Archives: News

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.

 

GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov, 19, of Uzbekistan ended the winning streak of erstwhile solo leader GM Temur Kuybokarov of Australia while Singaporean IM Tin Jingyao, 21, upset top seed GM Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran in the penultimate round of the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. Tin Jingyao and Shamsiddin are tied for the lead with 6.5 points after 8 rounds.

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.

In a Ruy Lopez Game, Shamsiddin forced Kuybokarov to give up a Rook for Knight on the 31^st move. The Uzbek penetrated the 8^th rank with his Rook and allowed a Knight fork (see diagram below) with 38.Rxf7! followed by 39.Qg3 and sacrificed his Queen on the 47th move to checkmate the Australian on the next move.

Tin Jingyao used the Nimzo Indian defense and gained a passed pawn on the 45th move. Escorting his pawn to the 2nd rank, the young Singaporean uncorked a brilliant defensive move (see diagram below) with 53…Qb7! protecting the f7 square and attacking the Bishop to make Maghsoodloo lose on time.

Kuybokarov is in second slot with 6 points together with Uzbek GMs Nodirbek Yakubboev and Javokhir Sindarov and IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia.

Sindarov used the Gruenfeld Defense to draw with Nodirbek Yakubboev in 20 moves. Yakubboev sacrificed a Bishop on the 9^th move for three pawns and recovered a Rook. Sindarov countered with a Knight sacrifice on the 14^th move and another Knight sacrifice on the 16^th move.

Ervan used the semi Slav variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined against IM Syed Khalil Mousavi of Iran and promoted his pawn to Queen on the 37th move. A king hunt ensued and Mousavi resigned on the 43rd move.

Five players follow with 5.5 points each, namely, GMs Xu Yinglun and Lu Shanglei of China, Amin Tabatabaei of Iran and IMs Gan Erdene Sugar of Monglia and Taher Yoseph Theolifus of Indonesia. At stake are seven qualification slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia and $16,000 in cash prizes. If a slot is taken by a player already qualified for  the World Cup, the next in line shall qualify.

See previous articles about the 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

By: Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines— Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes (photo above) of Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga bested Arnel Mahawan Jr. of San Rafael, Bulacanin the Mobile Chess Club Philippines Match Up Series, Blitz Edition Thursday night, May 27, 2021 on online tournament at Lichess platform.

The 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga asserted his dominance over the 10-year-old Mahawan, a grade 4 student of San Rafael Central Elementary School, San Rafael, Bulacan, 9-5, in the race-to-nine wins, draws not counted, 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format, hosted by the dynamic duo Mr. Mark Angelo Godino and Mr. John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines featuring the players from Jessie Villasin Cup.

“I had to keep my composure if I had to win this game,” said Reyes who overcame a 0-4 deficit to eke out a come-from-behind 9-8 win against Mahawan last May 3, 2021.

“Luck was on my side until the end,” added Reyes, who also brought down Mahawan, 8-6, last February 5, 2021.

“I did my best but OJ (Reyes) still emerged better,” said Mahawan.

Fondly called OJ in the chess world, the young Reyes will be seeing in action in the grandfinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships as well the National Youth & School Championships next month according to Jubail, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia based father and coach Jimmy Reyes.

Reyes is also dto face Megan Althea Obrero Paragua of New York City, USA on May 29, 2021 and Bonjoure Fille Suyamin of General Trias City, Cavite on June 4, 2021  in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Challenge, a chess for a cause project of Bayanihan Chess Club headed by it’s co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas which aims to help needy chess player.

GM Temur Kuybokarov of Australia (photo above) beat GM Xu Yinglun of China to grab solo lead with 6 points from 7 rounds in the homestretch of 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.

Kuybokarov developed quickly against the Sicilian Najdorf of Xu and sacrificed Rook for Bishop on the 20th move to remove defenders of the uncastled King. In the position below after 22… Kc8, the Australian followed up with a brilliant Knight sacrifice 23.Nf5! and after a series of exchanges reached a won endgame. Xu resigned on the 33rd move.

Kuybokarov, born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, moved to Australia in 2018 and became Australian champion in 2019 and 2020. He recently won the Oceania Zone 3.6 Zonal and has already qualified for the World Cup.

Erstwhile co-leader GM Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan (photo above) used the Caro Kann Defense and was held to a draw by GM Amin Tabatabaei of Iran in 51 moves. Yakubboev is 3-time Uzbekistan champion and became a GM in 2020. He placed second in the Zone 3.4 Zonal this month and has already qualified to the World Cup.

Yakubboev is in close second with 5-1/2 points together with three others, namely compatriots GMs Javokhir Sindarov and Shamsiddin Vokhidov and IM Tin Jingyao of Singapore.

Tin Jingyao (photo above), 21, crushed the Bogo-Indian Defense of GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran in 28 moves.

Javokhir Sindarov, 16, (photo above) used the Reti Opening against IM Setyaki Jodi of Indonesia to win a Bishop and pawn endgame in 55 moves. Sindarov became a GM in October 2018 at the age of 12, 10 months and 5 days.

Vokhidov (photo above) used the Sicilian Defense, Anderssen variation, to beat IM Sugar Gan Erdene of Mongolia in 57 moves. The Uzbek was World Youth under-14 gold medalist in 2014 and became GM in 2020.

Five players follow with 5 points each in the race for seven slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia, namely GMs Amin Tabatabaei, Parham Maghsoodloo and IM Seyed Khalil Mousavi of Iran, GM Lu Shanglei of China, and IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia.

See previous articles about the 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