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by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines —  National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (above right) won the 2nd edition of the BVP Santos Optical Arbiter Chess Tournament held Sunday, June 27, 2021 at lichess.org.

Bernardino, a veteran sportswriter, tallied 84 points to rule the online tilt sponsored by Dr. Bien Ven P. Santos, 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.

Bernardino, an online Arena Grandmaster, is fresh from winning the Rizaldy Galleros Over The Board Chess Championship last Friday, June 25, 2021 at the Goldland Chess Club in East Village, Cainta, Rizal.

FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr. came second with 80 points followed by 3rd placer National Master Julius Sinangote who totes 66 points.4

Interestingly, the Quezon City resident Bernardino, Suelo and Sinangote are the top players of the multi-titled Rizal Technological University chess team during their College days in the mid 90’s.

National Master Cesar Mariano of Iloilo City and IA/FT James Infiesto of Davao City finished fourth and fifth with 50 and 43 points, respectively.

Rounding up to the top 10 were 6th placer Cyrus Donasco of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, 7th placer Eduardo Campos Jr. of Caloocan City, 8th placer National Master Lincoln Yap of Cebu City, 9th placer Deneb Gaitan of Guimaras and 10th placer Darwin Secorata of Pasig City.

 

Sanidula and Oshini Win the Bronze Medal in the Final Stage!

14 Year Old, KM Sanidula Dahamdi of Musaeus College won the 3^rd place in Finals of the rating Category between 1500 – 1699 of the FIDE Queens Chess Festival 2021 conducted by the FIDE Women’s Commission. Sanidula Scored 8 1/2 points out of 11 games to reach the joint 2nd spot with Marry Magpili of Philippines but had to satisfy herself with the Bronze Medal due to lower tie breaking points. Analia Karen of Equador won the Championship with 9 points out of 11 while Marry Magpili of Philippines (photo below) won the 2^nd place and Sanudula Dahamdi (Sri Lanka) won the 3^rd place both with 8 ½ points.

Sanidula beat Maria Tsakona (Greece), Sofia Roepka (Uruguay), Nina Pert (England), Peninah Nakabo (Uganda), Elnaz Kaliakhmet (Kazakhstan), Sasha Mongeli (Kenya), Onkemetse Francis (Botswana), Aytaj Hydarova (Azerbaijan), drew with the Champion Marry Magpili (Philippines) and lost to Helan Monitiel (Paraguay), Analia Karen (Ecuador) in her 11 games to score 8 ½ points.

9 Year old Oshini Devundya Gunawardena (photo above) from Ferguson Girls School, Ratnapura also placed 2nd in the Rating category less than 1500 in the same event. Oshini Scored 7 ½ points and placed 3^rd. Devi Harfesa of Indonesia won the Championship scoring strong 10 ½ points out of 11 (Only drew with Oshini) and Anusha Subramanian of England won the 2^nd place with 8 ½ out of 11 games.

Oshini beat Chloe Badenhorst (South Africa), Mariclos Vasquez (El Salvador), Mae Rose (England), S Purnami (India), Ariette Guerrero (Ecuador), Shriyan Santosh (Malawi), Ibtihal Mohammed (Sudan), drew with Devi Herfesa (Indonesia) and lost to Camila Palacios (Ecuador), Vaia Tsekoura (Greece), Anusha Subramanian (England) score 7 ½ points out of 11 games. It is a considerable high  performance considering the age of Oshini Gunawardena.

This is the first time in the History of Chess where any Sri Lankan player won a World event. Initially the organizers conducted 4 continental events for four categories of greater than 2100 ELO Rating, between 1800 – 2099 ELO Rating, between 1500 – 1799 ELO Rating and below 1500 ELO Rating only for the Women Chess Players in the World. They selected top three Chess players in each category to play in the round robin 11 round Final event among the selected 13 players from 4 continents. The time control was Blitz 3 minutes + 2 seconds per each move played. The event was held on 26^th June 2021 at the Tornelo platform with all precautions against cheating.

A total of 11 girls from Sri Lanka participated in the qualifying events and Only Sanidula from below 1800 category and Oshini Gunawardena from 1500 category placed runner up in the Asian Qualifier and were selected to play in the finals.

