Archives: News

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

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—International Master Angelo Abundo Young won the BVP Santos Optical online chess tournament on Sunday, June 20, 2021 on lichess.

Young finished with 108 points in 32 games for a win rate of 91 percent and performance rating of 2574 to win the event hosted by Dr. Bien Santos and 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.

Young, an 8-time Illinois USA Champion, won 29, drew 2 and lost 1.

“I can see everything clearly. My mind is clear.I’m really playing my A game today.” said Young, one of the top players of PCAP’s Zamboanga Sultans.

Eugene Santiago took the second spot with 56 points on 32 games and a win rate of 56 percent on 18 wins for a performance rating of 2278. In third place was Jezreel Lopez  who had 41 points, 3 points ahead over fourth placer Cyrus Donasco who totes 38 points.

Fifth and Sixth went to Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. and National Master Carlo Lorena who notched 29 points apiece.

Other date schedules are June 27, 2021, July 4, 2021 and July 11, 2021.

The top five (5) finisher in each leg will advance to the grandfinals to be held this year.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Sub-Import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko and 2-time Asian Junior Champion Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 12-9 victory over a GM Mark Paragua-led Camarines Soaring Eagle in the Inter-Division of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup online tournament Saturday night, June 19, 2021 at chess.com platform.

Shevchenko defeated Paragua in 34 moves of a Modern Benoni defense while Barcenilla toppled Ellan Asuela in 56 moves of a Four Knights Game in the Rapid game to help propel the Heroes to a share of third with Caloocan Load Manna Knights with identical 15-4 win-loss records.

San Juan Predators and Manila Indios Bravos both lead the way in the Northen Division with 17-2 win-loss-record.

Also delivering for Laguna were FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez. Bagamasbad trounced National Master Carlo Lorena in 45 moves of a Larsen Opening while Gomez waylaid Christian Mark Daluz in 55 moves of a Sicilian defense, Kan variation.

Sub-Import French Woman Grandmaster Marie Rachel Sebag,  Virgen Gil Ruaya and National Master Ronald Llavanes carried the good fight for Engr. Jojo Buenaventura’s Camarines Soaring Eagle chess team.

Sebag beat Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Ruaya edged Vince Angelo Medina and Llavanes smashed Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.

Supported by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali and Laguna’s AGM Dr. Alfredo Paez, the squad won four out of the seven boards in the Blitz category (4-3) and they headed into the Rapid category with the 8-6 victory.

Camarines slipped to second in the Southern Conference with a 15-4 mark, two points behind the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors (17-2).

“It was a tough match against GM Mark Paragua-led Camarines Soaring Eagle,” 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.

Earlier, the defending champion Laguna Heroes beat Zamboanga Sultans 17-4.

The Heroes will seek to maintain their hot streak and will try to clinch the no. 1 spot in the Northern Division by facing Cebu City Machers and Cordova this coming Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

Other members of the winning Laguna Heroes chess team backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

Top photo shows sub-import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko who brought down Filipino Grandmastep Mark Paragua in 34 moves of Modern Benoni defense and 2-time Asian Junior Champion Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (photo below) winner over Ellan Asuela in 56 moves of Four Knights Game in the Rapid Game.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The Romblom Woodpushers defeated the Oriental Mindoro, 130-80, for the 2nd time in the latest OMCFI vs Romblon Marbles Chess Team 2nd 10 versus 10 Team Battle held at lichess. com last June 15, 2021. The tournament was played with a time control of 3 minutes & 2 seconds increment.

Bryan Blair Fallarme from Corcuera, Romblon, emerged as the overall top scorer with 20 points. He was followed by Odiongan, Romblon’s newest National Master Jasper Faeldonia with 18 points, and Cajidiocan, Romblon’s Arena Grand Master Joseph HajiYusuf Riano Villanueva Galindo with 17 points.

7-time Phil. Executive Champion Dr. Jenny Mayor scored 16 together with MLGOO Carlito Faina Jr. a.k.a. Dilgalcantara Romblon for the 4th & 5th spots.

Completing the top 10 overall for the Romblomanons were Christian Yrreg Servanez at 7th, John Paul Canulo at 9th, & Neph Bantang at 10th place.

Two players from Oriental Mindoro joined the top 10 players overall. Ronald Berdera of Oriental Mindoro with 15 points at 6th & Alfred Dillupac with 12 points at 8th.

“Congratulations to both teams for the successful event. Congratulations & Mabuhay Romblomanon Chess Players. We are proud of you,” said Engr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—PLAYING true to form, Mindanao’s top kiddy Christian Gian Karlo Arca checkmated former solo leader NCR’s Ivan Travis Cu in 41 moves of a London System Opening using the white pieces in the final round to become champion of the National Youth & Schools  Hybrid Chess Championships held June 14 to 17, 2021 on Tornelo .

