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by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Cavite Spartans scored back to back wins after beating  Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 13-8, in the seventh match of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Wednesday, May 26, 2021 on online tournament at the chess.com platform.

International Master Petronio “Rony” Roca defeated Rey Fallorina, 3-0, on board 4 in both blitz and rapid to lead the Cavite Spartans’ campaign against the Olongapo woodpushers.

“I have to train hard for this competition, give my best, and give a good show,” said Dasmariñas City, Cavite based Roca, who hails from Palo, Leyte, a former engineer at Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), who blasted import Ukrainian Grandmaster Victor Moskalenko of San Juan Predators, 3-0, last Saturday, May 22, 2021.

Also scoring 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 are Jayson San Jose Visca, who blanked Glenn Hullana Garcia, 3-0, on board 6; and Renie Malupa, who routed Joel Villanueva, 3-0, on board 7.

Other notable winners for Cavite Spartans headed by General Trias City, Cavite Youth and Sports Head Ms. Lhen Muralla Kempiz, coach Ederwin Estavillo and assistant coach Israel Landicho are Stephen Von Estavillo against Muhammad Suhaib Azmi on board one (blitz) and Melizah Ruth Carreon against Angel Orijuela on board three (blitz).

Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya, on the other hand beat National Master Gefer Imbuido in blitz but split the point in rapid on board 5.

Joshua Bautista of Olongapo, meantime subdued Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, 3-0, on board two.
Cavite Spartans took a 6-1 advantage after blitz play, but tied the match in the rapid format, 7-7.

Other members of the Cavite Spartans are Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (Titled player), Edwin Lam Choong Wai (Import) Wagish Rai (Import), Ceferino “Jun” Isaac Jr. (Senior) and Lloyd Rubio (Homegrown), who earlier beat Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13-8.

With the victory over Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, the Cavite Spartans join Pasig City King Pirates in a two-way tie for seventh with an 3-4 slate in the Northern Division.

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 Filipino International Master Petronio Roca giving a simultaneous chess exhibition game in Muntinlupa City before the pandemic.

GM Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan (above left) and Australian GM Temur Kuybokarov (above right) beat their respective 6th round opponents to share the lead with 5.5 points each in the second half 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.

Yakkuboev essayed the English Opening which transposed to a Neo-Catalan Declined against IM Ervan Mohamad of Indonesia. In a Rook and pawn endgame, the Uzbek weaved a mating net and forced resignation on the 58th move.

Kuybokarov (2549) outplayed higher rated GM Lu Shanglei (2615) of China with the black pieces. Kuybokarov used the Cozio Defense (Nge7) in a Ruy Lopez Game and prevented Lu Shanglei from castling. The Australian GM gained the advantage of the Bishop pair and doubled his Rooks to penetrate on the d-file, threaten to win a piece and force resignation on the 25^th move (see final position below).

Ten players are in second slot with 4.5 points each, namely GMs Ehsan Ghaem Maghami, Parham Maghsoodloo, Amin Tabatabaei and IM Seyed Khalil Mosavi of Iran, GMs Xu Yinglun and Tin Jingyao of China, Gan Erdene Sugar of Mongolia, Javokhir Sindarov and Shamdissin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan and IM Setyako Azarya Jodi of Indonesia.

At stake in the tournament are seven qualification slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia and a total of $16,000 in cash prizes.

Xu (above left) essayed the English Opening closed system against top seed Parham Maghsoodloo (above right). After a flurry of exchanges Parham offered the draw on the 33^rd move and Xu agreed.

Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (photo above) used the English Opening against Taher Yoseph Theolifus who replied with the symmetrical variation. Ehsan gained control of the two center files with his Rooks and offered a Knight sacrifice on the 23^rd and 24^th moves which Taher could not accept. Ehsan finished with a beautiful Rook sacrifice 30.Rh7+  (see diagram below) leading to forced mate.

GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan used the Nimzovich-Rossolimo Attack against the Sicilian Defense of GM Amin Tabatabaei of Iran and agreed to draw a Rook and pawn endgame in 40 moves.

