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by Ed Andaya

VIETNAM, as expected, is back as champion in the 19th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.

And the Vietnamese did it the old-fashioned way: winning big in both the standard and rapid events and doing just enough in the blitz side of the three-part competitions.

Bannered by players barely in their teens but talented enough to someday take over the chess world, the Vietnamese captured 70 golds, 52 silvers and 30 bronzes at the end of the week-long competition organized by Chess Events international in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines  (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Davao City government..

That’s more than enough to dislodge the Philippines as the overall champion in this annual age-group tournament which local organizers billed as breeding ground for the next Wesley So and Janelle Frayna  but turned out to be a showcase of Vietnam’s future world beaters

The Filipinos’ haul  — 55 golds, 45 silvers and 26 bronzes – was considered respectable enough even though their best effort at home failed to prevent the Vietnamese from reclaiming the title they coveted since losing it to their ASEAN neighbors in absentia in Malaysia last year.

“Congratulations to Vietnam for a very impressive and dominant performance in winning the overall 19th ASEAN Age-Groups Championships 2018. Vietnam had just too much strength in depth – their better training showed – but defending Philippines on home ground can be proud of the fight it put up and can also savour the many fine individual results which point to a bright future for many of their young talents,” said well-known Malaysian journalist Peter Long in his Facebook post.

Mission accomplished

The 105-strong Vietnamese delegation was all business the moment the prestigious, eight-nation tournament  held in the Philippines’ started last June 18.

Mission accomplished for Vietnam.

As expected, the Vietnamese struck hardest in the lower age categories with near shutout victories in the boys and girls 14-under, 12-under, 10-under and 8-under in standard,  rapid and  blitz.

Boys 12-under standard champion Nguyen Quoc Hy and girls 8-under standard winner Dang Le Xuan Hien  both even posted perfect 9//9 to underscore their dominance.

Nguyen Quoc Hy also bagged the golds in the boys 12-under rapid with 5.5/7 and 12-under blitz with 8.5/9 to complete a personal sweep.

Dang Le Xuan Hien was the star of the show in the girls 8-under with two golds in standard  (9/9) and blitz (8/9) snd silver in rapid  (5.5/7).

Home sweet home

It was not an all-Vietnam in beautiful Davao,  however.

Batumi Olympiad-bound WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and Daniel Quizon emerged as multiple gold medalists for the host nation with four mints each in  individual and team events.

Mendoza, the winningest Filipina player with four golds, outdueled WIM Nguyen Thanh Thuy Tien of Vietnam  to clinch  the gold in the premier girls’ 20-under with eight points on seven wins and two draws.

Equally impressive was Quizon, whose four-gold medal  haul included the blitz gold capped by three straight victories over Nguyen Lam Thien of Vietnam and compatriots Michael Concio and Jasper Faeldonia for 8.5/9.

Two-time World Chess Olympiad veteran IM Paulo Bersamina also did not disappoint

The National University standout, who played in his final AAGCC,  bagged the gold in 20-under standard  (7.5/9) and shared first place in rapid (5/7) and blitz (6.5/9).

Counting the team golds,  the Pasay City-based Bersamina captured six golds.

More importantly, he earned a coveted GM norm.

Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano (U20), Darry Bernardo (U18), FM Alekhine Nouri (U16), WFM Allaney Jia Doroy (girls U18), Francois Marie Magpily (girls U16) and Ruelle Canino (girls U10),  also provided the other individual victories for the Philippines in blitz side that averted the Vietnam sweep.

Another notable achiever was UAAP champion Far Eastern University team, headed by Chairman Aurelio Montinola, Athletic Director Mark Oliver Molina, Manager Atty. Ruel Canobas and coach GM Jayson Gonzales.

FEU captured 17 golds, eight silvers and 2 two bronzes while attaining direct  IM and WIM titles, WFM norns and FIDE title with IM norm.

Oldies but goodies during the competition were Filipinos Alex Lupian, who topped the senior standard with 7/9; Adrian Pacis, who dominated the rapid with 6/7; and Alex Milagrosa,  who ruled the blitz with 7.5/9.

