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The Olympic Council of Asia will launch the Asian Games Esports Festival to reflect the growing popularity of electronic sports in the continent and the world.

 

The decision was taken at the 85th OCA Executive Board meeting held online on Sunday, June 30 and followed a proposal by the Chair of the OCA Esports and Martial Arts Committee, Mr. Gordon Tang.

 

The OCA is planning to hold the Asian Games Esports Festival every two years, with the first edition set for 2025.

 

The OCA President, Raja Randhir Singh, said the esports festival would build on the success of electronic sports in Asia. 

 

“Esports is becoming more and more popular around the world, especially here in Asia, and the Asian Games Esports Festival will provide another opportunity for the esports community to come together in the Olympic Movement,” said Raja Randhir.

 

 

“Esports was one of the most popular tickets at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and we are confident it will grow in terms of National Olympic Committees and athletes at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026.”

 

Esports joined the Asian Games as a demonstration sport at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia in 2018 and was elevated to full medal status in Hangzhou, China, where the seven game titles attracted 476 players from 30 NOCs.

Chess Winners of Olympic Esports Week in Singapore

Chess was a medal sport in the 2023 Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. GM Aleksei Sarana of Serbia (center) won the gold medal, silver medalist Maxim Chigaev (left), an individual neutral athlete, and GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Singapore (right) won the bronze medal. Visit Chess.com | Olympic Esports Series

Registration is going on for the $25,000 Asian Amateur Chess Championship scheduled 14-23 December 2024 at the Danat Hotel in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

The Al Ain Chess Club and Mind Games, on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), FIDE and UAE Chess Federation, has the honor to invite all Asian National Chess Federations to participate in the 2024 Asian Amateur Chess Championships, which will be held from 14th (arrival) to 23rd (departure) December 2024 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

The Asian Amateur Championships 2024 is open to all Asian amateur players who should not have a FIDE rating above 2000 at the start of the tournament. Download Asian Amateur 2024 Invitation and Regulations

Players should not have a FIDE title higher than FIDE Master (i.e., WIM, WGM, IM and GM). All participants must have a FIDE ID to participate in this tournament. The deadline for registration is 25th Nov 2024.

The playing venue shall be at the official Hotel Danat Al Ain Resort.

The tournament shall be conducted as a Swiss System competition of 9 rounds and will be played according to FIDE regulations. Each player will have 90 minutes with the addition of 30 seconds per move starting from the first move.

Herbert Arios won the Philippine Embassy MWO-OWWA 3rd Blitz Chess Tournament held October 20, 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea.

Arios tied for first and second places with Kim Hyo Seong at 6 points apiece in the blitz time control event organized by the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)- Seoul, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy and Phil E-9 Chess Club. Arios took the title by virtue of a higher tie break while Kim finished second.

Rounding up the top ten winners were Dennis Leonillo (5.0 pts.), Ruel Gomez (5.0 pts.), Raffy Miranda (5.0 pts.), Jerieby Sazon (5.0 pts.), Reymund Advincula (5.0 pts.), Danny Layam (4.5 pts.), Cyril Gramonte (4.5 pts.) and Daryl Mao (4.0 pts.).
Phil E-9 chess club Founder/ President National Arbiter Jun Jabay was the chief arbiter assisted by Mr. Michael Fernandez.

Chargé d’affaires Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Welfare Officer Cornelia De Guzman Chanco., OWWA staff Nic Anne Somido, Joey D. Fiedacan,  Kim Kyung Soo and volunteer Ms.Roselyn Angustia led the closing ceremonies. – Marlon Bernardino-

FIDE Master David Elorta emerged as the champion in the 72nd National Convention (NATCON) Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Open Rapid Chess Tournament held October 19, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Seashell Lane, Pasay City, Philippines.

FM Elorta, who plays for the Manila Indios Bravos in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), pocketed the P10,000 purse and the gold medal for winning the tournament of over 145 woodpushers. He had a perfect campaign after tallying 7.0 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.

FM Elorta defeated Alexander Galang, Arnel Ellis, James Henry Calacday, CM Genghis Imperial, Kevin Arquero, Harrison Maamo and Sherwin Tiu, respectively.

