by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr. (in photo) of Quezon City beat Dale Bernardo of Angeles City, Pampanga in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Challenge dubbed as Bayanihan Chess Club Match Up Series, Chess For A Cause last Saturday, May 29, 2021.
Suelo, the 1996 Philippine Junior Champion, asserted his dominance over Bernardo, one of the top players of GM Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University Chess Team, winning 7-3, in the race to 7 blitz (three-minute plus two seconds increment time control), draws not counted.
“When you’re playing (Dale) Bernardo, you have to bring your A-game. Otherwise, it will be very, very hard to beat him,” said Suelo, a former top player of Barangay Malamig, Rizal Technological University Chess Team during his College Days in the mid 90’s.
“I did my best but FM Robert Suelo was the better player,” said Bernardo.
In another match, Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes of Dila-Dila, Santa, Rita, Pampanga defeated Megan Althea Obrero Paragua of New York City, USA, 7-3.
“It’s a big privilege and honor to play (Megan Althea Obrero) Paragua,” said the 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga.
“I did my best but (Oshrie Jhames ) Reyes still emerged better,” said the 8-year-old Paragua.
Paragua, earlier beat 9-year-old Yanie Ayesha Estavillo of General Trias City, Cavite last May 22, 2021. The young Paragua is the niece of US based GM Mark Paragua.
Other matches pit Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes vs Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (June 4) and Melizah Ruth Carreon of Imus, Cavite vs Siew Kai Xin of Singapore (July 9).
The event is organized by the Bayanihan Chess Club headed by it’s founding chairman US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas in close cooperation with Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Mr. Jimmy Reyes, New York, US based Mr. Jan Vincent Paragua, coach Ederwin Estavillo and Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer