Sunday, August 3, 2008

ANTONIO, TORRE SHARES TOP HONORS IN QC CHESS ROAD SHOW

LONG-TIME Philippines vanguard grandmasters Eugene Torre and Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., both decided not to play in so called tie breaker or deciding match but agreed to share the top honors in the just concluded QC Chess Road Show at the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Cubao on Friday.

This after the 56-year-old Torre, Asia's First GM defeated the 46-year-old Antonio in 42 pushes of a London System Opening in Game Six to tie the match at 3-3 count in their six games showdown, as part of city's sports tourism project.

"No more tie break," said Torre, in a text message yesterday.

Tournament director Tito Estaris also said "Nagkasundo na ang dalawa na wala ng tie breaker, ang objective naman ng event ay sports tourism na ipakita sa mga tao ang iba't-ibang significant places sa Quezon City.

"Ang maganda ay nakapag contribute kami ni Eugene (Torre) sa Quezon City at lalong-lalu na sa mga kabataan," added Antonio, who beat Torre by one point ten years ago during the Centennial Chess Duel in Land Bank, Makati.

After the 1998 Centennial Chess Duel, the two Filipino chess icons also play a one-on-one secret match and also ended in a draw at the Presidential Tower in Timog, Quezon City.

Antonio, who is schedule to compete in the Michigan International Open Chess before the end of the month is ahead of 2 points in their head-to-head battle against Torre.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO.

SSS BEATS PTA TO RETAIN GCAA CHESS TEAM TITLE

Final Ranking:

SSS-30 pts; PAGCOR-25 pts; TRANSCO-24 pts; NPC-21 pts; PHILHEALTH-20.5 pts; PCSO-18 pts; LBP-17 pts; PTA 12.5 pts

SOCIAL Security System (SSS) blasted Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), 6-0, in the seventh and final round to retained their GCAA Chess Team Tournament title was held recently at the 2nd floor SSS Bldg, in East Avenue, Quezon City.

SSS chess squad headed by playing/coach Dioniver "Bobot" Medrano finished a total of 30.0 points in this eight team tournament.

"Nagbunga 'yung ginawa naming paghahanda para matagumpay na maidepensa namin ang aming korona," said Medrano.

Aside from Medrano, other member of the back to back champion SSS chess team are Conrado Costinar Jr., Arvin Olorvida, Robert Gene Mariano, Noah Prudencio, Kristoferson Ursal, Charlie Suyom, Rene Damaycos, Rey Valencerina and Froilan Acido.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR bannered by Renato Quito edged LBP, 3.5-2.5, to finish solo second place with 25.0 points while TRANSCO headed by NM Dennis Gutierrez trounced PCSO, 4.5-1.5, to settled third place finish with a total of 24.0 points.

Adjudged individual gold medalist winner were board 1 NM Dennis Gutierrez (TRANSCO), board 2 Adrian Cailao (TRANSCO), board 3 Robert Gene Mariano (SSS), board 4 Noah Prudencio (SSS), board 5 Kristoferson Ursal (SSS), board 6 Melchor Manubay (PAGCOR), board 7 Rene Domaycos (SSS), board 8 Dennis Mijares (PAGCOR), board 9 Baltazar Yuzon (PAGCOR) and board 10 Nelson Pili (PCSO). NM Elias Lao served as chief arbiter in the said chessfest.

No less than NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., and SSS Executive Vice-President Horacio "Horace" Templo led the opening rites.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

TORRE BEATS ANTONIO TO EVEN ONE-ON-ONE SHOWDOWN

ASIA'S First Grandmaster Eugene Torre turned back fellow GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., after 40 pushes of a French Defense in Game four of their six-games duel enabled him to even the one-on-one showdown at 2-2 on one win, one loss and two draws in the ongoing dubbed as QC Chess Road Show at the Tandang Sora Shrine in Quezon City late Monday.

"Nang nakita kong may pagkakataong manalo kay Joey (Antonio) pinilit ko talaga kasi mahalaga y'ung panalo natin sa kanya para makatabla tayo sa match lalu na't maikli ang format," said Torre, who will turn 57 on Nov.4

Tournament director Tito Estaris said when the game ended after almost four hours battle, the long-time RP vanguard Torre has a knight and six pawns against Antonio's bishop and six pawns in this event organized and hosted by QC mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr., and Majority Floor Leader Councilor Ariel Enrile-Inton, as part of City's sports tourism project.

"Maganda talaga 'yung tinira ni Eugene (Torre) saka mali 'yung move ko na king to h8," admitted the 46-year-old Antonio, who beat Torre by one point during their first encounter ten years ago dubbed as Centennial Chess Duel held at the Land Bank, Makati.

Chief arbiter IA Gene Poliarco said that two remaining games will be held at the Shrine of Pugad Lawin starting today, July 30 and at the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center on August 1.

