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New Delhi, February 14: The newly elected president of the All-India Chess Federation, Dr Sanjay Kapoor, unveiled a blueprint to turn the country into a chess superpower here on Sunday, starting with the decision to bid for the next available Chess Olympiad and commencing a high-profile Indian Chess League soon.

 “We want India to become the chess destination for the world. We have drawn out a detailed plan to achieve this goal,” Dr Kapoor said at a press conference, immediately after a power-packed AGM.

 He revealed that a foolproof bid would soon be prepared to bag the coveted world event as and when the process would begin.

 “For a long time, we have been keen on starting the Indian Chess League with an international flavour to popularise the game even more. The first edition, following the franchise-model, will be organised before this year is through,” Dr Kapoor, who is also the chairman of the Kanpur Cricket Association, said.

 Dr Kapoor added that the AGM had also decided to host the Women’s Grand Prix, which is an important part of the world women’s championship cycle, to give a huge boost to women players in the country.

 “Not just that, we are also going to initiate an AICF-Chess in Schools program to popularise chess at the school level. All our 33-State affiliates will be implementing this simultaneously. We want every school-going kid in India to play chess. This will help in developing smarter future generations, thanks to the life-skill benefits that come naturally from the game,” Dr Kapoor said.

 Among the other major decisions taken at the AGM are: single window registration for all players, establishment of a Centre of Excellence and Organisation of a Super Tournament.

 “The Super Tournament will see many top-level players in action. It will give our higher-ranked GMs an opportunity to compete with the best in business at home while also help upcoming youngsters improve by watching them from close quarters,” Dr Kapoor explained.

 Honorary secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan underpinned the importance of the single window registration process too, saying that from now on every player will be registered for his or her district, State as well the AICF itself.

 “The Centre of Excellence will help tap and train talent at the grassroots level, with the ultimate vision of infusing at least 10 players from India in the Top 50 rankings of the world,” Mr Chauhan said. 

by Marlon Bernardino,
PALAWAN Queen’s Gambit team edged Isabela Knight Raiders, 11.5-9.5, in the on-going All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday, February 13, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
The Jorge Mitra owned Palawan team relied on Woman International Master elect Shania Mae Mendoza, Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito and Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego.
Mendoza swept Alvin Aguinaldo on board one, Secopito blanked National Master Gerardo Cabellon on board two, while San Diego downed Genlaiza Bagorio on board three in their blitz duel before winning in the rapid play against Sheryll Andres Bordon.
Woman National Master Cecilia Cuizon, on the other hand yielded to Francisco Cabe on board four (senior) in the blitz format, however her teammate Woman National Master Carmelita Abanes prevailed in the rapid play.
Overall, Palawan started well via a 3.5 deadlock in the blitz portion then followed with an 8-6 win in the rapid format.
Meanwhile, the Cavite Spartans, bannered by coach Ederwin Estavillo, Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, International Master Petronio Roca, Ricardo Batcho, Jayson San Jose Visca, Lloyd Rubio and Israel Landicho defeated Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 12-9.
The Cavite Spartans tallied 9-8 win-loss record in the Northern Division while the Jorge Mitra own Palawan team notch 2-5 win-loss record in the Southern Division.
The Cavite Spartans campaign was made possible by the undying support of Rep. Jon-Jon A. Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga and Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical Dist4 ,CARSIGMA Cavite

by Marlon Bernardino.

Ivan Travis Cu of San Juan City emerged champion in the 1st Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held at the lichess platform on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Cu scored 6.5 points in seven games of play to edge Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao Oriental who finished second and third, respectively, in the 21-player field, elementary division of the rapid five minutes plus five seconds increment time control format.
Buto earned  six points while Arca got five points in this event, organized by Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Team.
Cu scored victories over Joash Alton Gumiran in the first round, Aeiona Lou Mendoza in the second round, Oshrie Jhames Reyes in the third round, Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto in the fourth round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the sixth round and Christian Tolosa in the seventh and final round.
He split the point with Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the fifth round.
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 (elo 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 minutes increment time control format, 21-player field, )
6.5 points-Ivan Travis Cu
6 points-Al-Basher “Basty” Buto
5 points-AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
4 points—Christian Tolosa, Jian Carlo Rivera, John Curt Valencia, Quarl Vera Cruz, Oshrie Jhames Reyes, Gabriel Ryan Paradero, Aeiona Lou Mendoza