 

The complete  results:

 

STANDARD (9 rounds)

Boys

20-under – 1. P. Bersamina (Phi) 7.5 points; 2. Jodi Setyaki Azarya (Ina) 6.5; 3.Jeevitesh J. Sai Agni (India) 6.

18-under — 1. D. Bernardo (Phi) 8; 2. J.Jacutina (Phi); 3. Tran Minh Thang (Vie) 6.

16-under — 1. R. Canino (Phi) 6.5; 2. Pham Phu Vinh (Vie) 6.5; 3. Bui Duc Huy (Vie) 6.5.

14-under — 1. Nguyen Lam Thien (Vie) 7; 2. Dao Minh Nhat (Vie) 6.5; 3. Mai Le Khoi Nguyen (Vie) 6.5.

12-under — 1. Nguyen Quoc Hy (Vie) 9; 2. J. Velarde (Phi) 6.5; 3. Vu Hoang Gia Bao (Vie) 6.5.

10-under — 1. Pham Tran Gia Phuc (Vie) 8; 2. Nguyen Le Minh Phu (Vie) 6.5; 3. Vu Ba Khoi (Vie) 6.5.

8-under — 1. Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam (Vie) 7; 2. Le Ngoc Minh Truong (Vie) 6.5; 3. A. Buto (Phi) 6.5.

Girls

20-under — 1. S.Mendoza (Phi) 7.5; 2. Dita Karenza (Ina) 6.5; 3. E. Moulic (Phi) 6.5.

18-under — 1. Kieu Bich Thuy (Vie) 7; 2. A. Doroy (Phi) 6.5; 3. Tran Phan Bao Khanh (Vie) 6.5.

16-under — 1.Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong (Vie) 7.5; 2. F. Magpily (Phi) 6.5; 3. I. Yngayo (Phi) 6.

14-under — Vuong Quynh Anh (Vie) 7; 2. Nguyen Thien Ngan (Vie) 7; 3. J. San Diego (Phi) 6.

12-under — 1. A. Racasa (Phi) 6.5; 2. Nguyen Hoang Thai Ngoc (Vie) 6; 3. Nguyen Thi Mai Lan (Vie) 6.

10-under — 1. K. Regidor (Phi) 7; 2. Nguyen Ngoc Hien (Vie) 6.5; 3. R. Canino ( Phi) 6.5.

8-under — 1. Dang Le Xuan Hien (Vie) 9; 2. Quan My Linh (Vie) 7.5; 3. Ngo Nha Ky (Vie) 6.5.

Seniors — 1. A. Lupian (Phi) 7; 2. Tong Thai Hung (Viet) 6.5; 3. A. Pacis (Phi) 6

 

RAPID (7 rounds)

Boys

20-under – 1. Nguyen Huynh Tuan Hai (Vie)  5; 2. P. Bersamina (Phi) 5; 3. R. Sevillano (Phi) 5.

18-under – 1. Tran Minh Thang (Vie) 7; 2. I. Rilloraza (Phi) 5; #. C. Sato (Phi) 5.

16-under – 1. Nguyen Anh Khoi (Vie) 5.5; 2. Ngo Duc Tri (Vie) 5.5; 3. Nguyen Lam Tung (Vie) 5.

14-under – 1. D. Quizon (Phi) 6.5; 2. Nguyen Lam Thien (Vie)  5.5; 3. M. Concio (Phi) 5.

12-under —    Nguyen Quoc Hy (Vie) 5.5;  2. Vu Hong Gia Bao (Vie) 5.5; ; 3.  J. Bacojo (Phi) 5.5.

10-under – -1. Nguyen  Le MInh Phu (Vie) 6; 2. Tran Ngoc Duy (Vie) 6; 3. Pham Tran Phuc (Vie) 5.

8-under —  1. Le Pham Minh Duc (Vie)  5.5; 2. A. Buto (Phi) 5; 3.  Pha Nguyen Thai Bao (Vie) 5.

Girls

20-under — 1. Vu Thi Dieu Ai (Vie) 5.5; 2. S. Mendoza (Phi) 5.5; 3. Nguyen Thanh Thuy Tien (Vie) 4.5.

18-under — 1. F. Guirhem  (Phi) 5.5; 2.  G. Derotas (Phi) 5; 3. A.Doroy (Phi) 5.

16-under — 1. K. Mordido (Phi) 5.5; 2. J. Lacambra (Phi) 5.5; 3. M.Tan (Phi) 5.5.

14-under — 1. Pham Tran Gia Thu (Vie) 6; 2. Vu Bui Thi Thanh Van (Vie) 5.5; 3. Nguyen Thien Ngan (Vie) 5.

12-under — 1. Bui Ngoc Phuong Nghi (Vie) 5.5; 2. Doan Thuy My Dung (Vie) 5.5; 3. Nguyen Hoang Thai Ngoc (Vie) 5.5.

10-under — 1.Tran Thi Hong Ngoc (Vie) 5.5; 2. Bui Tuyet Hoa (Vie) 5.5; 3. D. dela Cruz (Phi( 5.

8-under — 1. Ngo Nha Ky (Vie) 5.5; 2. Dang Le Xuan Hien (Vie) 5.5; 3. Tong Thai Hoang An (Vie) 4.5.

Senior  — 1. A.Pacis (Phi) 6; 2. A.Lupian (Phi) 5.5; 3. E. Gatus (Phi) 5.

 

BLITZ  (9 rounds)

Boys

20-under — 1. K. Sevillano (Phi) 6.5; 2. Pham Minh Hieu (Vie) 6.5; 3  P. Bersamina (Phi) 6.5.

18-under — 1. D. Bernardo (Phi) 8; 2. Tran Minh Thang (Vie) 8; 3. J. Jacutina (Phi) 6.5.

16-under — 1. A. Nouri (Phi) 7.5; 2.S. Pangilinan (Phi) 7; 3. Nguyen Anh Khoi (Vie) 7.

14-under — 1. D. Quizon (Phi) 8.5; 2. Le Tri Kien (Vie) 8; 3. M. Concio (Phi) 6.

12-under — 1. Nguyen Quoc Hy (Vie) 8.5; 2. Bui Huy Phuoc (Vie)  7; J. Velarde (Phi) 6.5.

10-under — 1. Tran Ngoc Minh Duy (Vie) 7; 2. Pham Truong Phu (Vie) 7; 3. P. Srihaan (Vie) 6.5.

8-under — 1. Le Pham Minh Duc (Vie) 7; 2. Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam (Vie) 6.5; 3. Phan Nguyen Thai Bao (Vie) 6.5.

Girls

20-under — 1. S. Mendoza (Phi) 8; 2. K. Karenza (Ina) 7, 3. Nguyen Thi Minh Oanh (Vie) 6.5.

18- under — 1. A. Doroy (Phi) 7; 2. G. Derotas (Phi) 6.5; 3. A. Osena (Phi) 6.

16-under — 1. F. Magpily (Phi) 8.5; 2. Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong (Vie) 8; 3. Nguyen Vu Thu Hien (Vie) 6.

14-under — 1. Vuong Quynh Anh (Vie) 7.5; 2. Nguyen Thien Ngan (Vie) 6.5; 3. Luong Hoang Tu Linh (Vie) 6.5.

12-under — 1. Nguyen Phuc Yen Nhi (Vie) 7.5; 2. R. Pamplona (Phi) 7; 3. M. Alonzo (Phi) 7.

10-under — 1. R. Canino (Phi) 8; 2. K. Regidor (Phi) 8; 3. Nguyen Ngoc Hien (Vie) 7.

8-under — 1. Dang Le Xuan Hien (Vie) 8, 2. Nguyen Thanh Thuy (Vie) 8; 3. Quan My Linh (Vie) 6.

Senior  — 1. A. Milagrosa (Phi) 7.5; 2. M. Mangubat (Phi) 6.5; 3. C.Caturla (Phi) 6.

 

More photos to be added soon.

Do visit the official FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/asean.agcc.9

by Philip Chan

Photo by Lam Minh Chao

An unique feature of the ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships has been the Social Night Program. This now much imitated innovation was for a long time the only of its kind in any international chess gathering around the world and has become the hallmark of these annual championships.

Players compete feverishly over the boards in Standard, Rapid and Blitz Chess competitions around the clock but for one night only chess is forgotten and instead we get to be entertained and amazed by their other equally wonderful talents in so many other fields.

The participants have over the years without fail showcased their talents in singing, dancing and playing various music instruments such as the piano, guitar and violin, to name but juts a few.

Mind you, all their preparations are largely impromptu and put together during the days before the event by the various contingents, a practice that goes all the way back to the first edition in 2000 held in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

For the 19^th edition, it was no surprise that performers from the Philippines took the gold and silver as they gave so often done in the past. The Group ‘ChessT’ from the Philippines took the top prize of USD 500 whilst another Filipina girl-band ‘Girls Unlimited’ took the second spot and USD 300.

Vietnam came in a creditable third with Nguyen Le Minh Phuc and Pham Viet Thien Phuc singing in English a song called ‘Hello Vietnam’. The song earned them USD 200. This was certainly one of the better Vietnamese performances in recent years.

The Philippines is well known for its wonderful music, and simply everyone sings so well! Performance is in their blood and to add to the colour of the event, there were also many world class acts added to keep the participants entertained, including an acrobatic and juggling team, magic show, Jollibee and the 19 AAGCC event mascots. Joining them was Philippines’ top ‘YoYo’ performer and at the same professional level were the two key organizers of AAGCC, James Infiesto and Arnold Allanigui, respectively putting up a magic show and ventriloquist act.

The International Technical Officials also sportingly took to the stage to strut their stuff and in the end it was Jackson Li/Song Benlei (Hong Kong/China) claiming the best performer of the night prize with their well rehearsed duet from apparently secret Karaoke sessions!

Report by Irina Gevorgyan

From 21st to 25th June in Minsk (Belarus) took place the 2nd FIDE World Cadets U8,U10,U12 Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship.

Uzbekistan team successfully participated in this tournament and won 5 gold and 4 silver medals, becoming the first and overall champions team according to the medals.

The medal winners of brilliant young talents are:
1. Begmuratov, Khumoyun (boys under 8) – gold medal in Rapid and gold medal in Blitz,
2. Omonova, Umida (girls under 12) – gold medal in Rapid and gold medal in Blitz,
3. Khamdamova, Afruza (girls under 10) – silver medal in Rapid and gold medal in Blitz,
4. Rakhmatullaev, Almas (boys under 12) – silver medal in Rapid,
5. Karimov, Shakhrombek (boys under 10) – silver medal in Blitz,
6. Olimova, Rukiya (girls under 8) – silver medal in Blitz.

In the ASEAN + Age-Group Chess Championships in Davao, in Standard Chess, Vietnam came, saw and conquered

by Ed Andaya

Medal standings

                                    G         S         B      Total

Open

Vietnam                     4          4          5        13

Philippines                3          2          1         6

Indonesia                  0          1          0         1

India                           0          0          1         1

 

Girls

Vietnam                      4          4          3         11

Philippines                 3          2          4          9

Indonesia                    0          1          0          1

 Overall

                                    G         S         B       Total

Vietnam                     8          8          8        24

Philippines                6         4          5         15

Indonesia                  0          2          0          2

India                          0          0          1          1

 

In Latin, it’s Veni, Vidi, Vici, a phrase popularized by Roman general Julius Caesar around 47 BC.

But chess fans and friends can also simply describe it in language we all know: They came, they saw, they conquered.

Of course we all know that the rapid chess and blitz events are yet to come in the next two days become it all comes a fitting end at the Royal Mandaya Hotel so it is not over yet for the defending champions.

Yet, Vietnam came, saw and conquered the 19th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships where the real measure of chess competition remains – the blue ribbon standard chess events – where both direct titles and norms were awarded to the medal winners.

