE officials and Asian Chess family members in the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. Follow us on twitter and facebook.

Attending were FIDE Council members Bachar Kouatly, Zhu Chen, Zurab Azmaiparshvili, Akaki Iashvili, FIDE Management Board members Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Mohd Al Mudahka, Berik Balgabaev, Willy Iclicki and Aleksandr Martynov, and Asian Chess family members Bharat Singh, Hisham Al Taher, Gary Wastell, Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, Dhafer Al Madhloum, Sami Khader, Dr. Abdulla Alwahshi, Luxman Wijesuriya, Sahapol Nakvanich and Khusan Turdialiev.

Abdulrahim Mahdi, GMs Maurice Ashley and Alejandro, Semetei Tologon Tegin, Khalid Badieh, Eka Lal Shrestha, Gautam Prasad, and other guests who came for the World Championship Match also attended.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships (Open & Girls) reeled off today at the Citrus Hotel Waskaduw with the participation of a total of 55 players from six countries namely India, Iran, Maldives, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates and host Sri Lanka.

The Opening Ceremony was held with the participation of Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya (at podium), president of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and Casto Abundo, Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation addressing the gathering virtually (on screen below).

While pointing out the importance of the event he said that this is a major event of Asian Chess Federation held over the board along with the just concluded Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2021 in Damascus, Syria, he thanked the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka for coming forward to organize the event in such a difficult time. He also thanked all the participating Federations.

India has fielded a strong team, five players in open, including 4 strong International masters, Mitrabha Guha (2509) in photo above, Srihari Raghunandan (2448), GB Harshavardan (2384) and Vardaan Nagpal (2384). Iran has fielded 4 players with Golami Mehdi (2425). Sri Lanka is led by FIDE Master Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (2300, photo below) of Ananda College with FIDE Master Susal De Silva (2131, Nalanda College) & FIDE Master Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (2214, Dharmasoka College).

In the Girls event India has fielded two Women International Masters, Shri Savitha (2281, photo above) & K Priyanka (2218) while Iran is in the number 3 slot with Woman FIDE master Mahdian Anousha (2212). Sri Lankan challenge is led by the two Women Candidate Masters Niklesha Tharushi( 1711, Visakha Vidyalaya) and Sanudula Dahamdi (1653, Musaeus College).

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 which is conducted by the Asian Chess Federation is organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 17^th to 23^rd December 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. The events are for the age group of under 20 years of age and will be held according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds. This is the most prestigious Chess event for under 20 year old players in Asia. A number of countries were not in a position to send players due to various regulations of COVID 19 in their countries.

The International Chess Federation is offering a Grandmaster norm and an International Master title for the Gold Medalists while the next two players if tied in points with the top player gets IM titles and otherwise gets IM norms.

The Tournament details are at the Chess-results.com – Links

http://chess-results.com/tnr599045.aspx?lan=1

http://chess-results.com/tnr599044.aspx?lan=1

The live games of the event can be seen at the following link:

Asian Girls Chess Championship 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#1d2fce85-a004-410d-93e5-a485328ef4dd

Asian Juniors Chess Championship – 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#5b19c578-e00f-4e8d-b77e-ccf6c5e56f4f

 

Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!

Luxman Wijesuriya

 

International Master Al-Ali Hussein Ali Hussein of Iraq won the over-50 division while Tilek Takyrbashev of Kyrgyzstan and Mohammad Moaaz Boshy of Syria tied for first in the over-65 division of the Asian Seniors Chess Championships organized by the Syrian Arab Chess Federation under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE from 6^th to 15^th December 2021 in Damascus, Syria. Players gather above for group photo above with Syrian Arab Chess Federation President Ali Abbas.

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher of the United Arab Emirates (front row, second from right) attended the closing ceremony and awarded trophies, medals and certificates for International Master titles.

Hussein finished alone with 7 points, undefeated in the 9-round Swiss system. Thirty four players competed in the Over-50 division from seven countries, namely Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Syria and Yemen.  The field included three International Masters, three FIDE Masters and one Candidate Master. Follow us on twitter and  facebook.

