FM Pham Tran Gia Phuc of Vietnam prevailed in a 3-way tie for first in the Quang Ninh GM1 chess tournament held 14-19 May 2024 in Ha Long Ward, Ha Long City and organized by Vietnam Chess Federation. Gia Phuc scored 7 points in the 9-round RR together with GM Priasmoro Novendra of Indonesia and IM Laohawirapap Prin of Thailand. Gia Phuc and Prin each achieved a GM norm.
Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.
Team Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates defeated Iloilo Kisela Knights in the Quarterfinals of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines-PCAP to face Camarines Soaring Eagles of Engr. Jojo Buenaventura, the top seed in the Southern Division for the Semi Finals.
Photo shows AGM and Honorary NM Rey C. Urbiztondo, the team owner and playing coach of Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates at left, shaking hand with IM Rolando Nolte to start the chess tournament and chess clinic recently in Ozamis City.
The thrilling quarter finals was won by Surigao via Armageddon, 2-1, on 15th May 2024 at Chess.com Platform.
With the win of NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr. versus NM Fritz Porras and the drawn game of IM Rolando Nolte versus NM John Michael Silvederio. The points were awarded to IM Nolte as black in the Armageddon ruling. NM Rolly Parondo Jr. won against NM Joey Florendo to score for Iloilo.
Earlier, the first set was won by Iloilo 13-8, while Surigao took the second match, 11.5-9.5 to set up the tie break via Armageddon. It was their second Armageddon match as last season, they also clashed in the tie break and won by Iloilo.
AGM and Honorary NM Rey C. Urbiztondo, the team owner and playing coach said,it was finally their first time to reach the semis as they are always in the quarter finals every conference but not yet for the semis and beating the former champion Iloilo is a big improvement for the Mindanao team.
The Surigao Team is being supported by District Engr. Dohjie Morales of DPWH as team manager and sponsored by Cong. Ace Barbers.
Meanwhile, Davao Chess Eagles defeated Tacloban Vikings in 2 sets, 11.5-9.5, and 17-5, to arrange a final four showdown with second seed Toledo-Xignex Trojans.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of the Philippines won the Quang Ninh GM2 chess tournament held 14th to 19th May in Ha Long Ward, Ha Long City, , organized by Viet Nam Chess Federation. In photo FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines (right) playing with Candidate Master (CM) Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.
Arca, playing black draw after 67 moves of Caro kann defense, advance variation and halved the point with Candidate Master (CM) Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam in the last round.
The 15-year-old from Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines finished the round robin tournament with 6.0 points on three wins and six draws enroute to the coveted chess title
Arca’s other draws were against Grandmaster (GM) Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam (Round 1), International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines (Round 4), International Master (IM) Liu Xiangyi of Singapore (Round 6), Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez of the Philippines (Round 7) and Candidate Master (CM) Dinh Nho Kiet of Vietnam (Round 8).
He beat International Master (IM) Yiping Lou of China (Round 2), International Master (IM) Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia (Round 3) and top seed Grandmaster (GM) Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (Round 5).
The Grade 9 student from Dasmariñas Integrated High School gained 62.8 ELO points from the Vietnam event, to be added to his rating of 2265 as of May 1, 2024.
Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
“I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen especially to the late Cong. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Arca who also got his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships held on Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To become an IM, a player must get the three norms over 27 or more games and a FIDE rating of 2400 or more. ELO is a rating system to measure the skill level of players in games.
Meanwhile, Christian, who hails from Panabo City is scheduled to compete in the Hanoi GM closed tournament on May 21-26 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
He will also join the 8th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship on July 12-21, 2024 in Penang, Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino-
The 3rd round of Sharjah Masters 2024 has begun with an opening move made by the General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation Mr. Hisham Al Taher, in the presence of one of our esteemed partners Mr. Daniel Norman, the General Manager of “Centro Hotel Sharjah – By Rotana”. An impressive field of 79 Grandmasters, 8 IMs and 1 FM composed a strong field of 88 players from 32 countries. Visit chess-results.com for round by round standings and to download games.
