PERENA AND SO IN INDONESIA

CATHERINE PERENA NOTCHES BACK-TO-BACK DRAWS IN INDONESIA CHESS

WOMAN National Master Catherine Pereña kept the Philippine flag flying high after scoring back to back draws at the start of JAPFA 2008 Chess Festival six-women's player round-robin tournament at the National Sports Council (KONI) headquarters in Central Jakarta in Indonesia.

The Caloocan City resident Perena, who holds an Elo rating of 2234 held into a draw tournament favorite Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Li Ruofan (2423) of Singapore in the opening round on Tuesday then split the point with Woman International Master (WIM) Irine Kharisma Sukandar (2243) of Indonesia in the second round on Wednesday.

Perena's stint here is supported by NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr.

" Maganda ang simula ng laro ni Catherine (Pereña), sana makakuha siya ng norm diyan sa Indonesia Chess," said Pichay yesterday.

In other matches yesterday, WGM Li beat WGM Regina Pokorna (2352) of Slovakia while WGM Jana Krivec (2362) of Slovenia settled a draw with Women's FIDE Master (WFM) Thandar Aye Win of Myanmar.


WESLEY SO BATTLES SUSANTO MEGARANTO IN ONE ON ONE MATCH

WESLEY SO, 14, the current world youngest grandmaster in the world will continue his streak after winning the 10th Dubai Open Chess Cup last Monday. He will meet fellow GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia in a one-on-one match last night in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This was bared yesterday by NCFP director Wilfredo "Willie" Abalos in an interview. "Mamya (kagabi) kakalabanin ni Wesley (So) si Susanto (Megaranto), hope magpatuloy ang kanyang pananalasa," said Abalos.

" Bali standard (classical chess) ang time-control at may tig six games," he added.

So holds an Elo rating of 2540 while Megaranto had a higher 2561, both players are ranked No.1 in their respective countries.

So made prominence when he finished in a tie for first place in the 2005 World Youth Chess Championships in Belfort, France.

Meanwhile, two Big Open Tournaments with $70,000 in cash prizes are scheduled in the Philippines next month. The 2nd Philippine Open International Tournament is scheduled May 6 to May 15 at the La Legenda Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport followed immediately by the 3rd Philippine Open from May 15 to 24 in nearby Pampanga. Both tournaments shall be 11-round Swiss system events, The events are organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Hon. Prospero Pichay.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison