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by Marlon Bernardino.
The Laguna Heroes survived an all-out assault from San Juan Predators with an 11-10 squeaker in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 on online tournament at the new platform chess.com.
The San Juan Predators held on to a very precarious lead after the blitz, 4-3, with victories from Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa, International Master Ricardo de Guzman and Narciso Gumila over Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamabasbad and Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat on Board 1, Board 4 and Board 7, respectively.
Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Vince Angelo Medina delivered the twin win for Team Laguna after beating Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and National Master Michael Gotel on Board 3 and Board 5, respectively.
Other blitz matches were drawn games between Laguna’s Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus against FIDE Master Narquinden “Arden” Reyes on Board 2 and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo against Narguingel “Archie” Reyes on Board 6.
The rapids were also tighter, ending in 8-6 tie in favor of Team Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali, with Medina, Lorenzo and Bayangat winning their matches against San Juan’s Gotel, Reyes and Gumila.
In the end, its was GM Gomez (in photo) and FM Literatus’ heroics that saved the day for the Lagunenos with their crucial draw over GM Barbosa and FM Reyes.
WIM Fronda and IM De Guzman carried the fight for San Juan by edging WNM Enriquez and FM Bagamasbad, in order.
Laguna’s win allowed them to stay atop the Northen Conference standings despite having an identical 22-3 record along with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, who brought down Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18-2 (one pending game), and Rizal Batch Towers, 13.5-7.5.
San Juan slipped to third in the north with a 21-4 slate.
Earlier, GM Gomez, FM Literatus and Lorenzo defeated International Master Rolando Nolte, National Master Noel dela Cruz and Marlon Constantino to spearheaded Team Laguna into 12.5-8.5 victory over Rizal Batch Towers.
“”It’s just that this team is versatile and so competitive,” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes  Engineer Benjamin Dy, Engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
“I think that’s the biggest thing you can take from this is how competitive we are. And we want to get better. And I think we are taking each game to do that.” added Dr. Fred Paez, who is also the National Chess Federation of the Philippines Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon.
The Laguna look to extend their winning streak Saturday night, March 6, 2021 when they meet Caloocan in a matchup of the Northern Conference’s top two teams.
Late night’s game Laguna will face Cavite Spartans (13-12), who lost to Manila Indios Bravos, 6-15, but bounced back by beating Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 12.5-8.5.
The 24-team pro chess tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
The games are 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.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Laguna Heroes defeated Zamboanga Sultans, 2-1, in the rescheduled Armageddon to continue their winning ways in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and gain a share of lead last Monday, March 1, 2021 at the new online platform chess.com.
With the win, the Laguna Heroes backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic moved into a two-way tie for the lead with San Juan Predators with 20-3 win-loss records in the Northern Division.
With both teams tied at 10.5 points apiece after the results of blitz and rapid play last Saturday, February 27, 2021, the Laguna Heroes’ Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (black) faced off against the Zamboanga Sultan’s National Master Joey Florendo while Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (white) took on International Master Chito Garma (black), and FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (black) match wits with Canadian National Master Zulfikar Sali (white), respectively.
In Board 1, the Arizona, US based Barenilla, former two-time Asian Junior champion blundered his move (19. Qc6) that allowed Rd6 forking the Bishop and Queen therefore NM Florendo wins the Bishop as well as the game. After 40 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening, Chigorin Variation, GM Barcenilla resigned in view of Rh7 inevitable mate.
In Board 2, with white pieces in the Slav Exchange, GM Gomez was winning from Middlegame transitioning to endgame but on move 40. Nc6!? is an inaccuracy that turns the table allowing pawn march for IM Garma on both wings  c3 push and then h4 that seems hard to obstruct giving black (Garma) a better edge to win the game. But IM Garma missed the chance so GM Gomez had taken the victory. IM Garma resigned after 57 moves seeing mate in two that is cannot be parried.
In Board 3,  FM Literatus needed to draw the game as Black to win the match in the Armageddon and he secured the point by opposite Bishop ending. FM Literatus won on time after move 65. Ke3 in a drawish opposite Bishop Ending against NM Sali.
“It was tough playing against the Zamboanga Sultans. It was our first armageddon match. I am very happy since Laguna Heroes are now back on top of the standings together with San Juan Predators.” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes  Engineer Benjamin Dy, Engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
The Heroes, bannered by GM Barcenilla, FM Literatus and GM Gomez, will stake their conference-best record against the Rizal Batch Towers of IM Rolando Nolte, FM Mari Joseph Turqueza and NM Noel dela Cruz and face off with the Predators of GM Oliver Barbosa, IM Ricardo de Guzman and FM Arden Reyes on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
The 24-team pro chess tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria; Chairman Michael Angelo Chua; and treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
The games are 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.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Laguna Heroes’ Grandmaster John Paul Gomez

Iran Youth Chess Championship 2021 took place in two stages, The first stage was the Swiss Tournament with 1677 Players including 503 Girls and 1174 Boys and the final stage was the Round Robin with 16 players in each category and Sections, from 20 Jan to 10 Feb 2021.

The video control of the zoom application continued on the Chess.com platform with
more than 70 Arbiters, and the results were announced after a report from the World Chess Federation’s anti-cheating committee and a review of the games in the anti-cheating committee and fair play.

Follow the link from chess-results.com:

http://chess-results.com/tnr548521.aspx?lan=1&art=1&fed=IRI

The Champion of the boys Under 12 And Under 18 was decided by Playoff Match.

by Marlon Bernardino.
The Cavite Spartans bounced back from a stinging defeat to Iloilo Kisela Knights, 4-17, as it thumped Iriga City Oragons , 18-3, Saturday, February 27, 2021 to revive its hopes of finishing in the top 8 in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on online tournament at the lichess platform.
Melizah Ruth Carreon, International Master Petronio Roca, Jayson Visca and Israel Landicho outclassed their respective rivals to set the tone for the rout as the Cavite Spartans hiked their output to 12-11 win-loss record and remain overall 6th place in the Northern Division.
Carreon swept Johnlyn Buenaventura on Board 3 in their rapid and blitz showdown, so as did Roca against Joel Buenaventura on Board 4, Visca against Joseph Mendoza on Board 6 and Landicho against Coelleir Graspela on board 7.
Ederwin Estavillo fought National Master Glennen Artuz to draws on Board 1, Arena Grandmaster Marlon Bernardino was defeated by Joeven Polsotin in blitz but won his match in the rapid play on Board 2 while Lourecel Hernandez Ecot split the point with Epifanio Bueno in blitz but prevail in their rapid encounter on Board 5.
The Cavite Spartans backed up by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga, Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer and Mayor Ony Ferrer of General Trias City, Cavite, JC Marikina Business Center and Mam Elvira Roca of  Skin Magical District 4/CARSIGMA look to another great performance Wednesday night (March 3, 2021) when they face Manila Indios Bravos and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe.
In file photo are FIDE Master Cesar Caturla and International Master Petronio Roca (right)

Haritha Hansana from Denipitiya Primary School emerged Champion at the Inaugural CFSL Online Youth (Under 12Yrs) Championship 2021 yesterday with the perfect score of 9 out of nine games. Hansana beat Krithik Koneshwaran, Methan Sritharan, Asini Gamage, S Fairooz, BAM Arachchi, Sithum Pahasara, Pamok Samaranayake, Sasula Pathirana and SSLN Dandeniya, the all opponents without hesitation to be the Champion. Hansana is one of the strongest Youth Chess Players in Sri Lanka who won the National Youth Under 10 years event in 2019 and has represented Sri Lanka in many International events with victories.

Thehara Galagedara of Musaeus College won the Silver medal with 8 points out of 9 Games. Sh is also outstanding since she had done the performance in an open event with 250 players. She is also one of the strongest youth Girls Chess players in the country. She won all games except Dinith erera in the 2^nd round.

Aloka Hettiarachchi of Nalanda College also scored 8 points out of 9 games to share the 2^nd place with Thehara but had to satisfy with the Bronze medal according to the tie breaker. He was unbeaten throughout the event, just giving 2 draws to Sethum Manuwaruna in the first round and  Ashad Mohammed in the 7^th round and scored seven wins.

The CFSL Online Youth under 12 Yrs Championship was also a remarkable event with a participation of more than 230 Chess Players from all over the country. The event was held in the Chess.com flatform on 27th and 28th February 2021 according to the Swiss system in 9 round. The time control was 15 minutes per player + 10 second increment per each move played.

Due to the pandemic situation Chess world changed to Online Chess and now the all the important events are in online as well. The CFSL started the youth Chess activities with the SL Online Youth (under 14 years ) and continued to under 14 Girls event in last 2 months. Both events were great successes with nearly 300 players in Open and 200 in Girls.