Led by a pair of child prodigies ever so eager to scale new heights, the Vietnamese came to Davao City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, saw off the scaled-down opposition and conquered eight of 14 age categories.

That’s enough to regain the overall championship in the eight-nation competition billed by the organizing National Chess Federation of the Philippines ( NCFP) and the local hosts as a showcase for the next Wesley So and Janelle Frayna of the host nation.

It was not meant to be. At least for now

This year’s ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships in beautiful Davao turned out to be another stage for now long time ASEAN chess powerhouse Vietnam to display its long line of young talents getting ready to make their mark in the international scene.

Consider:

Nguyen Quoc Hy and Dang Le Xuan Hien both posted perfect scores of 9/9 in the boys 12 -under and girls’ 8-under divisions, respectively.

Nguyen finished two and a half points ahead of his closest pursuers, John Jerish Velarde of the Philippines and compatriot Vu Hoang Gia Bao in the boys 12-under.

Dang proved unstoppable in all her nine games and led her Vietnamese teammates Quan My Linh and Ngo Nha Ky to a smashing 1-2-3 finish in the girls 8-under.

And there’s more.

Nguyen Lam Thien wound up with 7/9 to rule the boys 14-under. He finished half a point ahead of fellow Vietnamese Dao Minh Nhat and Mai Le Khoi Nguyen, who both have 6.5. 6.5.

Pham Tran Gia Phuc  came through with eight points in the boys 10-under. A close second and third placers were Nguyen Le Minh Phu (6.5) and Vu Ba Khoi (6.5).

Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam and  Le Ngoc Minh Truong both rallied to dislodge Al-Basher “Basty”  Buto and finish 1-2  in the boys’ 8-under class. Buto, who was nicknamed “Vietnamese Slayer” for his smashing 5/5 score against his Vietnamese opponents, fell apart with consecutive losses in the final  two rounds.

Philippine pride

But the Filipinos also had plenty of  reasons to celebrate.

Two-time Olympiad veteran IM Paulo Bersamina and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza emerged as the overall champions in the centerpiece boys’ and girls’ 20 years old and under categories.

Bersamina defeated Sulu champion Sarri Subahani in the eighth round and then agreed to a draw with top seed IM John Marvin Miciano in the ninth and final round to finish with 7.5 points on six wins and three draws.

The 20-year-old Bersamina, who represented the country in the 2014 Olympiad in Tromso, Norway and 2016 Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, also drew his matches against Kyle Rhenzie Sevillano and Jodi Setyaki Azarya of Indonesia.

The triumph was a fittng vindication for the Pasay City-based Bersamina, who finished out of the top 10 in the recent Asian Universities chess championships in Tagaytay City last month. Mendoza, one of the country’s top young female players, humbled Laila Camel Nadera to close out with 7.5 points.

Mendoza, who topped the recent Batumi Olympiad qualifying tournament held in Alphaland Makati, drew with Marife dela Torre in the eighth round earlier in the day.

Antonella Berthe Racasa and Kaye  Lalaine  Regidor  also provided the  final-day surprises to claim the golds  in the girls’ 12-under and 10-under,  respectively.

Racasa, the 11-year-old campaigner from San  Roque, Marikina defeated Roilanne Marie Alonzo in an  all-Filipino showdown  to finish  with  6.5 points. The daughter of  Memory Sports advocate Roberto Racasa,  also clinched a WFM title.

Regidor took the gold by beating Mecel Angela Gadut in the last round to finish with seven points.

Joining the winners’ roll are Dale  Bernardo and Ronald Canino, who topped the  boys’ 18-under and 16-under categories.

The rest of  the ASEAN 

With some of the ASEAN countries staying away from the competition  for still unexplained reasons,  the four-day event turned out to be a dual match between Vietnam and the Philippines.

The Philippines fielded a total of  230 players while Vietnam sent 105 players,

Aside from the Philippines and Vietnam,  only six other countries took part.

These were India (9 players), Indonesia (3 players) and Denmark, Singapore and South Korea and Switzerland (1 player each).

