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Filipino IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (above left) won the HK-DB Monthly International Open FIDE rated chess tournament last October 4-7, 2024 at Club Siena, Discovery Bay, Hongkong.

Garcia successfully finished the 7-round Swiss System tournament to claim the championships trophy and PHP70,000 in cash.  A total of 31 chess players competed from China, India, Russia, Singapore, the Philippines and host Hong Kong.

Standard time control of 90 minutes and 30 seconds increment was used.

Jan Emmanuel defeated Haoyang Wu of Hongkong in the first round and followed up with wins over Kyle Chen of Hongkong, Yulun Cai of China, Xuanyu Liu of China, Fuhan Zhang of China, Yuxu Zhou of China and Siddhant Tamhankar of India.

The 29-year-old Garcia serves as program head of the Ateneo de Manila University chess team.-Marlon Bernardino-

Visit chess-results.com

The Philippines’ newest Grandmaster elect, Daniel Quizon, will participate in the Asian Juniors Rapid Chess Championship tomorrow 12 October 2024 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Quizon paid a courtesy call on Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard E. Bachmann on 10th October. In photo are, from left, Chairman Bachmann, Daniel Quizon, IM Michael Concio Jr., International Arbiter Ricky Navalta, coach FM Roel Abelgas and Commissioner Walter Francis K. Torres.

The 170th Internet Based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar was held from 4th to 6th October 2024. It was organized by the Asian Chess Federation, under the auspices of FIDE.

The Lecturer was IA/IO Abundo, Casto (UAE). The Language of the Seminar was English.

Twenty (20) arbiters from twelve (12) national federations (BHU, GRE, INA, IND, MAR, MYA, NEP, PAK, RSA, SEN, SRI, and TUR) participated in the Seminar, and all of them participated in the examination test, held after the end of the lectures.

Please visit 170th Internet-based FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar (Asian Chess Federation) – Report – Arbiters’ Commission

Filipino teen sensations IM Michael Concio Jr. (left) and FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (right) lead the Philippine delegation to the Asian Juniors Chess Championship scheduled 11-20 October 2024 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Arca showed he’s the next big thing in Philippine chess as he topped a Grandmaster tournament in Quang Ninh in Vietnam last May. The prodigious 15-year-old FIDE Master finished undefeated by scoring six points in nine rounds on three victories and six fighting draws in claiming the crown in the second of the two-bracket tournament.

Other Filipino boys are Andrei Ainsley Dolorosa, Davin Sean Romualdez, Phil Martin Casiguran, Andrew James Toledo, Danry Seth Romualdez, Zeyus Kyle Del Mundo and Marius Constante.

Jemaicah Yapo Mendoza leads Filipinas in the girls division together with Apple Rubin and Arleah Cassandra Sapuan.

See the full list of players in chess-results.com. Visit World Cadets Champion Oshini to Compete in Asian Girls Chess Championship – Asian Chess.

Indian Players in Full Force for Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships – Asian Chess

All Set for Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Philippines – Asian Chess

GM Aleksey Grebnev to Defend Title in Asian Juniors Chess Championship in Philippines – Asian Chess

The host of the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships, Vice Gov. Athena Bryana Tolentino (above right)  is now Governor of Cavite. Tolentino took her oath before a judge in Tagaytay City yesterday. She won the vice gubernatorial race during the 2022 general elections and assumed office on June 30 of the same year. She was councilor of Tagaytay from 2019 to 2022.

She is a daughter of Philippine Olympic Committee chairman and Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino, former FIDE General Secretary, and niece of Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino.

WFM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana of Sri Lanka, winner of the Under-12 category in the FIDE World Cadets Chess Championship last year in Egypt, shall compete in the Asian Girls Chess Championship starting 11 October 2024 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines. Visit chess-results.com for lists of players.

At just 12-years-old, Oshini is among the top female chess players in Sri Lanka, demonstrating remarkable progress and dedication to the sport. Her achievements have set a new benchmark for young chess players in the country, and she continues to strive for excellence in her journey to bring further accolades to Sri Lanka.

A felicitation ceremony for the two Sri Lanka National Chess team for winning the Group D by men and winning the bronze by women (below) with the patronage of the Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Directors of Sports in the Sports Ministry.

The 3rd Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Festival is set Nov.4-5 at the Asenso Global Gardens, Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines.

At stake is nearly half a million pesos in cash prizes.

Defending champion is the country’s newest GM candidate Daniel Quizon,  playing under the guidance of Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coun. Kiko Barzaga, who won the 2nd Gov. Henry S. Oaminal Open Rapid Chess Tournament last July.

Also competing in the tournament are GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, IM Michael Concio jr., IM Rolando Nolte, IM Ronald Bancod, IM Joel Pimentel, FM Roel Abelgas and FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca.

Others vying in the event are IM Rico Mascarinas, IM Eric Labog jr., FM Austin Jacob literatus, FM Victor Lluch, FM David Elorta, Sherwin Tiu, Atty. Jason Bandal and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr.

World Chess Hall of Famer and Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre is expected to lead the ceremonial moves along with Gov. Henry S. Oaminal, Mayor Henry Oaminal, Jr. and Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal.

At least P428,000 in cash prizes will be given away to the winners of the FIDE rapid rated competition, with the open champion receiving P50,000 top purse. The Top 20 players will also get consolation prizes.

Cash prizes are also at stake for the winners in the Under-13, Top U-17 , Top Misamis Occidental and the blitz chess champion.

‘With nearly ₱500,000 in cash prizes and a range of exciting surprises, this event upholds the proud tradition of Misamis Occidental tournaments and promises an unforgettable experience. Delight in the presence of Asia’s first Grandmaster eugene torre, along with 30 Grandmasters, International Masters, FIDE Masters, and National Masters who have registered early for this prestigious FIDE-rated open tournament. Before the Open Tournament, witness an exhilarating Armageddon Blitz Battle featuring Philippine champions, along with a simultaneous exhibition by top Grandmasters and national champions’ said tournament director arena online grandmaster Engr. Rey Cris Urbiztondo.

“In line with the celebration of the 95th Provincial Anniversary of Asenso Misamis Occidental, it will be held on November 4-5 at the scenic world class mountain top resort of Asenso Global Gardens in Tangub City, just above the newly opened longest bridge of Mindanao, Panguil bay bridge,’ Urbiztondo said.
For details, contact, Urbiztondo at 09999990374 or Stephen Sean Daral at 09478918112.-Marlon Bernardino-

Inspired by India’s recent double victory at the 45^th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, Indian players are coming in full force with seven boys and six girls to compete in the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships starting October 11^th in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

Leading the Indian charge is second seed International Master Krishna Rohith, rated 2474 (photo above).

Third seed is IM Aswath S, rated 2473 (above left). Other Indian boys are Candidate Master Bharadia Yas (2415) at 5^th seed, IM Manish Anto Cristiano (2364) at 8^th seed (above right) and FM Adireddy Arjun (2342) at 9^th seed. Completing the cast of Indian boys are CM Velavaa Ragavesh (2060) and Akshat Sureka (2008).

The top seed is Grandmaster Aleksey Grebnev (2530) of Russia, playing under the neutral FIDE flag. The Philippines’ top junior is IM Michael Concio, Jr., rated 2368.

Among girls, India’s newest Woman International Master Tejaswani G. is seeded second at 2135 (above left). Fourth seed is WFM Shubhi Gupta at 2013 (above right). Fifth and sixth seed are WFM Shubhi Gupta (2013), Sneha Halder (1990). Eighth seed is WFM Bristy Mukherjee (1965). Completing the cast of Indian girls is Khairmode Dhanashree (1876).

Top seed among the girls is Woman International Master Anna Shukhman of Russia, playing under the neutral FIDE flag.

The Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships are hosted by the Tagaytay Chess Club, Inc. under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Asian Chess Federation, National Chess Federation of the Philippines and City of Tagaytay in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.

The tournaments are 9-round Swiss System events separately for boys and girls. At stake are GM and WGM norms for the gold medallist. Equal first (best 3 players after tie break) shall receive the title of IM/WIM, silver and bronze medalists receive IM/WIM norms and FM/WFM titles in accordance with FIDE title regulations.

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio of Quezon City won the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament held September 29, 2024 at the Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. In photo are Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio (left)  with National Arbiter Ranier Bonoan Pascual. At right is National Master Oshrie Jhames Reyes.

The 62-year-old Antonio bagged the top spot in the tournament being held in memory of the late GM Rosendo Balinas, Jr..
Antonio completed the 7-round Swiss system tilt with the highest tie breaks and score of 6.0 points to grab the title and the top purse of P15,000.

International Master Chito Garma placed second with 6.0 points, followed by International Master Michael Concio Jr., FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz and National Master Carlo Magno Rosaupan at third, fourth and fifth with similar 6.0 points apiece.

Making it to the list of top ten performers were Sherwin Tiu (5.5 points), Jan Lei Kian Rosaupan (5.5 points), FMs  Ivan Travis Cu (5.0 points), Randy Segarra (5.0 points) and David Elorta (5.0 points).

Antonio defeated NM Davin Sean Romualdez (Round 1), Nathaniel Ablazo (Round 3), FM Noel Dela Cruz (Round 4), Tiu (Round 5) and Garma (Round 6).

He drew with Jan Lei Kian Rosaupan in the second round and Concio in the seventh and final round.

National Master Oshrie Jhames Reyes, a member of the University of Santo Tomas junior varsity chess team, stole part of the limelight after ruling the National Master Gerald Ferriol Chess Cup Kiddies (14U) FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament with 6.5 points.
The pride of Pampanga received P5,000 for his efforts.
Iana Angela Sotaridona, Mark Jeross Albert and Gllasea Ann Hilario rounded up the top four with 6.0 points apiece.
Organized by the Bayanihan Chess Club, the twin events were made possible through the support of Dr. Joe Balinas, Engr. Antonio Balinas, Balinas Family and NM Gerald Ferriol.
It is also supported by FM Angelito Camer, Engr. Roger Reyes, Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez, Atty. Juman Paa, Mr. Travis Vincent Chua, Nova Wellness Store, Axe Universal Oil, Starshots Coffee, AGM Reu Gabriel Sebolino of Sicilian Prodigy, Wagish Rai of IntChess Asia , DIM DIY Bakery and  Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District.-Marlon Bernardino-