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LAHORE: Rising chess star Ayat Asmi, who won bronze medal in U-12 category in the World School Championships, held in Aktau, Kazakhstan, was honoured by Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman with a Certificate of Recognition presented to her at a ceremony held at the Governor House.

Ayat won the bronze in the event that attracted 400 players from 53 countries and was held from Aug 2 to 8.

Earlier, adviser to chief minister on sports Wahab Riaz also attended ‘Rising Stars’ event where Ayat Asmi and another emerging star Isam Bashir, who won bronze medal in the West Asian Youth Championship Maldives, was honoured.

During the prize distribution ceremony, CFP President Hanif Qureshi, said CFP was confident that Ayat’s and Isam’s remarkable performance in the championships will ignite enthusiasm for chess at the school level.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2023

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua (above right foreground) won the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition at the McCormick Place Convention Center West building in Chicago, Illinois on Friday to earn the WFM title.

The New York, USA based Megan Althea, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua, drew with Audrey Keyan Li of the USA in the last round to hike her total to 7.5 points on six wins and three draws and rule the Girls 12-under category.
Also with 7.5 points was eventual second-placer Rae Chen of Canada. After the tiebreak was applied, Megan Althea would finish first overall in the nine-round Swiss system tournament, 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control format which was held from August 12 to 18.

“I’m so happy with my latest performance and achievement,” said the 10 years old Megan Althea, a fifth grader at Columbia Grammar Preparatory School in New York City.
Megan Althea scored victories over Antia Vazquez Sanchez of Mexico in the first round, Whitney Tse of the USA in the second round, Laura Valentina Pardo Useche of Colombia in the fifth round, Rae Chen of Canada in the sixth round, Arabella Fang of the USA in the seventh round and Iris Nicole Mollo Figueroa of Bolivia in the eight round.
She split the points with Anvitha Penagalapati of the USA in the third round, Olivia Laido of the USA in the fourth round and Li in the ninth and final round.
Rounding up to the top 10 are third Jwalanthi Ram (6.5 pts.), fourth Michelle Zhang (6.5 pts.), fifth Li (6.5 pts.), sixth Fang (6 pts.), seventh Figueroa (5.5 pts.), eight Ellery Zhang (5.5 pts.), ninth Laura Valentina Pardo Useche (5.5 pts.) and tenth Sophia Sun (5.5 pts.).
It shall be recalled that Megan Althea wound up third in the Weeramantry National blitz chess tournament of state champions 1800-2199 Section at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
She also finished third place at the 11th Annual WIM Ruth Haring National Chess Tournament at the DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan and won a $2,000 college scholarship and $450 prize for her efforts.-Marlon Bernardino-

Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua receiving her prize during the awarding ceremony.

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA—FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca swept his assignments and scored 9.0 points to rule the just concluded BM De Veyra Memorial Tournament King of the 64 Squares tilt at the Robinsons Place, Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Sunday, August 13.

The 14 years old Arca, an incoming Grade 9 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School opened his campaign with a win over Allan Doroy then followed it with victories over John Carl Auson, Sebastian Marbas, FM Ellan Asuela, WFM Allaney Jia Doroy, NM Jose Aquino Jr., Jayson Salubre, Randy Ebao and John Christian Lesaca.

Arca (above left in photo) pocketed the P25,000 cash prize courtesy of AGM Alfredo De Veyra III (above right). NA Mark John Centillo was the chief arbiter.

Arca is one of the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy under the guidance of Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Barzaga and national coach FM Roel Abelgas.

