Archives: News

Two Chinese players share the lead after 6 rounds of the Asian Amateur Women’s Chess Championship on Tornelo. 16 year old Sun Jihan defeated WFM jemal Ovezdurdiyeva of Turkmenistan while Hu Yi, 34,  defeated 5^th round co-leader Amash Bauyrzham (KAZ) to score 5 ½ points each after 6 rounds. A total of 57 women from 15 countries are competing in the 9-round Swiss system.

Watch live games on  chessbomb, chess.com,   followchess, and    chessbase. Visit chess-results.com for round by round pairings and results and to download games. Folllow us on   facebook and   twitter.

Close on their tails are Du Yuxin of China, 20, and AFM Syahirah Quinsha Adinda, 12, of India with 5 points apiece.

One point behind, with 4 1/2 points each are 24 year old Janhavi Soneji (IND), Amash Bauyrzhan, 21, from Kazhakstan and Aslesha Talukdar, 14, of India.

Here is ranking of top players after round 6:

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—The Laguna Heroes started their assault in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) against Double Bishops Bangkok , 15.5-5.5, and Camarines Soaring Eagle, 17.5-3.5, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.

“Winning by a wide margin against Bangkok and Camarines is a good motivation for Laguna Heroes. Hoping to continue our fine games in the quarterfinals.” 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.

Laguna scored a 5.5-1.5 win over Bangkok in blitz on victories by Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.(Board 1), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (Board 2), Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez (Board 3), FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4), Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (Board 5) and a draw by Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat (Board 7).

They also dominated Bangkok in rapid event, 10-4, with Barcenilla, Literatus, Michella Concio (Board 3), Vince Angelo Medina (Board 6) and Bayangat winning two points each.

In the second match, Laguna did not waste time and easily handled Camarines, 5.5-1.5, in blitz event behind wins by Literatus, Enriquez, Gomez, Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Board 7) and a draw by Barcenilla.
The Heroes toppled Soaring Eagle in the rapid event, 12-2, thanks to Literatus, Concio, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo’s two points each and draws by Barcenilla and Bagamasbad. They finished third in the elimination round with a 19-4 win loss card.

Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes will take on the Northern Division’s six placer, the Davao Chess Wizzards, in the quarterfinals of the third conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), which will begin Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Games on Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Knock-out stage/Quarterfinals
(Northern Division)
Pasig vs Rizal
Caloocan vs Manila
Laguna vs Davao
San Juan vs Isabela
(Southern Division)
Paralympics vs Camarines
Negros vs Penang
Singapore vs Lapu-Lapu
Iloilo vs Toledo

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. defeated National Master Levi Mercado in their rapid duel to power Laguna to an 18-3 thrashing of Olongapo in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, November 10, 2021 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.

Barcenilla, who has topped the last two Battle of the Grandmasters, overpowered Mercado in 27 moves of an English Opening to lift the Heroes to their 17-4 win-loss record in the Northern division.

“Though the Laguna Heroes scored 18-3 against Olongapo, it was a tough match. The crucial wins of GM Barcenilla, Concio and FM Bagamasbad in the rapid match sparked the team to play harder,” 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.

A many-time Olympiad veteran, Barcenilla also got help from Michella Concio, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.

Concio toppled Angel Orijuela, Bagamasbad defeated Andrianov Valenzuela, Medina beat Conrad Corre and Lorenzo toppled Glenn Hullana Garcia.

Joshua Bautista and National Master Gefer Imbuido carried the good fight for Olongapo woodpsuhers.
Bautista upset FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus after 61 moves of a Sicilian defense while Imbuido split the point with Grandmaster John Paul Gomez after 68 moves of a Modern defense.

Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes easily defeated the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 7-0, blitz game behind wins by Barcenilla, Literatus, WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, Bagamasbad, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo.

Laguna also blasted Pengcheng (China), 21-0. Up next for the Laguna Heroes are the Double Bishops Bangkok (Thailand) and Camarines Soaring Eagle on Saturday (November 13, 2021)

Four players share the lead after 3 rounds of the Asian Amateur Women’s Chess Championships hosted by the Oman Chess Committee (OCC) under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). WFM Jemal Ovezdurdiyeva of Turkmenistan, Janhavi Soneji of India, Cecilia Natalie Liuviann of Indonesia and WCM Isabelle Yixuan Ning of New Zealand remain undefeated. A total of 57 women from 15 countries are competing in the 9-round Swiss system.