Maamo’s second place finish earned him P4,500, while the third place went to Arquero to earn P3,000 and Tiu got P2,000 for overall fourth.
Maamo, Arquero and Tiu, who only lost to Elorta tallied 6.0 points each, the same output of IM Angelo Young (5th), Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa (6th) and Jerry Areque (7th).
The eight to 10th placers who scored 5.5 points each were CM Genghis Imperial, AIM Remark Bartolome and Joselito Alejano.
National PSME Past President Engr. Roger Reyes said that this is their first time to host a chess tournament featuring pro and amateur woodpushers.
It is one of Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers’ highlight activities for its 72nd National Convention.
“Hopefully this will be a yearly event as to the number of civil engineers, I am sure that the majority know how to play chess,” said Reyes.
“Since our goal for this maiden event is to promote our Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers National Chapter, there will be next year to look forward to. But of course, we need the support of everyone for this chess event.” added Reyes, founding president of the PSME Inc. Foundation.

Adjudged category winners were Bartolome (Top PWD), Jose Piff Caumban (Top IIEE), Paolo Manuel Fule (Top Media),FM Mario Mangubat (Top Senior 50 to 65 over category), Ricardo Jimenez (Top Senior 50 to 64 years old category), NM Oberio Aglipay (Top PSME male), Ferick Brenz Porras (Top PSME male), Jelle Ann Magro (Top PSME female) , Precious Grace Peregrino (Top PSME female), Maryss Annxeniel Caldoza (Top Lady), Natalie Galang (Top Elementary Girl), Jared Zach Rivera (Top Elementary Boy), Chelsea Bless Cabrera (Top High School Girl), James Henry Calacday (Top High School Boy), Oryza Reign Repato (Top College Girl) and Noel Trines Jr. (Top College Boy).

The 72nd National Convention (NATCON) Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by Bayanihan Chess Club, IIEE chess club and Las Pinas Chess Club Inc. and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-Marlon Bernardino

Chief Arbiter IA Patrick Lee (left) awards blitz medals. From left are IM Amilal Munkhdalai (best u18) of Mongolia, bronze medalist IM Michael Concio Jr of Philippines, gold medalist IM Artem Uskov of Russia playing under FIDE flag, silver medalist IM Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam, IM S Aswath of India (best u16) and tournament coordinator Mike Lapitan of Tagaytay Chess Club.

Vice Mayor Agnes Tolentino addressing the closing ceremony.

IM Artem Uskov Wins Asian Juniors Blitz Chess Championship

IM Artem Uskov of Russia scored 8/9 to top the Asian Juniors Blitz Chess Championship on 19th October 2024 at the Knights Templar Edge hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam won the silver medal with 7.5 points, losing only to Uskov and drawing with FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines. Uskov lost only one game to IM Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines who won the bronze medal with 7 points. Concio suffered only one loss to the Vietnamese Duy.

WFM Mukherjee Bristy of India wins Asian Girls Blitz Chess Championship

IA Patrick Lee (second from left) awards Asian girls blitz medals. From left are Khairmode Dhanashree of India (best u18), bronze medalist WIM Sultanbek Zeinep, gold medalist WFM Bristy Mukherjee, silver medalist Luong Hoang Tu Linh and best u16 girl WFM Gunawardhana Devindya Oshini and tournament coordinator Mike Lapitan.

WFM Mukherjee Bristy of India finished alone in first with 8 points for the gold medal in the Asian Girls Blitz Chess Championship followed by Luong Hoang Tu Linh of Vietnam with 7 points for silver. WIM Zeinep Sultanbek of Kazakhstan and World Cadets U12 champion D. Oshini of Sri Lanka tied at 6 points each but the Kazakh prevailed in tie break for the bronze medal.

Philippine delegation

Arbiters of the tournament, from left, FA Hubert Estrella, FA Lito Abril, Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Ricky Navalta, Chief Arbiter IA Patrick Lee, Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Michael Pagaran, FA Dr. Alfredo Paez and FA Byron Villar.

Chief Arbiter IA Patrick Lee (left) awards trophies and medals in standard chess. From left are IM Artem Uskov of Russia (best u16) playing under FIDE flag, silver medalist IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia, gold medalist GM Aleksey Grebnev, bronze medalist IM S. Aswath of India, Charles Chong (best u18) of Philippines and tournament coordinator Mike Lapitan of Tagaytay Chess Club.

