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by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA— International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia pocketed top honors in the  2021 Philippine National Chess Championships Semi-Finals (Open) virtually held at the Tornelo Platform on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

The top player of Caloocan Loadmanna Knights under the baton of Atty. Arnel Batungbakal collected eight points on account of seven wins and two draws in nine outings in the 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment Rapid time control format organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of it’s chairman/president Cong. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

The 26 year old, Chess Program Head Garcia at the Ateneo de Manila University under the guidance of Ateneo Athletics Director Emmanuel Fernandez, scored victories over Father Vic Arellano in the first round, Joseph Lawrence Rivera in the second round, Irwin Aton in the third round, International Master John Marvin Miciano in the fourth round, Virgen Gil Ruaya in the fifth round, Romeo Canino in the seventh round and Jimmy Ty Jr. in the ninth and final round.

He split the point with International Master Michael Concio Jr. in the sixth round and International Master Daniel Quizon in the eight round.

” I would like to thank my parents, Ateneo de Manila University headed by Ateneo Athletics Director Emmanuel Fernandez, Caloocan Loadmanna Knights under the baton of Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and NCFP chairman/president Cong. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. for always helping me in my tournaments,” said Garcia who played for the Philippine Team in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.

International Master Michael Concio Jr. placed second overall with 7.5 points on sixth wins and three draws.

International Master Ricardo de Guzman and International Master Ronald Dableo were tied at 3rd to 4th with 7 points each while International Master Daniel Quizon took the fifth place position with a superior tie break points in the group of 6.5 pointers that includes Adrian Othniel Yulo (sixth place) Ariel Joseph Abellana (seventh place) and Allan Pason (eight place).

According to tournament director FST / GM Jayson Gonzales that the top five finishers (Garcia, Concio, de Guzman, Dableo and Quizon) will advance to the grand finals to be held December 9 to 15, 2021 at Solea Hotel and Resorts, Cordova, Mactan Island in Cebu.

The Champion of the grand finals event will represent the country in the 2022 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand

Final Rankings: ( 9 Rounds Swiss System, 80 participants, the top 5 players will advance to the grandfinals to be held on December 9 to 15, 2021 at Solea Hotel and Resorts, Cordova, Mactan Island in Cebu)
Champion: IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (8 points)
2nd:IM Michael Concio Jr. (7.5 points)
3rd: IM Ricardo de Guzman (7 points)
4th:IM Ronald Dableo (7 points)
5th: IM Daniel Quizon (6.5 points)

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—8-time Illinois USA Champion International Master Angelo Abundo Young and National Master Gerardo Cabellon played heroes in Isabela’s Knights of Alexander conquest of the Davao Executive Chess Wizards, 12.5-8.5, in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Saturday night, Oct. 30 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.

IM Young, playing white, defeated National Master Aglipay Oberio after 63 moves of King’s Indian defense while NM Cabellon, playing black, outclassed Arnel Niño Aton after 56 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening to lift the Knights of Alexander to their ninth win against six losses.
The Davao Executive Chess Wizards slipped to 5-10.
“It was a total team effort,” said IM Young, who was overall eighth-placer in the 2019 World Seniors Chess Championships in Bucharest, Romania.
Isabela head coach Charlie Tagoc praised his players for holding their own despite the tough challenge posted by Davao.
“Our match against the Davao Executive Chess Wizards was the toughest and most intense among the matches that we had… It was anybody’s match. We were just lucky”, Coach Tagoc said.
Young and Cabellon also got help from International Master Emmanuel Senador and Lordwin Espiritu in the rapid event.
IM Senador toppled National Master Alexander Lupian after 44 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening while Espiritu split the point with Ariel Niño Aton after 50 moves of Pirc defense.
Mary Israel Palero Segarra, Anthony Mosqueda and Reynaldo de Guzman carried the good fight for the  Davao Executive Chess Wizards after beating Woman Candidate Master Christy Lamiel Bernales, Anwar Cabugatan and Renan Rabago, respectively.
Despite the 7-all deadlock in the rapid portion, the Isabela’s Knights of Alexander claming the win after dominating the blitz phase, 5.5-1.5.
Isabela’s Knights of Alexander, earlier edged Bangkok (Thailand), 12-9, with IM Young crushing FM Deniel Causo in the rapid play.
Isabela next assignment will be San Juan Predators and Laguna Heroes on Wednesday, Nov.3.
Meanwhile, Pasig blasted San Juan, 15.5-5.5, and Laguna, 13.5-7.5, to create 3-way tie in the Northern Conference. Pasig now has 14-1 win-loss record, the same output of San Juan and Caloocan.
Paralympics bounce back in contention after a sorry loss to Surigao, 1-2, in their armageddon tie breaker beating Palawan, 13.5-7.5, to remain on top in the Southern Division who totes 12-3 win-loss card

