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Five Players joined the lead after the 5^th round of the CFSL Inaugural Online Youth (Under 12Yrs) Championship 2021 scoring total points 5 out of five games at the close today. Haritha Hansana (in photo) from Denipitiya Primary Modal School in the top spot while Hasindu Gamage (DS Senanayake College), Dithnal Chandula (DS Senanayake College), Pamok Samaranayake (Rahula College, Matara), and Sithum Pahasara (Dhammissara National SChool) joined with him.

3 players Ashad Mohammed (Lycium International School), Jayandi Bimansa (Bandaragama Central College) and Aloka Hettiarachchi (Nalanda College) are closely following the leaders with just a half a point behind with 4 ½ points out of 5 games

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

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

The winner is declared as the CFSL Online Youth Chess Champion for under 12 Years and Medals and Certificates will be offered. A virtual Prize Giving Ceremony will be held after the last round.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Ivan Travis Cu pocketed the top honors in the Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca 12th Birthday Celebration online rapid chess tournament held at the lichess platform on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
The San Juan City bet Cu collected six points on account of six wins and one loss in seven outings, organized by Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Team.
Cu scored victories over Princess Simbajon in the first round, Joshua Mallari in the third round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the fourth round, Christian Tolosa in the fifth round, Oshrie Jhames Reyes in the sixth round and Al-Basher Buto in the seventh and final round. His only loss was at the hands of Arnel Mahawan Jr. in the second round.
“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,” said Cu, who is also the champion in the 1st Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held at the lichess platform last February 13, 2021.
It shall be recalled that the 12-year-old Cu, a grade six pupil of Xavier School under the guidance of coach Rolly Yutuc, defeated Oscar Gao (rated 1595) of Australia in the eight and final round to finish second place in the Boys 10 and under of the 36th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships held at the Expo MAX Atria last Dec. 27–30, 2019. Cu who amassed seven wins and one loss got a total performance of 1622 for his effort.

(Final Standings: 7 Round Swiss System, 5 minutes plus 5 seconds increment time control format, 21-player’s field, )
6 points—Ivan Cu
5 points—Oshrie Jhames Reyes, Keith Adriane Ilar
4.5 points—Al-Basher Buto, Christian Tolosa, Monica Lorraine Togonon, Karl Adrian Dalauta
3.5 points—Arnel Mahawan Jr., Joshua Mallari, John Curt Valencia

