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FM Christian Gian Carlo Tade -Arca, 14, dominated the IM Rony and Mam Elvira Invitational Rapid Chess Championship held February 17, 2024 at the Metro Gate Club House, Metro Gate Subdivision in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines.

Gian Carlo Arca won the competition, achieving a score of 11.5 out of 13 Rounds on account of 11 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and took home the grand prize of Php 10,000 and a medal.

FM Christian Gian Carlo Tade -Arca, second from left, shakes hands with 2-time Olympian IM Petronio “Rony” Roca.

Christian’s path to victory saw him outmaneuver a formidable lineup of opponents. He defeated NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in round 1, IM Chito Garma in round 2, IM Angelo Young in round 4, NM Carlo Lorena in round 5, NM Edmundo Gatus in round 6, FM Carlos Edgardo Garma in round 7, NM Homer Cunanan in round 8, IM Barlo Nadera in round 9, NM Romeo Alcodia in round 10, CM Genghis Imperial in round 12 and Agripino Camposano in round 13.
He drew with 1981 Asian Junior Champion IM Ricardo de Guzman in round 3. His only loss was inflicted by FM Adrian Ros Pacis in round 11.

For winning the tournament, the 14-year-old student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School got a chance to play 2-time Olympian IM Petronio “Rony” Roca in a challenge match. Playing black, Christian edged Rony and got added prizes of Php 5,000 courtesy of Rocafé Coffee Bar, Royal Maharaja Lady Eagles Club, Mapagmahal Region NCR 98, PER Solutions Engineering Services & Consultancy and C-Style Prints.

Christian is among the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Rep. “Elpidio” Pidi Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.
IM Young came in second place with 10 points, losing only to the champion, IM Garma and IM Guzman, both scored 9 points, securing the third and fourth position.
IM Barlo Nadera clinched the fifth position with 8.5 points, followed by 16-year-old NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in sixth position with 7.5 points.
FM Pacis, NM Gatus, CM Imperial, FM Garma, NM Alcodia, NM Lorena, NM Cunanan and Camposano rounded out the top fourteen (14).
Meantime, Noel Jay “Super B” Estacio defeated Rodel Jose Juadinez Jr. in the play off to win the side event.
Tournament director was NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. assisted by Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez and FIDE Arbiter Byron Gabrentina Villar.
Christian is setting his sights on becoming the country’s next International Master.  Christian. He is scheduled to compete in the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Open scheduled April 13 to 21, 2024 at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa in Phetchaburi, Thailand.
His current Elo rating is 2283 (standard), 2246 (rapid), and 2274 (blitz).
He bagged his first IM norm during the 18th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship held at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September.
It shall be recalled that Christian scored 8.5 points in nine rounds to rule the side event (blitz competition) of the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship held last November at the Pala Dean Martin Centro Congressi  in Montesilvano, Italy.
Christian also won the gold medal in the blitz competition of the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championship 2023 at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last December.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo caption:

Final Standings: (Single Round Robin format, time control of eight minutes plus three seconds increment, 14 players field)
11.5 points—FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
10 points—IM Angelo Young
9 points—IM Chito Garma, IM Ricardo de Guzman
8.5 points—IM Barlo Nadera
7.5 points—NM Oscar Joseph Cantela
7 points—FM Adrian Ros Pacis
5.5 points—NM Edmundo Gatus, CM Genghis Imperial
5 points—FM Carlos Edgardo Garma, NM Romeo Alcodia
4 points—NM Carlo Lorena
2.5 points—NM Homer Cunanan
2 points—Agripino Camposano

IM Rishi Sardana has won the 2024 Australian Championship, by a comprehensive two point margin. He was presented with his trophy and $3,000 prize by Brian Blanton, the Store Manager for Adelaide’s Finest Supermarket — Frewville — a major supporter for the event.

Sardana scored an undefeated 9.5/11, ahead of Yi Liu and Samuel Asaka on 7.5. Tied for 4th were Fred Litchfield and Stephen Solomon on 7.

All prize winners are listed on the Results page. More photos from the Closing Ceremony are in the Gallery \.

The first Dan Jorda & IIEE-Bayanihan Chess Club FIDE-rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament reels off 25 February at the Arton Strip Rockwell, Blue Ridge A, 226 Katipunan, Quezon City (Beside Conti’s), Philippines.

