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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)

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Gabrielle Ordiz Nuqui of Barangay Mawaque in Mabalacat City, Pampanga will showcase his talent in the Grandfinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships to be held on June 26 to 30, 2021 at Tornelo platform.

The 13 year old Nuqui, a grade 7 pupil of Mawaque High School in Mabalacat City, Pampanga will make his return to the chess world after making it to the main draw.

“I hope to do well in the upcoming Grandfinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships,” said Nuqui, 6th place in the National Age Group Semi-finals.

Playing under the banner of Golden Land Chess Club and sportsman Hans Christian Balingit will face heavyweight woodpushers in the Under 14 category that include newly-minted National Master (NM) Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Fletch Archer Arado of Zamboanga City and Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, among others.

Nuqui is now on a rigid training with his coaches and trainers under the watchful eye of Robert Halili, Rusby Salalila, Jeffrey Pascual, John Gregorio, Eugene Dimarucut and Jewello John Vegafria.

Nuqui is the Brainy Chess Academy Under 18 Champion and Number 1 Player of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

Gabriel Prevandos of Angeles City, Pampanga will serve as Hybrid Tornelo Arbiter in the chessfest organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer GM Jayson Gonzales assisted by PACC President Chief Arbiter IA Reden Cruz

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—After finishing 3rd place in the recently concluded National Grand Finals of the Youth and Schools Hybrid Chess Championships, Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Fletch Archer Arado will prepare for a bigger stage when he will represent the Philippines, along with fellow winners, in the 2021 Asian Schools Chess Championship on July 29-31, 2021.

AGM Arado, an incoming Grade 8 student of the Ateneo de Zamboanga, finished in third place in the Grand Finals of the National Qualifier. He scored a total of 7.5 points in eleven rounds, the same score as second placer AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte and just half a point behind 1st placer Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmarinas City, Cavite. These top three finishers will represent the Philippines in the Under 15- Boys category in the online international tournament next month.

“Had a Lot of fun playing in the #NYSCCGrandFinals. I was able to get 3rd place and I will represent the Philippines in this upcoming 2021 ASIAN Schools Chess Championships on July 29-30, 2021 together with Mark Jay Bacojo and Christian Gian Karlo Arca. I would like to thank all my coaches FM Nelson Mariano, NM Joey Florendo, Redkings Chess Manila, parents and lastly I would like to give a special thanks to the people who never doubted my strength and always believed in me.” said AGM Arado.

“Congratulations, AGM Fletch Archer Arado  Arado. Good luck on your first international tournament with Philippine flag in your name.” said Prof. Rey Reyes, Ateneo de Zamboanga University Sports Head, co-team owner of Zamboanga Sultans

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The defending champion Laguna Heroes once again showed dominance in Monday’s (June 21, 2021) match of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) in inter-division play on online tournament dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup after beating Cebu City Machers, 16-5, and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 12.5-8.5, at chess.com platform.

The defending champion Laguna Heroes started the double-header with a 16-5 beating of Cebu City Machers and followed it up with 12.5-8.5 victory against the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors to improve to a 17-4 record.

“We feel very good. We did well in both matches. ” said Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with 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 Laguna chess team easily dominated Cebu in the first match.

Heroes won the blitz game with wins by 2-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.(Board 1), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (Board 2), Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez (Board 3), Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (Board 5), Vince Angelo Medina (Board 6) and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Board 7).

The Laguna team also made sure to win the game by ending the rapid category with wins from Barcenilla (Board 1), Enriquez (Board 3), Gomez (Board 5), Medina (Board 6) and Lorenzo (Board 7).

Duplicating its solid performance, Laguna continued their winning streak at the expense of Cordova. After a 3.5-3.5 deadlock by Heroes in a blitz game, the Laguna ruled the rapid event following wins by Sub-Import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko (Board 1), FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4), Gomez (Board 5), Lorenzo (Board 7) and a draw by Barcenilla (Board 2) delivered the wins for the team to help propel the Heroes to a share of third with Caloocan Load Manna Knights with identical 17-4 win-loss records.

The Heroes will seek to maintain their hot streak and will try to clinch the no. 1 spot in the Northern Division when they face Iloilo KIsela Knights and Iriga City Oragons on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

In other results, San Juan Predators defeated Negros Kingsmen, 18-3, and Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 17-4, Manila Indios Bravos toppled Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 12.5-8.5, but lost to Iloilo Kisela Knights, 7-14, Caloocan Load Manna Knights smashed Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 17-4, and Toledo City Trojans, 12-9, Zamboanga Sultans dealt Cavite Spartans, 13.5-7.5, and Cagayan Kings, 17.5-3.5, Antipolo Cobras dismantled Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 12-9, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates,14-7, Camarines Soaring Eagle walloped Isabela Knight Raiders, 16-5, and Cavite Spartans, 14-7, Pasig City King Pirates subdued Iriga City Oragons, 13-8, and Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 13.5-7.5, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe trounced Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 11-10, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 11.5-9.5.

Twice Member of Parliament Dr. Hasan Tamini has been elected president of the Iranian Chess Federation.

Dr. Tamini  won over three other candidates with 26 out of 41 votes in the elections held June 2021.

Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan sent congratulations to Dr. Tamini on his election as president.

Dr. Tamini is a Chess Player and was 2nd runner up in the Iranian University Student Chess Championship and was also a football player in the Iranian High league Clubs.

“First, I want to thank the members for trusting in me. I’m here to help Iran’s chess to return to its golden days,” Tamini said.

“My priority is to pave the way for the Iranian players to shine at the world stage,” he added.

Registration Online Arbiters Workshop June 2021