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Arundi Beminiwatte of Minneriya Primary school won the Championship of the CFSL Online Youth  (Under 10 Yrs Girls) Chess Championship 2021 scoring 6 ½ points out of 7 games convincingly. Arundi was unbeaten throughout giving a draw in the 5^th round to Senulya and scoring two full points with Mihindi Ariyasinghe ans Sasmi Sithiumsa. Arundi wins the Championship title with the Trophy and the Gold Medal.

Oshini Gunawardena(Furguson High School) being the top seed placed 2^nd after a tie break with 6 points. She lost to Chanthuli De Silva(Anula Vidyalaya) in the fifth round and recovered with two wins against GHS Senulya and Devmi Seya to win the Silver Medal.

HG Sasmi Sithumsa(Lyceum International School, Ratnapura) won the 3^rd place since he tiebreak points was poor after tying with 6 points to the 2^nd place. She beat Vihansa Hewapathirana and Chenthuli De Silva and lost to the Champion, Arundi in the last round to win the Bronze Medal. Mihelee Vihara Warnasooriya(Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya) also scored 6 points but had to satisfy with the fourth place due to the poor tie breaking points.

The CFSL Online Under 10 yrs Girls Chess Championship 2021 was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on Chess.com flatform with all precautions for cheating. The event was played on Swiss System over 7 rounds with the Rapid Chess time control of 15 minutes + 10 second increment per each move per side.

As precautionary measures, all players were forced to be in a zoom meeting throughout their game with cameras and microphones opened with their screen also shared. The Arbiters were closely observing their action and the games played are sent for anti-cheating experts for checking. The CFSL had declared 2 year ban from all types of Chess if someone found guilty in cheating.

The Final Standings:

The CFSL Online Youth (Under 10 Years) Open Chess Championship 2021 will be held on 3^rd and 4^th April 2021 at the Chess.com flatform with the same regulations.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Laguna Heroes beat Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 20-1, to move to overall topnotcher at the end of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines eliminations on Saturday, March 20 at chess.com.
The Heroes showed a collective effort in the rapid game with 2-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo posting wins.
National Master Carlos Edgardo Garma and Benjamin Lising settled for a draw in the blitz game against FM Literatus and GM Gomez, respectively, to prevent a possible shut-out loss for the Simba’s Tribe.
“Our last match in the elimination round was still filled with tensions. It was truly important for the final ranking before the playoffs. I admire the decisiveness of the Laguna Heroes for scoring 20-1 against Quezon City. We are indeed lucky for being on top after 34 rounds,”  said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Engr. Benjamin Dy, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali, Laguna easily blasted Quezon City in blitz (6-1) and rapid (14-0).
The Laguna team which cruised to a 30-4 win loss card, the same output of San Juan and Iloilo.
However, Laguna becane overall topnotcher with 509 points, besting San Juan’s 503.5 points and Iloilo’s 508 points.
Playoffs start on Wednesday, March 24.
Laguna opposite Antipolo, Manila versus Rizal, San Juan will meet Pasig while Caloocan will face Cavite in the Northern Division.
Iloilo, meantime will square off with Cordova, Zamboanga versus Toledo, Camarines will match their skills against Mindoro while Negros will test the mettle of Lapu-Lapu.

Photo shows Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Engr. Benjamin Dy, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
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Northern Conference (after 34 rounds of elimination round)
Laguna 30-4 win-loss (total points 509) Quarterfinalist
San Juan 30-4 win-loss (total points 503.5) Quarterfinalist
Caloocan 29-5 win-loss (total points 461.5) Quarterfinalist
Manila 23-11 win-loss (total points 418.5) Quarterfinalist
Rizal 23-11 win-loss (total points 384.5) Quarterfinalist
Cavite 18-16 win-loss (total points 363.5) Quarterfinalist
Pasig 17-17 win-loss (total points 372) Quarterfinalist
Antipolo 13-21 win-loss (total points 303) Quarterfinalist
Isabela 10-24 win-loss (total points 266.5)
Olongapo 12-22 win-loss (total points 289)
Cagayan 5-29 win-loss (total points 235)
Quezon 4-30 win-loss (total points 247)
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Southern Conference (after 34 rounds of elimination round)
Iloilo 30-4 win-loss (total points 508) Quarterfinalist
Camarines 29-5 win-loss (total points 470) Quarterfinalist
Negros 28-6 win-loss (total points 472) Quarterfinalist
Zamboanga 21-13 win-loss (total points 384) Quarterfinalist
Toledo 20-14 win-loss (total points 374.5) Quarterfinalist
Lapu-Lapu 15-19 win-loss (total points 333) Quarterfinalist
Mindoro 13-21 win-loss (total points 318.5) Quarterfinalist
Cordova 12-22 win-loss (total points 311.5) Quarterfinalist
Surigao 8-26 win-loss (total points 265.5)
Cebu 9-25 win-loss (total points 273.5)
Palawan 5-29 win-loss (total points 283.5)
Iriga 4-30 win-loss (total points 218.5)

Bhubaneswar (20 March 2021) :- In a successful meeting by the AICF President Dr Sanjay Kapoor, Secretary Shri Bharat Singh, Vice President Shri Bhavesh Patel and Treasurer Shri Naresh Sharma, the administrators of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences Bhubaneswar, made a historic decision to implement Chess as part of curriculum for more than 60000 students under their educational institutions through AICF’s Chess in School project.