by Marlon Bernardino.
Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily of Makati City leaned on her vast experience to capture the 1st Rabu Rabu Online Bullet chess tournament for women on Friday, February 12, 2021.
Magpily, former Philippine Junior champion was unbeaten in 9 matches on account of seven wins and two draws.
Magpily scored victories over Jemaicah Yap Mendoza in the first round, Yaneah Sofia T. Morada in the second round, Ryien Bahita in the third round, Princess Nicole Ballete in the fifth round, Jarel Lacambra in the sixth round, Maria Kristine Lavandero in the seventh round and Jee Ann Faye Barry in the eight round.
She split the point with Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia in the fourth round and Melizah Ruth Carreon in the ninth and final round.
Rounding up the top 10 were Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia (second, 7.5 pts.), Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy “Kajoy” Acedo (third, 6.5 pts.), Jee Ann Faye Barry (fourth,6.5 pts.), Ryien Bahita (fifth,6.5 pts.), Melizah Ruth Carreon (sixth, 6.5 pts.), Jarel Lacambra (seventh, 6 pts.), Shiela Mer Alican Donoga (eight, 6 pts.), Princess Nicole Ballete (ninth, 6 pts.)and Mary Israel Palero-Segarra (tenth, 6 pts.).
The tournament was organized by Cabuyao City Chess Club in coordination with the United Queens Chess Club, Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

by Marlon Bernardino.
Consistently promoting local chess, the province of Marinduque under the stewardship of Board Member Engineer John Pelaez will sponsor and host the 3rd Marinduque Online Chess Tournament set February 19, 2021, Friday, 7pm at lichess platform.

“Board Member engineer John Pelaez is very intelligent, helpful and understanding when it comes to the welfare of young and budding pawnpushers in the locality,”   said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez who is also National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon.
“Young and budding chess players in province of Marinduque will get a chance to test their mettle against our top woodpushers,” he added.

The playing format of the tournament will be a eleven-round Swiss System with a time control of five minutes for each player. Open to all players who are in good standings with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
Cash prizes await winners with the champion taking home P3,000, the runner-up will receive P2,000 while the third-placer will settle for P1,000. The next two chessers will pocket  P700 and P500 each, respectively. Sixth to 10th placers will receive P300 each.
There will be a P300 cash prizes each for the category winners, Top Executive, Top Kiddie, Top Junior, Top Senior, Top Lady, Top Marinduqueno and Top Marinduquena.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez and her daughter Arena International Master Alexandra Sydney Paez

By Roy Luarca.

GM Wesley So left the Philippines for the USA in 2013, disgruntled with the way politics is creeping its way into sports, chess in particular.

Over eight years later, when he has carved a name with the United States Chess Federation and the world, So couldn’t help but notice the positive attention Filipino chess players have been getting of late.

So, who went as high as No. 2 in the world behind Magnus Carlsen and one of only 12 chess players in history to breach the Elo 2800 mark, was elated by the creation of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) which is now holding its inaugural All-Filipino tournament.

On January 30, So, the reigning US national champion and Fischer Random king posted: “So proud the Philippines is making an effort to recognize their chess players!!! Happy I have lived to see the day they are recognized as professionals. Brains over Brawn. Congratulations to the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines PCAP!”

So, who also won the Skilling Open, the first leg of the Champions Chess Tour, earlier sent a message to PCAP on the first players draft on December 30, when the 24 competing teams chose among the titled players available.

Thus far, the PCAP All-Filipino has held 9 rounds with the Negros Kingsmen and Caloocan Load Manna Knights holding court with perfect 9 points.

On Wednesday, Negros and Caloocan will dangle their clean slates against the Camarines Eagles and the Isabela Raiders, respectively.

The Kingsmen, composed of FIDE Master Nelson Mariano III, FM Randy Segarra, AGM Rowelyn Acedo, FM Rosendo Bandal Jr, and  International Master Joel Pimentel, are on top of the South division.

They will be battling the GM Mark Paragua-led Eagles, their closest pursuers with an 8-1 slate.

Powered by IMs Paolo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, the Knights are favored to extend their win-run against the 5-4 Raiders.

The featured match on the sixth day of competitions pits the Manila Indios Bravos (7-2) against the Laguna Heroes (7-2).

By Ed Andaya. Iloilo City Kisela Knights, Negros Kingsmen, San Juan Predators and Caloocan Load Manna Knights continued to show the way after the eighth day of competitions in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Karl Victor Ochoa, pulled off back-to-back victories over the Laguna Heroes, 12.5-8.5, and Antipolo Cobras, 18-3, to keep a share of the lead in the Southern Conference with 13-2 win-loss record.

Negros, bannered by IM Joel Pimentel and FM Nelson Mariano III, also completed a sweep by winning over the Cavite Spartans, 14-7, and Isabela Knight Raiders, 17-4, to match Iloilo’s leading record.

But the Camarines Soaring Eagles of GM Mark Paragua and NM Carlo Lorena dropped out of the lead with a split — losing to Rizal Towers, 8-13, and winning over the Pasig Pirates, 13.5-7.5.

The Toledo Trojans also made their move with 13.5-7.5 victory over the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and 12-9 decision over the Olongapo Rainbow to vault into solo fourth place in the South with 9-6 record.

In the North, San Juan demolished Cebu City Machers, 17-4, and Cordova Dagami Warriors,17-4, while Caloocan humbled Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, 14-7, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 12.5-8.5, to keep the top spot with identical 14-1 slates.

Laguna bounced back from a setback to Iloilo with a convincing 17.5-3.5 victory over the Iriga City Oragons to remain in solo third place in the North with 12-3 mark.