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre (seated) and Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre will give the inspirational remarks, along with Carson, California based Danilo Jorda, Bayanihan Chess Club legal counsel lawyer Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera and Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez during the short opening ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 25.

Bayanihan Chess Club founding president National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. will make the welcome remarks while National Arbiter Ranier Pascual will introduce the guest speakers.

Leading the participants are reigning back-to-back Asian Senior (65 over category) champion IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, IM Barlo Nadera, IM Hamed Nouri, IM Angelo Young, FM Alekhine Nouri, FM Adrian Ros Pacis, FM Noel Dela Cruz and WFM Allaney Jia Doroy.

Others competing in the event, sponsored by New York based Engr. Gerry Gamaro, Sentro Artista Director Marjorie Ruiz, Engr. Art Maurera of Eurolux and Engr. Ervin Fernandez of Genikos are NM Jose Aquino Jr., NM Romeo Alcodia, NM Edmundo Gatus, NM Michael Gotel, NM Lorenzo Aaron Cantela and NM Oscar Joseph Cantela.

Other woodpushers participating are CM Genghis Imperial, Noel Jay Estacio, Vic Alfaro, Ronald Donasco, Julian Paul Querubin, Dionisio Urbina Jr., Evaristo Tizon, Seth Heherson Flores, Christine Alayon, John Michael Urbina, Juan Samson Cantela, Lee Santos, Anthony Bustonera, Arnel Espiritu Sr., Matthew Gunnar Gotel and Trustee Icao.

The event, hosted by IIEE and Bayanihan Chess Club, offers a total prize of P11,000 with the champion getting the lion’s share of P1,500 plus artwork painting worth P15,000 .

Al Romaithi Ahmad of the UAE won the Al Ain Winter International Chess Festival Blitz tournament held 10th February 2024 at the Al Ain Mind Games and Chess Club in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Al Ain Mind Games and Chess Club Technical Director Dr. Hesham Elgendy awards the champion trophy and medal to Al Romaithi Ahmad.

FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz won the Antonio “Bolok” Memorial Open Rapid Chess Tournament held February 10th at the Jesus Dela Peña Covered Court in Marikina City. In photo are, from left GM Darwin Laylo (3rd place), FM Noel Dela Cruz (2nd place), Tournament Director Isagani “Fischer” De Ramos Jr. and FM Christian Mark Daluz.

Daluz, a member of the University of Santo Tomas chess team under the guidance of GM candidate Ronald Dableo swept his assignments and scored 7.0 points to bring home a P10,000 cash prize.

FM Noel Dela Cruz scored 6.5 points while GM Darwin Laylo, NM Phil Martin Casiguran, Jeremy Marticio, IM Daniel Quizon, Leonel Escote, Carlo Caranyagan and Jonathan Jota finished the tournament with similar 6.0 points.

“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,” former National Chess Federation of the Philippines director Thaddeus Antonio “Boy Bolok” Santos Jr. said.

WNM Antonella Berthe Racasa won the Top Marikina Junior Chess Player award (right). Also in photo are (from left)  arbiter Albert Morris Odtohan and Tournament Director Isagani “Fischer” De Ramos Jr.

A FIDE Trainers Online Seminar in English for Women was held 2-4 February 2024

Sixty six (66) trainers from thirty seven (37) national federations participated in the seminar.

The project has been supported by the FIDE Development Fund.

https://trainers.fide.com/2024/04/01/results-of-the-fide-trainers-online-seminar-02-04-february-2024-english/

The JCI Senate Lipa Open Rapid Chess Tournament will be held on June 17, 2024 at the Lipa Convention Center, formerly known as LASCA. The tournament is held in celebration of the Lipa City Foundation Day.

A total pot of P222,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs in this 2 division tournament.

The team champion will earn P50,000 while the individual winner will pocket P7,000.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZANDWbUCU8L7RRZd/?mibextid=oFDknk

The city of Lipa was founded on June 20, 1947 by virtue of RA 162. Known for its rich coffee heritage, there are many tourist attractions in Lipa City that cater to local and foreign tourists with its rich culture and delicious cuisine. We highly encourage chess players to explore the city of Lipa before or after the tournament.

The tournament is part of the week-long celebration of Lipa City’s foundation day.

JCI Senate Lipa firmly believes that chess not only instills discipline but also nurtures excellence and a competitive spirit among players, especially the youth.

Call or text mobile number: +63-908-702-5913.