See previous coverage of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship:

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

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

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.
Jasper Faeldonia (above left) from Odiongan, Romblon emerged as the Champion of the Romblon Chess Club Grand Prix 2 which was held at lichess. com last May 23, 2021.  This is the 13th Championship crown of Jasper Faeldonia in the RCC’s various editions.

Faeldonia, 16 years old varsity team member of Arellano University under the tutelage of NM/FA/AGM Rudy Ibanez, had just won the Championship crown of the latest National Youth and School Chess Championships U17 semi-finals. He qualified for the Grand Finals where the champion will get a National Master Title and will represent the Philippines in the upcoming Asian Schools Chess Championship.

The other winners of the 2nd Grand Prix are as follows: Nephtali Neph Bantang, John Paul Canulo, Jerry Jher Jr Morada, Bryan Blair Fallarme, Dr.  Jenny Mayor, Carlito Faina Jr. Arc Hindap Meñez Aliyah Keziah, Noe Ramon, Gerald Sarito Gas, Rey Fajarito, Christian Ygerr Servanez, Jerick Concepcion Faeldonia, Joel Formon, Aurel Haber, Naser Relano, Eric Mordido, Jeremiah Yap Mendoza, Miguel Maupay Jr., Joey Magpusao.

The top 20 of the Monthly Grand Prix will receive prizes, and the overall top 20 after Grand Prix # 30 will qualify into the Grand Finals on December 19, 2021 and have a chance to win big cash prizes.

After GP-2 Neph Bantang is the top leader with 58 GP points, followed by Bryan Blair Fallarme, 56 GP points & Jasper Faeldonia with 54 GP points at the 3rd spot.

“RCC GP-3 will resume on May 30, 2021, at 8:00 PM. Congrats to all the winners.” said tournament director engr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia.

Photo shows Jasper Concepcion Faeldonia on left claiming his Meralco Chess crown before the pandemic. Also in photo at right is FIDE Master Leonardo Carlos.

Top seed GM Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran (above right) beat erstwhile co-leader compatriot GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (above left) to throw the race wide open with eight players tied for the lead at the halfway mark of the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship.

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.

Maghsoodloo and Ghaem Maghami played over the board as is allowed by the hybrid regulations if players in the same venue are paired together. Parham essayed the Reti opening and needed only 20 moves in 2-1/2 hours to win a piece and the game.

(left to right) GMs Amin Tabatabaei, Lu Shanglei and Xu Yinglun

Tied with 4 points each after 5 rounds are GMs Maghsoodloo and Amin Tabatabaei of Iran, Lu Shanglei and Xu Yinglun of China, Temur Kuybokarov of Australia, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov of Uzbekistan and IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia.

(left to right) GMs Temu Kuybokarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov

GM Amin Tabatabaei of Iran essayed the Giuoco Piano game against IM Lou Yiping of China. The Iranian sacrificed his inactive Bishop on b2 to mobilize his Rook for a fierce attack (see diagram below after Ra3-g3!). He followed with a Knight sacrifice on the 25^th move and Black resigned on move 33.

Vokhidov turned back the Catalan Opening of GM Urtnasan Nasanjargal of Mongolia in 46 moves. The Uzbek penetrated with his Rook on the open file and harvested pawns on the second rank to emerge two connected passed pawns ahead for a won endgame.

In a fighting game, GM Temur Kuybokarov used the Fried Liver Attack against the Two Knights Defense of GM Nodirbek Yakubboev. After wild exchanges they reached a Rook and Pawn endgame and drew by repetition in 56 moves.

Compatriots Lou Shanglei and Xu Yinglun played a symmetrical opening and drew quickly on the 17^th move by repetition of position. In screenshots above are views of the Shanghai venue under the watchful eye of Arbiter IA K.K. Chan of Hong Kong.

IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia (photo above) smashed the Sicilian Najdorf of IM Raymond Song of Chinese Taipei in 48 moves. Ervan castled on the opposite wing and weathered the attack to emerge two pawns up with a won endgame.