Arca is also set to compete in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Chess Tournament on September 30 at the second floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City.-Marlon Bernardino-

Final Standings: (9 Rounds Swiss System, 49 participants)
9 points—FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
7.5 points—FM Ellan Asuela
7.0 points—Jimmy Dano
6.5 points—Aaron Aton, NM Allan Macala
6.0 points— Jayson Salubre, John Christian Lesaca, Jerwin Yabut
5.5 points—NM Jose Aquino Jr., Randy Ebao, WFM Allaney Gia Doroy, Joe Ralph Santillan, AGM  John Gerald Esencia, Kem Mario Toredes,  Nathan Segara, Aliyah Rae Lumangtad

Philippines: Joel Delfin ruled the Amateur Chess and Starshots Coffee Standard Chess Tournament 2023 FIDE Rated 1799 below at the Elyong’s Restaurant in Commonwealth, Quezon City on Sunday, August 13.

Delfin tied for first to third places with Jaime Criste and Jay Fortunado 5.5 points apiece in the 30 minutes plus 30 seconds time control event.

The tournament attracted some 100 players was organized by Mr. Von Carlson Francisco and Mr. Amelito Reyes in close cooperation with Amateur Chess and Starshots Coffee.

With the highest tiebreak points, Delfin took the title, P6,000, trophy, medal and book. Criste finished second got P4,000, medal and book while Fortunado wound up third for P2,500, medal and book.

Rounding up to the top seven who got 5.0 points each are John Paulo Medina (fourth), Gabriel Ryan Paradero (ftfh), Jerlyn Mae San Diego (sixth) and Allan Dolfo II (seventh).

Delfin is a service associate employee of AI Express, and was tagged as the fastest man alive, Blitz National Master.

Delfin scored victories over Saimon Jess Contreras in the first round, Sashkia Adiaton in the second round, Kenneth Namisato in the third round, Gabriel Ryan Paradero in the fourth round and  John Paulo Medina in the fifth round. He split the points with Jerlyn Mae San Diego in the sixth and final round.

Delfin will banner the Al Express chess team when the 1st Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Inter-Commercial Team Championships gets underway on August 19, 20 and 26 at the Estancia Mall, Pasig City.

Delfin is also set to compete in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Chess Tournament on September 30, 2023 at the second floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City – by Marlon Bernardino

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher (center background) and Chief Arbiter K.K. Chan, president of the Hong Kong Chess Federation to his left, with top boys in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship blitz awards. China, Indonesia and Mongolia topped the Eastern Asia Youth Blitz Chess Championship held 10th August 2023 in Hainan, China. Visit gallery at official site for more photos.

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher delivering address at the closing ceremony.

Six Chinese youths, a surprising Hong Kong trio and the Mongolian contingent powered their countries to top three finish in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship held 3-11 August in Hainan, China. Thailand produced its first International Master in gold medalist Prin Laohawirapap while Kim Jooyeon swept the under 8 girls to show a bright future for Korea.

Zone 3.5 President Abigail Tian Hongwei (left), General Secretary of the Chinese Chess Association, awards trophies to the top three federations, from second left, third placer Mongolia, runner-up Hong Kong and overall champion China.

Over 220 players from 13 countries competed, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host China. The tournament was organized by the Chinese Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation. The event was supported by the FIDE Planning and Development Commission.

Visit chess-results.com.

Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher awarded the honors at the closing ceremony in Hainan.

Congratulations to U18 gold medalist Prin Laohawirapap for becoming Thailand’s first International Master.

FM Manon Reja Neer became champion in the Under-18 Open category of the Sheikh Kamal National Youth Chess Championships 2023. The Sheikh Kamal National Youth Chess Championships -2023, Under-8,10,12,14, 16 &18, Open & Girls is now being held at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room and National Sports Council Conference-Room, on the occasion of the 74^th birth anniversary of Captain Sheikh Kamal, the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the pioneer of modern sports in Bangladesh.

FM Manon Reja Neer earned maximum 7 points in the Open U-18 Category and clinched the title. Swarnavo Choudhury became runner-up with 6 points & Md. Nafis Fuad Zahin became 3^rd with 5 points in the Under-18 Open category.

CM Nusrat Jahan Alo of Cumilla became champion in U-18 girl’s category with 6 points. FM Wadifa Ahmed became runner-up with 5½ points and Jannatul Ferdausi of Rajshahi became 3^rd 4½ points.

