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A record 649 players from 33 countries are competing in the 26th Asian Youth Chess Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and the Kazakhstan Chess Federation instagram site for photos and videos.

Asian Chess Federation Vice President GM Darmen Sadvakasov, first Vice President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation, delivering the welcome address.

The Rapid Chess Championship will be held in the first two days.

Here is link for live broadcast on lichess.

Anvar Saidenov (right) Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan and Erden Khairullin, Press Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Almaty, make the ceremonial moves for the boys’ division.

Baglana Musina (right), President of the Freedom Shapagat Foundation and Asian Chess Federation Vice President GM Darmen Sadvakasov, first Vice President of Kazakhstan Chess Federation, make the ceremonial moves among the girls division. Looking on at left is WGM Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan (photo above) and IM Divya Deshmukh (photo below) grabbed solo lead in the open and girls divisions, respectively, each with six points out of seven rounds midway in the 11-round World Juniors and Girls in Gujarat, India.

Five players including WGM Rakshitta Ravi are trailing by a half point at 5.5/7 each.

In the Open event, IM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ) defeated IM L M S T De Silva (SRI) to emerge sole leader 6/7. Eight players are in pursuit at 5.5/7 each.

In a battle of former World Under-16 vs Under-14 champions, GM Pranav Anand outplayed IM Ilamparthi A R to stay in the fray with 5.5/7. IM Sambit Panda showed his fantastic positional understanding to beat GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux (CAN). Pranav will face GM Jose Gabriel Cardoso Cardoso (COL) and Divya will be up against Kseniya Norman in the eighth round.

There are almost 230 players in this tournament from 44 different federations with 104 different titles. More than half of all participants in this competition are from the host country, India.

The live broadcast is available here:

Open section
live.aicf.in/worldjunior2024/open/index.html

Girls section
live.aicf.in/worldjunior2024/girls/index.html

Photos: Sarangam Production

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Fifteen-year-old Jirah Floravie Cutiyog won the 1st BGA Realty CEO Pres. Gerry Bustamante 1900 and Below Rapid Chess Tournament held 9th June 2024 at the Robinsons Place Imus in Cavite, Philippines.

The pride of General Trias City swept her assignments and scored 6.0 points in a field of 82 players.

Cutiyog opened her campaign with a win over Kermiel Laxamana then followed it with victories over AIM Rowel Canaveral, Elcid Estaron, Noel Trines Jr., AFM Jaymiel Piel, and Clark Kaeron Kwan.

“I am happy with my performance,” said Cutiyog, a Grade 9 student of Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
Cutiyog pocketed the P3,000 cash prize and a trophy for the event organized by Rolly Aggarao.

Among those who are supporting her chess campaign here and abroad are Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Labuguen, Cavite Sixth Dist. Rep. Antonio Ferrer, Sports Head Rodolfo Commandante Jr. ,Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite and Arena FIDE Master Coach Ederwin Estavillo.
Cutiyog is fresh from winning the girls’ Under-16 division in her age group — standard, rapid and blitz — in the recently concluded National Age Group Chess Eliminations last June 5 at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Last May 11 in Imus, she stunned International Master Ronald Bancod, FIDE Masters Mark Jay Bacojo and Roel Abelgas while carving out a surprise draw with World Cup veteran IM Michael Concio, Jr
She was also blitz and rapid champion in the Calabarzon regionals held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April that earned her a spot to the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu next month.
Cutiyog also saw action in the 2023 World Youth Chess Championship held in Montesilvano, Italy last November.
Her next tournaments are the National Age Group Chess Championships Grandfinals 2024 to be held on June 22-30 at the Dapitan City Sports Complex, Zamboanga del Norte and the Eastern Asia Chess Championships on July 12 to 21 in Penang, Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino

The National Age Group Chess Championships Eliminations were held 31 May to 6 June 2024 at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Philippines. In photo are, from left to right, FST/GM Jayson O. Gonzales – NCFP CEO, Ernesto Torres – Little Kingsmen Chess Club President, Alfredo Dumalag – Negros Club 64 President, NA Antonio Martin Olendo – NAGCC Organizer, GM Eugene Torre – First Asia’s Grand Master, Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr. – NCFP Chairman/President.

Making the ceremonial opening moves are from foreground, left vs right, Judge Rossendo Bandal vs FST/GM Jayson O. Gonzales , Engr. Gregorio Uy Matio vs WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Atty. Ryan Buenavista vs GM Eugene Torre.

JOHN Jerish Velarde and Jersey Marticio ruled the premier Under-18 division in the standard event of the National Age Group Chess Championships Eliminations Tuesday night at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City.

Atty. Myles Nicholas G. Bejar- Provincial Legal Officer of Negros Oriental and Alfredo Dumalag – Negros Chess Club 64 President awarded medals for above under-18 boys (from left to right) Rigil Kent Rosell Pahamtang – 2nd place, Jerish John Velarde – Champion, Cedric Kahiel Abris – 3rd place.

Velarde finished with 7.5 points out of the possible eight to rule the open division while Marticio swept all her eight games to top the girls’ side in spearheading the march to the Grand Finals slated June 22 to 30 in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

It was the second straight triumph for Velarde, a native of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, who ruled the same open U18 section of the second Eugene Torre Cup just this late May at the Gateway 2 Activity Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Also prevailing in the open class of this event presented by Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria were Gabriel Ryan Paradero (U16), Jaymiel Piel (U14), Sebastian Damonsong (U12) and John Kristoff Bautista (U10).