Watch live games on  chessbomb, chess.com,   followchess, and    chessbase. Visit chess-results.com for round by round pairings and results and to download games. Folllow us on   facebook and   twitter.

Fifty seven (57) players from 15 countries are participating in the tournament which is open to all Asian amateur players who do not have a FIDE rating above 2100 at the start of the tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five players, including Top seed Hu Yi, of China are trailing by just half a point 2 wins and a draw. While 17 players led by top seed DU Yuxin suffered one los for a total of two points.

 

The Pyramid Chess Club won the Asian Club Hybrid Chess Championship followed by runner-up Bangladesh Police and third placer SGChessHub@JurongSpring. Organized by the Asian Chess Federation in cooperation with the Iran Chess Federation, the event was held 2-11 November 2021 on Tornelo.

In photo above, Dr. Salari, Vice chairman of Fars Sport Associataion (left), awards the champion’s trophy to Mahan Baneshi of Pyramid team as sponsor Mr. Bagheri looks on. Watch the video of the awards ceremony in facebook and    twitter.

Visit Chess-results.com for round by round results and standings, and to download games. Watch live games at chessbase, lichess,  followchess, Chess.com and chessbomb. Follow us on Twitter and facebook. See related stories of Round7, Round 6, Round 5, Round 4, Round 3, Round 2, and Round 1.

The Pyramid team: seated left to right, Neda Malhooz HOD of team, WCM parnian Ghomi, WFM Tannaz Azali and Reyhaneh Hajatnia. Standing, left to right, FM Abtin Atakhan, FM Arash Daghli, Mr.Bagheri sponsor of team, GM Amirreza Pourramezanali, Captain Mahan Baneshi, FM Ali Rastbod, IM Bardia Daneshvar and GM Masoud Mosadeghpour.

The Bangladesh Police (photo below) trailed 1.5 game points behind Pyramid at 44 points, followed by SGChessHub@JurongSpring with 37.5 points.

Bangladesh Police team, from left: CM Tahsin Tazwar Zai, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, Md Mahbubur Rahman (Official of Bangladesh Police), GM Ziaur Rahman, Additional DIG Dr. Shoeb Reaz Alam (Team Captain), GM Enamul Hossain, WCM Ahmed Walijah, WFM Noshin Anjum and WIM Sharmin Sultana Shirin

Here are the board medalists:

We are sad to report the passing of Mr. Abdus Salim, former President of Pakistan Chess Federation on 6th November 2021 at Peshawar, Pakistan.

Born in 1945, he served as General Secretary of the Pakistan Chess Federation from 2004 to 2012. He became president till 2018. Then he served as chairman of the federation. He played a very important role and remained active in Pakistan chess during the last two decades.

He played a vital role in initiating FIDE rated tournaments in Pakistan. He contributed much to the chess community. He was a great chess lover and will be missed.

We express sincere condolences to his family and to the Chess community of Pakistan.

May his soul rest in peace!

The powerhouse Pyramid team of Iran, led by two grandmasters, maintained a comfortable lead from second running Bangladesh Police after the penultimate round of the Asian Club Cup Hybrid Chess Team Championship on Tornelo.

Visit Chess-results.com for round by round results and standings, and to download games. Watch live games at chessbase, lichess,  followchess, Chess.com and chessbomb. Follow us on Twitter and facebook. See related stories of Round 6, Round5, Round 4, Round 3, Round 2, and Round 1.

Pyramid team of Iran blanked Fekre Bartar  6 : 0 for a total of 14 match points and 39.5 game points. These enabled them to retain 1^st place with a 1 ½ game point lead over Bangladesh Police.

SGChessHUb@JurongSpring of  Singapore defeated Pishgam Novin 4 : 0 to maintain third place but lost their chance to win the championships after trailing the leader by 5 1/5 game points

Bangladesh Police also blanked Fars Youth  6 : 0 to stay within striking distance of the championhip.

Sri Lankan Super Knight CC outclassed check.mate.club 5 ½ : ½ for solo 4^th place with 10 match points.

