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by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino United States chess master (USM) Vincent Umayan made the country proud anew by finishing 2nd overall in the 2021 Chicago Open Blitz Chess championship (3 minutes plus 2 seconds delay over the board) at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Chicago, USA on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Davao City’s Umayan defeated American Caleb Sean Denby in the last round to finish with 7.5 points on account of 7 wins, 1 draw and 2 loses in 10 games of play, using 3 minutes plus 2 seconds delay time control format, over the board chess tournament, organized by the Continental Chess Association (CCA).

“I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said the New York, USA based Umayan, who lost only to African-American player and to American International Master Eric Rosen.

National Chess Federation of the Phiippines (NCFP) Assistant Executive Director for Mindanao James Infiesto praised Umayan for his feat.

“Congratulations to Davao City native Vincent Umayan for his outstanding performance. We hope for the continuous success of Philippine Chess.” said Infiesto, a license International Arbiter and FIDE Trainer.
American FIDE Master Aydin Turgut took the title with 9 points.

Rounding up the top 5 with 7 points each were Gopal Menon, International Master Eric Rosen and Julian Proleiko

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua dominated the Mayor Inday Sara Blitz (3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format) Online Chess Tournament on Monday, May 31, 2021 on chess.com platform.

The New York, US based Paragua, a World Championship veteran, collected 10 points on nine wins, two draws to win the 11 Round Swiss-Tournament, being held to coincide with the birthday celebration of Mayor Sara Duterte.

The event, which attracted 327 entries worldwide, was organized by IA/FT James Infiesto in close cooperation with Davao Chess Eagles, AGM Ariel Aton, NA Ely Acas and sponsored by AIM/NA Rey Urbiztondo and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates.

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., a 13-time Philippine champion, took 2nd with a better tiebreak over fellow 9 pointers 3rd placer Italy based Grandmaster Roland Salvador, 4th placer Canadian National Master Zulfikar Sali and 5th placer FIDE Master Roberto Suelo Jr.

The top five (5) winners received P5,000, P2,500, P1,500, P750 and P750 for their efforts.

Also with similar 9 points but lower tie break are 6th placer Johnnel Balquin and 7th placer Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily.

Final Standings and tournament pay outs (11 Round Swiss-Tournament, 327 woodpushers entries worldwide)
Top five (5)
10/11 GM Mark Paragua
Champ-P5,000
9/11 GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.
2nd-P2,500
9/11 GM Roland Salvador
3rd-P1,500
9/11 Canadian National Master Zulfikar Sali
4th-P750
9/11 Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr.
5th-P750

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Isabela Knight Raiders (IKR) just found a treasure in the person of WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung of Vietnam as their reliable import in the on-going Professional Chess Association of the Philippines 2nd Conference.

Fresh from her demolition job over her Rizal Batch Tower counterpart, this beauty and brains is now parading almost perfect stats.

Mai Hung has posted an incredible 94.44 winning percentage.  Believe it or not she contributes 17 points to her team out of the possible 18,5 out of 6 in blitz (6pts) and unblemished in rapid games winning all her 6 games (12pts).

With a tremendous boost coming from her, the Isabela Knight Raiders are currently bracketed in the upper half of the standings upping up their chances of barging into the quarterfinals for the first team. Also adding muscle to the team is the expendable newly recruit IM Manny Senador. Composing the team are NM Gerry Cabellon, Sheryl Bordon, Genlaiza Bagorio, Francisco Cabe, Anwar Cabugatan, Lordwin Espiritu, Alvin Aguinaldo, Jayar Obaña and playing coach Manny Manaois. Team owner is Isabela Mayor Atty. Joel Amos Alejandro while their head coach is Charlie L. Tagoc. Other members of coaching staff are Arthur Simplina, Nicaraguan NM Amor Simplina and Clifford Cacayan. They will be pitted against powerhouse San Juan Predators and fighting Quezon City Simba’s Tribe this Wednesday, June 02 starting at 7p.m

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr. (in photo) of Quezon City beat Dale Bernardo of Angeles City, Pampanga in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Challenge dubbed as Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series, Chess For A Cause last Saturday, May 29, 2021.