The Dasma Cavite Spartans had to go to Armageddon to repulse the tough Cagayan Kings, 15-6, 10.5-10.5, 2-1, in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines-PCAP online chess tournament Wednesday, May 15 held through Chess.com Platform.
The Dasma Cavite Spartans had to go through the eye of the needle to advance to the next round. They defeated the Cagayan Kings, 15-6, in Game 1 but found themselves in a 10.5-all draw in Game Two.
Come the extra period, Cavite threw Cagayan when IM Michael Concio Jr. (in photo above), playing black faced Don Tyrone Delos Santos on Board One, and IM Daniel Quizon, playing white, took on IM Ronald Dableo on Board Two. Playing black, Kevin Arquero went down to the third board and battled Jake Tasi Tumaliuan.
In extra boards, Concio drew with Delos Santos in 64 moves of a Queen’s Pawn Opening, Symmetrical Variation and so did Arquero halving the point against Tumaliuan in 55 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined, Ragonzin Defense. Quizon lost to Dableo in 66 moves of a Reti Opening that ended in a 2-1 win for the Cavite Spartans.
There are just two additional rules in Armageddon according to Dasma Cavite Spartans coach Benjie Bercadez. “If Black manages to draw the game, the draw is counted as a win in the context of the tournament. So by nature, an Armageddon game cannot end in a draw. Black starts with less time on the clock than White,” explained Bercadez.
Other members of the Dasma Cavite Spartans are GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., IM Petronio Roca, IM Roderick Nava, WIM Kylen Joy Mordido, WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego, FM Roel Abelgas, FM Ivan Gil Biag, Alexis Emil Maribao and Renie Malupa.
In other matches, Manila routed Quezon City, 15-6 and 16-5.
Surigao bucked a tough challenge from Iloilo, 8-13, 11.5-9.5, and 2-1. Davao crushed Tacloban, 11.5-9.5 and 17-4.
The division semifinals are slated for this Saturday, May 18.
Cavite plays San Juan and Manila opposes the defending champion Pasig for the Northern Division semifinals.
Surigao will face Camarines while Davao goes up against Toledo for the Southern Division semifinals.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.-Marlon Bernardino-
Asian Chess Federation President Bharat Singh visited the Sri Lankan National Juniors and Girls Chess Championships which ended 14th May 2024. The emphasis on youth development has brought Sri Lanka many honors in Asian and World Youth and World Schools chess championships. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results of Boys and Girls championships.
Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Bharat Singh addressing the Sri Lankan National Juniors and Girls Chess Championship ceremony.
Sri Lanka has once again demonstrated its prowess in the world of chess by securing five medals at the World Schools Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2024. Among the medals were one gold, one silver and two bronzes, showcasing the exceptional talent of Sri Lankan young chess players.
Jirah Floravie Cutiyog of City of General Trias won the 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament held Saturday, May 11 at City of Imus Sports Complex, Imus, Cavite, Philippines.
The 15-year-old prodigy capped her giant-slaying ways by shocking FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmariñas City, Cavite in 38 moves of Caro-Kann Defense to clinch the crown with 6.5 points.
In photo are, from left, Coach Ederwin Estavillo, City of Imus Sports Development Unit Administrative Assistant RJ Ramirez, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog and Engr. Herbert Tabernilla Jr. The feat also came with the P10,000 top purse.
Cutiyog is a Grade 9 student of Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
She defeated International Master Ronald Bancod in the first round, Clark Kaeron Kwan in the second round, Arena FIDE Master Castelgandolfo Yray in the third round, FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the fourth round, Angele Tenshi Biete in the sixth and penultimate round and FIDE Master Roel Abelgas in the seventh and final round. She split the points with International Master Michael Concio Jr. in the fifth round.
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. and Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
Concio, FIDE Master David Elorta, Bacojo and International Master Daniel Quizon finished the tournament with similar 6.0 points; Abelgas scored 5.5 points while Bancod, International Master Paulo Bersamina, International Master Barlo Nadera, Arena International Master Chester Caminong, National Master Mar Aviel Carredo, Sherwin Tiu, Ricardo Batcho, Jesus Benjamin Lising, Efren Arguelles, Jose Erwin Manalo, Alexis Emil Maribao, Richfield Rivera and Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya have identical 5.0 points.