Sri Lankan players, from left, Ranindu and Minul, and at right Susal and Theekshana.

FIDE Master LMST De Silva of Sri Lanka beat higher rated FIDE Master Amartuvshin Ganzorig (2350) of Mongolia in a well-defended game. With this point, Susal comes to 3 points just one point behind the leaders.

Minul Sanjula Doluweera of University of Colombo and Theekshana Denuwan also had a good day where they beat the lower rated Tenuunbold Battulga (1753) of Mongolia and Romero Gladimir Chester (1519) of Philippines convincingly.

See previous coverage of Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship:

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

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.

National Master Elwin Herbias Retanal once again showed his prowess by topping the 5th Mega Southeast Asian Team Battle. The 1997 Philippine Junior Champion, scored 100 points in 2 hours and 30 minutes of play, to lead the España C,hess Club Phil. International in winning the Championship crown of this bi-monthly event organized by UDenn of Malaysia on lichess platform.

This is the 3rd championship crown of ECC-PH-INTL after winning the 1st, 2nd, & 5th Mega Southeast Asian Team Battle.

NM Retanal was supported by teammates top 10 leader boards in scoring, Joshua Bautista, NM Julius Sinangote, Kevin Mirano, Ralph Jordan Floro, NM Robert Arellano, Rafael Sim, Judemund Ramirez, Romark Ramones and Eric Calacday.

“Congratulations and Mabuhay to Filipino chess players” said eEgr. Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia, top honcho of Espana Chess Club.

The top 10 teams that participated in the event are the following:
1st- España Chess Club Phil. International- Philippines
2nd- Kudahitam Chess Online- Indonesia
3rd- Persaudaraan Catur Indonesia- Indonesia
4th- Catur Sportif Indonesia- Indonesia
5th- Percabeb Indonesia- Indonesia
6th- Brainy Chess Academy- Malaysia
7th- OPG Nett Club- Indonesia
8th- COK Battle- Kalteng,  Indonesia
9th- Belajar Catur Professional- Indonesia
10th- Pejuang Catur BC- Indonesia

Erstwhile co-leaders GMs Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan and Xu Yinglun of China drew their fourth round match to allow three other players to catch up and share the lead with 3.5 points each, namely (above photos from left) GMs Lu Shanglei of China, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran and Temur Kuybokarov of Australia.

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.

Xu used the Sicilian Defense, played aggressively and offered a draw after the 36^th move (diagram below) which Yakubboev accepted.

Xu is a graduate of Electrical and Computer Engineering and became GM in 2017. Yakubboev is 3-time Uzbekistan champion. He won the Uzbekistan championship again in 2020, the year he became a GM. In 2018, Yakubboev won the board 2 gold medal in the World Youth Chess Olympiad as a member of the champion Uzbekistan team. He has already qualified for the World Cup as runner-up in the Zone 3.4 Zonal this month in Tashkent.

GM Kuybokarov used the Sicilian Defense against Indonesian GM Novendra Priasmoro and gained the advantage of the Bishop pair and two pawns. After advancing his kingside pawns, Kuybokarov sacrificed his Rook for Bishop on the 40^th move and Priasmoro resigned a move later.

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

GM Lu Shanglei, former world junior champion in 2014, played white in a Ruy Lopez game and sacrificed a Knight for two center pawns on the 22^nd move (see diagram below after 22.Nc4xd6!) to gain control of the center. The Chinese GM penetrated with his Rook and forced resignation on the 26^th move.

GM Ehsan Ghaem Magham, former champion of Iran with 13 titles, crushed the King’s Indian Defense of untitled Bobir Sattarov of Uzbekistan in 27 moves (see diagram below after 26… Qd8-c7?). There followed 27. exd5! and Sattarov resigned since after exchanges on e1, he will lose the Rook to Qc3+!.

Twelve players follow with 3 points each in the race for seven qualification slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia. See standings after rd 4. At stake in the Asian Championship are $16,000 in cash prizes.