The event was played with very strict Anti-cheating guidelines according to the FIDE Laws. Only the laptops were allowed to play the event while all players are observed through a Zoom meeting open throughout the play. If anyone found cheating, sever punishments were announced.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!

Newly re-elected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino called for national selections for the chess event of the 31st Southeast Asian Games scheduled November 2021 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tolentino won a hotly contested battle in the POC elections late last year, winning 30-22 over Clint Aranas of the Archery Federation. Tolentino’s ticket got three of the four spots on the POC executive board. In total, 53 people representing the national sports associations and various sports sectors cast their votes. All the elected officials will serve four-year terms that will last until just after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The new batch of POC officials began their new four-year term on Jan. 1^st  2021.

Tolentino is long serving Secretary General of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and former FIDE Secretary General.

Tolentino plans on lobbying for the resumption of training of all national athletes and not just the country’s Olympic hopefuls for Tokyo.

He said coming international events are the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Shantou, Guandong, China 20-28 November 2021, Southeast Asian Games 21 November to 2 December 2021 and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) March 2022 in Thailand.

Tolentino also shared that coming off a tough 2020 and a highly contentious POC election in November, they in the agency can move on and accomplish more under his latest term.

“The push is the same for me. Despite the hardships that we had last year and the limitations, I think we still accomplished some things. Coming from that experience, maybe we can handle the challenges moving forward. We survived, even if we were a minority in the executive board. So, now we have a new majority and maybe we have more good vibes towards a new direction,” Tolentino said at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

by Marlon Bernardino
FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Vince Angelo Medina came through with stirring victories as the Laguna Heroes team crushed Camarines Soaring Eagle, 12.5-8.5, in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday, February 27, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
NM Bagamasbad displayed a persistent attack to beat National Master Carlo Lorena in 72 moves of Dutch defense on Board 4, GM Gomez trounced Mark Daluz in 34 moves of a French defense on Board 5 while Medina nipped Virgen Gil Ruaya in 57 moves of Trompovsky Opening on Board 6 ensured the win for the Heroes in the rapid format, 9-5.
Two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla (in photo), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo took care of the other boards.
The Arizona, US based Barcenilla halved the point with New York, US based GM Mark Paragua in  29 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening on Board 1, Literarus settled for a truce with Ellan Asuela in 40 moves of Reti Opening on Board 2 while Lorenzo split the point with NM Ronald Llavanes in 44 moves of King’s Pawn Opening on Board 7.
Virgenie Ruaya won by default against WNM Jean Karen Enriquez on Board 3 for Bicol’s full point in the rapid competition.
The blitz are even tighter, ending in 3.5-3.5 tie, in favor of Laguna.
GM Gomez and Medina kept the game close with victories over Daluz and Virgen Gil Ruaya while GM Barcenilla, FM Literatus and Lorenzo drew with GM Paragua, Asuela and NM Llavanes, in order.
Virgenie Ruaya won by default against WNM Enriquez while NM Lorena toppled FM Bagamasbad for the twin wins of Bicolanos in the blitz portion.
“I really appreciate the determination of the Laguna Heroes Team. Since WNM Jean Karen Enriquez failed to play due to asthma against Camarines, it propelled the the team to play harder.” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes Engineer Benjamin Dy, engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
In their first match of the day, the Laguna Heroes backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic face the Zamboanga Sultans.
With both teams tied at 10.5 points apiece after the results of blitz and rapid play and force an armageddon play off.
With one tie breaker scheduled game against Zamboanga and a win against Camarines, Laguna sharing the top 2 and 3 spots of the Northern Division standings with an 19-3 win-loss record alongside Caloocan Loadmanna Knights with also one pending game.
Camarines, on the other hand leads 19-4 in the Southern Division, the same output of Iloilo Kisela Knights.
San Juan Predators and Negros Kingsmen tallied similar 20-3 win-loss record and lead the way in the Northern and Southern division, respectively.
The 24-team pro chess tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria; Chairman Michael Angelo Chua; and treasurer Atty Arnel Batungbakal.
The games are 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.-Marlon Bernardino-