Defending champion GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia, playing under the FIDE flag, drew with IM S. Aswath of India to finish alone with 7.5 points and win the Asian Juniors Chess Championship held 11-19 October 2024 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

IM Mukhdalai Amilal of Mongolia used the Nimzo Indian defense to beat IM Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines in 69 moves of a Rook and Pawn endgame to win the silver medal with 7 points. Aswath settled for the bronze medal with 6.5 points.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

A total of 32 juniors and 22 girls participated from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event was hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Planning and Development Commission.

WIM Anna Shukhman tops Asian Girls Chess Championship Alone with 8 points out of 9 rounds

Chief Arbiter IA Patrick Lee (left) awarding medals in Asian Girls standard chess championship, from left, Ainul Madhiah Mohd Afif of Malaysia (best u16), bronze medalist WIM G. Tejaswini of India, gold medalist WIM Anna Shukhman of Russia, playing under FIDE flag, silver medalist Halder Sneha of India, Dhanashree Khairmode of India (best u18) and tournament coordinator Mike Lapitan of Tagaytay Chess Club.

WIM Anna Shukhman of Russia (above left), playing under the FIDE flag, beat World Cadets U12 champion WFM Oshini of Sri Lanka (above right) in 54 moves of a Rook and pawn endgame to win the concurrent Asian Girls Chess Championships. Indians Halder Sneha and top seed WIM G. Tejaswini (below left) finished with 7 points each for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Sri Lanka Delegation, from left, Buddhi Charana Walpola, Dinuya Kodithuwakku Kodithuwakku Kankanange, Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana and Pushpa Chandima Kumari Rathnayaka Jayaweera Mudiyanselage.

IM S. Aswath of India (above left) crushed the Sicilian defense of IM Artem Uskov of Russia (right), playing under FIDE flag, in 44 moves to remain in close second with 6 points before facing solo leader GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia, playing under FIDE flag, in the exciting final round. Aswath sacrified his Rooks on the 18th and 30th moves and forced resignation on the 44th move by unstoppable mate, as shown in the diagram below.

Aswath vs. Uskov after 42.Qg4-f5

Grebnev (below left) beat IM Imangali Akilbay of Kazakhstan (below right) to maintain solo lead with 7 points.

IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia beat FM Arjun Adireddy of India to tie Aswath at 6 points each and remain within striking distance as he faces top Philippine junior IM Michael Concio in the final round. Concio, Uskov and IM Krishna Rohith of India follow with 5 points apiece.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

A total of 32 juniors and 22 girls are participating from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event is hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee

Top Seed Tejaswini Beats Mendoza to Remain Half a Point behind solo leader Anna Shukhman

Top seed WIM G. Tejaswini of India (above left) beat Jemaicah Yap Mendoza of the Philippines (above right) in the Asian Girls Chess Championship penultimate round 8 to tally 6.5 points, only half a point behind solo leader WIM Anna Shukhman of Russia (below right), playing under the FIDE flag. Shukhman (below right) beat WIM Zeinep Sultanbek of Kazakhstan  (below left) to register 7 points.

Halder Sneha of India beat compatriot WFM Muykherjee Bristy to trail in third slot with 6 points. WFM Kristina Popandopulo of Kazakhstan beat Malaysian Ainul Mardhia Mohd Afif to follow with 5 points within striking distance in the medal race.

The strong Indian delegation: Seated, from left, Saritha Reddy (Coach); Sneha Halder; WFM Shubhi Gupta; WFM Bristy Mukherjee; WFM V. Rindhiya; WIM G. Tejaswini; Khairmode Dhanashree
Standing, from left, Gupta Kumar Paradeep; GM Himanshu Sharma (Coach); FM Arjun Adireddy; IM Anto Christian F. Manish; IM S. Aswath; CM Velavaa Ragavesh; Akshat Sureka; CM Yash Bharadia; IM Rohith S. Krishna; Mr. Santosh Kumar (Manager and Head of Delegation); Vandana Bharadia

GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia (above right), playing under the FIDE flag, continued to overpower the opposition and maintain solo lead in the homestretch of the Asian Junior Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

In round 7, Grebnev used the Sicilian defense to crush IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia (above left) in 57 moves and tally 6 points, a half point ahead of second running compatriot IM Artem Uskov. He smashed the King’s Indian Defense of Sureka Akshat of India in 47 moves.