A new chess league called Association of Chess Amateurs in the Philippines, Inc. (ACAPI) under an online Platform has been formed. In simul photo are founder AGM Engr. Rey Crisologo Urbiztondo versus Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre

Colorful opening ceremonies are set for February 11 while the game starts on February 13.
The league, which is founded by the team of Online Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Engr. Rey Crisologo Urbiztondo, will have 101 teams competing, composed of Open (16 teams), Senior (13 teams), Female (14 teams), Youth (25 teams), U-12 ( 21 teams) and PWD  (12 teams).
“We have been planning this for a long time,” said Engr. Urbiztondo, who is also member of the board of directors of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
“We are doing this for the chess industry,” added Urbiztondo. The league seeks to provide opportunities for the country’s amateur woodpushers. It covers almost all sectors of the chess community with six categories, notably: Open, Youth, Elementary, Seniors, Ladies and PWD.
“Presently about 101 teams have confirmed participation or almost 600 players and still counting with the deadline of submission of participation on February 8,” waas the last word of Engr. Urbiztondo, who is also Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates team owner at the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines PCAP chess league and founder of Rising Chess Unlimited Diamond Developmental Program (RCUDDP).
Among the team to watch are Surigao Diamond Knights owned by Engr. Urbiztondo and team manager Engr. Dohjie Morales and sponsored by Rep. Ace Barbers and Davao Durianburg managed by Davao executives headed by Atty. Jong Guevarra and the 3 teams from Misamis Occidental ( AMOFCA) of Governor Henry S. Oaminal. -Marlon Bernardino-

Pakistan’s government makes a strong push towards promoting chess, starting with 10,000 schools

The delegation of FIDE, headed by President Arkady Dvorkovich, met with the President of Pakistan, Dr Arig Alvi, and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on February 2nd 2024 in Islamabad for the launch of Pakistan’s National Mind Sports Initiative.

Promoted by the government, the initiative aims to introduce chess and other activities in schools and to the public, fostering the development of mind sports in the country.

During the meeting in Islamabad, FIDE officials and representatives of Pakistan’s chess federation discussed strategies to increase the popularity of chess in Pakistan. Currently, Pakistan’s top player, Mohamed Zohaib Hassan, has a rating of 2269.

Recognizing the mental and educational benefits of chess and its positive impact on intellectual development, the government of Pakistan introduces chess into its educational system.

Following the meeting, it was announced that Pakistan, with 236 million residents, will promote chess in the country, particularly at the grassroots level, through programs aimed at schools. FIDE, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, and other Pakistani state officials discussed how this could be done, with a focus on the primary school level, modeling on FIDE’s successful project “Chess in schools,” implemented in many countries worldwide. As part of the mind games project, chess is to be introduced in 10,000 public schools across Pakistan, starting with 100 schools in Islamabad, the country’s capital.

“Some 6,000,000 children in 10,000 schools in Pakistan will have the chance to get access to this game,” said Arkady Dvorkovich. He promised FIDE’s support in coaching teachers for the chess in schools initiative.

FIDE’s Development Director Nigel Short and Secretary of FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission Rita Atkins continue to tour Pakistan with chess in schools lectures, simultaneous game exhibitions, and meetings with prison authorities in promotion of the Chess for Freedom project.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said he was happy that he made a commitment to this special cause, and he will also continue to support and promote this cause in the future. He added that every school in the country should have access to this game.

Apart from Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE’s delegation included Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al-Nehayan (President of the Asian Chess Federation), Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Deputy Chair of FIDE’s Management Board), GM Nigel Short (FIDE’s Development Director), Hisham Al Taher, Secretary-General of the Asian Chess Federation, as well as Jauhar Saleem, Chief Patron of the Chess Federation of Pakistan.

Late Mir Sultan Khan given Grandmaster Title

The federal minister for inter-provincial cooperation, Fawad Hassan Fawad, noted the legacy of Mir Sultan Khan (1903 – 1966), a native chess player from Sargodha in northeast Pakistan, who won the British Chess Championship in 1929, 1931, and 1932.

Arkady Dvorkovich presented Pakistan’s officials with the document awarding the title of Honorary Grandmaster to Mir Sultan Khan. A Punjabi chess player, and a citizen of Pakistan is thought to have been the strongest chess master of his time from Asia. Mir Sultan Khan, who beat some of the world’s top players despite growing up with little access to chess books and knowing next to nothing about the theory of chess, became the first Pakistani grandmaster.

From FIDE delegation meets with Pakistan’s President and PM