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by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr. won the  BVP Santos Optical Arbiter Chess Tournament-Grandfinals held online last July 18, 2021 at lichess.org.

The 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Suelo, an online Arena Grandmaster, tallied 65 points to rule the online tilt sponsored by Dr. Bien Ven P. Santos, who is an Optometrist in Ibaba, Malabon.

The online tournament had time control of one minute with an increment of one second and players must win as many games in two hours of play according to Dr. Santos.

Marc Simborio came second with 61 points followed by 3rd placer National Master Ronald Llavanes who totes 58 points.

National Master Julius Sinangote and National Master Robert Arellano finished fourth and fifth with 55 and 53 points, respectively.

Rounding up the top 10 were sixth National Master Cesar Mariano, seventh Eugene Santiago, eight Emmanuel Dave Santos, ninth IA/FT James Infiesto and tenth Jan Mar Hondonero

Asian Chess Federaiton joins the International Chess Community in celebrating International Chess Day.

The International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20, the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in 1924. The idea to celebrate this day as the international chess day was proposed by UNESCO, and it has been celebrated as such since 1966, after it was established by FIDE.

The Asian Schools Online Chess Championship reels off 23rd July with over eight hundred girls and boys from 24 countries participating. The Girls Championship is scheduled in the weekend of 23-25 July while the boys (open) championship is scheduled 29-31 July 2021 on Tornelo. The Technical Meeting was held today with Heads of Delegations and coaches (photo below).

Visit chess-results.com for full list of teams. You can click on “ACF” in Federation Selection to see all age group tournaments. Go to “Overview for team” to see all players of our country. Download regulations Asian Schools Online Chess Championships 2021.

The tournament will be held in the following categories: Under-7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17. Games are scheduled to start 14:00 HRS Manila time on 23, 24 and 25 July for the girls, and 29, 30 and 31 July for the boys.

The Asian Schools Chess Championships 2021 are individual and team championships combined. Each national federation may be represented by individuals or by teams.

A team consists of 4 players with a maximum of two teams per age category in each Open Division and two teams per age category in each Girls Division. The host federation may have a third team in each event. Each federation may win only one team trophy (certificate) per category.

The tournament shall be conducted as a Swiss System competition of 9 rounds and will be played according to FIDE Regulations for Online Chess with Supervision. Members of the same team will not be paired against each other.

Central Region – Open and Northern Region – Girls events

Galkotuwa and Rajinikanth win the Championships!

Sanija Galkotuwa (above left) of Dharmaraja College won the Championship of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National (Novices Division) Chess Championship 2021 with the better tie breaker after tying with four more players with the score of 6 points out of 7 games. Deeptha Ekanayake (above center) of Dharmaraja College and Dumindu Edirisinghe (above right) of St. Anthony’s College, placed 2^nd and 3^rd respectively also from the same tie breaker with 6 points. Other two tied Dinod Abeyratne and DDB Rajanayake had to satisfy with 4^th and 5^th respectively.

Galkotuwa beat Sujeewa Kirimetiyawa, Niketha Karunananda, Shahrook Fairooz and LSD Chandrasiri and Sudhan Pragatheesh and drew with Hansana Godagampala, and Deeptha Ekanayake to won the Gold Medal.

Deeptha won against Sanuth Lokuge, RMSRB Rathnathilaka, Anuhas Weligamage and DD Wijesinghe and KPL Liyanage and drew with the winner and Chiwath Gunaratne to reach 6points and win the Silver Medal. DD Edirisinghe won the Bronze medal by scoring 6 wins with Senuka Karunarathne, Venuka Gunaratne, Kavishka Alahakoon, Manith Sumanasinghe, Sudhan Pragatheesh and Hansana Godagampala and his only lost was to the silver medalist Deeptha.

Rejinikanth Rithikashamy (above left) of Singing Fish Chess Club won the Championship of the Championship of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National (Novices Division) Women Chess Championship 2021 – Northern Region also on the better tie breaker after tying with 6 points with Uthayan Suvarnika (above center) of Jaffna College. Suvarnika had to satisfy with the 2^nd place, while P Thishanuga  J (above right) of Vembady Girls High School placed 3^rd with 5 ½ points.