Takyrbashev of Kyrgyzstan and Moaaz Boshy of Syria finished with 7 points each but the Kyrgyz prevailed in the Direct Encounter tie break for the champion’s trophy. FIDE Master Sursock Sameer of Lebanon finished in a 3-way tie for 3^rd place with 6 ponts but prevailed in the Direct Encounter tie break. Fifteen players competed from six countries, namely Iran, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine and host Syria.

FM Sursock Sameer of Lebanon won the over-65 Rapid chess championship alone in first place with 5.5 points out of 7 rounds followed by Tilek Takyrbashev of Kyrgyzstan with 5 points for second place. Mohammad Moaaz Boshy of Syria finished in a 3-way tie for third with 4.5 points each but won the bronze medal by tie break. Visit chess-results.com for over-65 rapid results.

Syria’s Ali Hammoudi and CM Al Aqrabi Saleh of Yemen finished with 6 points each out of 7 rounds of the over-50 Rapid chess championship but Hammoudi won the gold medal with a better tie break. IM Talal Alzaim of Syria finished in a 3-way tie with 5 points each and won the bronze medal by tie break. Visit chess-results.com for over-50 rapid results.

Visit chess-results.com for combined blitz results.

 

 

Palarong Pambansa Continuity Plan Pilot Event Visayas Leg title

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—James Ian Vega of Region VII won the overall title in the MVPSF Secondary Online Rapid Chess Championships 2021 Palarong Pambansa Continuity Plan Pilot Event Visayas Leg, Boys Division tournament held virtually at the Tornelo Platform.
The Cebu City bet Vega collected a total of 5.5 points to win the tournament.

John Dave Lavandero of Region VII also had the same points but had to settle for the second place since Vega had the superior tie-break score.

Also with 5.5 points were third placer Jave Mareck Lebumfacil Peteros of Region VII, fourth placer Michael Jan Stephen Rosalem Inigo of Region VII and fifth placer Kenneth Cris Alican of Region VIII.

Rounding up to the top ten (10) were in sixth Aaron Dee Paglinawan of Region VII, seventh Lance Nathaniel Orlina of Region VII, eighth Kert Rolevan Rusia of Region VII, ninth Tyrone Valencia Yao of Region VI and tenth Vincent Canillo Acidilla of Region VII.

In the Girls Division, Maria Kristine Lavandero of Region VII led the 10 qualifiers to the national finals namely Ryien Bahita of Region VII, Shiela Mer Donoga of Region VIII, Wena Barzaga Escalicas of VII, Rianne Jean Boncales of VII, Edelyn Arances Vosotros of VII, Roxanne Serrano Region VI, Janna Remus of Region VI, Angel Nheazy Nicole Po of Region VIII and Rhean Marie Barbosa Region of VI.

Palarong Pambansa Secretariat Dr. Maximo Abalos and MVPSF Executive Director Jude Turcuato declared the winners assisted by Tournament Manager NA Jun Uka and Tournament Director IA James Infiesto.

by Marlon Bernardino
CORDOVA, CEBU, PHILIPPINES—Daniel Quizon  won the 2021 Philippine National Championship at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu Tuesday night. Photo shows top three winners IM Ricardo de Guzman (2nd), IM Daniel Quizon (Champion) and IM Ronald Dableo (3rd).

The 17-year-old Quizon split the point in the final round with fellow International Master Ronald Dableo in 36 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to finish with an unbeaten of 8.5 points on six wins—all coming in the first six rounds—and five draws to win the 11-round, 12-player tournament 1.5 points ahead of the field.

IM Ricardo de Guzman won over Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. via time forfeit in the final round to clinch second place with seven points while Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo, who split the point with IM Jem Garcia in 30 moves of a Pirc Defense, finished third and fourth, respectively, with 6.5 points each.

Quizon was at a positional disadvantage but found a way to salvage a draw, thanks to their opposite-colored bishops ending.