Dr Achuta Samanta, Founder KIIT & KISS stated that KISS became the first school in India to integrate Chess in its academic curriculum at school level as a non-credit course in collaboration with International Chess Federation (FIDE) and All India Chess Federation. The game of chess will boost better brain function, improved memory and cognitive abilities, strategic thinking and attention improvement of our students. It is in addition to all our contribution in promoting Chess and Chess Wizards globally. Hoping this integration will become an example for other schools to emulate.

The All India Chess Federation extends its heartfelt gratitude to great visionary, philanthropist and parliamentarian Dr Samanta for the great gesture for promotion of the game in India and Odisha in particular.

AICF also extends thanks to the officials and members of All Odisha Chess Association for their relentless efforts for development of the game at grass root level in the state of Odisha.

by Marlon Bernardino,
Philippine youth chess team standout Al-Basher “Basty” Buto won the 3rd Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held via Lichess.org on Friday, March 19, 2021.
The 11-year-old wunderkind from Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal put on a strong start and a stronger finish to run away with the kiddy crown with 6 points in the seven-round rapid tilt (five minutes plus five seconds increment time control).
“I didn’t look to defend my title, just to play my best,” said, Buto, who played for the national team in the 2020 FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Chess Championships.
“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” added the grade 5 pupil Buto, who hails from Marawi City.
Christian Tolosa of Imus, Cavite and Arnel Mahawan Jr. of Talacsan, San Rafael, Bulacan finished second and 3rd with 5 points apiece.
Sharing fourth to seventh places were inaugural winner Ivan Travis Cu of San Juan City, Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Reyes of Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga, Gabriel Ryan Paradero of Pasig City and Yosef Immanuel Morada of Tuguegarao City who got 4.5 points each.
Rounding up to the top 10 with 4 points each were Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Aldrich Milan Dela Rosa of Aklan and Vhea Ashley Silvano  of Canlaon city, Negros Oriental.
According to Mercer Island, Washington, USA based Jessie Villasin, the event aimed to develop good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie.

Recent years showed a tremendous surge of chess activity in this country where people say SAWASDEE KA! with the broadest of smiles as a form of greeting. One would be simply amazed of the huge turnout of participants as you go around the country from one tournament to another. Indeed, Chess in Thailand is rapidly gaining popularity these days.

Sahapol Nakvanich was recently elected President of the Thailand Chess Association by a landslide 26-5 margin over Panupand Vijjuprabha. In photo above, former President Kiitirat Na Ranong (left) congratulates newly elected President Sahapol Nakvanich.

“TCA would continue to extend our Cooperation with ACF to strengthen the mutual support for driving key developments that will progressively nurture chess in Thailand and deliver our commitments to ACF. With the pandemic situation continuing, we would use this opportunity to drive training program for East Asian countries that will continue to nurture our emerging talents,” Nakvanich wrote in his letter to the Asian Chess Federation.

TV interview of newly elected President Sahapol Nakvanich.

Bangkok, the capital dotted with hundreds of International Schools some of which offer Chess as an “after school activity” is now becoming a breeding ground for serious chess playing youngsters.

Thailand Chess Association General Assembly 

There is an abundance of Chess centers in the metropolis.  Jirapak Chess Academy, Big Rook Chess Academy, 101 Chess Academy, IWICA, Home Chess Academy, plus the newly opened ones Double Bishop Chess Academy and Red Knights Chess are a great contributing factor in shaping the future of the game in this country.

On top of that, one of the leaders of the governing Thailand Chess Association (TCA) Mr. Sahapol Nakvanich is presently a high ranking figure in the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Such voice in the global chess body may have been vital in boosting the game’s popularity.

Thailand, apart from being ranked as one of the most visited countries by tourists around in the world, has been hosting a lot of international chess events over the last few years such as Asian Amateurs, Eastern Asia Youth, Asian Youth Championship, among others.

Well, all the signs could elicit hope and optimism. Of course the need to continuously strive in threading a correct way of planning as well as embarking on good programs is always a must. 

NM Winston Joseph Silva

Chess Federation of Pakistan president and newly-elected Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Mirza Mohammad Afridi, is the first parliamentarian from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas to occupy the coveted post in parliament.

The lawmaker (right) is a business tycoon and amateur chess player. 

Hailing from Khyber tribal district, Mirza Afridi was elected member of the Senate as an independent candidate in 2018 elections. After the polls, he joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, but later switched over to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) the same year.