In case the scores is still tied after six games of play, a seventh and deciding game will be played at the Eastwood City in Libis.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO



TORRE, ANTONIO CLASH IN QC CHESS ROAD SHOW

ASIA's first GM Eugene Torre and GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. are ready to renew their rivalry in their six games showdown when they clash each other starting on Monday (July 21) at the Quezon City Hall dubbed as "QC chess road show."

In 1998 GMs Torre and Antonio played a 12-game match which ended with a score of 5.5-6.5 in favor of the latter. GM Joey won once and there were 11 draws and became the first local player to beat Torre in a series with a 1-up victory.

In fact, during the echelon of Torre, he beat the likes of Cardoso, Balinas, Yap, Naranja, Rodriguez among others.

"We take pride that both Eugene and Joey are longtime residents of Quezon City," said Quezon City majority floor leader and fourth district councilor Ariel Inton."
"Both Torre and Antonio are recipients of the city's Most outstanding athlete and citizen." added Inton, a well known sports advocate.

No less than QC mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. and QC Majority Floor leader Councilor Ariel Inton are expected do to the opening rites of the "QC chess road show" is part of the tourism project of the city hosted by the city government headed by QC Mayor Belmonte in close cooperation with Bataan construction magnate Jerry Acuzar, former National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president and QC 3rd district representative Matias Defensor, ACCEL, Dickies Philippines, Filway Marketing Inc. and Hataw tabloid newspaper.

Tournament director Tito Estaris said aside from City Hall, the other venues where the matches will be held are Tomas Morato (July 23), La Loma district (July 25), the Tandang Sora shrine (July 28), Pugad Lawin shrine (Aug. 1) and the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center (Aug.4).

Estaris added that GM Jayson Gonzales, IMs Rolando Nolte, Ronald Bancod, Emmanuel Senador and Mirabeau Maga will also do simultaneous exhibition and chess clinics.Chief arbiter in the said event is International Arbiter (IA) Gene Poliarco.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

GOMEZ, PEREÑA TOPS WORLD CHESS OLYMPIC QUALIFYING EVENT

INTERNATIONAL Master John Paul Gomez and Woman National Master Catherine Pereña topped their respective division at the conclusion of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) qualifying tournament (National Finals) to determine RP's Olympiad representative over the weekend at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.

The former three-time Philippine Junior champion Gomez, who hails from Biñan, Laguna finished with 13.0 points to added National Finals to his growing list of achievements.

The mechanical engineering student of La Salle Gomez, who earned his GM norm on Friday after held GM Mark Paragua into a draw led team Philippines in the World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany and the World Mind Games in Beijing, China later this year after topping the said qualification tournament.

"I hope I can accomplish GM status soon. I'm happy with the way I've been playing," said Gomez, who needs two more GM norms to become the eighth Filipino to reach the highest ranking in chess. "I would like to thank NCFP president (Butch) Pichay for helping my local and international campaign." He added.

Joining them in the RP Olympic team were world youngest GM Wesley So (12.5 pts), GM Bong Villamayor (11.5 pts), GM Jayson Gonzales (10 pts.), GM Darwin Laylo (10 pts.) and GM Paragua (10 pts.).

However, the fate of long-time RP chess icons Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio Jr., who both failed to compete in the qualifying round because of their health and personal reason are in the hands of the NCFP board headed by its president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. if the duo will include in the Olympic team.

Torre and Antonio, who both schedule to play one-on-one match on July 21 are expressed willingness to play for the flag and country if the NCFP board consider to put in the line-up.

In the distaff side, Pereña, from Caloocan City took another feather on her capped after winning the women's play with 8.0 points. Completing the top five finishers were WNM Shercila Cua (7.5 pts), WNM Daisy Rivera (7.0 pts), WNM Chardine Cheradee Camacho (7.0 pts) and WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales (6.0 pts)

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

TURQUEZA DOMINATES LAGUNA CHESS TOURNEY

NEWLY RP chess sensation Mari Joseph "MJ" Turqueza of Quezon City continued his hot streak as the San Sebastian College stalwart swept all his matches in the junior division to emerge champion in the just concluded 2nd Letran-Calamba Non-Master Active Chess Championships, over the weekend at the 3/F Bldg., Martin de Porres Bldg, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba City.

The 14-year-old Turqueza, also a habitué of V. Luna Chess Club, who is fresh from winning the 2008 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships along with another RP whiz kid Jan Emmanuel Garcia, tallied an impressive six points to receive the top prize of 3,000 plus trophy in the event jointly organize by Laguna Chess Association and Physical Education Athletics & Sports Department of Letran-Calamba and backed up by St. Peregine Dental Clinic.