The Asian Youth Chess Championship Open Division enters the homestretch of the tournament hosted by the All India Chess Federation (IACF) under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE). After six rounds of the Boys Category in the Asian Youth Online Chess Championships, the competition has heated up and only a few players scored a perfect six points to take solo lead.

 Boys under 18

CM Nguyen Huynh Minh Thien of Vietnam defeated 3^rd round co-leader IM Thiakarathne G M H of Sri Lanka and drew with Bosagh zadeh Alireza of Iran to gain solo lead with 5.5 points after six rounds. Jha Ayush of Iran also beat Thilakarathne GMH and second seed Gan-Erdene Sugar (MGL) for solo second with 5 points. Three players IM Shrivatri Anuj (IND), FM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ) and Alireza Bosagh Zadeh (IRI) share 3^rd to 5^th place with 4.5 pts.

Boys under 16

FM Aaryan Varshney (IND) also defeated erstwhile leader Degenbaev Aziz of Kyrgystan to take the solo lead with 5.5 points. Trailing by only half a point are Aziz Degenbaev (KGZ) , Le Tri Kien (VIE) and IM Aditya Mittal of India.  Six players are close at their heels with 4.5 points: Vo Pham Thien Phuc (VIE), IM M Pranesh (IND), FM Varshney Aaryan (IND), CM Laohawirapap Prin (THA) and CM Nguyen Quoc Hy (VIE).

Boys under 14

Two Indians IM Subramaniyam H Bharath and Kaivalya Sandip Nagare remained unbeaten with 5 wins and a draw to share the lead in the boys under 14 category. Eight players share 3^rd – 10^th place by scoring 5 points apiece as follows: Mohammadi Akbarandi Hossein (IRI), Ermur Amangeldy (KAZ), Beksultan Moldagali (KAZ), CM Hoang Minh Hieu (VIE), CM Bhavesh Mahajan (IND), CM Garv Gaur (IND), Yuehen Jin (CHN) and AGM Kapoor Satvik (IND).

Boys Under 12

Only one player Iranian Sina Movahed scored  a perfect 6 points in the boys under 12 to occupy the solo lead after six rounds. Vietnamese Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam and CM Pham Tran Gia Phuc together with Indian Sreekumar Sidharth remained unbeated but drew a game each to share 2^nd-4^th place with 5 /12 points. Thirteen (13) players scored 5 points and share 5^th to 17^th place.

Boys Under 10

Fourteenth seed Nguyen Quang Minh of Vietnam also scored a perfect 6 points for the solo lead. Three players lead by 2^nd seed Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam, Nguyen Hoang Khanh also from Vietnam and Vijay Saraogi Vivaan of India remained unbeaten with 5.5 points. Sharing 5^th – 20^th place are 16 players who scored 5 points.

Boys Under 8

In the boys under 8 category, out of the twenty two players who remained unbeaten after three rounds, only of Danis Kuandykuly of Kazakhstan scored a perfect 6 points after 6 rounds to grab the solo lead. Trailing him are three Indian players who are still unbeaten with five and a half points; Mithun Pranav, Aarav A and Neiloday Raj. Fourteen players are within striking distance with 5 point.

The 2021 Asian Online Youth Chess Championships (Open Division) has started on tornelo with separate championships for Boys 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

A record number of 908 boys from 21 countries are participating, namely Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Boys under 18

 Ninth seed CM Nguyen Huynh Minh Thien of Vietnam defeated 2^nd seed Gan-Erdene Sugar of Mongolia to share the lead with IM Thilakarathne G M H of Sri Lanka, after three rounds in the Open U-18 category. Four players share 3^rd to 6^th place namely Anuj Shrivatri (IND), Lam Thien Nguyen (VIE), Johnmari Joseph Lu (PHI) and Aireza Bosagh Zadeh of Iran. Nine players scored 2 points including top seed FM Nogerbek Kazybek of Kazakhstan who remained unbeaten after missing his game in the 1^st round.