RiChessMasters (PHI) defeated BIshan Chess Club of Iran with a score of 5 ½ : ½  to remain tied for 5^th to 7^th place.

Match 6 was drawn between Andismandan Sabzavar (IRI) and Lion City Chess Meeting of Singapore

Super Knught CC 2 (SGP) handed Borna Sabzevar their 8^th loss with a 5 ½ : ½ drubbing.

 

 

 

Pyramid Chess Club of Iran, Bangladesh Police and Singapore Chess Hub at Jarong Spring remain tied at 12 match points each after the 7th round of the Asian Club Cup Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. The first tie break will be game points. Pyramid beat RichessMasters of the Philippines to lead by 1.5 game points over second running Bangladesh Police while Singapore Chess Hub at Jurong Spring is within striking distance at 30 game points.

Visit Chess-results.com for round by round results and standings, and to download games. Watch live games at chessbase, lichess,  followchess, Chess.com and chessbomb. Follow us on Twitter and facebook. See related stories of Round 6, Round5, Round 4, Round 3, Round 2, and Round 1.

In photo above are the RichessMasters of the Philippines. Seated from left are Marian Calimbo, then Allan Pason, Bernadeth Galas and Khent Darylle Delig. Starting from left are Dr. Ariel Potot, Dione Patrick Minoza, Aldwin Daculan, Bhell Ortiz and Ariel Joseph Abellana.

A sweep by Pyramid of Iran over the RiChessMasters of the Philippines was foiled by a draw by WIM Bernadette Galas and WFM Tannaz Azali. However their 5 ½ points enabled the Iranians to widen their tie break by 1.5 game points.

In spite of draws by their two grandmasters in boards 1 and 2, Bangladesh Police banked on their boards 3 to 6 players to defeat Super Knight CC of Sri Lanka 5 : 1 to remain in second place.

SGChessHub@JUrongSpring beat Fars Youth of Iran 4 ½ : 1 ½ to hold on to third place with 12 match points.

Fekre Bartar (IRI) scored 4 points against Lion City Chess Meetup (SGP) to climb to 5^th place.

Pishgam Novin handed Borna Satzevar their 7^th defeat  (6 : 0) to move up from 9^th to 6^th place.

Andishmandan Satzevar eked out a 3 ½ : 1 ½ win over Super Knight CC 2. Both teams now share 11^th and 12^th place with 5 match points each.

Para-chessers on PSC’s online edition of Pilipinas Para Games

Over 150 para-athletes across the country will compete in the 2021 Philippine Sport Commission – Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) Online Chess Competition which starts on November 19. In photo are, clockwise from left, FIDE Disabled Commission chairman GM Thomas Luther, Asian Chess Federation Executive Director IA/IO Casto Abundo, National Chess Federation of the Philippines CEO GM Jayson Gonzales, IA/NM James Infiesto and GM Eugene Torre.

“We are launching this project in our effort to continue efforts to address our need for a truly comprehensive grassroots sports development program for our para-athletes, and continuously harness their full potential,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin.

Originally staged in three regional legs, the online chess competition will now be held in one nation-wide event, on six categories namely, Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Men, Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Women, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Men, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Women, and Physically Impaired Men and Physically Impaired Women.

The PPG is also held in partnership with the Philippine Paralympic Committee and the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists on the classification of registered para-athletes.

Competition starts on November 19 via Zoom, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will conclude on November 21. Winners will receive medals, certificates of excellence and cash incentives.

To prepare the national para coaches and technical officials for this competition, a Para-Chess Online Technical Workshop started November 7. Six of our chess legends in GM Eugene Torre, GM Thomas Luther, GM Jayson Gonzales, IA/IO Casto Abundo, and IA/NM James Infiesto served as resource speakers.

“In a pandemic, we are focusing on chess as it appears to be one of the best solutions for our para-athletes to get themselves going again in sports,” expressed Agustin.

Registered para-athletes can complete and send their requirements to pilipinasparagames@gmail.com and its official Facebook page. Official list of participants will be announced on November 12.