Rejinikanth beat Ganeshkumar Shuruthiha, Gayathri Gajendriyan, Athithya Arulingam, Yuhansa Wickramasinghe, Panajaa Paramothiyan, Theyonne Barthelot and lost to Laxya Sivaskaran to score 6 points, winning the Gold Medal. Suvarnika beat Kavithma Jayathilake, Varsha Gangatharan, Angkavi Kulatunga, Athithya Arulingam, Anudini Pathirana and Panajaa Paramothiyan but lost to Anumitha Arunrojan to win the Silver Medal. P Thishanuga giving a default point to Kamalasaravanan Atchara in the 1^st round beat Chanumi Pathirana, Mathumira Jeyakanthan, Angkavi Kulatunga, Anumitha Arunrojan and Athithya Arulingam and drew with Kawmini Jayasingheto score 5 ½ points and win the Bronze Medal.

The Novices Division of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National Chess Championships 2021 is planned to have in 7 regions, Western I (Colombo District), Western II (Gampaha and Kaluthara District), Central Province, Wayamba Province, Southern Province, Sabaragamuwa Region (Sabaragamuwa and Uwa Provinces) and Northern Region (Northern, Eastern and North Central Provonces).

Top 22 players of the Central Province Open and the Top 15 players of the Northern Women will be qualified to the appropriate Majors Division Chess Championships to be held from late August 2021.

The Inaugural Sri Lanka Online National Rapid Chess Championship Cycle 2021 consists of 4 stages. The Cycle is started with the Novices events in 7 regions followed by the Major Division Events in the same regions. The Top players will join with the selectees from Major Division events in the National B event. The Top 14 players of the National B will join the current National Chess Champion and the Top rank player in the 15 round Robin in the 1st stage of the finals while a knocked out of top four players of Round Robin event will play as 2nd stage in the finals. The same structure will be followed in the Women Event as well.

You may find the event details from following links:

http://chess-results.com/tnr569600.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7

http://chess-results.com/tnr569599.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=7

Sri Lanka Online Rapid National Chess Championship Cycle 2021

Southern Region (Galle, Matara, Hambantota) – Open and Central Region(Kandy, Matale, Nuwaraeliya)– Girls events will be held on 24^th and 25^th of July 2021.

 

 

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The Cavite Spartans catapulted themselves into the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup quarterfinals with a gruelling 11-10, 11-10, doucle victory over the Cagayan Kings Saturday, July 17, 2021 held online at chess.com platform.

Veteran Olympian International Master Petronio Roca defeated Lambert Arugay in Board 4 while Melizah Ruth Carreon halved the point with April Joy Ramos in Board 3 as well Renie Malupa split the point with John Robert Bumatay in Board 7 to help propel the General Trias City, Cavite woodpushers into 8-6 victory in the rapid game.

It was a sorry loss for Cagayan Kings after sub-import Grandmaster Alexei Barsov and Robert Mania lost via forfeiture against Lourecel Hernandez Ecot and Lloyd Rubio in Board 2 and Board 5, respectively.

Don Tyrone Delos Santos and Jake Tumaliuan carried the fight for Mr. Larry Dumadag and Atty. Joel Butuyan co-team owner of Cagayan Kings after beating National Master Marlon Bernardino and Jayson San Jose Visca in Board 1 and Board 6, in that order.

Cagayan Kings won the blitz portion, 4-3.

According to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr. Theo Panga, Cavite Spartans needed to beat twice Cagayan Kings to advance to the quarter-finals/play-offs.

“It was very difficult and that was what we expected. Going into the game that we need to win twice against heavyweight Cagayan Kings.” said Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr.Theo Panga, one of the staunch supporters of Cavite Spartans.

“It was just one of those precious games where we were able to pull it off down the stretch. And I’m happy again for the focus the guys had at the end of the game.” added Sportsman/Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer, another supporter of Cavite Spartans.