(Team Standings/ Note: * with pending games)
Northern Division
San Juan 20-3
Laguna * * 19-3
Caloocan * 19-3
Manila 16-7
Rizal * * 15-7
Cavite 12-11
Pasig 11-12
Antipolo 10-13
Isabela 8-15
Olongapo 7-16
Quezon *4-18
Cagayan 4-19
Southern Division
Negros 20-3
Camarines 19-4
Iloilo 19-4
Toledo * 13-9
Zamboanga * * 13-9
Lapu-Lapu 11-12
Mindoro 10-13
Cordova 7-16
Surigao * * 5-17
Cebu 5-18
Iriga * 3-19
Palawan  2-21

Overnight leader of the SL National Inter Club (Super League) Championship 2021, University of Sri Jayawardenapura team continued their winning path today by scoring 4 – wins against Anandians CC in 3^rd Round and Sokians CC in the 4^th round respectively.  Dimithri Premachandra, National Champion, Ranindu Liyanage (in photo above) and MAAH Rathnayake scored wins in the 3^rd round while Lakshith Randil and WCC Perera drew their games in the 3^rd round to collect 4 points. Only loss was AACB Amarasinghe who went down against the National No. 4, Theekshana Denuwan (photo below). Laksith Randil, Dimithri Premachandra, WCC Perera and Ranindu Liyanage scored points in the 4^th round while AACB Amarasinghe lost to Sasith Nipun Piyumantha and Akila Rathnayake lost to Kasun Wimalasooriya.

The Sri Lanka Navy Chess Team is following the USJP very closely having 7 match points, just a point behind. SL Navy beat Grand Prix 3 ½ – 2 ½ in the 3^rd round while they edged Kandy YMCA also 3 ½ – 2 ½ in the 4t round in the evening. Chamil Priyankara is leading the points battle with 3 ½ out of 4 while Oshen De Silva was also unbeaten with 3points out of possible four. LDP Madushan is also having 1 ½ points out of the 2 games he played.

The Blue and Gold who were in the 1^st equal in match points yesterday lost to the Sokians CC 3 ½ – 2 ½  in the morning, the 3^rd round. They strongly came back in the 4^th round scoring a 3 ½ – 2 ½ win against the Maroons Chess Club. Sasith Piyumantha and Kasun Wimalasuriya scored full points to Sokian’s from S Anojman & Isara Banindu Dahanayake while Minul Doluweera (photo above) beat Gihan de Silva for Blue and gold CC. The other three games were drawn.

Only, the National Chess Champion, Ranindu Liyanage, No. 2, Minul Doluweera and No. 4, Theekshana Denuwan is having four points out of possible 4 games showing that they are really superior.  Only Two girls in the event out of 80 players, Former Women’s National Chess Champions, WIM Sachini Ranasinghe are making the way with Sachini having 1 ½ out of 4 and Sayuni having 1 out of 3 games.

The Sri Lanka National Inter Club Chess Championship 2021 is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 26th February to 2nd March 2021 for a Rs. 120,000/= Prize fund at Sanhinda hall, Gangodawila. The strongest National Team Chess Championship is played on the round robin system with the strongest 10 Chess Clubs in Sri Lanka in 9 rounds. The games of the first 3 Matches are webcasted live using DGT Boards while a live streaming of the day is started at 5.00 p.m. all days in Chess Federation of Sri Lanka FB page with commentaries by the former National Chess Champion, Dulan Edirisinghe and FIDE Master LMST De Silva who is also one of the strongest Chess Player in Sri Lanka.

The Event is approved by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health as well as the Director General of Sports Medicine Institute of the Ministry of Health to play with the health guidelines. The CFSL has taken all precautions as per the health regulations published for COVID 19 prevention.

The event has become an exact battle for the supremacy of the Chess Clubs with local player since allowing 2 foreign players for a team rule could not be implemented due to the current COVID 19 preventive regulations.

The 5^th  round starts tomorrow at 9.00 a.m with the following pairing.

Anandians CC Vs Black & Gold CC, Sokians CC Vs Super Knight CC, Maroons CC Vs USJP CC, SL Navy CC Vs    Blue and Gold CC and Grand Prix CC Vs YMCA Kandy.

Standings after 4^th Round

1. University of Sri Jayawardenapura CC        8
2. SL Navy CC                                7
3. Blue and Gold CC                                6
4. Anandians CC                             4
5. Sokians CC                                4
6. Grand Prix CC                                3
7. Kandy YMCA                                3
8. Maroons CC                                2
9. Super Knights CC                                2
10. Black and Gold CC                                1

Live Games link

SL Super League (Sri Lanka Inter Club Super League)

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#f4a7480d-5b8b-4e06-acba-03eab455ebe2