 

The results:

Boys

            20-under – 1. P. Bersamina (Phi) 7.5 points; 2. Jodi Setyaki Azarya (Ina) 6.5; 3.Jeevitesh J. Sai Agni (India) 6.

18-under — 1. D. Bernardo (Phi) 8; 2. J.Jacutina (Phi); 3. Tran Minh Thang (Vie) 6.

16-under — 1. R. Canino (Phi) 6.5; 2. Pham Phu Vinh (Vie) 6.5; 3. Bui Duc Huy (Vie) 6.5.

14-under — 1. Nguyen Lam Thien (Vie) 7; 2. Dao Minh Nhat (Vie) 6.5; 3. Mai Le Khoi Nguyen (Vie) 6.5.

12-under — 1. Nguyen Quoc Hy (Vie) 9; 2. J. Velarde (Phi) 6.5; 3. Vu Hoang Gia Bao (Vie) 6.5.

10-under — 1. Pham Tran Gia Phuc (Vie) 8; 2. Nguyen Le Minh Phu (Vie) 6.5; 3. Vu Ba Khoi (Vie) 6.5.

8-under — 1. Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam (Vie) 7; 2. Le Ngoc Minh Truong (Vie) 6.5; 3. A. Buto (Phi) 6.5.

Girls

            20-under — 1. S.Mendoza (Phi) 7.5; 2. Dita Karenza (Ina) 6.5; 3. E. Moulic (Phi) 6.5.

18-under — 1. Kieu Bich Thuy (Vie) 7; 2. A. Doroy (Phi) 6.5; 3. Tran Phan Bao Khanh (Vie) 6.5.

16-under — 1.Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong (Vie) 7.5; 2. F. Magpily (Phi) 6.5; 3. I. Yngayo (Phi) 6.

14-under — Vuong Quynh Anh (Vie) 7; 2. Nguyen Thien Ngan (Vie) 7; 3. J. San Diego (Phi) 6.

12-under — 1. A. Racasa (Phi) 6.5; 2. Nguyen Hoang Thai Ngoc (Vie) 6; 3. Nguyen Thi Mai Lan (Vie) 6.

10-under — 1. K. Regidor (Phi) 7; 2. Nguyen Ngoc Hien (Vie) 6.5; 3. R. Canino ( Phi) 6.5.

8-under — 1. Dang Le Xuan Hien (Vie) 9; 2. Quan My Linh (Vie) 7.5; 3. Ngo Nha Ky (Vie) 6.5.

Seniors — 1. A. Lupian (Phi) 7; 2. Tong Thai Hung (Viet) 6.5; 3. A. Pacis (Phi) 6.

Download the Full Results here: ACC19_Standard

The new Board of the ASEAN CHESS CONFEDERATION (2018-2021) elected on 24th June 2018.

by Ignatius Leong

Sitting Left to Right:
Deputy President Tengku Abdullah Badli Shah (Malaysia), President Congressman Prospero Pichay (Philippines), Vice President Panupand Vijjuprabha (Thailand), Deputy President Maung Maung Lwin (Myanmar).

Standing Left to Right:
Chief Executive Ignatius Leong, Secretary General Nguyen Phuoc Trung (Vietnam), Vice President GM Jayson Gonzales (Philippines), Treasurer General Red Dumuk (Philippines), Vice President Bong Bunawan (Indonesia), FIDE General Secretary Abraham Tolentino, Vice President  Dang Tat Thang (Vietnam), Deputy Secretary General John Inthava (Laos).

The FIDE Arbiter Seminar held in parallel with the 19th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines, is now underway with 27 participants.

IA Ignatius Leong is the FIDE Lecturer and is assisted by IA Bong Bunawan and IA James Infiesto.

 

The battle for honours at the 19th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championship was always gong to be between the Philippines and Vietnam and this is well reflected after seven rounds.

In U-20 Open, Filipino IM Paolo Bersamina on 6/7 leads Indonesian FM Setyaki Azarya Jodi on 5.5/7 while in U-20 Girls, Filipina WFM Mendoza Shania Mae continues to dominate with 6/7.