WIM Sachini Ranasinghe (Nf3 Chess Club), Chanindi Mewna Attanayake (Devi Balika Vidyalaya), Oneli Vithanawasam (Lycoum International Wattala), GHS Senulya (Royal Primary College, Polonnaruwa), Piyumi Uthpala Amarathunga (JMC International, Kaluthara), Desandi Dhihansa Gamage (Sirimavo Bandayanayake Vidyalaya), Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake (Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda), Tenuli Dahamna Rathnayake (Ananda Balika Vidyalaya), HG Sasmi Sithumsa (Lycium International, Ratnapura) instead of above winners are participated in the event.

 

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, Philippines—Kim Kenneth Santos of Subic, Zambales won the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships Grandfinals Under-20 division held online on the Tornelo platform from June 22 to 25, 2021.

The 20 years old Santos, a 2nd Year Bachelor of Science student in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) at President Ramon Magsaysay State University Iba, Zambales tallied 8.5 points to romp home with the title and the top purse P3,000 plus an outright National Master (NM) title. He is set to represent the country in the Asian and World Age Group events later this year.

Santos is playing under the guidance of Mr. James Basa, Mr. Eric Galang of PRMSU Chess Team and Mr.John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines.

Eleven year old Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal (photo above) came second with 8 points. Buto, who hails from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, is a grade five pupil of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal and got Candidate National Master (CNM) title for his effort.

Rounding up the top 10 are Jarvey Labanda, Jerico Santiaguel, Jet Miguel Mendoza, Ariel Montero, Jan Daryl Batula, Teodoro Francis Mangubat, Alfonzo Louis Orendo and Arvie Aguilar.

In the Under 14-division, chess wizard Michael Jan Stephen R. Inigo (photo above) of Bayawan City,Negros Oriental rebounded from a sorry loss after halving the point with Wayne Ruiz of Santa Rosa, Laguna after the third round on Saturday.

Inigo, playing white agreed a draw after 51 moves of London System Opening to remain in contention in the tournament that had a standard time control and a single round-robin format.

The 13 year old Inigo, a Grade 7 student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City,Negros Oriental was upset by Gabrielle Ordiz Nuqui of Barangay Mawaque, Mabalacat City, Pampanga in the second round. Inigo toppled Yreil Josh Hernani of Davao City in the first round.

The event is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales while Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz.

Final Standings: (Top 10, Under 20 division)
8.5 points—Kim Kenneth Santos
8 points—Al-Basher “Basty” Buto
7.5 points—Jarvey Labanda, Jerico Santiaguel
6 points—Jet Miguel Mendoza, Ariel Montero
5.5 points—Jan Daryl Batula, Teodoro Francis Mangubat
4.5 points—Alfonzo Louis Orendo, Arvie Aguilar

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Defending Champion Laguna Heroes relied on the service of sub-import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko, 2-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr . (photo above) and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo to beat Manila Indios Bravos, 11.5-9.5, in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup held at chess.com platform Saturday, June 26, 2021.

Shevchenko (photo above) outplayed International Master John Marvin Miciano twice — one in blitz and one in rapid — in their top board showdown to power the Heroes of Dr. Fred Paez to a thrilling victory over the Indios Bravos.

Barcenilla, on the other hand, blasted United States chess master Ryan Dungca,in both rapid and blitz, while Lorenzo swept International Master Ronald Dableo, also both in rapid and blitz.

Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez split the point with Woman Candidate Master Mira Mirano in blitz portion but prevailed in their rapid encounter.

The stellar performances of Shevchenko, Barcenilla, Lorenzo and Enriquez were enough for the Laguna Heroes, which drew Manila, 3.5-3.5, in blitz and won, 8-6, in rapid.

International Master Cris Ramayrat Jr., FIDE Master Deniel Causo and National Master Jerome Balico provided the wins for Manila.

Ramayrat beat FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, 3-0, in the seniors, Causo defeated Grandmaster John Paul Gomez in blitz then routed Vince Angelo Medina in rapid play while Balico beat Medina in blitz then followed with a win over Gomez in the rapid game.

Laguna followed up its victory over Manila with a 14-7 win over Isabela Knight Raiders. Overall, Laguna moved up to solo fourth places with 20-5 win-loss record in the Northern division.

“It was tough playing against the strong Manila Indios Bravos. When we drew in the first match, we did not lose hope. We regrouped for the 2nd match and the team responded positively. I commend the determination of Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko, 2-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez  for scoring great victories in the rapid match”, said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes including Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

Supported by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the defending champion Laguna Heroes will face Cagayan Kings and San Juan Predators on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, overshadowed by Laguna’s remarkable performance were Cavite Spartans, who upset Pasig City King Pirates, 11-10, to keep hope alive in the Northern Division with 9-16 record. However, in the following game, Cavite Spartans yielded to Manila Indios Bravos, 9.5-11.5.

