All India Chess Federation Elections Concluded

Shri Nitin Narang and Shri Dev A Patel take charge
New Delhi (12 Mar 2024) :- Following the National Sports Code, the AICF General Body unanimously elected the new set of office bearers for the term 2024-27 headed by Shri Nitin Narang of Haryana as President and Shri Dev A Patel of Gujarat as Secretary. International Arbiter Shri Dharmendra Kumar of Bihar is the new Treasurer for the Federation.

The returning officers Hon’ble Justice Rang Nath Pandey and Hon’ble Justice G S Sistani declared the results in the General Body meeting held at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel here on Sunday and all the office bearers were elected unopposed.

The General Body also elected six vice presidents Shri Anil Kumar Raizada of Uttar Pradesh, Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua of West Bengal, Shri Raghvendra Singhania of Chhattisgarh, Shri D P Anantha of Karnataka, Shri Mahaveer Ranka of Rajasthan, Shri Repo Ronya of Arunachal Pradesh and six joint secretaries namely Shri Kandarpa Kalita of Assam, Shri Prasanta Kundu of Tripura, Shri Soibam Mangijao Singh of Manipur, Shri H Lalthlamuana of Mizoram, Shri Sanjeev Thakur of Himachal Pradesh and Shri Manish Kumar of Jharkhand.

IM Concio Tops 1st Marinduque National Rapid Chess Championship

IM Michael Concio Jr. topped the 1st Marinduque National Chess Championship Rapid event held March 10, 2024 at the Marinduque Convention Center in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.

In photo are from left: MCA secretary Rona Bautista, GM Eugene Torre, FM Roel Abelgas (2nd place), IM Michael Concio Jr. (champion), Jonathan Jota (3rd), MCA president Engr. Lauro Bautista and NCFP’s Region IV Director AGM Dr. Fred Paez.

Concio tallied 6.5 points to clinch the open division title and pocket the P50,000 top purse along with trophy in the seven-round Swiss system tournament sponsored by Gov. Presbiterio Velasco and Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and jointly organized by the Marinduque Chess Association (MCA) and Boac Knight Chess Club Inc.

On his way to the title, Concio beat Francis Ligon of Manila in the first round, Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia of Odiongan, Romblon in the second round, NM Edmundo Gatus of Manila in the third round, NM Emmanuel Emperado of Manila in the fourth round, IM Ronald Dableo of Manila in the sixth round and IM Daniel Quizon of Dasmariñas City, Cavite in the seventh and final round. He drew with IM Ricardo de Guzman of Cainta, Rizal in the fifth round.

Ceremonial moves between World Chess Hall of Famer and Asia’s First Grand Master GM Eugene Torre (right) and Cong. Lord Allan Velasco’s representative, Giovanni Buhain during the 1st Marinduque National Chess Open.
Standing from left MCA secretary Rona Bautista, Gov. Presby Velasco’s representative Randy Ayala, NA Gener Vitto, NCFP’s Region IV Director, AGM Dr. Fred Paez, RP Chess Team Member GM Darwin Laylo, MCA President Engr. Bautista, Engr. Joel Hicap.

The 18-years-old Concio is a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems freshman student at Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas and is supported by Dasmariñas City mayor Jenny Barzaga and Rep. Elpidio Barzaga.

FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmariñas City, Cavite edged similar six pointers Jonathan Jota to grab the second place honors as the latter finished third instead.
Abelgas and Jota received P30,000 and P20,000 respectively with trophies.

Quizon bested fellow 5.5 pointers de Guzman, IM Angelo Young of Manila and IM Barlo Nadera of Malabon as they wound up in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh places. Quizon took home P10,000, De Guzman got P7,000, Young received P5,000 while Nadera pocketed P3,000.

Rounding up the top 10 in the open division with 5.0 points each were GM Darwin Laylo of Marikina City, Sherwin Tiu of Manila and Jeremy Marticio of Cabuyao, Laguna.