Meanwhile, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog (U18), Jemaicah Mendoza (U14), Cyreine Jean Borce (U12) and Khana Kathrine Ventolero (U10) were the other victors in the girls’ side. In photo are from left to right, Yana Emilou De Vera – 2nd place, Jersey Marticio – Champion, Kyla Deloso.Dalagan – 3rd place (from left to right)

“The top eight of each category will clinch slots to the grand finals in Dapitan, where we will have truly the best of the best,” said Jayson Gonzales, National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer.

Under-16 boys standard event, from left to right, NM Cyrus James Damiray- 2nd place, AIM Gabriel Ryan Paradero- Champion, John Cyrus Borje – 3rd place.

Under-14 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Vera Cruz Quarl Maverick- 2nd place, AFM Piel Jaymiel- Champion, NM Carredo Mar Aviel- 3rd place.

Under-14 girls winners, from left to right, Daniella Bianca Cruz – 2nd place, Mendoza Jemaicah Yap- Champion, Sotaridona Iana Angela – 3rd place.

Under-12 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Albert Jerrick Roose – 2nd place, Damonsong Sebastian – Champion, Devibar Ralz Jaweh- 3rd place.

Under-12 girls standard event winners, from left to right, Segara Hannah – 2nd place, Borce Cyreine Jean- Champion, -Tan Mary Janelle- 3rd place.

Under-10 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Garcia Caleb Royce – 2nd place, Bautista John Kristoff – Champion, Abalo Kyle Zephyrr – 3rd place.

Under-10 girls standard event winners, from left to right, Barbosa Reese Valerie – 2nd place, Ventolero Khana Kathrine- Champion, Salikala Kasnea Aina – 3rd place.

Kevin Arquero emerged as the champion in the 1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament held June 8, 2024, at the SM City, Santo Tomas City, Batangas, Philippines.

In photo are, from left, Dr. Fred Paez of Rotary Club of Nuvali, Evans Frivaldo of Rotary Club of Cavinti, Andi Cullano of Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, IM Michael Concio Jr (2nd place), Kevin Arquero (Champion), Sherwin Tiu (3rd place), Ching Amante of Rotary Club of San Pablo Central, DDG Jay Estrellado, and Engr. Bren Sasot of Rotary Club of Nuvali.

Arquero, who plays for the Dasma Cavite Spartans in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), pocketed the P15,000 purse and the trophy for ruling the tournament which fielded over 100 participants.

He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
Arquero defeated George Agsamosam of Batangas (Round 1), AFM Albert Pasno of Tagaytay City,  Cavite (Round 2), Daren Dela Cruz of Silang, Cavite (Round 3), Chester Agsamosam of Batangas (Round 4), GM Darwin Laylo of Lipa City, Batangas (Round 5) and Rafael Dionisio of Manila (Round 7).

He snapped his five-match winning streak when he had a draw against Sherwin Tiu of Manila in the sixth round.
“I am very happy with my victory. I would like to thank the Philippine Army chess team for supporting my participation in the 1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament,” said Arquero, one of the top players of the multi-titled Philippine Army chess team.
IM Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Tiu and AIM  Jeffrey Romera of Tagaytay City, Cavite occupied the second to fourth spots with 6.0 points each.
The fifth to 10th placers were Laylo (5.5 points), IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (5.5 points), Manolo Puertellano (5.5 points), Dela Cruz (5.0 points), Rigor Pedernal of Lucena City, Quezon Province (5.0 points) and AGM Aaron Kimuel Lorenzo of Calamba City, Laguna (5.0 points).
1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament was supported by SM City-Sto Tomas, Chooks-to-Go, Rotary Club of Nuvali, Rotary Club of Cavinti, Rotary Club of Cabuyao Circle, Rotary Club of Atimonan Sunrise, St. Peregrine Dental Clinic, Dr. Audwin Verzosa and Dr. Herdeza Hernandez of Sydney, Australia, the proceeds of the event will be donated to the End Polio Society.-Marlon Bernardino-

The 3-tier Uzchess Cup Masters, Challengers and Futures 2024 has started in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

The strong lineup comprises – Alexander Grischuk, Yangyi Yu (CHN), Richard Rapport (ROU), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE), Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB), Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), Alexey Sarana (SRB) and Vidit Gujratiahi of India (in photo by Shahid Ahmed).

Abhijeet Gupta will be taking part in the Challengers section. The tournament will take place from 5th to 15th June at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The total prize fund is US$ 166000 for all three categories – Masters, Challengers and Futures. Who will win the Masters and Challengers?

From Chessbase India

Here are the top rated Asians men and women in the June 2024 FIDE Rating List. Divya Deshmukh (IND) (photo above) and Leya Garifullina (RUS) did an excellent job in the 7th Sharjah Challengers 2024, tying for first place and earning significant rating points in this competition. As a result, both are joining the top 25 Women for the first time.

Here are the top federations in Asia by average of top ten players.

Seventeen-year-old Pawar Harshit of India upset top seed GM Abhimanyu Mishra (2627) from the USA in the opening round of the World Juniors Chess Championship in Gujarat, India. Twelve players share early lead with 2 points each after as many rounds. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.

Among the girls, top seed IM Divya Desmukh of India and 18 others share the lead with 2 points apiece.

See FIDE World Junior Championship kicks off in Gujarat, India – Asian Chess

The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE invites National Chess Federations of Western Asian region to participate in the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship to be held from 7^th to 16^th of July 2024 in Sri Lanka.

Get a chance to earn IM/WIM, FM/WFM, CM/WCM Direct Titles

Download Western Asia Youth 2024 – Regulations

Download Registration_Form_WAYCC_2024