 

 

 

Moratuwa and Colombo win Inter University Online Chess Championships 2021

University of Moratuwa (photo above) scored full 12 points out of possible 12 points to win the Inaugural Inter University Online Men Chess Championship convincingly. University of Moratuwa beat Universities of (6 – 0), Wayamba University of SL (5 1/2 – 1/2), University of Peradeniya (4 – 2), University of Colombo (4 ½ – 1 ½), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (3 ½ – 2 ½)  and Uva Wellassa University 6- 0 to achieve the title. Kaveen Ishara and Chathulanka Gamage scored full 6 points while HMAK Herath and Rahul Jeyanthan scored 5 ½ out of 6 for University of Moratuwa.

University of Colombo Women (photo above) also had a great event, scored 10 points out of 12 possible points

Though University of Ruhuna led the points table till the 4^th round their loss against Sabaragamuwa University affected them in a bad way. University of Colombo Women beat University of Jaffna (6 -0),  Sabaragamuwa University (4-2), University of Moratuwa (4-2), University of Kelaniya (3 ½ – 2 ½ ) and University of Sri Jayawardenapura (4 ½ – 1 ½) and lost to University of Ruhuna (2 -4) to win the Championship on the better tie breaker. University of Ruhuna Girls Chess Team beat Uva Wellassa University (5 -1), University of Peradeniya (4-2), University of Colombo (4-2), Eastern University (4 – 2) and Rajarata University (5 – 1) and lost to Sabaragamuwa University in the penultimate round (1-5) which ruined their progressive attempt.

Unoversity of Peradeniya beat Eastern University (6-0), University of Jaffna (5-1), University of Kelaniya (5-1), University of Colombo (4 – 2) and University of Sri Jayawardenapura (4 -2) and lost to University of Moratuwa (4 -2) which turned their hope of the Championship.

University of Sri Jayawardenapura placed 3^rd in the Men’s Championship while Sabaragamuwa University placed 3^rd in the Women’s Championship.

Due to the pandemic situation, the Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association (SLUSA) was not able to organize any Sporting events for the University students. So, the SLUSA decided to hold the three possible events, Chess, Taekwondo and Karate. In the result of the decision, the University of Moratuwa organized the event on behalf of the Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association with the support of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (organizing committee below).

The Inter University Online Chess Championships 2021 for Girls and Boys was held at the Tornelo Platform according to the Swiss System in 6 rounds on 6^th and 7^th November 2021. The match points system is used. Event was held with the participation of 28 teams (Boys 14 and Girls 14) from 14 Universities namely, Universities of Colombo, Peradeniya, Sri Jayawardenapura, Kelaniya, Moratuwa, Ruhuna, Jaffna, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, Rajarata, Wayamba, Vishual and Performing Arts, Uva Wellassa and one of the newest Universities Vavunia University was in action.

Final Standings (Men)

Rk.	Team	Wins	Draws	Losts	TB1
1	University of Moratuwa	6	0	0	12
2	University of Peradeniya	4	0	2	8
3	University of Sri Jayewardenepur	4	0	2	8
4	University of Colombo	3	1	2	7
5	University of Jaffna	3	1	2	7
6	Uva Wellassa University of Sri L	3	1	2	7
7	Sabaragamuwa University of Sri L	3	0	3	6
8	University of Ruhuna	3	0	3	6
9	Rajarata University of Sri Lanka	3	0	3	6
10	University of Vavuniya	1	3	2	5
11	University of Kelaniya	2	1	3	5
12	Wayamba University of Sri Lanka	2	0	4	4
13	Eastern University Sri Lanka	1	1	4	3
14	Visual & Performing Arts Univers	0	0	6	0

Final Standings Women

Rk.	Team	Wins	Draws	Losts	TB1
1	University of Colombo	5	0	1	10
2	University of Ruhuna	5	0	1	10
3	Sabaragamuwa University of Sri L	4	1	1	9
4	University of Moratuwa	3	1	2	7
5	University of Kelaniya	3	1	2	7
6	Eastern University Sri Lanka	2	3	1	7
7	University of Peradeniya	3	0	3	6
8	Wayamba University of Sri Lanka	3	0	3	6
9	University of Sri Jayewardenepur	2	2	2	6
10	Rajarata University of Sri Lanka	3	0	3	6
11	Uva Wellassa University of Sri L	2	0	4	4
12	University of Vavuniya	1	1	4	3
13	University of Jaffna	1	1	4	3
14	Visual & Performing Arts Univers	0	0	6	0