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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

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Bryan Blair Fallarme and Neph Bantang both from Corcuera Romblon topped the Romblon Chess Club Monthly and Overall Grand Prix.

Fallarme scored 10.5 points with 10 wins, 1 draw, and zero losses in 11 outings to capture the Championship crown of RCC GP-9 July 2021 last Sunday. This was the 3rd championship crown of Fallarme after winning the GP-1, GP-8, and the latest GP-9.

Meanwhile, Neph Bantang is still the overall leader scoring 242 GP points. He was followed by 7-time Phil. Executive Champion and RCC Vice-President Dr. Jenny Mayor from Cajidiocan, Romblon, with 226 GP points, Christian Yrreg Servanez from Odiongan, Romblon at 3rd place with 209 GP Points, Arena Grandmaster/Engr. Joseph HajiYusuf Riano Villanueva Galindo at 4th place with 203 GP points and John Paul Canulo with 200 GP points at 5th.

The RCC GP-10 will be on July 18, 2021, at 8:00 PM according to Engr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—A strong field of Masters are expected to participate in the 1st Cordova Philippines National Open Chess Championships August 20 to 25, 2021 at the Solea Mactan Resort, Cordova, Mactan Islands, Cebu.

13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. of Quezon City (above left), Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Dasmarinas City (above right), Cavite and the country’s lone Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City, Albay (photo below) have confirmed their participation.

Also expected to see action in the prestigious event which offers a total cash prize of P131,000 are International Master Ronald Dableo (Manila), International Master Michael Concio Jr. (Dasmarinas City, Cavite), International Master Daniel Quizon (Dasmarinas City, Cavite), FIDE Master David Elorta (Manila) and Sherwin Tiu (Makati City).

They will be joined by leading local players National Master Merben Roque, Allan Pason, Yves Christian Fiel, Jerish Velarde and Jave Mareck Peteros.

The champion will take home P50,000, while the second to fifth will receive P25,000, P15,000 P10,000 and P7,000 respectively. Sixth to tenth will each earn P5,000, P4,000, P3,000, P2,000 and P2,000, in that order.
Category winners for the top U-16, U-14, U-12, U-10 and U-8 will get P1,000 each while the best Lady performer will bring home P3,000.

The competition is organized by Richmasters (RCM) sanctioned by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Over-all Tournament Committee Chairman is NA Ariel “APO” Potot, Chief Tournament Director is GM Jayson Gonzales, Supervising Director is NA/Coach Susan Grace Neri, Chief Event Coordinator is Ms. Bernalyn “Bec” Campomanes and Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz.

FM Sander Severino and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, both of the Philippines, won the Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities (Open and Women, respectively) held 9-11 July on Tornelo. Replay games on  https://live.followchess.com/#!asian-disabled-online-chp-2021. Visit chess-results.com for final standings and round by round results and to download games.

Severino tied with compatriot Henry Lopez but prevailed in the tie break. Mendoza finished alone with 5 points in as many rounds. See previous story in Asian Chess Championship for Players With Disabilities Starts.

FIDE Disabled Commission Chairman GM Luther Thomas (photo above) attended the event and complemented Asia for being the only Continent to hold championships for disabled players.

Asian Chess Federation (ACF) General Secretary Hisham Al Taher pointed out that Asian Chess Federation signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Asian Paralympic Committee and the ACF is coordinating the 2022 Asian Para Games chess which will be held in Hangzhou, China.

Open champion FM Sander Severino of the Philippines

Women’s champion Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza of the Philippines

Officials: top row from left, Michael Pagaran, Chief Arbiter Kausar Bauyrzhan, ACF Executive Director Casto Abundo and KK Chan; middle from left Gopakumar, Sainbayar Tserendorj, Patrick Lee, Erfan Hashemi; bottom row from left, Jamie Kenmure.

Players of Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia

Players of Philippines and Iran.

Players of Vietnam and Mongolia

Players of Bangladesh and Pakistan

Players needing assistants (blind or cerebral palsy), from Iran, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan

Sanjeewa Dayan Munasinghe (photo above) of National Building Research Organization won the gold Medal at the Western 2 – Open category of the Sri Lanka National Online Novices Chess Championship 2021 with a stunning score of 6.5 points out of possible 7 games. Sanjeewa had 6 straight wins against Jayod Bodaragamage, Mohamed Wishal, EABT Edirisinghe, Akindu Keerthisinghe, Tharushika Silva and WDRT Wijeratne. However, drew his last game to Piyumi Amarathunga to win the title.

Piyumi Amarathunga of Super Fighters Chess Club secured the Silver Medal with an exemplary score of 6 out of the possible 7 games. Piyumi started the tourney having a draw with Thisara Perera but found her form to win 5 games straight against KTS Karannagoda, Senal Francis, Thinod Perera, Ishitha Upeksha, Akindu Keerthisinghe. She drew the last game to the gold medalist, Sanjeewa Munasinghe.

EABT Edirisinghe of University of Moratuwa also scored 6 out of 7 possible games, same as the Silver medalist, but with the lesser tie breaker, earned the Bronze medal. Edirisnghe won his first two games against Akeesh Perera and Sanuka Jayawardane but lost his third game to the gold medalist, Sanjeewa. Later finding his form he had 4 straight wins against Thanuga Geeneth, Dineth Kumara, Janith Rajawasala and Daham Sathsara to score 6 points.

Chenaya Ekaratne of Meauseus College, Colombo 07, scoring a breathtaking score of 7 out of 7 possible games won Gold Medal at the Western 1 – Women’s category of the Sri Lanka National Online Novices Chess Championship 2021. She beat Nethra Rathnayake, Vihansa Liyanage, Resandi Kiringoda, Jenuki Herath, Tenuki Herath, Thinuli Pathirana and Ananya Perera to grab the championship.

Haritha Thillainathan (photo above) of Bishops College, Colombo 03 and Arundi Beminiwatte (photo below) of Defense Services College, Colombo 02 scored an amazing 6 points out of 7 possible games. However, with the better tie breaker, Haritha won Silver while Arundi had to satisfy with Bronze.

Haritha lost her first game to Theruni Jayasundara but stood-up having an astonishing 6 straight wins against Vinuji Mendis, Bhagya Kavindi, Lithumi Hiranya, Ranumi Gamage, Chanudi Jayasinghe and Tenuki Herath.

The Bronze medalist, Arundi, beat Vinaya Perera, Januthi Malinsa, Sanara Kuruppuarachchi, Nethra Rathnayake, Yenuli Wijeweera, Thinuli Pathirana but lost her third game to Chanudi Jayasinghe.

The Sri Lanka National Online Novices Chess Championship – 2021 Western 2 Open and Western 1 girls’ events came to an end today with the participation of 152 players, whose rating is less than 1200. Both events were played according to the Swiss System in 7 rounds under the Rapid Chess time control of 15 minutes + 10 second increment for each move played.

Top 23 players of the Western II Open and the Top 22 players of the Western I 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 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka 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, Round robin event in the 1st stage of the finals while a knocked out of top four players of Round Robin event will be played as 2nd stage in the finals. The same structure will be followed in the Women Event as well.

The qualified players for the Majors Division Chess Championship are given below:

Final ranking – Western II Open Event

Tournament Links:

https://chess-results.com/tnr568937.aspx?lan=1

https://chess-results.com/tnr568936.aspx?lan=1

Sri Lankan National Champion Competes in FIDE World Cup

Philippine Delegation Arrives in Sochi