Other members of victorious Cavite Spartans, backed by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr. Theo Panga, are Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer, Mam Lhen Muralla Kempiz, Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical District 4 ,Carsigma, Cavite and JC Premiere, Ederwin Estavillo (playing coach), Israel Landicho (playing coach), AGM Voltaire Marc Paraguya and Stephen Von Estavillo.

With the win, the Cavite Spartans will face Northern Division elimination top notcher Michael Ong Chua team San Juan Predators on Wednesday.

In other results, Isabela Knight Raiders led by International Master Emmanuel Senador and National Master Gerardo Cabellon defeated Quezon City Simba’s Tribe bannered by FIDE Master Roberto Suelo Jr. and Mr. Danilo Ponay in 2nd set 14.5-6.5, after suffering 10-11 loss in 1st set.

In the Southern Division, Mindoro Tamaraws headed by US Master Rainier Labay and siblings Emmanuel and Joselito Asi subdued Palawan Queen’s Gambit in 2 sets, 11-10, 14-7, advanced to the playoffs alongside Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates of NM Jonathan Tan and AIM Rey Urbiztondo, winner over Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors of NM Edsel Montoya and Anthony Makinano , 13-8.

Byron Gabrentina Villar and Mark Anthony Dulatre, both Fide National Arbiter served as arbiters in the chess match.

Quarter-Finals, July 21, 2021
(Northern Division)
San Juan versus Cavite
Caloocan versus Antipolo
Manila versus Isabela
Laguna versus Pasig
(Southern Division)
Cordova versus Surigao
Negros versus Zamboanga
Camarines versus Mindoro
Iloilo versus Toledo

A file photo shows Cavite Spartans chess team paying a courtesy call to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr.Theo Panga, one of the staunch supporter of the said team.

A file photo shows Cavite Spartans chess team paid a courtesy call to Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer and Mayor Ony Ferrer of General Trias City, Cavite

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—United States-based Grandmaster Mark Paragua emerged victorious in the 4th annual Chooks-to-Go National Rapid Chess Championship (Open Division) held online last July 11, 2021 at Tornelo Platform.
The 37-year-old Paragua scored 8.5 points on eight wins with one draw to snare the champion’s purse amounting to P100,000  in the 10 minutes plus five seconds increment time control format. The event was supported by BAVI President and General Manager Ronald Daniel Ricaforte Mascariñas, organized by  Rotary Club of Nuvali and Philippine Executive Chess Association and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Michael Gastala of South Cotabato wound up second with 8 points and P75,000 while Grandmaster John Paul Gomez of Binan, Launa settled for third with similar 8 points and P50,000.

Christian Mark Daluz of Bulan, Sorsogon and Ellan Asuela of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental were fourth and fifth with 7.5 points apiece to receive P30,000 and P25,000 respectively.

Sixth to 10th placer also with 7.5 points to pocket P10,000 each were sixth Samson Chhiu Chhin Lim of Quezon City, seventh Allan Pason of Cebu, eight Fide Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, ninth Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Dasmarinas City, Cavite and tenth International Master Rolando Nolte of Quezon City.

Other winners were WNM Francois Marie Magpily of Makati City (Women Division), Jimmy Ty Jr. of Tacloban City,Leyte (Executive Division), FM Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental (Junior Boys Division), Ma.Elayza Villa  of Mandaluyong City (Junior Girls Division), AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte (Kiddie Boys Division) and Franiel Magpily of Makati City (Kiddie Girls Division).
Tournament Director is FA Dr. Fred Paez assisted by Chief Arbiter IA James Infiesto.

Fifteen Asian Women players advance to the 2nd round of the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Sochi, Russia. Visit FIDE World Cup site for complete results.

WGM Irene Sukandar of Indonesia beat WIM Gomez Barrera, Javiera Belen of Chile 1.5-0.5 to advance to Round 2 of the FIDE Women’s World Cup and faces GM Gunina, Valentina of Russia.

WGM Hoang Thanh Trang of Vietnam beat WGM Janelle May Frayna of the Philippines 2.5-1.5 to advance to Rd, 2 of the FIDE Women’s World Cup and will face WGM Alisa Galliamova of Russia.