Congratulations to Dr. Abdullah Salem Al Wahshi, new president of the Saudi Arabia Chess Federation. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich congratulated Dr. Al Wahshi in a Zoom call.

Dr. Abdullah Salem Al Wahshi is the CEO of the Asian Chess Federation. He holds a master’s degree and a PhD researcher in business administration. He has long experience in management, data analysis, business development, providing assistance to companies in industries, establishing companies, leading business groups and strategic plans.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Fifteen-year-old Lexie Grace Hernandez of Angeles City, Pampanga became the country’s newest Woman National Master (WNM) after winning the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships Grandfinals Under-16 division held online via the Tornelo platform from June 22 to 25, 2021.

Hernandez, a Grade 9 student of Holy Angel University (HAU) in Angeles City, Pampanga under the watch of Sports coordinator Ryan Sabinian, HAU Coach Daril Parales and Angeles City Coach Jose “Fer” Camaya,  scored 9 points on nine wins and two loses in the tournament that had a standard time control and a single round-robin format.

Hernandez scored huge wins against Glysdi Santos Aghon in the first round, Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Jerlyn Mae San Diego in the second round, Rinoa Marie Sadey in the third round, Ayana Nicole Usman in the fourth round, Angela Joelle San Luis in the fifth round, Jamelin Ruth Lim in the sixth round, Princes Louise Oncita in the seventh round, Francesha Largo in the eight round and Karol Josef De Guia in the tenth round.
Her loses to Samantha Babol Umayan in the ninth round and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian in the eleventh and final round.

Sebastian came second with 8.5 points followed by third placer Lim who totes 7.5 points.

With her latest feat, Hernandez earned an outright WNM title, P3,000 top purse and is set to represent the country in the Asian and World Age Group events later this year.

Lexie’s long-time supporter was very proud and thankful for her successful showing in the competition.
“Congratulations on your well-deserve victory newly-minted WNM (Lexie Grace) Hernandez. Lexie’s achievement is all the more notable and exemplary given the challenges that everyone-most especially chess players like her and her fellow competitors—have had to face gruelling qualifying round to advance in the Grandfinals,” said Sportsman Jimmy Reyes, one of the board of directors of Bayanihan Chess Club under the leadership of it’s co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas.

Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales while Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz and assisted by FNA Rafael Cayanan and FNA Gabriel Prevandos.

by Marlon Bernardino
CAINTA, Rizal—National Master (NM) Rudy Ibanez drew with National Master (NM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. in the final round to cop the overall championship in the Rizaldy Galleros Over The Board Chess Championship Friday, June 25, 2021 at the Goldland Chess Club in East Village, Cainta, Rizal.

In photo are, from left, Candidate Master (CM) Genghis Imperial (2nd place), National Master (NM) Rudy Ibanez (Champion) and National Master (NM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr.

Ibanez, one of the top players of PCAP’s Pasig King Pirates finished with 5.5 points on five wins and one draw to clinch the title and pocket the P600 top purse in this one-day chessfest, six minutes play to finish over-the-board chess tournament organized by Mr. Bong Buto and backed up by sportsman and seafarer Rizaldy Galleros.

Candidate Master (CM) Genghis Imperial, playing under the banner of Manila Indios Bravos took the second spot with 4.5 points to bring home the P400 second place prize. In third place was Bernardino, the top player of Cavite Spartans who had 4 points to receive the P300 third place prize.

Completing the Top 7  finishers were Anthony Avellanada of San Mateo, Rizal, Rohanisah Buto, Abdel Rahman Buto and Anthony Pebenito of Cainta, Rizal.

Final Standings (six minutes play to finish, over-the-board chess tournament)
5.5 points—National Master Rudy Ibanez
4.5 points—Candidate Master Genghis Imperial
4 points— National Master Marlon Bernardino
3 points—Anthony Avellanada, Rohanisah Buto
2 points—Abdel Rahman Buto
1 point—Anthony Pebenito

CAINTA, Rizal—National Master (NM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. won the Rizaldy Galleros Over The Board Chess Championship Friday, June 25, 2021 at the Goldland Chess Club in East Village, Cainta, Rizal. Photo shows National Master (NM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., (right, 1st table )

Bernardino, the top player of Cavite Spartans, scored a total of 6.5 points to bag the title and the P200 cash prize in this one-day chessfest, three minutes play to finish, over the board chess tournament, organized by Mr. Bong Buto and backed up by sportsman and seafarer Rizaldy Galleros.

