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Rick Olivares (Philstar.com) – March 9, 2021 – 11:37am

MANILA, Philippines – The second conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the Reinforced Conference, will be known as the “Wesley So Cup.”

PCAP Commissioner Paul Elauria bared that Wesley So, the first and reigning World Champion of Fischer-Random Chess, will sponsor the second leg of the league’s inaugural tournament.

Aside from lending his name, the Super Grandmaster likewise personally pledged to provide the funds for the event’s cash prizes.

So’s only request, according to Elauria, is to ensure that the prizes are distributed to the players themselves. This is because So wants to help the players directly.

This is a welcome development, considering So’s recent citizenship change that has been contentious among Filipinos.

So was recently conferred US citizenship.

“It only confirms that GM So is true to his words that he remains a Filipino by heart and confirms his continued support to the Pinoy chess players. While this partnership has long been finalized, we deemed it timely to announce it now, to somehow remind our chess players that GM So has always been concerned with his countrymen, despite his move to the US. After all, chess knows no citizenship,” Elauria added.

PCAP’s second conference, which will run May to July, 2021, will feature international players who will reinforce PCAP’s 24 teams.

“The format will give the Filipino players a chance to test the skills of their foreign counterparts and will thus add excitement to our games,” said Elauria.

The ongoing All-Filipino Conference is reaching the end of its elimination stage with the playoffs slated to begin in two weeks.

by Marlon Bernardino.
International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia stamped his class again by topping the GM Atty. Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. online bullet chess tournament dubbed as  “Balinas Day ” Monday, March 8, 2021 at lichess.org.
The 25-year-old Garcia, a program chess director at Ateneo de Manila University chess team, tallied 150 Arena points to rule the online tilt sponsored by US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas, both founding Honorary Chairmen of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club, in cooperation with Mr. Jimmy Reyes, Mr. Dodoy Kriz Villareal, Mr. Fernan Donguines of Hybreed Apparel Collections and Canadian National Master Zulfikar Sali, team owner of Zamboanga Sultans.
“I’m so happy with this result. ” said Garcia, who also won the Grandmaster (GM) and Attorney (Atty.) Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. and Mayor Maria Carla Lopez Pichay online chess tournament last December 27, 2020.
Candidate Master Chester Neil Reyes of Rodriguez, Rizal, a Philippine junior team standout who plays for the National University, meantime registered 139 Arena points to finished solo second place.
In third place is FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental who had 131 Arena points.
Karl Victor Ochoa of Malolos City, Bulacan finished fourth with 130 Arena points followed by fifth placer International Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City who notched 114 Arena points.
Rounding up to the top ten (10) were International Master Daniel Quizon of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Anatoly Pascua of Manila, Kyle Ochoa of Malolos City, Bulacan, reigning International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Online Chess Rapid Championship ruler FIDE Master Sander Severino of Silay City, Negros Occidental and National Master Giovanni Mejia of Taguig City.

by Marlon Bernardino.
The Laguna Heroes came back from its loss against Caloocan Loadmanna Knights when it scored a victory against Cavite Spartans on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament at the new platform chess.com.
The Barangay Malamig, Mandaluyong City native Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla’s skillful endgame maneuvers powered the Laguna team to a 17.5-3.5 whipping of Cavite.
The Arizona, US based Barcenilla (in photo) won the blitz after 34 moves of London System Opening and prevailed in rapid after 42 moves of Double Fianchetto Opening against Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya in their Board 1 encounter.
“I have to train hard for this competition, give my best, and give a good show,” said Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medallist in World Juniors championship in Romania, whose stint here is being supported by Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, engr. Benjamin Dy, Engr Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, meantime swept Lloyd Rubio in blitz after 39 moves of King’s Indian defense and triumphed in rapid after 48 moves of Benko defense in their Board 2 clash.
Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, on the other hand toppled Renie Malupa in blitz after 51 moves of Sicilian defense and in rapid after 49 moves of Modern defense in their Board 7 skirmish.
Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez beat Melizah Ruth Carreon in blitz after 50 moves of Old Benoni defense and split the point in rapid after 65 moves of French defense in Board 3.
FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad yielded to International Master Petronio Roca in blitz after 27 moves of Benoni defense but won his match in the rapid play after 51 moves of French defense in Board 4.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez halving the point with Israel Landicho in blitz after 41 moves of London System Opening and won his match in rapid after 45 moves of French defense in Board 5.
Vince Angelo Medina routed Jayson Visca in blitz after 46 moves of Trompovsky Opening and drew with in rapid after 48 moves of Dutch defense in Board 6.
Team Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali won the blitz, 5.5-1.5, and the rapid, 12-2.
With the victory over Cavite Spartans, the Laguna Heroes, held on to the top of the Northern Division with an 23-4 slate, in a three-way tie with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and San Juan Predators.
Meanwhile, Cavite Spartans, who brought down Rizal Batch Towers, 12-9, earlier, remains in sixth place at 14-13.
The Laguna team look to extend their winning streak Wednesday night, March 10, 2021 when they face Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 and Pasig City King Pirates.
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.
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)