Seeded WGM Dinara Saduakassova of Kazakhstan will face WGM Jennifer Yu of the USA in Rd. 2

GM Peng Zhaoqin of China beat WIM Anna Afonasieva of Russia 2:0 to advance to Rd, 2 against GM Dzagnidze, Nana of Georgia,

WIM Munkhzul, Turmunkh of Mongolia beat WGM Brunello, Marina of Italy 2:0 and faces WGM Shuvalova, Polina of Russia in Rd. 2

WGM Aulia Medina Warda of Indonesia beat WIM Schneider, Jana of Germany 2:0 to advance to Rd. 2 and will play against seeded GM Harika Dronavalli of India (photo below).

WGM Munguntuul, Batkhuyag of Mongolia beat WFM Omonova, Umida of Uzbekistan 1/.5-0.5 and faces WGM Osmak, Iulija of Ukraine in Rd. 2

WGM R. Vaishali of India beat WGM Zhou, Qiyu of Canada 2:0 to advance to Rd. 2 against GM Khotenashvili, Bela of Georgia

WGM Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan beat WIM Miranda Llanes, Yerisbel of Cuba 1.5-0.5 and faces seeded compatriot GM Abdumalik, Zhansaya (photo below).

WGM Padmini Rout beat WGM Fataliyeva, Ulviyya of Azerbaijan 2:0 and will face seeded WGM Khademalsharieh, Sarasadat of Iran (photo below).

GM Tan Zhongyi of China is seeded to Round 2 and plays WGM Yildiz Kadioglu, Betul Cemre of Turkey.

WGM Bhakti Ku;karni of India faces WGM Pogonina, Natalija of Russia in Rd. 2

 

Playoffs were held yesterday for regular matches which ended 1:1. Fifteen Asians had previously qualified to round 2. See Rd. 1 story. In the playoffs, 15 year old GM D. Gukesh of India (photo above) beat IM Pawel Teclaf of Poland 1.5-.5 in Rapid chess playoff to advance to Rd. 2 against GM Daniel Dubov of Russia.

Tabatabaei, M. Amin of Iran (photo above) beat Basheer Al Qudaimi of Yemen 1.5-.5 in the Rapid chess playoff to advance to Rd 2 where he will face GM Ferenc Berkes of Hungary.

GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia beat GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran 1.5-.5 in Rapid chess playoff and faces GM Fabiano Caruana of the USA in Rd. 2

Other Asians who drew the regular match missed out in the playoff

IM Tin Jingyao of Singapore drew 1:1 in standard chess, 1:1 in Rapid chess but lost 2:0 in blitz against Timur Gareyev of the USA.

GM Niaz Murshed of Bangladesh drew 1:1 in standard chess, 1:1 in Rapid chess, 1:1 in 10-min. Rapid but lost in 5-minute blitz to GM Neuris Delgado of Paraguay

IM Asyl Abdyjapar of Kyrgyzstan drew 1:1 in standard chess but lost 2:0 in Rapid chess to GM Benjamin Bok of The Netherlands.

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, Philippines—National Master Rolzon Roullo from Tanjay, Negros Oriental dominated the field with a perfect five score in the National Seniors Chess Championships – Eliminations held through the Tornelo online platform last July 13, 2021.

Roullo pocketed the champion’s purse, and hoisted the championship trophy in the Open Category.
It shall be recalled that NM Roullo, one of the top players of PCAP’s Negros Kingsmen also topped the 3rd Singapore Amateur Chess Championships held at the Cairnhill Community Club in Singapore four years ago.

National Master Gerardo Cabellon of Bocaue, Bulacan claimed 2nd spot, edging out fellow four pointers International Master Barlo Nadera of Malabon City in the tie-breaks.

International Master Chris Ramayrat Jr. of Pasig City led the huge group of three pointers that includes National Master Mario Mangubat of Cebu City, National Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Father Vic Arellano of Cagayan de Oro City,Misamis Oriental),  Allan Pelias of Cabuyao City, Laguna and Nelson Lorilla of Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Cecilio Acas of Davao City placed 10th with 2 points.

