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Jamshedpur, September 1, 2023: Tata Steel Asian Junior Open and Girls Chess Championship 2023 will be organised between September 7 to 15 at JRD Tata Sports Complex. 

A Total of 123 chess players from about nine (9) countries including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Russia, Indonesia and Nepal have confirmed their participation. This vibrant international presence will add a layer of diversity and competitiveness to the championship.

The event will be graced by the presence of Chess icon Viswanathan Anand as the Chief Guest for the Opening Ceremony scheduled on September 7.

The Championship would be a testament to Jamshedpur’s transformation into a renowned sporting hub, capable of hosting international events.

Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “This historic event not only highlights Tata Steel’s commitment to sports but also showcases the city’s growing prominence as a hub for national and international sporting events. Sports has always been a way of life for us at Tata Steel and such cross cultural interactions will add newer facets to the game of chess.”

Dharmendra Kumar, Chief Arbiter, Tata Steel Asian Open and Girls Chess Championship 2023 asserted that it is a matter of pride that India again has got the opportunity to host the Asian Chess Championship.  It is for the first time that a corporate house has tied up in such an event.

For the first time, a chess championship of this scale is being hosted in Jharkhand. This reinforces Tata Steel’s commitment to promoting chess and nurturing young talent in the region.

The championship will consist of two categories: the Asian Junior Open (Boys and Girls) and the Asian Girls Chess Championship. This dual structure ensures that players of both the genders have an equal opportunity to excel.

Tata Steel’s association with chess:

Tata Steel’s journey with Chess began decades ago, underlining company’s commitment to promoting intellectual pursuits and strategic thinking. Notable events include The Tata Steel Invitational Grand Masters Chess Tournaments in 1986, followed by another in 1988 in Kolkata.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Ryan Recososa took the championship trophy of Kagawad Eden Josefina Bonus Rapid Chess Tournament last Sunday, August 27 at the Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
The 38 years old Recososa, who presently works as associates staff at the Real Estate Brokerage, completed the 6-round Swiss system tilt with the highest score of 5.5 points to grab the title.

Recososa received P4,000, while Reyes and Campos got P2,000 and P1,000 for winding up second and third, respectively.
Also with 5.0 points are fourth Rommel Lucion and fifth Aaron Domingo.
Adjudged category winners who got P500 each are Aldren Baliwang (top PWD), John Paul Mahawan (top junior), Arnel Mahawan (top kiddies), Jashua Patria (top student), Alfredo Chay (top seniors), Joshua Villa (top unrated), Jake Espinosa (top Barangay Holy Spirit) and Lenal Reyes (top Barangay Holy Spirit).

Earlier, Kagawad Eden Josefina Bonus and 7 years old and youngest participants Jamil Mahawan made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by tournament director Ron Demain, Michael Mallari, Lowie Orguino and Gilarmi chess club president Victor Puato.

by Marlon Bernardino

Antipolo City, Philippines —Steven Lanada, a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education graduate student of Rizal Technological University swept his assignments and scored 7.0 points to rule the just concluded 1st Barangay Dela Paz chess tournament held at the Barangay Dela Paz covered court in Antipolo City on Sunday, August 20.

In photo, FIDE Master Christopher Castellano, Kap. Jeff Naval Fernan and Barangay council and SK Chairperson Elyssa Mae “Sam” A. Rivera and Barangay council made the ceremonial moves, firing off the one-day event, which aims to promote chess at the grass roots level and to discover future chess talents.

The 26 years old Lanada opened his campaign with a win over Kristine Reigne Espiritu then followed it with victories over Race John Alceso, Jilliam Avwill Bucsit, Johnny Rey Cauli, William Bucsit, Leo Carlo Campomanes and Lovenson Navarro.

Lanada pocketed the P5,000 cash prize, certificate, chess set and an elegant trophy courtesy of Kap. Jeff Naval Fernan and Barangay Council and SK Chairperson Elyssa Mae “Sam” A. Rivera and SK Council.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” said Lanada, who help the RTU chess team into an over-all championship during the 2018 National Capital Region-State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (NCR-SCUAA) chess team tournament where he won the individual board 3 gold medal award.

Lanada who learned chess at the age of 11 from his uncle Roger Laneda is the 2011 Barangay Eusebio winner in Pasig City as well the 2015 Barangay Burgos champion in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Teo Pastorite Jr. and Enrique Encarnacion finished second and third placers after tallying 6.0 points apiece while Lovenson Navarro and Leo Carlo Campomanes wound up fourth and fifth placers with 5.5 points each.

Rounding up to the top 11 with 5.0 points each are sixth Rodrigo Ramirez, seventh Nino Jan Manloloyo, eight Ericson Valeria, ninth Reedemer Berzonan, tenth Kurt David Panelo and eleventh Adrianne Glenn Sedurifa.

Kap. Jeff Naval Fernan gave an inspirational message to the chess participants

Final Standings: (Seven Round Swiss System, 15 minutes plus 5 seconds time control format)
7.0 points—Steven Lanada
6.0 points—Teo Pastorite Jr., Enrique Encarnacion
5.5 points—Lovenson Navarro, Leo Carlo Campomanes
5.0 points—Rodrigo Ramirez, Nino Jan Manloloyo, Ericson Valeria, Reedemer Berzonan, Kurt David Panelo, Adrianne Glenn Sedurifa

China emerged victorious in the FIDE World Youth U16 Olympiad held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The team dominated the competition, securing an impressive 17 out of 18 match points. Turkey, the last year’s champions, finished second, while Greece claimed the bronze medal. Kazakhstan Teams 1 and 2 brought honors to Asia by finishing in the Top Ten.

A record-breaking total of 252 players from 63 teams representing 47 countries participated in the Youth Olympiad, organized to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Chess Federation.

The Chinese team ruled supreme in Eindhoven. Only Armenia managed to tie the match against the Chinese squad. Out of the 36 games played, China scored a total of 31 board points. Miaoyi Lu became the top scorer of the Chinese team, winning all her games on the fourth board.

She also impressed chess fans and experts with her aggressive playing style. Tong(Qd) Xiao (board 2) and Xiangrui Kong (3rd board) both netted 7.5 out of 9, while Haowen Xue, on the top board, scored 7 points.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich visited the Youth Olympiad during the 6th and 7th rounds of the tournament. He extended his congratulations to the Royal Dutch Chess Federation on its 150th anniversary, commending it as a strong part of the chess community. The tournament was hosted by Eindhoven’s High Tech Campus. According to Dvorkovich, it is important to bring chess to the University campus and tech business. FIDE President expressed his hope that the participants made lasting friendships during the Youth Olympiad.

Bianca de Jong-Muhren, President of the Royal Dutch Chess Federation, expressed her happiness at the successful conclusion of the tournament. “As part of the 150th anniversary of the Dutch Chess Federation KNSB, our aim was to host a prominent international youth event in the Netherlands. We are delighted with our accomplishment and the hosting of the Youth Olympiad in our country. It is also important that every team comprises both male and female players, aligning with our commitment to promote youth chess for all.”

Complete standings

Board Prizes:
Board 1: Read Samadov (Azerbaijan)
Board 2: Tong(Qd) Xiao (China)
Board 3:  Xiangrui Kong (China)
Board 4: Miaoyi Lu (China)

Photos: Lennart Ootes and Frans Peeters

From fide.com

Official website: youtholympiad2023.fide.com/

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.