See previous coverage of 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

GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (above left) of Uzbekistan and GM Xu Yinglun (above right) of China share the lead with perfect 3 point slates after as many rounds of the Asian Continental Hybrid Chess Championship on Tornelo. Eleven players follow with 2.5 points apiece in the race for the top 7 qualification slots to the World Cup this July in Sochi, Russia.

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.

Yakubboev converted the Reti Opening of GM Urtnasan Nasanjargal of Mongolia into a Queen’s Pawn Game and gained the exchange of Rook for Bishop on the 31^st move. The Uzbek blocked pawn promotion and forced resignation on the 40^th move (see diagram below after 40… Ba5).

GM Xu Yinglun essayed the English Opening against GM Sumiya Bilguun of Mongolia and in a Queen and Rook skirmisch made a king hunt to force resignation in 46 moves (see diagram below after 46… Qxd5?) There followed 47. Rh4+ Kg8 48. Qh8+ Kf7 49. Rf4+ Ke7 50. Qg7+ Ke6 51. Rf6+ Ke5 52. Rxg6+ Kf4 53. Qf8+ Ke3 54. Rxd6 1:0

Tied with 2.5 points each are GMs Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and Amin Tabatabaei of Iran, Lu Shanglei of China, Temur Kuybokarov of Australia, Sindarov Javokhir of Uzbekistan and Priasmoro Novendra of Indonesia and IMs Sugar Gan-Erdne of Mongolia, Mousavi Seyed Kahlil of Iran, Tin Jingyao and Lou Yiping of China and untitled Sattarov Bobir of Uzbekistan.

Urtnasan and 20 others follow with 2 points each to be within striking distance of the lead pack. At stake in the 9-round Swiss is a total of $16,000 in cash prizes. Games start 10am (UAE time) daily.

OJ Reyes to play Megan Althea Paragua
by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes is set to compete in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Challenge dubbed as  Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series, Chess For Cause, which begins on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in an online tournament through Lichess platform.

The 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga will be pitted against 8-year-old Megan Althea Obrero Paragua of New York City, USA, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua.

“I’m excited to play Megan. I’m ready for the challenge,”  said Reyes.

Paragua will try to duplicate her victory over 9-year-old Yanie Ayesha Estavillo of General Trias City, Cavite last Saturday, May 22, 2021.

A Race to 7 affair, 7 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format, draws not counted according to Bayanihan Chess Club founding president AGM Marlon Bernardino.

Other matches pit Robert Suelo Jr. versus Dale Bernardo (May 29) and Reyes vs Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (June 4).

The event is organized by 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—-Grandmasters Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (above left) and John Paul Gomez (above right) powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 16.5-4.5 victory over FM Arlan Cabe-led Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Grandmaster Wesley So Cup online tournament at chess.com  Saturday, May 22, 2021.

Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated fellow Philippine Junior Champion Cabe in their rapid and blitz showdown. Following suit, Gomez swept Noel Jay Estacio to help propel the Heroes  to a share of fifth with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights with identical 3-2 win-loss records.

Laguna could jump to the top alongside San Juan Predators, which owns a league-best 5-0 card, in the Northern Conference if it could beat San Juan (7.5-13.5) and will create a possible five-way tie for first that includes Antipolo Cobras, Manila Indios Bravos and Cagayan Kings who hold 4-1 marker.

“GM Banjo Barcenilla and GM John Paul Gomez 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 FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.

Literatus defeated Joseph Navarro, Enriquez toppled Michaela Concio, Bagamasbad beat Danilo Ponay and Lorenzo edged Vicente Demain.

FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr., meantime saved the day for Quezon City by beating Vince Angelo Medina for a possible shut-out loss in the rapid competition.

In the blitz portion, Ponay and Demain provided the twin wins for Quezon City after beating Bagamasbad and Lorenzo, respectively. Suelo, on the other hand split the point with Medina.

The Laguna Heroes bested Quezon City in blitz portion, 4.5-2.5, as well as in the rapid format, 12-2

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Meanwhile, Camarines Soaring Eagle and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warrios are showing the way in the Southern Division with 5-0 clean slate