Boys under 16

 Degenbaev Aziz of Kyrgystan defeated top seed FM Jimmy Jubin (IND) while FM Aaryan Varshney (IND) defeated the third seed in round 3 to remain unbeaten after 3 rounds. They are tied for 1st to 6^th place with Vietnamese Pham Thien Phuc Vo and Dang Minh Quang Tran, And Ilya Darini & Anand Pranav of India. 7^th – 10^th places are shared by four players with 2 ½ points.

Boys under 14

 Out of 135 players, 13 remain unbeaten with 3 points each including 1^st and 2^nd seed Indians IM Subramaniyam H Bharath and CM Mahajan Bhavesh respectively. Six players share 14^th – 19^th place, while 38 players are still in the running with 2 points.

Boys Under 12

Competition in the Boys under 12 division is fierce with 18 players sharing the lead with a perfect score after three rounds. Fourteen players scored 2.5 points to share 19^th – 32^nd,  while 590 boys scored two points after winning two games and losing one.

Boys Under 10

 With the most number of participants (256), the under 10 category is interesting, particularly after 24 players scoring 3 points after three rounds. Twelve boys scored 2.5 while 77 amassed two points each. As expected almost all the top 20 seeded players are leading including Barad Yeganegi (IRI), Dau Khuong Duy (VIE) and 3^rd seed Mao Daqi of New Zealand.

Boys Under 8

It is also a toss up in the under 8, with 209  players, and 22 maintaining a perfect score. Seven players are at their tail with 2.5 points while 63 boys are within striking distance after amassing 2 points each.

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka is organizing a comprehensive Online Rapid Chess Championship Cycle for the first time in Sri Lanka. This event will be the selection event for the International Online Rapid Chess Championships this year and the event will help all Chess players to stay at home at this difficult time with support to grow their Chess Strength. The event will be held on the Chess.com platform with all the fair play regulations approved by FIDE. The Time Control is 15 minutes + 10 second increment for each move played.

The Basic qualification stages of Novice Division and the Major Divisions are over. There were 7 events each as open and Women in Novices Division while 6 events each at the Major Division.

Online SL National (Premier Division) Chess Championship 2021 –Women

Now the time is for the final Swiss System event of 9 rounds. All qualified from Major Division and players with over 1599 rating are eligible to participate in the Women’s event. The first 16 players will be qualified to the Online National Chess Championship 2021 – Finals since the National Chess Champion has declared that she is not available for the event.

The Women’s Championship will be held on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st of October starting 5.00 p.m. each day with three rounds a day. A total of 9 rounds will be played if the number of players are less than 100.

The Cash awards – for Premier

Champion –       Rs. 10,000/=

1st Runner Up –  Rs. 5,000/=

2nd Runner Up –  Rs. 3,000/=

4. Online SL National Chess Championship 2021 – Finals

Stage 1

A Round Robin Event of 16 players of Premier Division Women Chess Championships 2021

Stage 2

Knock out Event among first 4 players as Semi Finals and Finals/ Consolation Finals with Two games with playing tie breaks.

Awards for Finals

Trophies and Medals will be awarded to the winners in all events and the Championship title for the winners.

SL Online National Chess Championship 2021 – Finals

Women

Champion –         Rs. 25,000/=

1st Runner Up –  Rs. 15,000/=

2nd Runner Up –  Rs. 8,000/=

4th Place –           Rs. 4,000/=

SL Online National (Premier Division) Chess Championship 2021 – Finals

Entry Fees

The Entries should be made before 3 days to the scheduled day of the event to the following google sheet.

Players can use only Laptops or Desktop with a webcam to play the games. In all times of play in progress, players should join in the zoom meeting with the screen and task Manager shared with the tournament arbiters. The Technical Regulations will be sent to the registered players individually.

All fair play measures are taken during the event and the games after each round will be sent to the Chess.com and FIDE experts for fair play checking. If any player is found guilty in any form of these checking, he/ she shall be removed from the event and all his games are made null and void. If in a strict situation, the player will be banned from all types of Chess for 2 years.

We kindly request all Chess players to compete in true sportsmanship and develop your Chess skills even during this Pandemic situation. You may be a part of the Sri Lanka National Online Chess Teams as well.

