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Jericho Winston Cu emerged as the champion in the Alpha Chess Excellence-ACE Youth Chess Championship-4th leg  Under 14 category last Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the the Alveo Corporate Center, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines.

The Grade 9 pupil of Xavier School in San Juan City, pocketed the P3,000 purse and the trophy for winning  the rapid chess tournament among 35 players..
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 5.5 points in the six-round Swiss system competition.
The 14 years old Jericho Winston is the younger brother of FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu.
Jericho Winston will advance to the Grandfinals dubbed as The Battle of the Future Grandmaster to be held in December 2024.
The second to 10th placers were Kurt Brayden Cervantes, Philip Gregory Pe, Aedan Gavin Chua,Brcye Zian Andallo, John Curt Valencia, Abeer Goel, Alexander Galang and David Francis Modesto.-Marlon Bernardino-

IM Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines topped the 3rd Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Festival held 4-5 November 2024 at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center (AMOSACC), Capitol Complex in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

Concio won the nerve-wracking victory by Armageddon tie-break against top seed GM Timur Gareyev of Uzbekistan. Playing white, the 19 years old Dasmariñas City, Cavite pride won in 41 moves of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.
Concio walked away with a hefty P100,000 prize, courtesy of the Governor doubling the original P50,000 pot, along with a unique trophy.

Gareyev said, “I pushed myself to my limits, as I kept on attacking him but he defended well. We both gave a good fight, but I was time-pressured. In Armageddon, you have to play fast and precise,” added Gareyev who took the runner-up prize of P60,000.

According to Engr. Rey Urbiztondo, in chess, the Armageddon is a variation of the blitz event where a drawn game is counted as a win for the black pieces. By nature, an Armageddon game cannot end in a draw and black also starts with less time on the clock than white.

In Gareyev’s proposal, an Armageddon blitz showdown must be held to break the tie.
Initially, the former US Open champion Gareyev won the right to choose color via tossed coin. He chose to have the black pieces with five minutes against Concio’s white with six minutes and no increment. Gareyev was once tormentor of GM Alireza Firouzja (2804) and used to be in the elite level with 2682 elo rating.

Needing just a draw, Gareyev countered Concio’s d4 with Nf6 turning the Armageddon blitz duel to the main line of the Nimzo Indian defense.

Concio earlier strung up six-straight wins over against Rogelio Andoy, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, IDE Master Roel Abelgas, International Master Angelo Young, Jayson Salubre and International Master Joel Pimentel. Gareyev matched this against Hezziel Alcebar, Janmyl Dilan Tisado, Aljie Cantonjos, Sherwin Tiu, National Master Raymond Salcedo and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo before their drawn match in the pivotal 7th round.

Concio defeated Grandmaster Daniel Quizon and FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus in Round 8 and Round 9, respetively while Gareyev toppled Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and FIDE Master Ellan Asuela.

Failing to cross paths with the foreign visitor in the entire tournament regulation, GM Quizon edged out fellow 7.5 pointers Tiu, IM Rolando Nolte, and local boy Rodney Opada in the Bucholz tiebreaker to bag the third place worth 40,000.

Tiu, Nolte, and Asuela occupied fourth to 6th place with P20,000, P10,000 and P6,000 take-home, respectively.
Completing the top-10 finishers with P4,000 each were Pimentel, Laylo, Literatus, and Antonio.

In the 17 & Under category, FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte emerged as champion with 8.5 points securing P60,000 and a trophy. In the 13 & Under category, top-seeded National Master Mar Aviel Carredo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite  took the championship title with a score of 6.5 points, winning P60,000 in cash and a trophy for his strong performance.

World Chess Hall of Famer and Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (above) led the closing ceremonies of this FIDE rated rapid event and National Chess Federation of the Philippines sanctioned tournament.-Marlon Bernardino-

Some 500 players from over 29 countries are set to compete in the Asian Schools Chess Championships, 1-11 December 2024 at the Pathumwan Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand. The tournament is organized by the Thailand Chess Association under the auspices of the International Chess Federation and the Asian Chess Federation supported by the Planning and Development Commission

Visit chess-results.com to see lists of players from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Russia playing under FIDE flag, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and host Thailand.

There will be twelve groups, namely under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 for both boys and girls. Here is the schedule:

The Hong Kong China Chess Federation Limited (HKCCFL) is honored to invite chess players from all member federations of FIDE to participate in the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship 2024 (FIDE rated with possible title norms) from the 26th December 2024 (arrival) to the 2nd January 2025 (departure).

Download regulations HK International Open 2024 – final

Hong Kong’s premier multi-purpose venue located in the heart of the Wan Chai that provides the public with a chance to view and participate in sports, recreation and culture, all under the same roof.

Visit Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com – OROQUIETA CITY STANDARD TOURNAMENT 2024

Today marks a special milestone as we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), officially established on November 3, 1990. Over the decades, the ACF has grown into a vibrant community, uniting nations and fostering talent across Asia, while championing the sport of chess at all levels.

We take this occasion to reflect on our journey and extend heartfelt appreciation to all who have contributed to our federation’s success. Our gratitude goes out to the leaders, dedicated board members, and countless volunteers who have served with unwavering commitment. Their collective efforts have been the foundation of ACF’s growth, helping to inspire a new generation of chess enthusiasts across the continent.

We especially thank the member federations, the tireless organizers, trainers, and players who uphold the values of the ACF through their dedication and passion. A special note of thanks to our supporters and partners, whose invaluable contributions have allowed us to reach new heights.

As we celebrate 34 years, we renew our commitment to promoting chess across Asia, honoring the legacy of our founders, and inspiring future generations to carry forward this proud tradition.

Thank you to all for your continued support and dedication. Here’s to many more years of growth, achievement, and unity in the world of Asian chess!

The 172nd Internet-based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar is going to be organized from 22/11/2024 to 24/11/2024 by the Asian Chess Federation, under the auspices of FIDE.

The Lecturer will be IA/IO Abudno, Casto (PHI), FIDE Lecturer, and the Assistant Lecturer will be IA Pahlevanzadeh, Mehrdad (IRI).

In above photo, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (left) presents an award commemorating the 100th anniversary of FIDE to IA Casto Abundo at the FIDE Congress 2024 last month in Budapest, Hungary.

The language of the Seminar will be English.

The Seminar will give norms and titles of FIDE Arbiter, according to the Regulations for the titles of Arbiters.

Kevin Arquero (above right) won via tiebreak the 3rd FM Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament last October 27, 2024 at the Greenfield District, Pavilion Mall in Mandaluyong City, Philiopines

Arquero, tied for first, second and third places with FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri (left) and FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu (center) at six points apiece in the 10 minutes plus 3 seconds increment time control event organized by Bayanihan Chess Club president NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., in close cooperation with Mr. Travis Vincent Chua and Mr. Reu Gabriel Sebolino.

With the highest tie break points, Arquero took the title, Nouri settled for second while Cu finished third.
Rounding up the top 10 winners were IM Barlo Nadera (4th); NM Romeo Alcodia (5th); IM Rolando Nolte (6th); FM Christopher Castellano (7th); FM David Elorta (8th) Ricardo Jimenez (9th); and  Zakiran Arsad(10th).
Jose Piff Caumban and IM Chito Garma won the top Senior award.
Mr. Ranier Pascual was the chief arbiter in the said chess fest.-Marlon Bernardino-