For his feat, the World Cup veteran pocketed the top purse worth P80,000 and a spot to next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand.

He also became one the youngest to win the Nationals after Wesley So, who won it in 2009 as a 16-year-old.

“Dream come true,” said Quizon, who has set his sights at a GM title.

Other final round results saw IM Joel Pimentel winning over IM John Marvin Miciano; Allan Pason pulling the rug from under IM Michael Concio, Jr.; and Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna halving the point with top seed IM Paulo Bersamina.

The event was being supported by Barkadahan Para sa Bansa partylist, Philippine Sports Commission, CCLEX, Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC), Alin Cargo, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, POC president Bambol Tolentino, Chess Movement Inc., chair Dr. Ariel Potot, RiChess Masters and Atty. Roel Canobas.-

Six-team event will boast of 2 Super GMs, 2 Indian GMs, 2 WGMS, 1 Indian Junior Boy, 1 Indian Junior Girl each

New Delhi, December 14:

The game-changing Indian Chess League boasting of the world’s and India’s top players will be held in June 2022, the All-India Chess Federation revealed here on Tuesday.

The first of its kind 6-team franchise model event will take place over two weeks in the double round-robin format in one or two Indian cities. The top two teams will clash in the finals.

‘Our dream is coming true,’ Dr Sanjay Kapoor, president of AICF told at a press conference. ‘The Indian Chess League is going to change the face of chess in the country. It will help us attain our goal of becoming World No. 1 in the near future,’ he added.

AICF secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan explained that each team will consist of eight players, including 2 Super GMs, 2 Indian GMs, 2 Women GM and 1 Junior Indian Boy and Girl each.

‘The idea is to not only draw the best players from around the world but also to provide India’s players a formidable platform to sharpen their skills,’ he said.

The AICF has roped in GamePlan to promote and market the Indian Chess League. They are expected to bring in sponsors and commit a minimum amount every year to make it sustainable and profitable.

‘The matches will be telecast live to draw more and more players to chess,’ Bharat Singh said. ‘We will announce the criteria for becoming a franchise owner shortly. We have already received a good response from corporates,’ he revealed.

‘We are delighted to partner with the AICF to make the Indian Chess League a reality,’ GamePlan Director Jeet Banerjee said. ‘Our aim is to build a buzz around it, make it as exciting as the IPL,’ he added.

The AICF has been aggressively promoting the sport since a new set of office-bearers took charge last year. It recently announced its calendar for 2022, with as many as 13 international tournaments lined up.

The prize money in the national championships, too, has been hiked up, with MPL coming on board as the main sponsor. The AICF is also close to realising its Chess in Schools project, with the sport set to be introduced as part of the curriculum in schools across the country.

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA—FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri captured the Boys Division of the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championship Grand Finals held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) in Quezon City last Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

The Escalante City, Negros Occidental native Nouri, playing under the guidance of Senator Manny Pacquiao  collected seven points on six wins, two draws and one loss to win the nine-round over the board chess tournament. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results.

“I am very happy because this event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this to my family, to my friends, to my sponsor Senator Manny Pacquiao and to God. Thank you to all of you even during the pandemic you’re still here supporting my chess career,” said Nouri who will turn 16 on December 12.

With his latest feat, Nouri received P10,000 plus championships trophy and the right to represent the country in the 2022 Asian Junior Chess Championships and 2022 World Junior Chess Championships.

Nouri scored victories over AIM Jeremiah Luis Cruz in the first round, Karlycris Clarito  Jr. in the third round, Adrian Othniel Yulo in the fourth round,  Khent Darylle Delig in the fifth round, Christian Marcelo Olayba in the sixth round and AFM Johnmari Joseph Lu in the seventh round.

He split the point with Ronald Canino in the eight round and Istraelito Rilloraza in the ninth and final round. His only setbacks at the hands of Jarvey Labanda in the second round.