For the hosts it is still much the same story in U-18 Open with Filipinos Bernado Dale Jacutina and CM John Merill leading wth 6/7.

Vietnam however already has it’s first Gold through Kieu Bich Thuy in the U-18 Girls who has 6.5/7 and two points clear of her rivals.

In U-16 Open, it is neck to neck between Filipino FM Nouri Alekhine and Vietnamese FM Pham Phu Vinh, both on 5.5/7 while in U-16 Girls, Vietnamese WFM Bach Ngoc Thu Duong is running away from the rest of the field with 6.5/7.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Lam Thien leads U-14 Open with 6/7 with three other Vietnamese and the Filipino top seed half a point behind.

In U-14 Girls, Vietnamese WFM Vuong Quynh Anh is on 6/7 with Nguyen Thien Ngan on 5.5/6 and Filipina San Diego Jerlyn Mae on 5/7.

Another Vietnamese, CM Nguyen Quoc Hy is dominating U-12 Open with a perfect 7/7! and in U-12 Girls, two Vietnamese, Bui Ngoc Truong Nghi and Nguyen Hoang Thai Phuc lead with 5.5/7.

Vietnam also dominates U-10 Open with CM Pham Tran Gia Phuc leading with 6/7 and Nguyen Le Minh Phu chasing with 5.5/7.

U-10 Girls has Filipina Canino Ruelle Gadut practically guaranteeing a Gold to the Philippines with 6.5/7, a whole point clear of a second placed Filipina and one a half points more than the third placed Filipina.

It’s looking good for the Philippines in U-8 Open with Buto Al-Bashir on 6.5/7 and a whole point clear of two chasing Vietnamese.

Vietnam however has all but ensured Gold in U-8 Girls thanks to Dang Le Xuan Hien’s perfect 7/7 score which is far ahead of a large chasing pack of fellow Vietnamese.

It is looking very much to end at least 6-5 in Vietnam’s favour with one match tied but likely to go the way of the Philippines and that would make a final result of 6-6 in standard chess and everything still to play for in rapid and blitz!

Full results at: http://chess-results.com/tnr361398.aspx?lan=1&art=0&flag=30

 

Direct titles will be awarded at the ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships – played in categories U-8, U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20, for both open and girls – held in Davao City from 18-28 June 2018.

The biggest titles available are the International Master and International Woman Master titles which will be awarded to the winners of the U-20 Open and U-20 Girls Championships.

After three rounds, in the U-20 Open, we have India’s FM Sai Agni Jeevitesh J on 2.5/3 in the lead together with Filipino IM Paulo Bersamina, Indonesia’s FM Setyaki Azarya Jodi and untitled Filipino Seviliano Rhenzi Kyle.

Bersamina and also still very much in contention Miciano John Marvin, are both Filipino IMs so they are not gunning for this title but the Philippines by fielding their best are clearly determined to defend the overall title they won in last year’s event in Malaysia where Vietnam lost its long tie domination.

In the U-20 Girls, top seeded Filipino WFM Mendoza Shania Mae who just won a place on her country’s Olympiad team, leads with 3/3  together with her also still perfect untitled country woman Moulic Ella Grace.

All the results can be found at: http://chess-results.com/tnr361391.aspx?lan=1&art=0&flag=30.

The official website is at: https://www.19aagphil.com/ and there is a FaceBook Page at: https://web.facebook.com/Asean-Age-Group-19-Philippines-153692695282958/

 

In preparations for the Batumi World Chess Olymiad, the Nepal Chess Association is organising training camps for it’s national team.

The first is from 4-18 June 2018 and the second will be from 14-28 July 2018.

Here we can see the start of the first camp held at Hotel Taj Holiday in Kathmandu conducted by coach IM & FT Dinesh K. Sharma.

Nepal Chess wishes to thank Geoffrey Borg, Georgios Makropoulous, Bharat Singh Chauhan, Diesh K. Sharma and Castro Abundo Jr and also all those who helped financially and morally with this closed camp.