Meeting of Chess Federation of Pakistan last January.

Mirza Afridi, who belongs to Sepah clan, a sub-tribe of Afridi tribe, is a Lahore-based business tycoon who has investment in textile and electronics.

Chess Federation of Pakistan Meeting and Election

Mirza Afridi’s family had been taking part in electoral politics and remained associated with all major political parties. His uncle Mohammad Shah Afridi was elected Senator during the Benazir Bhutto era. One of his close relatives, Mohammad Ayub Afridi, was elected Senator on the PTI ticket in 2018, while another close relative Manzoor Afridi is considered close to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Mr Manzoor had also been considered for the post of caretaker chief minister in 2018.

CFP Vice President and Delegate Amin Malik (right) congratulating Senator Afridi

Mirza Afridi is an amateur chess player and he was elected president of the Chess Federation of Pakistan in January.

Senator Mirza Mohammad Afridi gives his acceptance speech as newly elected President of the Chess Federation of Pakistan.

Javed Afridi, owner of the Peshawar Zalmi franchise and a cousin of Mirza Afridi, termed his election as Senate deputy chairman a big win for the people of the tribal districts.

Mr Javed said that Mirza Afridi was a highly educated person who also earned a master’s in business administration from Singapore. He would play his role on the legislation side for the welfare of the deprived people, Mr Javed said.

by Marlon Bernardino.
The Laguna Heroes Chess team bagged back to back victories, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino tournament at chess.com.
Laguna took a firm hold at the top spot in the Northern Conference with 29-4 win-loss record together with San Juan Predators after dominating Isabela Knight Raiders and Manila Indios Bravos scoring 20-1 and 17-4, respectively.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (in photo) was the top scorer for the Heroes with perfect six points — three against Lordwin Espiritu of Isabela and three against US master Ryan Dungca of Manila.
Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo also contributed to Laguna’s impressive performance, whose stint is being supported by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali.
Enriquez won her match against Genlaiza Bagorio (blitz) and Sheryll Andres Bordon (rapid) of Isabela and Woman Candidate Master Mira Mirano of Manila; Medina blasted Anwar Cabugatan of Isabela and Candidate Master Genghis Imperial of Manila while Lorenzo blanked  Manolito Manaois of Isabela and Arena Grandmaster Glenn Lemen of Manila, in order.
Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. defeated Alvin Aguinaldo (blitz) and Servillano Obana Jr. (rapid) of Isabela but yielded to Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra of Manila in blitz but bounced back in the rapid play.
FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, meantime beat National Master Gerardo Cabellon of Isabela but loss to International Master John Marvin Miciano of Manila in the blitz portion but prevail in the rapid format.
Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, on the other hand, nipped Francis Cabe of Isabela in the blitz event but split the point in the rapid play. He beat International Master Chris Ramayrat of Manila in the blitz portion but lost in the rapid game.
According to Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, Laguna bested Isabela, 7-0, 13-1, and Manila, 5-2, 12-2, in the blitz and rapid format.
“Manila is indeed a strong team and winning 17-4 is a great feat. We didn’t expect to win by such wide margin. The Laguna Heroes really manifested great character tonight.” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that includes engr. Benjamin Dy, engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
The Laguna Team will next face Quezon City Simba’s Tribe on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Other member of the winning Laguna team were Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, engr. Benjamin Dy, engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Balochistan Chess Association (BCA), in close collaboration with Chess federation of Pakistan (CFP), under the umbrella of Asian Chess Federation, and support from Balochistan Sports Board, continued over-th-board chess tournaments and kept players’ motivation and morale high. From March 12-14, the BCA organized the Balochistan Chess Championship, named in honor of late Mir Inayat Ullah Langove, X-President of BCA “Mir Inayat Ullah Langove Balochistan Chess Championship 2021 (Fide Rated)”. The participants competed in three categories: Open (more than 80 players), Women (1), and Juniors (14). The total prize fund of the event amounted to 690 USD.

Tournament inauguration was done by Secretary Sports and Youth Affair Government of Balochistan, Mir Imran Gichki.

Honorable President BCA, and Member Provincial Assembly Balochistan, Mir Akthar Hussain Langove, distributed the prizes in position holders in closing ceremony.

Muhammad Younis Malghani seeding first in the starting rank, performed as per expectations, conceding his opponents just two draws. Muhammad Salaah  finished second, whereas defending champion Mehmood Nasir won bronze, after a fighting game against the new champion.

Top Ten Position holders qualified to represent province in National Championship.

General Secretary BCA, presented the Souvenir to Mir Akthar Hussain Langove.

Final standings Open:

Imtisal Ur Rehman claimed the title in the Junior U-15 category (6 points), followed by Arooba Shahwani (5 points) and Zia Ud din (5 points).

Final standings Junior U-15:

In the Woman Category, Sauleha Masood stood first with 2  Points