The 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by the City of Imus Sports Development Unit.
It shall be recalled that Cutiyog won the 6th IACG (Inter-Agency Chess Group) Invitational Chess Tournament held at the Robinson Place Imus in Imus City, Cavite last March 23 and the 1st Kagawad Wilson Fauni Rapid Invitational Chess Tournament at the Imus National High School Covered Court Bucandala 3, Imus City, Cavite last April 6, 2024, both perfect score, 7 out of 7.
Cutiyog also powers 3-gold and 1 silver in chess representing City of General Trias during the DepEd Calabarzon 2024 Regional Athletic Association meet (RAAM) Secondary Girls Chess Tournament held last April 5-13, 2024 at the Emmanuel Christian School, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Cutiyog won the Secondary Girls blitz (individual) and Standard (Individual) event with a similar perfect 7.0 points.
Cutiyog also saw action in the 2023 World Youth Chess Championship held in Montesilvano, Italy last November.-Marlon Bernardino-
International Master Ronald Dableo swept his assignments and scored 7.0 points to rule the just concluded Sicilian Prodigy 1st Edition FIDE-rated Rapid Open Chess Tournament held Sunday, May 12 at the Robinsons Metro East in Pasig City, Philippines.
In photo are, from left, National Arbiter Ranier Pascual of Kaizen Knights Concepcion Dos Chess Club, host Reu Gabriel Sebolino, International Master Ronald Dableo and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.
Dableo, head coach of multi-titled University of Santo Tomas chess team and member of the star-studded Philippine Army chess team opened his campaign with a win over Jan Carlsen Matencio then followed it with victories over Patrick Bonifacio, AFM Ritchie James Abeleda, WNM Lexie Grace Hernandez, Kevin Arquero, Luffe Magdalaga and NM Ivan Travis Cu.
Dableo pocketed the P10,000 cash prize and trophy courtesy of host AGM Reu Gabriel Sebolino and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia in close cooperation with National Arbiter Ranier Pascual of Kaizen Knights Concepcion Dos Chess Club and Robinsons Malls.
The 45-year-old Dableo is supported by the Philippine Army and University of Santo Tomas.
The former Asian Zonal champion Dableo, whose current FIDE rating is 2364, needs to reach the 2500-rating plateau to barge into the country’s elite GM club.
Magdalaga, Arquero and Jerry Areque finished behind Dableo with identical 6.0 points, while Hernandez, IM Paulo Bersamina and Sherwin Tiu had 5.5 points each.-Marlon Bernardino.
Reu Sebolino scored perfect seven points to emerge as champion in the 14th Noypi Rapid Chess Tournament held 12 May 2024 at Jackman Plaza in Munoz Quezon City, Philippines.
Sebolino, who is the CEO and Founder of Sicilian Prodigy Institute, pocketed the top purse of P4,000, having lorded over 68 other participants from Metro Manila and nearby provinces in this 1-day rapid chess tournament, organized by National Arbiter Richard dela Cruz.
The 28-year-old Sebolino is a Masters in Science Entrepreneurship graduate student at De La Salle University,
He is also the chess coach of ISM (International School Manila) BGC. Sebolino defeated Carl Daluz in the final round. His other victims were Erwin Dusojan in the first round, Randy Culangan in the second round, Freddie Talaboc in the third round, Marlou Guatno in the fourth round, Lemmuel Jay Adena in the fifth round and John Rey Galon in the sixth and penultimate round.
Freddie Talaboc garnered 6.0 points to grab the runner-up honors, while Marlou Guatno and Joshua Roque wound up second to 3rd placers, respectively, with similar 5.5 points in the Swiss System format competition.
Meanwhile, Runhigh Yohan Instrella scored 2 draws in the last 2 rounds to rule the Kiddies 13 and under category.
Instrella who beat Chesca Mae Perang, Arkin Caballero, Kyler Marin Camonias and Arnel Luna Mahawan Jr. in the first four rounds, drew with Shun Angelo Joson and Jeanne Marie Arcinue, respectively.-Marlon Bernardino-