The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines using the 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move in this five rounds Swiss System format. Tournament director was NCFP  chief operating officer (COO) GM Jayson Gonzales assisted by Chief Arbiter IA Reden Cruz and Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Rudy Ibanez.

Final Standings:
5 points—NM Rolzon Roullo (Tanjay, Negros Oriental)
4 points—NM Gerardo Cabellon (Bocaue, Bulacan), IM Barlo Nadera (Malabon City)
3 points—IM Chris Ramayrat Jr. (Pasig City), NM Mario Mangubat (Cebu City), NM Rosendo Bandal Jr. (Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental), Vic Arellano (Cagayan de Oro City,Misamis Oriental ), Allan Pelias (Cabuyao City, Laguna), Nelson Lorilla (Iriga City, Camarines Sur)
2 points—Cecilio Acas (Davao City)

Fifteen Asian players are through to Round 2 of the FIDE World Cup. The following Asian players are seeded into the 2nd round of the FIDE World Cup or won their first round assignments:

Harikrishna, Pentala 2730 IND will face GM Yasser Quesada of Cuba

Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi 2726 IND

Yu, Yangyi 2705 CHN will face GM Denis Kadric of Bosnia & Herzegovina

Maghsoodloo, Parham 2698 IRI will face GM Kiril Georgiv of Macedonia

Salem, A.R. Saleh 2682 UAE will face GM Alexander Idjic of Serbia

The following Asian Players have qualified to the second round

Adhiban, B. 2660 IND won 2:0 vs, Chipanga, Chiletso of Malawi

Aravindh, Chithambaram 2641 IND won 2:0 vs. Michael Concio PHI

Aravindh faces Nodirbek Abdusattorov of UZB in Rd 2.

Abdusattorov, Nodirbek 2634 UZB won 1.5-.5 vs. Preotu, Razvan of Canada

Nihal Sarin 2620 IND won 1.5-.5 vs. Arthur Ssegwanyi of Uganda

Nihal Sarin faces GM Sanan Sjugirov of Russia in Rd, 2

Idani, Pouya 2614 IRI won 2:0 vs. Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh

Idani Pouya faces David Anton Guijarro of Spain in rd. 2

 Praggnanandhaa R 2608 of IND won 1.5-.5 VS. IM Paulo Bersamina

Praggnanandhaa faces GM Gabriel Sargissian of Armenia in Rd. 2

Yakubboev, Nodirbek 2598 UZB won 1.5-.5 vs. GM Razvan Preotu of Canada

Yakubboev faces GM David Navarra of Czech Rep. in Rd. 2

Sindarov, Javokhir 2558 UZB won 1.5-.5 vs. GM Andrew Tang of USA

Sindarov faces GM Alireza Firouzja in Rd. 2

Vakhidov, Jakhongir 2534 UZB won 1.5-.5 vs. Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia

Vakhidov faces GM Leinier Dominguez Perez of USA in Rd. 2

Vokhidov, Shamsiddin 2530 UZB won 2:0 vs. GM Luka Paichadze of Georgia

The following Rd. 1 matches are tied 1:1 and will need playoff games:

Tabatabaei, M.amin 1:1 vs Basheer Al Qudaimi of Yemen. Winner will face GM Ferenc Berkes of France

Gukesh D 2578 IND drew 1:1 with IM Pawel Teclaf of Poland

Megaranto, Susanto 2550 INA drew 1:1 with Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan 2547 IRI. Winner will face Fabiano Caruana of USA

Tin, Jingyao 2482 SGP drew 1:1 with GM Timur Gareyev of USA. Winner will face GM Dimitry Jakovenmko of Russia

Murshed, Niaz 2404 BAN drew 1:1 with GM Neuris Delgado Ramirez of Paraguay. Winner will face GM B. Adhiban of India

Abdyjapar, Asyl 2403 KGZ drew 1:1 with GM Benjamin Bok of Netherlands. Winner will face GM Samuel Sevian of USA