Candidate Master (CM) Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Anthony Avellanada of San Mateo, Rizal, were tied with 6.0 points but the former took second place due to a higher tie-break score.

Completing the Top 9  finishers were Candidate Master (CM) Genghis Imperial, Gene Estrellado, Christian Marcelo Parong Olaybal, Rohanisah Buto, Abdel Rahman Buto and Anthony Pebenito. -Marlon Bernardino-

 

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., a consistent winner of the online tournament, stamped his class again by topping the Run Sara Bullet Chess Championships Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at lichess.org.

Antonio, a 13-time national champion and 10-time Chess Olympian and meriting him the moniker Ironman of Chess.com tallied 93 points to rule the chessfest organized by Bayanihan Chess Club which attracted 191 players worldwide.

Sherwin Tiu came second with 82 points followed by third placer National Master (NM) Rommel Ganzon who totes 77 points.

Last Tuesday, Tiu won the title with 101 points while Rowel Roque ended up second with 94 points and Antonio Jr. landed at third with 81 points.

Photo shows 13-time national champion and 10-time Chess Olympian Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., pondering his next moves in the giant chess board in Robinsons Magnolia, Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Lloyd Rubio destroyed Ritchie Evardo to power Cavite Spartans to a 11-10 victory over Cebu City Machers in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at chess.com platform.

Rubio (Board 2), the pride of Rosario, Cavite, overpowered Evardo in 29 moves of a Pirc defense to lift the Spartans to their eighth win against 15 losses in the Northern Division. The Machers slipped to 6-17 in the Southern Division.

Also delivering for Cavite Spartans, backed by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Theo Panga, Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer and Mayor Ony Ferrer, Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical District 4 ,Carsigma, Cavite and JC Premiere are Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Board 1), Jayson San Jose Visca (Board 6) and Renie Malupa (Board 7).

Bernardino, a veteran sports writer split the point with 1997 Philippine Junior Champion National Master (NM) Elwin Retanal in 11 moves of a Scandinavian defense, Modern variation, Visca defeated Randy Cabuncal in 47 moves of a Dutch defense while Malupa toppled Rex Androe Cabuncal in 47 moves of a Modern defense.
Vic Glysen Derotas (Board 3), Lincoln Yap (Board 4) and Mark Mangubat (Board 5) carried the good fight for Cebu after beating Melizah Ruth Carreon, International Master Petronio “Rony” Roca and Israel Landicho, respectively.

Despite the rapid phase endind in a 7-all deadlock, Cavite claimed the win after a 4-3 decision in their blitz encounter.

Cavite won the blitz game with wins by Rubio (Board 2), Carreon (Board 3), Visca (Board 6) and a draw by Bernardino (Board 1) and so did Landicho (Board 5).

Cebu, on the other hand, provided the wins by Yap (Board 4) and Rex Cabuncal (Board 7)

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Dasmariñas City, Cavite bet International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon ruled the Rizaldy Galleros online bullet chess tournament last June 19, 2021 at lichess.org.

Quizon, playing under the guidance of Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, finished with 111 points in 43 games for a win rate of 70 percent and performance rating of 2656 to win the event organized by Bayanihan Chess Club.

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.

Quizon won 30 games, drew 6, and lost seven games for his aggregate score and the P1,000 top purse.

International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmariñas City, Cavite took the second spot with 94 points on 38 games and a win rate of 71 percent on 27 wins for a performance rating of 2611 and the P500 second place prize.

In third place is National Master (NM) Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite who had 84 points for P300 third place prize.

National Master (NM) Fritz Bryan Porras of Guimaras and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite finished fourth and 5th with 83 points apiece but Porras went home P100 fourth place prize with higher tie breaks.

Adjudged category winners were Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (Top Senior 50 years old and above, P300), Fide Master (FM) Robert Suelo Jr. (Top Rizal Day Galleros group, P300), Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Top Arayat chess club, P200), Queenie Mae Bunaos Samarita (Top lady, P200) and Juncin Estrella (Top kiddy 13 years old and below, P100)