United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., FM Austin Jacob Literatus, WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, FM Efren Bagamasbad and GM John Paul Gomez delivered the victories for the Heroes.

Also making their presence felt in the North are the Manila Indios Bravos, who outclassed the Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 15.5-5.5, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates,14.5-6.5 to improve their record to 11-4; and Rizal Towers, who upset Camarines Soaring Eagles, 13-8, and Cebu Machers, 13-8, to raise its record to 9-6.

PCAP president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria said the 24 member-teams will play a total of 34 games — 22 in their own conference and 12 in the other conference.

Aside from Elauria, the other PCAP officials are Michael Angelo Chua, Chairman; and Atty Arnel Batungbakal, treasurer.

The games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra

by Marlon Bernardino
8-time Illinois, USA champion International Master Angelo Abundo Young (in photo) rediscovered his old deadly form as the Manila Indios Bravos demolished Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 14.5-6.5, in the on-going North versus South 2nd phase of elimination round of the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
Young, who is best known for his 8th over-all finish in the 2019 World Seniors (+50 division ) Chess Championships in Bucharest, Romania, bested Cyrus Donasco on board 5 (homegrown) to power the Indios Bravos as they improved to fourth place with a 11-4 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
Young downed Donasco in 26 moves of Iregular Opening in their blitz duel before winning in 45 moves of King’s Indian defense in the rapid play.
Also delivering wins for the Indios Bravos were International Master John Marvin Miciano, Womna Candidate Master Mira Mirano, International Master Chris Ramayrat and Arena Grandmaster Glenn Lemen.
Miciano toppled Fide Master Vince Alaan on board 1, Mirano routed Jessa Mae Lisondra on board 3 (female), Ramayrat crushed Joselito Serna on board 4 (senior) and Lemen waylaid Marcialito Penera on board 6 (homegrown).
Engr. Aladino Diez and FIDE Master Cesar Caturla provided the much needed points for Rey Urbiztondo own team Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates.
Diez upset US master Ryan Dungca on board 2 while Caturla split the point with Candidate Master Genghis Imperial on board 7 (homegrown).
Surigao managed to keep things close in the Blitz category to end the showdown in a draw, 3.5-3.5 before yielding to Manila Indios Bravos in the Rapid format, 2.5-10.5, according to Manila Indios Bravos Team Owner Joey Paulo Elauria.
Manila Indios Bravos, earlier beat Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 15.5-5.5.

by Marlon Bernardino
Far Eastern University, Philippines finished in the top 10 in the just ended online Kasparov Chess Foundation University Cup.

National Master Darry Bernardo, a member of the national para chess team that finished fifth in the FIDE Olympiad for People with Disability last year, led the Tamaraws by scoring 8/9 on Board 4 that was highlighted by his shock win over International Master Harshit Raja from University of Missouri A.

FEU’s team A, which also consists of Jeth Romy Morado (above left), Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano (above right), John Merill Jacutina and alternate Kristian Glen Abuton, actually finished tied for seventh with  Greece’s National Technical University of Athens A, the United States’ St. Louis University A and Russia’s Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology A with 6.5 points apiece.
But the reigning Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion ended up just 10th after tiebreakers were applied.
It was a strong performance nonetheless for a team that competed without a titled player and ranged against a field headed by the US’ powerhouse University of Texas at Rio Grande A (UTRGA), which blew away the opposition with a nine-game title sweep.
UTRGA was led by two Grandmasters, Vladimir Fedoseev and Sanan Sjugirov, who combined for 15 points in the tournament that was participated in by 571 chessers including 17 GMs, 11 IMs, 16 FIDE Masters, one Woman GM and four WFMs spread from 125 teams from 24 countries across the globe.
“We are so fortunate despite the pandemic the FEU Sports programs continues especially in Chess. We owe our success to FEU management,” said national women’s and FEU coach GM Jayson Gonzales, who thanked FEU chairman Aurelio R.  Montinola III and athletic director Mark Molina for their support.
Gonzales said his team would see action in the FIDE World University Online Chess Championship slated Mar. 13 to 27.
University of Missouri A placed second with 7.5 points, Texas Tech University A third with seven and University of Texas Dallas A, a team coached by Filipino GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, fourth with seven points.
Indonesia’s Gunadarma University was fifth while England’s University of Cambridge was sixth each with seven points.
FEU Diliman B ended up 18th, FEU Diliman A 28th, FEU Manila C 39th, FEU Diliman C 54th, FEU Diliman D 73rd and FEU Manila D 77th.
Stealing some of the thunder from big guns were UAAP MVP Shania Mae Mendoza, and youthful April Joy Claros and Lemmuel Adena.
Mendoza, a many-time World Chess Olympiad veteran, finished with 7.5 points out of nine and the 13-year-old Claros, the best Filipino finisher who made the quarterfinals of the World Youth and Cadet Championship last year, finished undefeated with seven wins two draws.
Adena, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, sent shockwaves by pulling the rug from GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan of UTRGB