CM Md Azmaeen Parvez Sayor became unbeaten champion by scoring maximum 7 points in U-16 Open category. Mohammad Shaker Ullah of Cox’s Bazar became runner-up with 6 points and Afnan Jarif Haque became 3^rd with 5½ points in open U-16 category.

In the under-16 girl’s category, Isarat Jahan Diba became champion with 5½ points. In the under-16 girl’s category, Omnia Binte Yusuf Lubaba of Chattogram became runner up and with 4½ points and Simon Ahmed of Cumillah became 3^rd 3½ points.

Kazi Afsan Ronak Annan became champion with 6 points in U-14 open category. In the U-14 open category, Sudipta Pal of Sylhet became runner-up with 5½ points and Aabid Mahadi Saad became 3^rd with 5 points.

Jannatul Preety of Barisal became champion in the U-14 girl’s category with six points. Jinnat Akhtar Shahnaz of Dhaka became runner-up with 6 points and Mehjabin Akter Jubaida of Pabna came third with 5 points in U-14 girls category.

CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Pabna won the title of unbeaten champion with 6½ points in the under-12 open category. Aiyan Rahman became runner-up and Oitijjo Barua became 3^rd with 5½ points each in the under-12 open category.

CM Warsia Khusbu of Dhaka has won the honor of becoming the ubnbeaten champion with full 7 points in under-12 girl’s category. Jarin Tasnim became runner-up with 5 points and Praggya Roy Chowdhury (Pragna) of Chittagong became 3^rd with 4½ points in U-12 girl’s category.

In the under-10 open category, Muhtadi Tajwar Nasheed became champion with five 5½ points. Safayat Kibria Aazan became runner-up and Aninda Rrick Digbijoy of Chittagong became 3^rd by scoring 5 points in the under-10 open category.

Marufa Ferdousy of Mymensingh became champion in U-10 girls category with 6 points. Sidratul Muntaha of Dhaka became runner-up with 5½ points and Masrifa Ahmed Raha of Chittagong became 3^rd with 4 points in the under-10 girl’s category.

Warisa Haider of Dhaka won the honor of becoming the champion with 5 points in the under-8 girl’s category. Zowena Mehbish of Dhaka became runner-up with 4 points and Umrah Ababil of Chittagong became 3^rd with 3 points in the under-8 girl’s category.

The Prize-Distribution ceremony was held today (Wednesday 9th August) evening after games. Mr. Ashiqur Rahman Miku, Deputy Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association distributed prizes among winners as chief guest. Mr. K M Shahidullah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation presided over the ceremony. International Organiser Masudur Rahman Mallick, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation & International Organiser Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhury Moly, Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation & International Arbiter Md Haroon Or Rashid gave speeches in the ceremony. Mr. Sajal Mahmud, Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation and International Arbiter Md. Anichujjaman Jewel were present.

Chinese children dominated the Eastern Asia Youth Rapid Chess Championship second half yesterday in Hainan. China won the most gold medals followed by Mongolia in second slot and Singapore and Vietnam tied for third slot. Visit chess-results.com for Rapid chess round by round results.

New players from Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines and Thailand are surprise leaders joining chess powerhouses China, Mongolia and Vietnam for the lead midway through the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Hainan, China. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

Over 220 players are competing from 13 countries, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host China. The tournament is organized by the Chinese Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation.  Here are the top three scorers in each age group.