NM Mar Aviel Carredo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, meanwhile, ruled the kiddies division with 6.5 points, a full point ahead over 2nd place Jerick Faeldonia of Manila and 3rd place John Curt Valencia of Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Jude Angelo Dableo of Manila, Yukihiro Funayama of Marinduque, Jeanne Marie Arcinue of General Trias City, Cavite wound up 4th, 5th and 6th placers, respectively with 5.0 points each.-Marlon Bernardino-

Final Standings:
(Open Division, 83 participants)
6.5 points—IM Michael Concio Jr.
6.0 points—FM Roel Abelgas, Jonathan Jota
5.5 points—IM Daniel Quizon, IM Ricardo de Guzman, IM Angelo Young, IM Barlo Nadera
5.0 points—GM Darwin Laylo, Sherwin Tiu, Jeremy Marticio, FM Alekhine Nouri, Domangoag Pongan Jr.,  Samson Chiu Chin Lim Iii, Jan Francis Mirano, NM Edmundo Gatus, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, NM Jasper Faeldonia
4.5 points—IM Ronald Dableo, NM Emmanuel Emperado, Ernie Faeldonia, Lani Jagong
(Kiddies division, 40 participants)
6.5 points—NM Mar Aviel Carredo
5.5 points—Jerick Faeldonia, John Curt Valencia
5.0 points—Jude Angelo Dableo , Yukihiro Funayama, Jeanne Marie Arcinue
4.5 points—WNM Zhaoyu Capilitan, Aldrich Rendon, Lenette Sharmaine Oh, John Meneses Jayag, Maria Fatima Jimenez

The Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2024: registration for Asia ends March 9th

The Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2024: registration for Asia ends March 9th

The Queens’ Online Chess Festival 2024, a series of continental women’s online blitz tournaments, starts tomorrow, March 09, 2024. This year’s edition of the festival allows everybody to play in two tournaments: Queens’ Women’s Open Tournament and Unrated Princesses’ Tournament (U16 and U9). Registration deadline for Asia is March 9th.

Asian Online Blitz Qualification as a part of Queens’ Women’s Open Tournament starts March 16th, and Unrated Princesses’ Tournament Qualification starts March 24th.

Registrations are made by the players by filling out this form before the deadline: https://forms.gle/Bs9swcu5zkuEY4T87 participation is free of charge.

You can find the full information about the Festival at the FIDE portal: https://www.fide.com/news/2845

Cervero Wins Axe Brand Universal Oil Rapid Chess Tournament

Tristan Jared Cervero won the March 2024 edition of the Axe Brand Universal Oil FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament last Saturday, March 2nd, at the Walter Mart Mall, E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City, Philippines.

Cervero, an AB Interdisciplinary Studies graduate student at Ateneo de Manila University, pocketed the P7,000 purse and the trophy for winning the tournament over 60 other players.

He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.

Cervero defeated Jewel Mireya Avelino,  Almwayne Magpusao, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, John Lee Antonio, Jerry Areque,  and Paul Matthew Llanillo in the first and sixth rounds, respectively.
He snapped his six-match winning streak when he had a draw against NM Jasper Faeldonia in the seventh and final round.
Cervero is set to play in the upcoming GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess championship on March 23rd at the 3rd floor Robinsons Galleria, Edsa corner, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City.
Virgen Gil Ruaya’s second place finish with 6.0 points earned him P4,000 and the trophy, while the third place went to Luffe Magdalaga with similar 6.0 points to earn P2,500 and the trophy.
Faeldonia and Llanillo finished the tournament with similar 5.5 points while Areque, John Lee Antonio, Vladimir Gonzales, Yuri Lei Paraguya and WNM Lexie Grace Hernandez had identical 5.0 points.
The March 2024 Axe Brand Universal Oil Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by Walter Mart, Axe Brand Universal Oil, Starshots Coffee, Nova Wellness Store and Mr. Travis Vincent Chua.
Tournament director was IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia assisted by NA Ranier Pascual and NA Ferdinand Reyes Sr.-Marlon Bernardino-

World Engineering Day Chess Tournament

The Philippine Technical Council World Engineering Day online and over the board chess tournament reeled off 1st March 2024 at the Sentro Artista, Arton by Rockwell, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

Shimmer & Shield Car Coating President/CEO Jeff Bugayong (left) shakes hands with Asia’s First Grandmaster and Hall of Fame Eugene Torre to signal the start of the month-long series. Looking on are, from left, NM/US master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., RDR Business Solution Inc. President/ CEO/Pambansang Business Mentor Reymond Delos Reyes and Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.

The event was also graced by QC rep. Arjo Atayde, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Johanna Datul, Noel Jay “Super B” Estacio and veteran journalist Jay Ruiz and his wife Marj Ruiz. Philippine Technological Council (PTC) World Engineering day is co-organized by 13 engineering association of the Philippines. The over-the-board chess tournament will be held in Koten Enterprise in Pasay City with NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. as chief arbiter.

The Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineer (PIChE) team will be led by IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Bren Sasot, the Institute of Electronics Engineer (IECEP) has Michael Palma and Jaime Hizon, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineer (PSME) will have the Adamson angels Bonalyn Ornido and Jellie Ann Magro while Jellie’s sister Judie Ann will join the defending champion IIEE Jose Piff Caumban and Analyn Cueto.  Players from Philippine Institute of Civil Engineer (PICE) and other Engineering Professional Organization (EPO) will comprise the 40 players slot for this 6 round-swiss, 15+5 tournament.

Meanwhile, on the on-going online Chess tournament participated by 30 teams, the first round was topped by IIEE State of Qatar led by GM Darwin Laylo while 2nd and 3rd round was topped by NM Fritz Bryan Porras playing as import for IIEE Iloilo.  The 4th and 5th final round will be played on March 8 and 22.  Other notable imports playing in this tournament are NM Bernardino, IM Angelo Young, IM Bagamasbad, FM Noel Dela Cruz among others

GM Joey Antonio Wins Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Rapid Chess Event

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. finished undefeated in the Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Club FIDE-rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament held Sunday, February 25 at the Sentro Artista, Arton Strip, Rockwell, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

In photo above are (from left) Tournament Director NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Jerson Ong, IIEE (Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Of The Philippines), GM Joey Antonio, National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez, IIEE Branding and Promotion Vice Chairman Engr. Menandro Lim, IIEE National Secretary Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and IIEE National Auditor Engr. Adrian Rey after the awarding ceremony. (Contributed photo by Engr. Ervin Fernandez).

For his feat, Antonio pocketed P1,500, plus an Amador Inlayo, the “Monalisa 2.0” art painting worth P15,000, Genesis Xyngular product, Axe Brand Universal Oil and a gold medal.

Antonio rode on a blistering start as he hurdled his two opponents – Adrian Alarcon in the first round and WNM Rinoa Mariel Sadey in the second round. He drew with IM Barlo Nadera in the third round then beat Gabriel Ryan Paradero in the fourth round, IM Angelo Young in the fifth round and NM Jose Aquino Jr. in the sixth and final round enroute the coveted chess title.
Over-all Antonio finished with five wins and a draw in six outings.
” A best birthday gift,” added Antonio, who turned 62 last February 19.
FM Mark Jay Bacojo, FM Randy Segarra and FM Noel Dela Cruz finished the tournament with similar 5.0 points while Aquino, Young, John Lance Valencia, WNM Francois Marie Magpily, NM Oscar Joseph Cantela and Nadera have identical 4.5 points.
Adjudged category winners were Bacojo, Segarra, Dela Cruz (top master), Valencia and Paradero (top non-master), Magpily (top lady), Young (top senior), 8-year-old Danry Seth Romualdez  (top kiddy) and lawyer Rudy Rivera (top PWD).

Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre vs Executive Producer of Exhibit Today Ric Angeles, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.vs Carson, California based Danilo Jorda, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna vs lawyer Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera,  Engr. Roger Reyes vs NCFP Director Martin Gaticales and IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez vs IM Angelo Young made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by Engr. Ervin Fernandez, Engr. Menandro Lim, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and Engr. Adrian Rey. (Contributed photo by CM Genghis Imperial)

Earlier, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre vs Executive Producer of Exhibit Today Ric Angeles, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr.vs Carson, California based Danilo Jorda, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna vs lawyer Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera,  Engr. Roger Reyes vs NCFP Director Martin Gaticales and IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez vs IM Angelo Young made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by Engr. Ervin Fernandez, Engr. Menandro Lim, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar and Engr. Adrian Rey.
“The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie,”  said former Senator Antonio Trillanes, a chess enthusiast who personally visited the tournament.
The  Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Club FIDE-rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by NA Ranier Bonoan Pascual, Engr. Gerry Gamaro, Engr. Roger Reyes, Engr. Robert Arellano, Engr. Ervin Fernandez of Genikos, Engr. Joseph Darren Solicar of CSC Construction, Engr. Butch Florido, Engr. Efren Rocamora, Dr. Joe Balinas,  lawyer Juman Paa, Travis Vincent Chua, Genesis Xyngular product, Axe Brand Universal Oil, Starshots Coffee, Nova Wellness store and veteran journalist Jay Ruiz and wife Marj Ruiz.
The next IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Caravan goes to Cafemilya Coffee Shop Luisita, Tarlac City on April 10 backed up by Engr. Roger Reyes in close cooperation with Tarlac chess organizer Henry and Regina Calacday and Alfred Miranda.-Marlon Bernardino-