Adrian Othniel Yulo of Cagayan de Oro City placed second overall with 6.5 points on six wins, one draw and two loses while another CDO bet Ronald Canino took third place honors with 6 points, the same output of fourth placer Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City whom he beat in the break points.

Meanwhile, Apayao pride Woman National Master (WNM) Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian topped the Girls Division after tallying 7.5 points.
Woman National Master (WNM”  Ruelle “Tawing” Canino of Cagayan de Oro City settled for second place with 7 points while Woman National Master (WNM) Vic Glysen Derotas of Cebu end up third with 6 points.

Philippine Chess Movement Chairman (CPA Phd) Dr. Ariel Potot and NCFP CEO GM Jayson Gonzales led the closing rites

Final Standings:
(Boys Division)
7 points—FM Alekhine Nouri
6.5 points—Adrian Othniel Yulo
6 points—Ronald Canino
6 points— Istraelito Rilloraza
5.5 points—Jarvey Labanda
5 points—Karlycris Clarito  Jr.
4.5 points—Christian Marcelo Olayba
3 points—AFM Johnmari Joseph Lu
1.5 points—AIM Jeremiah Luis Cruz
0.0 (zero)—Khent Darylle Delig
(Girls Division)
7.5 points—WNM Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian
7 points—WNM  Ruelle Canino
6 points— WNM Vic Glysen Derotas
5 points—WNM Rinoa Mariel Sadey
4.5 points—WNM Ma. Elayza Villa
3.5 points—Bea Mendoza
3.5 points—Divine Grace Luna
3 points—WNM Lexie Grace Hernandez
2.5 points—Jarel Renz Lacambra
2.5 points—Precious Eve Ferer

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Knarf Lawrence Batislaong (in photo) emerged solo champion in the Boys category while Aliyah Lumangtad bested Mary Joy Asis Tan by tie break to capture the Girls crown in the just ended Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation Secondary Online Rapid Chess Championship 2021 Palarong Pambansa Continuity Plan Pilot Event virtually held at Tornelo Platform last Sunday.

Batislaong outdueled National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Region XI in the seventh round and Charliemagne Arias of Region XI in the eight round before halving the point with Wenlan Temple of Region XII in the final to finish with eight points, a full point ahead of runner-up place James Catayas of Region XIII and third placer Arca, each with 7 points apiece.

” I am so very happy because this is my first time to win a national event. Besides, I didn’t expect to win the tournament, Ill just play my very best,” said the 15 years old Batislaong, a Grade 10 Student of Tacurong National High School, playing under the guidance of FIDE Arbiter Margie Cobrado Narcilla.

Lumangtad and Tan, meantime tallied 7.5 points each followed by third placer Nathalie Liscano of Region XII who accumulated 7 points.

Palarong Pambansa Secretariat Director Joel Erestain and MVPSF Program Director Community Sports and Youth Development head Oscar P. Moreno Jr. said that the Top 10 finishers will advance to the grand finals.-

Final Standings: (Mindanao Leg)
(Boys Division)
8 points—Knarf Lawrence Batislaong of Region XII
7 points—James Catayas of Region XIII
7 points—NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Region XI
6.5 points—Wenlan Temple of Region XII
6.5 points—Joemel Narzabal of Region IX
6 points—Lamont Alexander Baptista of Region XI
6 points—Jerome Pullos of Region XI
6 points—Andrei Ainsley Dolorosa of Region XI
6 points—John Gerald Esencia of Region XI
6 points—Julian Rogelio Labaja of Region X
(Girls Division)
7.5 points—Aliyah Lumangtad of Region XI
7.5 points—Mary Joy Asis Tan of Region X
7 points—Nathalie Liscano of Region XII
6.5 points—Lynn Jael Maureal of Region X
6 points—Trina Mhariz Temple of Region XII
6 points—Sara Deloso Dalagan of Region X
6 points—Kyla Deloso Dalagan of Region X
6 points—Lyn Getubig of Region X
6 points—Mechiel Cabating of Region XIII
6 points—Jenaica Betty  Lynn Julom of Region XII