Suelo, the 1996 Philippine Junior Champion, asserted his dominance over Bernardo, one of the top players of GM Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University Chess Team, winning 7-3, in the race to 7 blitz (three-minute plus two seconds increment time control), draws not counted.

“When you’re playing (Dale) Bernardo, you have to bring your A-game. Otherwise, it will be very, very hard to beat him,” said Suelo, a former top player of Barangay Malamig, Rizal Technological University Chess Team during his College Days in the mid 90’s.

“I did my best but FM Robert Suelo was the better player,” said Bernardo.

In another match, Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes of Dila-Dila, Santa, Rita, Pampanga defeated Megan Althea Obrero Paragua of New York City, USA, 7-3.

“It’s a big privilege and honor to play (Megan Althea Obrero) Paragua,” said the 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga.

“I did my best but (Oshrie Jhames ) Reyes still emerged better,” said the 8-year-old Paragua.

Paragua, earlier beat 9-year-old Yanie Ayesha Estavillo of General Trias City, Cavite last May 22, 2021. The young Paragua is the niece of US based GM Mark Paragua.

Other matches pit Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes vs Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (June 4) and Melizah Ruth Carreon of Imus, Cavite vs Siew Kai Xin of Singapore (July 9).

The event is organized by the Bayanihan Chess Club headed by it’s founding chairman US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas in close cooperation with Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Mr. Jimmy Reyes, New York, US based Mr. Jan Vincent Paragua, coach Ederwin Estavillo and Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and import Ukranian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 13.5-7.5 victory over International Master Paulo Bersamina-led Caloocan Loadmanna Knights in a battle of Northern division heavyweights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Saturday, May 29, 2021 online tournament at the chess.com.

The Arizona, US-based Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, beat fellow Olympiad veteran Bersamina after 46 moves of Italian Game, Two Knights Open variation rapid showdown in their top board encounter.

Shevchenko, who earned his International maMter title in 2016 and his Grandmaster title in 2017 at the age of 14 years 10 months, defeated International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 37 moves of Spanish Opening on board two.

“GM (Rogelio) Barcenilla and our import GM (Kirill) Shevchenko played very well and won the match .” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes including David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

Also delivering for Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez.

Enriquez toppled Woman National Master Arvie Lozano on board three while Gomez subdued Rosauro “Juancho” Caunti on board five.

FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, meantime split the point with import Malaysian International Master Jimmy Liew on board four and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo settled for a truce with International Master Barlo Nadera on board 7.

FIDE Master Nelson Villanueva carried the good fight for Atty. Arnel Batungbakal’s Caloocan Loadmanna Knights chess team by beating Vince Angelo Medina on board 6.
It was a tie in the Blitz category where both squads only scored 3.5 each but the Heroes only dropped one and drew two boards to emerge victorious with a clutch play in the remaining four boards during the Rapid category.

With the win, Laguna tied from 4th to 5th alongside Caloocan with a 6-3 slate.
Before the Caloocan showdown, the Heroes faced the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 and it was a lopsided victory with Laguna prevailing 18.5-2.5.

Matches are played in one blitz and one rapid formats composed of seven boards each.

Based on the scoring system, a win in rapid chess is worth two points, a draw is one point and a loss is zero. Blitz chess result gives one point for a win, half point for a draw and zero for a loss.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., organized by PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua, Vice-Chairman Ariel Potot, Founding President/Commisioner Atty. Paul Elauria and Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.

Photo shows International recording artist Gabrielle Barcenilla, former Olympian Woman National Master Lilibeth Lee Barcenilla and Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.

GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov, 19, of Uzbekistan (above left) and Singapore champion IM Tin Jingyao, 21 (above right), drew a fighting game with each other in the final round to tie with 7 points each and finish 1st and 2nd by tie break, respectively, in the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo.