Five players follow with 5 points each, namely Amilal, IM Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines, Imangali Akhilbay of Kazakhstan and Krishna Rohiti and S. Aswath, both of India.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

A total of 30 juniors and 22 girls are participating from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event is hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee

In the Asian Girls, WIM Anna Shukhman of Russia, playing under the FIDE flag, outmaneuvered the Petroff Defense of WFM Kristina Popandopulo of Kazakhstan who blundered into a Knight fork on the 38th move, lost the exchange and resigned two moves later. Shukhman leads alone with 6 points.

Top seed G. Tejaswini of India is close behind with 5.5 points. Tejaswini won the exchange of Rook for Bishop on the 25th move and promoted her pawn on the 34th move to force resignation ten moves later.

Hader Sneha of India used the Caro Kann defense to draw with compatriot WFM V. Rindhiya in 45 moves and trail in third slot with 5 points. Rindhiya and seven others follow with 4 points apiece in striking distance for medals.

Toma Matsunaga of Japan (left) with mother Yuko Matsunaga

IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia (above left) and IM Michael Concio, Jr. of the Philippines beat their respective sixth round opponents yesterday, 16th October, to share the lead with GM Aleksey Grebnev at 5 points each after six rounds of the Asian Juniors Chess Championship at the Knights Templar hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Concio unleashed a sacrificial attack against FM Arjun Adireddy of India. In a Ruy Lopez game, the Filipino created a protected passed pawn on the 19th move, gave the exchange and then sacrificed a Knight and Bishop to force resignation on the 32nd move.

Concio (left) unleashed a sacrificial attack against FM Arjun Adireddy of India.

Amilal essayed the Sicilian Defense against Yash Bharadia of India and won a Knight on the 27th move. With one piece disadvantage, Bharadia resigned on the 40th move.

GM Aleksey Grebnev of Russia, playing under the FIDE flag, drew with compatriot IM Artem Uskov in 51 moves of a minor piece endgame to tally 5 points.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

A total of 30 juniors and 22 girls are participating from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event is hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee

In the Asian Girls division, top seed WIM G. Tejaswini of India beat solo leader WIM Anna Shukman to halt the winning streak of the Russian, playing under FIDE flag, and open the race for the crown.

Tejaswini crushed the Nimzo Indian defense of Shukman in only 22 moves. The Indian gave her Rook in order to weave a mating net with her Queen and Knight.

Tejaswini vs Shukman final position after 22.Bxf5

Tejaswini is in second slot with 4.5 points out of six rounds together with compatriot Halder Sneha, only a half point behind Shukman who is alone in the lead. Sneha used the Bird’s Opening to beat Malaysian Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif, delivering checkmate on the 53rd move.

Mohd Afif and WFM Kristina Popandopulo of Kazakhstan follow with 4 points each.

From left are Diandra Castronuevo, Ellen Castronuevo, Apple Rubin, IA Ricky Navalta, Marius Constante and Dr. Alfredo Paez, all of Philippines.

Filipino IM Michael Concio, Jr (left) held solo leader Aleksey Grebnev to a draw in today’s fifth round to halt the winning streak of the Russian GM playing under FIDE flag in the Asian Juniors Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Grebnev maintains a slim half point lead with 4.5 points at the halfway mark of the 9-round tournament. Concio and two others follow with 4 points each, namely IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia and IM Artem Uskov of Russia playing under FIDE flag.

Five players are within striking distance at 3.5 points each, namely IM Krishna Rohith, FM Arjun Adireddy and CM Yash Bharadia of India, FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Philippines and FM Imangali Akhilbay of Kazakhstan.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

A total of 30 juniors and 22 girls are participating from thirteen countries, namely Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia under FIDE flag, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Philippines. The event is hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation in cooperation with the City of Tagaytay, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee

IM Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia (right) beat IM S. Aswath of India 

FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Philippines (left) beat Chen Yu Yu of Chinese Taipei

WIM Anna Shukman (left) of Russia, playing under FIDE flag, beat Dhanashree Khairmode of India to maintain her full point lead with a perfect 5-point slate at the halfway mark of the Asan Girls Chess Championship.

Malaysian Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif (right) beat WIM Zeinep Sultanbek of Kazakhstan to follow in second slot with 4 points. Three Indians trail with 3.5 points each, namely top seed WIM G. Tejaswini, Halder Sneha and WFM V. Rindhiya.

 

Malaysian representatives Mohd Affif Md Nasir (left) and Ainul Mardhiah Mohd Afif