Bryan Cyril Martinez took the runner-up honors with 5.0 points to pocket P1,500 plus medal while Moises Beo settled third with 4.5 points to went home the P1,000 plus medal.

Tying at 4th to 6th placers were Mark Tañamor, Nigel Valezuela and Giovanni Zyrene with 4.0 points each in the event also supported by Vice-Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Cong. Justin Mark Chipeco and Mayor Joaquin Chipeco.

Meanwhile, local bet Rodolfo Panopio Jr. and Paolo Bersamina of Pasay City also topped their respective division in this event which attracted 117 chess players.

Panopio defeated Ivan Gil Biag Jr., of Dasmariñas, Cavite in bucholz tie break to bring home the championships trophy in the senior division while Bersamina score 5.5 points to take home the kiddie chess plum. Panopio and Biag, both tallied 5.5 pointsin six outings.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

DAVAO CHESS PRIDE WINS MAGNOLIA CHESSFEST

FORMER Shell National Youth Active Chess Champion Dharim Bacus of Davao City defeated veteran campaigner Clement Valledor in the seventh and final round to rule the 1st Saturday Magnolia Non-Master Active Chess Tournament held over the weekend at the Perez Building, Dona Soledad corner Australia Street in Paranaque City.

Bacus swept all his matches in the seven-round Swiss system format to clinch the title, championships trophy and pocket the top prize of P3,000 in the event hosted by sportsman Florencio Bernabe and supported by Magnolia Health Tea Drinks, organized by Barangay Don Bosco Chess Club in close cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

A total of 84 woodpushers from various cities across the Metropolis saw-action in the one-day chessfest also backed up by, Cong. Ed Zialcita and M.Y. SON.

CSB's top player Narquinden Reyes, country's representative in the 2008 Danang, Vietnam Asean Age Group Chess Championships and Manila's pride Emil Chua toppled their last round assignment to finish in a tie for 2nd to 3rd placers with identical 6.5 points apiece. Reyes nipped Joseph Montes while Chua beat last month champion Robert Cacho.

Sharing the limelight were Cecil Padua (top senior), Romeo Soriano (top unrated), Daryl Unix Samantila (top kiddie) and Marie Antoinette San Diego (top lady) who emerged category winners. All of them receive the trophies plus a gift item from Magnolia. But all participants enjoyed the distribution of give aways by the organizer from M.Y. SON product.

The officiating committee were Chief Arbiter NA Boyet Tardecilla, Deputy Arbiters Anthony Sun and Bobot Rosanto Torres of NAPCA -National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters.

The next 1st Saturday Chess Tournament will be on August 2, 2008 and for details please contact Dr. Bong Perez at 5463714 or 09197227552 or Cecil Padua 09229638274.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

YOUNGER BROTHER OF GM PARAGUA IS JOINT 2ND IN WORLD OPEN CHESS

POCKETS US$ 7,500

NEW YORK based Jan Vincent Paragua, younger brother of GM Mark Paragua defeated California ace Edimero Grefiel in the ninth and final round to settle tied for 2nd to 3rd placers along with Washington's Drayton Harrison, winner over Michigan's Loyd Gentry in the just concluded 36th annual World Open Chess Championships at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, USA.

The former Marilao, Bulacan resident Jan Vincent finish undefeated in the Under 1800 section with 7 wins, 2 draws in nine outings to raise his total of 8.0 points, the same output of Grefiel. The Duo (Jan Vincent and Grefiel) split the combined US$15,000 for the 2nd and 3rd placers.

Illinois bet Michael Granata took the title and champion's purse of US$20,000 after beating Puerto Rico's Omar Aneses in the last round to notch 8.5 points.

Another Filipino entry and Florida resident Eddie Briones beat New Jersey star Srinivasan Ramanujam to join 7th placers along with six others with 7.0 points.

Other Filipinos who participated in this event includes father and son Hercules (2.5 pts) and Carlo del Mundo (6.0 pts) of Virginia, Rito Ilao (5.5 pts) of New York for the Under 1800 section; Allan Salgado of Maryland (4.0 pts), Jerry Salazar (4.0 pts) and Isaias Soriano (3.5 pts) of New York and Dexter Pacheco of Illinois (4.5 pts) for the Under 2000 section; William Marcelino of Virginia (6 pts), Allan Montalbo of Ontario, Canada (3.5 pts), Rene Glenn Ancheta of Illinois (3.5 pts), Marc Christian Nazario of Quezon City (3.0 pts) for the Under 2200 section and Florencio Zoleta of Philadephia (4.5 pts) for the Under 1600.

Meanwhile, four players---GMs Evgeny Najer of New York, Parmijaran Negi of India, Lubomir Ftacnik of Slovakia and Alexander Moiseenko of Ukraine shared top honors in the Open section after tallying identical 7.0 points apiece.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO edited by jovie sison.