Watch games live in chessbomb,  chess.com,  followchess,  chess24 and chessbase. Visit chess-results.com to download games and for round by round results and standings. Watch running commentary by GM Eugene Torre, see link in Asian Chess Federation facebook page. Follow us on twitter @Asianchess.

Five players finished in a tie with 6.5 points to qualifiy to the World Cup, namely GM Temur Kuybokarov of Australia, GM Amin Tabatabaei of Iran, GMs Nodirbek Yakubboev and Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan and IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia. Also qualified by tie break are 6 pointers IM Sugar Gan-Erdene of Mongolia and GM Lu Shanglei of China since Kuybokarov and Yakubboev had already qualified from their Zonals.

Shamsiddin Vokhidov used the Queen’s Indian Defense against Tin Jingyao. The Singaporean gave a Bishop 24.Bxf5 for three pawns (see diagram below) to strip the king of its pawn shield. The two youngsters drew a marathon endgame in 89 moves.

Shamsiddin Vokhidov was gold medalist in the World Youth Under-14 Championship in 2015. Tin Jingyao recently made a perfect 9/9 score in the last national championship cementing his number one status as top player of Singapore.

Xu Yinglun used the French Defense Steinitz variation against Amin Tabatabaei. The Iranian advanced his h-pawn to pry open Black’s castled king. Facing multiple threats and under severe time pressure, Xu resigned on the 34^th move in this final position.

See related articles about the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship.

Strict Fair Play Controls in Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Group Photos of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship 2021

Iranian Company Donates Electrical Generator for Chess Players

Rd 8: Shamsiddin Vokhidov and Tin Jingyao Lead After Penultimate Round of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Rd 7: Kuybokarov Grabs Solo Lead in Homestretch of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Rd 6: Yakubboev, Kuybokarov Share Lead after 6 Rounds of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Rd 5: Parham and 7 Others Tied for Lead at Halfway Mark of Asian Continental Chess Championship

Rd 4: 5 GMs Share Lead in Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Rd 3: Yakubboev, Xu Share Lead in Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship

Rd 2: Nine Players Share Early Lead in Asian Continental Championship

Rd 1: 20 Grandmasters Lead Strong Field in Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship. Sri Lanka in Good Start

Malaysia goes into “Total Lockdown” according to CNN in a few days. A number of federations have struggled with the pandemic to let their national players compete in the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship. Asian Chess Federation thanks all the participating federations for their efforts. Here are souvenir photos of some delegations.

Mongolia delegation (seated left to right) NA, AGM, MCF ED Otgonbat Ishdagva, IA, NM, FI Oyunchimeg Genden, FA Badral Choijiljav. Standing left to right middle row
CM Tenuunbold Battulga, WCM Bayasgalan Khishigbaatar, IM Agibileg Uurtsaikh, IM, WGM Munguntuul Batkhuyag, IM Gan-Erdene Sugar, GM Bilguun Sumiya, FM Chinguun Sumiya. Standing left to right back row CM Batbold Nyamsuren, FM Amartuvshin Ganzorig, CM Itgelt Khuyagtsogt, GM Nasanjargal Urtnasan, GM Batchuluun Tsegmed, FM Amilal Munkhdalai, FM Baasansuren Erdene

Kazakhstan delegation (left to right) Zhukenov Aituar, LCA IA Bauyrzhan Kausar, WIM Serikbay Assel, WIM Nurgali Nazerke, WGM Dauletova Gulmira, LTA Ospanova Ainur and IM Urazayev Arystanbek.

Uzbekistan had a guest player from Kazakhstan, IM/WGM Assaubayeva Bibisara from Kazakhstan at left. Others from Uzbekistan are (second from left to right): GM Yakubboev Nodirbek, GM Vokhidov Shamsiddin, Sattarov Bobir, GM Sindarov Javokhir and GM Vakhidov Jakhongir.

Bangladesh delegation, seated front left to right: GM Niaz Murshed and GM Enamul Hossain, seated back row from left to right IM Abu Sufian Shakil, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman and FM Subrota Biswas. Standing left to right IA Md Haroon Or Rashid and IO Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, President, FIDE Zone-3.2 and General Secretary, Bangladesh Chess Federation.

Malysian delegation from left: FM Navaratnam Rohan Shan Tze, IA Hamid Majid, FM Lim Zhuo Ren and NA Ellie Emira Syamimi.

Sri Lanka team L to R – Tharindu Weerasekara LCA, Minul Doluweera, Theekshana Denuwan, Luxman Wijesuriya (President CFSL), LMDT De Silva and Ranindu Liyanage.

Australian venue, from left LCA FA Andrew Hardegen and GM Temur Kuybokarov. Not in photo is LTA NA Alan Wolstencroft.

Visit FIDE.com to register for the Queen’s Festival.

From the start of the series of Asian qualification tournaments for the World Cup, strict Fair Play controls have been applied. And FIDE has announced a possible ban of 15 years for Fair Play violations.

All venues in the ongoing Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championshipo are monitored by panoramic cameras and players should stay within view when they stand to stretch their legs in this 5-1/2 hour round. Above is panoramic view of the Philippine Dasmarinas venue, same as they had in the preceding Zone 3.3 Zonal. Leaders each round were told to move nearer to the panoramic camers.

The playing venue of the Indonesians above is the Utut Adianto Chess Academy where players are also billeted. Nice to have a Senator/GM as President of the Indonesian Chess Federation.

The Chinese (above left) are playing in Shanghai and were kind to allow the lone Chinese Taipei player to join them. At right is the Dhaka venue at the Bangladesh Chess Federation headquarters.

Mongolians were in two adjoining rooms above. Below left, a Mongolian staffer scans players at the entrance. At right are two views of the Singapore playing area at the Singapore Chess Federation headquarters.

Sri Lankans above played in the Sri Lanka Chess Federation headquarters.

Kazakhstan (above left) and Kyrgyzstan (right) venues.

Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh created front and back panoramic cameras at the Iran Chess Federation building above.

GM Temur Kuybokarov (left) playing under the watchful eye of Arbiter Andrew Hardegen. At right is Kuwait venue.

Uzbekistan front and rear panoramic cameras in Tashkent.

Philippine venues in Cabuyao City (left) and Davao City (right).

All players are required to share their screen in Zoom with Task Manager “Always in top.” Task Manager (see screenshot below) reveals what programs are running in the computer and the history of applications opened cannot be erased. Players are allowed to open only the Tornelo browser and Zoom.

Each venue has a Local Chief Arbiter and a Local Technical Assistant. Moreover, a foreign Arbiter, respectively, monitors each playing venue at the low ratio of an average of ten players for one foreign Arbiter to keep an eye on. Videos and microphones are always open for the foreign Arbiter to listen. Only players and Arbiters are allowed in the playing area.

The last line of defence is provided by a correlation analysis on every game. Critically, this did not attempt to “catch” or “disqualify” players, but provided arbiters with statistical evidence around the likelihood of a player having received assistance.

And finally, pgn files have been sent to Prof. Kenneth Regan who found no issues with any players.

 

 

When the Iran Chess Federation lost electricity for two hours in round 2 of the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship, the story appeared in most major newspapers in Iran. Actually, electrical power is rationed in Tehran and two hour blackouts are scheduled daily.

The news shocked readers in Iran. They learned that their national players had to continue playing worried that their laptops or mobile hotspot would run out of battery power. Top seed GM Parham Maghsoodloo suffered an upset loss. GM Aryan Gholami, Orini Mahdi Gholami and FM Abtin Atakhan lost their round 2 games and the distraction and stress in losing electrical power was blamed.

Aran Energy Systems, a private company in Iran, came to the rescue and donated a $10,000 generator to the Iran Chess Federation. In photo are, from left, Engineer Hassanpour, Pahlevanzadeh and Madani.