by Marlon Bernardino. 
THE Cavite Spartans scored another 16.5-4.5 sterling victory over Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors to strengthen their bid in the on-going All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP)  Wednesday, (February 24, 2021) held online on the lichess platform.
After absorbing a heart-breaking loss to Zamboanga Sultans, 10-11, and Camarines Soaring Eagles, 8-13,  last Saturday (February 17, 2021), the Cavite woodpushers came back strong as Kevin Arquero (in photo, right), International Master Petronio Roca, Ricardo Batcho, Jayson Visca and Louercel Hernandez Ecot mauled their respective foes.
Arquero toppled National Master Edsel Montoya in 46 moves of Caro-Kann defense on board one, Roca dismantled National Master Mario Mangubat in 39 moves of Modern defense on board four, Batcho subdued Rex Androe Cabungcal in 37 moves of Caro-Kann defense on board five, Visca checkmated Franciso Rivera in 65 moves of Queen’s Pawn Game on board six while Ecot outclassed Dione Patrick Minoza in 41 moves of Stonewall System Opening on board seven to win the rapid section, 11-3, victory was sealed.
Allan Pason and Woman International Master Bernadette Galas carried the fight for the Dutchess Dagami Warriors.
Pason halved the point with Arena Grandmaster Marlon Bernardino in 18 moves of London System Opening on board two while Galas defeated Melizah Ruth Carreon in 74 moves of French defense on board three.
The Spartans encountered an easy win in the blitz portion, scoring a 5.5-1.5.
The Spartans improved to 11-10 win-loss record in the Northern Division while the Dutchess Dagami Warriors dropped to 6-15 in the Southern Division.
Prior to beating the Dutchess Dagami Warriors, the Spartans, bannered by Arquero, crushed the Cebu City Machers, 13.5-7.5.
The Spartans backed up by Rep. Jon-Jon A. Ferrer, Mayor Ony A. Ferrer, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga, Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical Dist4 ,CARSIGMA Cavite and JC Premiere Business Center Office Marikina look to another great performance Saturday night (February 27, 2021) when they face Iloilo Kisela Knights and Iriga City Oragons.
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 Philippines’ youngest Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte ruled the Battle of Sharp Kids Diamonds Arena Under-18 online chess tournament last Monday, February 22, 2021 at lichess.org.
Arca, a grade six pupil (Neptune) of Panabo Central Elementary School, tallied a total of Arena 36 points to win the title, in this event which attracted 74 woodpushers and backed up by Bayanihan Chess Club founding chairman Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas and Bethesda, Maryland US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas, as well Bayanihan Chess Club board member Jimmy Reyes and Engr. Ernie Faeldonia and Mam Rhina Mallari Aristorenas .
“It’s hard to explain what I’m feeling right now. Winning the Battle of Sharp Kids Diamonds Arena Under-18 online chess tournament meant so much to me,” said Arca, who will celebrate his 12th birthday this coming Saturday.
“I’m really happy,” added Arca, whose local and international online chess campaign is supported by Atty. Jong Guevarra.
Karlycris Clarito Jr.of Pasig City finished second place with Arena 34 points, in the 10 minutes plus 2 seconds time control format, organized by FA/FT/AGM and NM Rudy Ibanez, who is also the Worldwide Junior coordinator for Sharp Kids Diamonds Team.
In third place is Darwin Villanueva Jr. of Tanauan, Batangas who scored Arena 32 points followed by fourth placer Jeremiah Yap Mendoza of Santa Maria, Romblon who notched Arena 28 points.
Rohanisah Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Kate Nicole Ordizo of Alaminos, Pangasinan, meantime finished tied for fifth to sixth places with Arena 26 point.
At 7th to 10th place were Cyrus James Damiray of Tanza, Cavite (24 pts.),  Carl Daluz of Bulan, Sorsogon (24 pts.), Ericka Ordizo of Alaminos, Pangasinan (24 pts.) and Jasper Faledonia of Odiongan, Romblon (22 pts.).

by Marlon Bernardino.
Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez beat Jinky Catulay in 73 moves of a Scandinavian Defense to lead the Laguna Heroes to an 18-3 victory over Toledo City Trojans in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
‘I’m very happy with my game,” said WNM Enriquez, former top player of Jose Rizal University chess team.

“I think WNM Jean Karen Enriquez showed good quality of chess today,” 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 David Nithyananthan.
Arizona, US based two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., played black and also scored a win, checkmating Ronald Ganzon on board one. FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad trounced National Master Carlos Cabuenos on board four, Vince Angelo Medina defeated Richard Natividad on board six and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo nipped Christopher Tubalado on board 7 to win the rapid section, 12-2, to seal the victory.
FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, meantime halved the point with National Master Rogelio Enriquez Jr. on board two while Grandmaster Joh Paul Gomez settled for a truce with National Master Rommel Ganzon on board five.
The Laguna Heroes backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic also prevailed in the blitz portion, 6-1, against the Toledo City Trojans.
Earlier, the Laguna Heroes dismantled Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 15-6.
With back-to-back victories, Laguna moved into a two-way tie for the lead with San Juan at an 18-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division while Toledo City dropped to 12-8 in the Southern Division.
The Laguna Heroes look to another great performance Saturday night (February 27, 2021) when they face Zamboanga Sultans and Camarines Soaring Eagle.
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.

(Team Standings/ Note: * with pending games)
Northern Division
Laguna 18-3
San Juan 18-3
Caloocan * 17-3
Manila 15-6
Rizal 14-7
Cavite 11-10
Pasig 10-11
Antipolo * 9-11
Isabela 8-13
Olongapo 6-15
Quezon *4-16
Cagayan 4-17
Southern Division
Negros 18-3
Camarines 18-3
Iloilo 17-4
Toledo * 12-8
Zamboanga 12-9
Lapu-Lapu 10-11
Mindoro 8-13
Cordova 6-15
Surigao 5-16
Cebu 4-17
Iriga * 13-7
Palawan * 2-18

Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte bounced back and avenged his loss in an epic chess battle that took place Saturday, February 20, 2021 at lichess online platform dubbed as Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up series.
Arca, a grade six pupil (Neptune) of Panabo Central Elementary School asserted his dominance over Al-Basher Buto of Cainta, Rizal, 8-2,  in the race-to-8, 2 minutes bullet time control format, in this event supported by Atty. Jong Guevarra, organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and was aired worldwide through the Internet at Deorico de Paz Youtube Channel and Jolina Icao Youtube Channel.
Arca took home the top prize worth P1,500 while Buto, meantime received P1,000.
Arca who turning 12 this coming Saturday, led the match 4-0 and 5-1, before Buto, rallied at the end to get within one win at 5-2. From there, Arca won the next remaining three match enroute to the 8-2 victory.
“Luck was on my side until the end,” said Arca, who earlier loss to eventual champion Buto in the 2nd Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament last Saturday.
“I did my best but Christian still emerged better,” said Buto, who is leading one point in their match ups after the rapid and blitz game last week.
Arca, who honed his chess skills under the guidance of Arena Grandmaster Henry Roger Lopez and Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya. “I looked forward to play against Al-Basher again in the future,” added the country’s youngest AGM.
Arca’s next opponent will be Oshrie Jhames Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga, who brought down Arnel Mahawan Jr. of San Rafael, Bulacan, 8-6, last February 5

Fourteen year old KM Sanudula Dahamdi of Musaeus College won the 2nd Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix 2021 convincingly at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka headquarters today. She led the event from the start and finished with 9 points out of possible 11 games. She strongly came up with a win in the penultimate round, the crucial game against the silver medalist, Niklesha Tharusi. Having 1 point lead she got a draw in the final round with Esha Pallie to finish the event. She had one loss to Sandeepani Tharushi, Two draws with Dasuni Mendis, and Esha Pallie and won all other 8 games. Sanudula is awarded the Championship Trophy, Gold Medal and Rs. 30,000/- in cash.

Niklesha Tharushi of Visakha Vidyalaya also had a good event with following Sanudula very closely from the start but lose in the penultimate round did the damage. With the final round win against she managed to win the Silver Medal and Rs. 20,000/- in cash.

The 2nd Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix 2021 is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 13th to 21st February 2021 with a total Prize fund of Rs. 70,000/=. Only 12 top players in the country are participating in this one of the strongest Women Chess events which is conducted on Round Robin Basis for 11 rounds.

Pasindi Yathra Wijesuriya managed to equalize Dasuni Mendis also from Visakha Vidyalaya with 7 points due to her loss in the last round to a lesser rated player. Pasindi won the Bronze medal on the better tie breaker. Pasindi with a good day scored two wins against Oshini Gunawardena and Gaveshi Wickramarathne in 10^th and 11^th rounds. Dasuni beat Gimashi Weerathunga in the 10^th round and lost to Jayandi Bimansa in the last round. They share the 3^rd and 4^th cash awards of Rs 16,000/=. The fifth place went to Esha Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya.

Final Standings

Rk. Name Club/School Pts.

1. WCM Sanudula K M Dahamdi        Musaeus College          – 9
2. WCM Tharushi T H D Niklesha       Visakha Vidyalaya      –  8
3. WCM Wijesuriya G P Y                   Visakha Vidyalaya      – 5
4. WFM Mendis Dasuni Hansika         Visakha Vidyalaya      – 7
5. WCM Pallie Ehsha Mishela              Visakha Vidyalaya      – 6 ½
6. Sandeepani M Tharushi                   Devi Balika Vidyalaya – 6
7. Abeywardana N T                                – 5 ½
8. Abeysinghe H M H Janandani         NSBM Green University 4 ½
9. Gunawardhana Oshini                    Ferguson High School – 3 ½

10. Weerathunga W Gimashi Dewlini Anula Vidyalaya          – 3 ½
11. Bimansa D G Jayandi       Bandaragama Central College   – 3
12. Wickramarathne P W G Gaveshi   Castle Siege Chess Club – 2 ½

You may observe games from the following link:

2nd Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix – 2021

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#a4c60806-9110-4891-b324-5b37df93c64d