Google Form Link – https://forms.gle/pAYgs232B1L7inNs7

Asian Chess Federation invites the Russian speaking Federations in Asia to nominate 4 participants each to attend the upcoming FIDE Trainers’ Seminar which will be organised by the Asian Chess Federation during the period from 12th to 14th November 2021.

GM Michal Krasenkow of Poland (above right) became unbeaten champion in the Sheikh Russel International Grand Masters Chess Competition-2021 held at the Hotel Purbani in Dhaka, Bangladesh on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Shahid Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results, standings and to download games. Watch video on facebook and on twitter.

The Sheikh Russell International Grand Masters Chess Competition is sponsored by  Saif Powertech Limited and organized by the Bangladesh Chess Federation.

GM Mihcal Krasenkow earned 7 points out of 9 games to clinch the title. Six players follow with 6½ points each. In tie-breaking system among them GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy of Ukraine became runner-up, GM Srinath Narayanan of India became 3rd, IM Mitrabha Guha of India became 4th, GM Shyem Sundar M. became 5th, IM Mousavi Seyed Khalil became 6th and GM Rasulov Vugar of Azerbaijan became 7th.

GM Niaz Murshed (above right) became 1st with 6 points among Bangladeshi players, GM Enamul Hossain Razib (below right) became 2nd, GM Ziaur Rahman became 3rd and CM Chanchal Kumer Ghosh became 4th with 5 points each among Bangladesh players.

Three players achieved GM norms from this event, namnely IM Mitrabha Guha of India, IM Mousavi Seyed Khalil of Uiran and IM Koustav Chatterjee of India.

The prize distribution ceremony will start on tomorrow (Thursday) from 12:00 PM at the Sky Ball-Room Hotel La Meridian Dhaka. Honorable Commerce Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Tipu Munshi, MP will distribute prizes among winners as chief guest. Mr. Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP honorable state Minister of youth & Sports and Dr. Benazir Ahmed, BPM (BAR) honorable Inspector General of Bangladesh Police and President of Bangladesh Chess Federation and South Asian Chess Council will present guest of Honour, Dr. Chowdhury Naffez Sarafat, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Canadian University of Bangladesh and Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation. Mr. Tarafder Md Ruhul Amin, Managing Director of SAIF Powertec Limited and Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Mr. K M Shahidullah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Mr. Abu Sayed Chowdhury, Deputy Managing Director of Abul Khair Group and Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation will present as special guests.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Grandmasters Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla and John Paul Gomez powered the Laguna Heroes to a 14-7 victory over the Davao Executive Chess Wizards led by a Ariel Nino Aton in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday night, Oct. 27 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.

Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated Aton in 38 moves of an Italian Game, Two Knights Defense while Gomez trounced John Ray Batucan in 53 moves of a Modern defense.

the Laguna team is backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali. Also delivering for Laguna in the rapid event were Michella Concio, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat.

Concio toppled Woman National Master Ella Grace Moulic in 50 moves of a London System Opening, Medina outclassed National Master Aglipay Oberio in 37 moves of Caro-Kann defense, Lorenzo split the point with Anthony Mosqueda in 40  moves of a Sicilian defense while Bayangat settled a truce with Arnel Aton in 13 moves of a Queens Pawn Opening.

National Master Alexander Lupian provided the full point for Davao after beating FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad in 39 moves of an English Opening.

“We are happy for having a nice game against Davao Executive Chess Wizards,” 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.

After their blitz encounter ended in a 4-3 triumph in favor of Laguna, Barcenilla struck the hardest in dominating the rapid phase, 10-4, and claiming the win.

Laguna, meantime yielded to San Juan Predators, 11-10, in the following match. San Juan remains on top with a 13-0 clean slate while Laguna now has 11-2.

GM Rasulov Vugar of Azerbaijan grabbed solo lead with 6½ points after the penultimate 8^th round of the $55,000 Sheikh Russel International Grand Masters Chess Competition-2021 at the Hotel Purbani in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results, standings and to download games. Watch round 8 video on facebook and on twitter.

The event marks the birth anniversary of Shahid Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Sheikh Russell International Grand Masters Chess Competition is held under the auspices of Saif Powertech Limited and organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation.

Six players are sharing 2^nd position with 6 points each, namely GM Bernadskiy Vitaliy of Ukraine, GM Michal Krasenkow of Poland, GM Srinath Narayanan, GM Shyem Sundar and IM Mitrabha Guha, of India.