With the crucial win, the 12-year-old Arca, a Grade 6 GT Neptune student of Panabo Central Elementary School SPED Center in Panabo City, Davao del Norte  finished with 8.5 points in 11 rounds of standard chess (one hour and 30 minutes time control),  the same output of Cu.

Arca, however, was proclaimed champion by virtue of winner over the other tie break .

He pocketed the P3,000 top purse in the Under 13 category for his effort.

According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Assistant Executive Director for Northen and Central Luzon/International Arbiter Reden Cruz, the outright champion will receive the Candidate National Master title plus 2 National Master norms.

Arca already got Candidate National Master title plus 1 National Master norm after settling second place to eventual champion Cavite’s Mark Jay Bacojo during the Under 15 division of recent Hybrid National Youth & Schools  Chess Championships.

Police Lieutenant Arman J. Arca said to his son Christian Gian Karlo: “We believed in the talent and God-given gift of Christian since the start na pumasok siya sa larangan ng Chess. Nagshift siya from football to chess at ang bilis talaga ng progress niya kaya maraming hindi makapaniwala at naniniwala sa potential at lakas niya…

“We hope that this success and achievement of Christian as Champion in U13 and 2nd Place in U15 will solidify his name and will gain the trust and confidence of the NCFP Officials and the chess players nationwide.. Let’s support our Filipino pride kasi naghirap din sa training ang bata.. Mula nung pumasok cya sa chess ay wala ng hinto ang kaliwat kanan training niya hanggamg ngayon from different coaches. Finally, we sincerely give back all the glory and honor to God for this success for all the favours He gave to Christian.”

Present coaches of Christian were FM Roel Abelgas, AGM Voltaire Marc Paraguya, IA/FT James Infiesto, NM Alex Lupian, GM Jayson Gonzales and WGM Janelle mae Frayna (PACE Master Class Trainers) while past mentors were AGM Henry Lopez, IM Angelo Young, NM/AGM Marlon Bernardino, NM Winston Silva, Jay Bulicatin, Neo Candelario and Noel Jay Estacio.

Photo shows Panaboan youngest chess AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca paying a courtesy call on National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. in the latter’s (Rep. Butch Pichay) hometown Cantilan, Surigao del Sur recently.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Chess prodigy Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes pocketed the top honors in the Philippine Youth & Schools Hybrid Chess Championships Under 11 division held June 14 to 17, 2021 on Tornelo.

The 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga, collected nine points on seven wins and four draws to win the 1 hour + 30 seconds increment Standard time control Single Round Robin format.
Thus, Reyes became the country’s newest Candidate National Master (CNM).

The pride of Barangay Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga Reyes scored victories over John Mark Anarna in the first round, Richard Hardin Alarma in the third round, Jerick Faeldonia in the fourth round, Christian Tolosa in the fifth round, Phil Martin Casiguran in the eight round, Jaymiel Piel in the ninth round and Yosef Immanuel Morada in the tenth round.

He split the point with David Sean Romualdez in the second round, Nathan Maglaya in the sixth round and Jan Carlsen Matencio in the seventh round and Keith Adriane Ilar in the eleventh and final round.

According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Assistant Executive Director for Northen and Central Luzon/International Arbiter Reden Cruz, the outright champion will receive the Candidate National Master title plus 2 National Master norms.

Fondly called OJ in the chess world, he needs only 1 NM norms to complete his NM title status.

His next quest is the upcoming Hybrid Grandfinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships Under 10 category to be held on June 24 to 27, 2021.

Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Mr. Jimmy Reyes had something to say to his son OJ:
“I am  pleased with the latest achievement of my son (OJ) for bringing honor & pride for our family and as well for the province of Pampanga. I am hoping for our youth to be inspired of OJ’s achievements. There’s no shortcut in success but continuous hard work in training, perseverance, strong determination  and of course Faith in God.

“Congratulations Kuya OJ and to all the winners of the prestigious tournament and good job to all participants who all fought so hard to show their unique talent in chess! Truly there’s a bright future in Chess for our country as per what I’ve observed during the tournament.
“I would like to acknowledge and say thank you to all the coaches , trainors, mentors and sponsors who supported and became part of OJ’s chess development.”

Coaches, trainers and mentors who became part of OJ’s chess development were the late Alberto “Mang Palasky” Corria, Levis Miranda, Abel Dimalanta, Juan Rojano, Robin Chico, Jeffrey Pascual, Glenn Hullana Garcia, IM Barlo Nadera, Dale Bernardo, NM Homer Cunanan, NM / AGM Marlon Bernardino, FM / AGM Robert Suelo, CM Genghis Imperial, GM Joey Antonio, GM Jayson Gonzales (OJ’s Master Class trainor), WGM Janelle Frayna (OJ’s Master Class trainor) , Edward Serrano, Jose “Fer” Camaya, Garry Reyes and Archimedes De Leon.
Sponsors who became part of OJ chess development were Jake Carlos, Ryan Ace Tan, Darwin Isip, Jomar Cayanan and Rico Laxamana