G08 – Kim, Jooyeon (KOR) vs Khajidmaa, Khurelbaatar (MGL)

G10 – Xue, Tianhao (CHN) vs Luo, Zhenzhen (CHN)

G12 – Dulguun, Bayarbileg (MGL) vs Zhang, Bohan (CHN)

G14 – Feng, Eunice (HKG) vs Rice, Leah (SGP)

G16&18 – Zhao, Yunqing (CHN) vs Vu, Bui Thi Thanh Van (VIE)

U08 – Romualdez, Danry Seth (PHI) vs Bai, Moxuan (CHN)

U10 – Poon, Pak Yu (HKG) vs Zhou, Guoyu (CHN)

U12 – Li, Yiheng (HKG) vs Qu, Haoming (CHN)

U14 – Wang, Puxuan (CHN) vs Yee, Hao Loong (MAS)

U16 – Ulziikhishig, Khishigbat (MGL) vs Siva Kumar, Nirish Kumar (MAS)

U18 – Batbold, Nyamsuren (MGL) vs Laohawirapap, Prin (THA)

The Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship passed the round 5 halfway mark yesterday in Hainan, China. Over 220 players are competing from 13 countries, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host China.

The tournament is organized by the Chinese Chess Association under the auspices of FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation. Visit chess-results.com

Surprisingly, a Korean girl leads the under-8 girls. At the halfway mark, Kim, Jooyeon is alone with a perfect score of 5 points in as many rounds. In photo above is the Korean delegation.

China’s Xue, Tianhao leads the under-10 girls with 4.5 points followed by Enkhriikhen, Nyamdorj of Mongolia and Luo, Zhenzhen of China who are tied at 4 points each. In photo above are the Mongolian players.

In the under-12 girls, Zhang, Bohan of China leads with 4.5 points followed by Dulguun, Bayarbileg of Mongolia with 4 points and Tong, Yiyi of China with 3.5 points.

Feng, Eunice of Hong Kong leads the under-14 girls with 4.5 points followed by Le, Dang Bao Ngoc of Vietnam with 4 points and Maral Altankhuyag with 3.5 points. In photo above is the Hong Kong delegation.

Zhao, Yunqing of China leads the under-16 girls with 4.5 points followed by WFM Edithso, Samantha of Indonesia with 3.5 points and WCM Chen, Yining of China with 2.5 points.

Among Girls under-18, WFM Vu, Bui Thi Thanh Van of Vietnam leads under-18 girls with 4 points followed by Latifah, Laysa of Indonesia and Margadgua, Erdenebayar of Mongolia tied at 4 points each.

Among the boys, Bai, Moxuan of China leads the under-8 category with a perfect 5-point slate followed by compatriot Zhang, Zhirui and Filipino Romualdez, Danry Seth in a tie at 4 points each.

In the boys under-10, five players are tied for the lead at 4 points each, namely Shen, Houlin, Zhou, Guoyu and Sima, Qizhen of China, Kim, Donghan of Korea and Poon, Pak Yu of Hong Kong.

Four players are tied at 4 points each in the boys under-12, namely Qu, Haoming of China, Iderjavkhlan, Tumursukh and Batzaya, Agibat of Mongolia and Li, Yiheng of Hong Kong. Cairel Adrin, Rumi Arjuna Malique and Kavin, Mohan of Malaysia, Ashwath, Kaushik of Singapore and Shen, Fuyan, Chen, Muxi and Chen, Lexing of China. In above photo is the Malaysian delegation.

Lam, Chun Yung Samuel of Hong Kong and Yee, Hao Loong of Malaysia are tied for the lead with 4.5 points each in the under-14 boys followed by Zhou, Yuxu and Wang, Puxuan of China at 4 points apiece.

Ulziikhishig, Khishigbat of Mongolia leads alone with 4.5 points in the boys under-16 followed by Chen, Zhi of China with 4 points and Siva Kumar, Nirish Kumar of Malaysia and Chen, Yuan of China with 3.5 points each.

Finally in the boys under-18, FM Laohawirapap, Prin of Thailand leads with 4.5 points followed by Chen, Hongsen of China with 4 points and CM Batbold, Nyamsuren of Mongolia with 3.5 points. In above photo is Thailand delegate led by Thai Chess Association president Sahapol Nakvanich (second from left), Treasurer of Asian Chess Federation.

Today is a free day and the tournament resumes tomoroow.