PINOY GM ANTONIO SHARES 6TH PLACE IN SYDNEY CHESS
LONE Filipino GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (2525) scored 1.5 points in two rounds of play and shared 6th to 16th place but the biggest revelation yesterday when Fil-Australia based Raul Samar scored a stunning performance in the ongoing 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Championshipsna at the Parramatta Town Hall in New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Antonio, enlisted member of the Philippine Army defeated FM Dariusz Swiercz of Poland in the fifth round then held into a draw with IM Anna Zozulia of Belgium in the sixth round to raise his total 4.5 points, the same output of countryman Samar who upset GM Dejan Antic (2480) of Serbia and Montenegro in the fifth round then split the point with GM Darryl Johansen (2475) of Australia in the sixth round.
Antonio will square off Velimir Kresovic of Germany in the seventh round while Samar battles GM Varuzhan Akobian (2599) of the United States in the seventh round.
GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2579) of India grabs the lead with 5.5 points. He beat IM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia in the fifth round then drew with top seed GM Zhang Zhong (2617) of Singapore in the sixth round.
Tied at 2nd to 5th placers were GM Zhang and IM Zhao with 5.0 points apiece along with GM Gawain Jones (2562) of England and GM Merab Gagunashvili (2553) of Georgia.
PINAY WNM ALSO SHINES
WNM Sherily Cua drew with IM Atanas Kizov of Moldova in the fifth round and upset GM Antic in the sixth round for her 4.0 points and move into a tie for 17th to 29th placers
With NM Julius Joseph de Ramos and WNM Catherine Pereña.
In the Challengers section, umakyat sa ika-3 hanggang ika-7 puwesto si
Fil-Australia based Leonardo Tenorio, who hails from Marikina City climbed into a tie for 3rd to 7th placers after beating Horst Bleicher and Trent Parker of Australia, respectively to raise his total 4.5 points in six outings. Sina Sebastian Jurd and Andrew Furst of Australia share the lead with 5.0 points each.
IM NOLTE SALVAGES ANOTHER HUGE GM DRAW IN KOLKOLTA CHESS
FILIPINO International Master Rolando Nolte (2412) strengthening his GM title bid after salvaging another huge draw this time over Russian GM Vladimir Dobrov (2501) of Russia in the fourth round of 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament yesterday in Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India.
The Quezon City based Nolte notch 3 points on account of 2 wins, 2 draw. He is tied at 6th to 29th placers with fifth round opponent GM RB Ramesh (2473) of India who held into a draw with compatriot GM Koneru Humpy (2612) of India.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is very optimistic that Nolte can maintain his momentum for a possible grandmaster norm.
"Kailangan lamang talaga bigyan ng break si (Rolando) Nolte, kaya naniniwala ako na malayo ang mararating niya," said Pichay, main benefactor of Nolte, who obtain his 3rd and final IM norm in the Asean Master Chess Circuit in Vietnam early this year.
Here in Kolkota, Nolte beat Nimmy Ag in the 1st round and Ghosh Diptayan of India in the 2nd round and drew with GM Das Neelotpal (2486) of India in the third round.
GM Chanda Sandipan (2593) of India, meanwhile stop the giant killing ways of IM Oliver Barbosa (2410) in their fourth round match as the latters (Barbosa) was stuck at 2.5 points and dropped into a tie for 30th to 44th placers in the company of fifth round opponent IM Sudhakar Babu of India, who drew with GM Das.
The Taytay, Rizal resident Barbosa earlier beat Swayams Mishra in the 1st round, drew with top seed GM Krishnan Sasikiran (2677) of India in the 2nd round then beat FM Minhazuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh in the 3rd round.
IM Chito Garma, on the other hand beat Shah Sagar of India for his 2.5 points. He will play FM Sahaj Grover of India in the next round, winner over IM Lodhi Mahmood of Pakistan.
The Tondo, Manila native Garman halve the point with Ghosh Ananda K in the 1st round, beat Ankit R Rajpara of India in the second round before losing his 3rd round match to GM Ahmed Adly (2551) of Egypt.
GM Victor Laznicka (2595) of Czech Republic and GM Nguyen Anh Dung (2525) of Vietnam share the lead with 4.0 points each after blasting their respective rivals.
GM Laznicka trounced IM Arun S Prasad of India while GM Nguyen clobbered IM Konguvel Ponnuswamy of India.
Third to 5th placers were GM Sandipan, no.2 pick GM Smbat Lputian (2616) of Armenia and GM Ziaur Rahman (2492) of Bangladesh with 3.5points each.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Saturday, March 29, 2008
GM ANTONIO STAYS ON COURSE IN SYDNEY CHESS
PINOY IM NOLTE BOOST HIS GM NORM IN KOLKOTA CHESS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO
FILIPINO International Master Rolando Nolte (2412) boost his grandmaster norm bid after settling another huge draw against Indian GM RB Ramesh (2473) in the fifth round of 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament yesterday in Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India.
This is the third straight draw of the enlisted member of Philippine Airforce against tough grandmaster opponents. Nolte had earlier draw against GM Das Neelotpal (2486) of India in the third round and GM Vladimir Dobrov (2501) of Russia in the fourth round.
The undefeated Quezon City based Nolte raise his total 3.5 points on account of 2 wins, 3 draws in five outings. He shares 12th to 27th placers with sixth round opponent GM Smbat Lputian (2616) of Armenia who lost to GM Ziaur Rahman (2492) of Bangladesh.
GM Rahman, meanwhile improve his 4.5 points and tie for 1st to 3rd place with GM Victor Laznicka (2595) of Czech Republic and GM Nguyen Anh Dung (2525) of Vietnam, both agreed draw in their games.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is hoping that Nolte can hold the momentum to obtain his grandmaster norm.
"I hope na mahawakan ni (Rolando) Nolte ang kanyang momentum at nawa'y makakuha niya ang GM norm," said Pichay.
IM Oliver Barbosa (2410) and IM Chito Garma, on the other hand had a different route yesterday.
Barbosa split the point with IM Sudhakar Babu of India while Garma bowed to FM Sahaj Grover of India.
The Taytay, Rizal resident Barbosa now has 3.0 points and joint 28th to 50th placers together with sixth round Kutwal Shashikant of India. The Tondo, Manila native Garma remains at 2.5 points and was dropped into a tie for 51st to 64th placers with sixth round opponent Nikil Shyam of India. MARLON BERNARDINO.
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FILIPINO GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (2525) trounced Velimir Kresovic of Germany to stay in course in the seventh round of 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Championships yesterday at the Parramatta Town Hall in New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
The no.8 seed Antonio scored 5.5 points and climbed into a share of 3rd to 9th placers along with GM Varuzhan Akobian of the United States, GM Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia, GM Murray Chandler and Gawain Jones of England, IM Gary Lane of Australia and eight round opponent IM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia.
The No.3 seed GM Akobian (2599) halted the Cinderella's run of Fil-Australia based Raul Samar yesterday that results the latter's stuck at 4.5 points. Samar fell to 15th to 30th placers with compatriot NM Julius Joseph de Ramos and WNM Sherily Cua and eight round opponent IM Stephen Solomon of Australia.
De Ramos settled for a truce with FM Igor Goldenberg of Australia as well Cua halve the point with IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia.
Toseed GM Zhang Zhong (2617) of Singapore beat GM Vadim Malakhatko (2600) of Belarus to score 6.0 points and join GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2579) of India in the leadership board. GM Gangul also drew with GM Gawain.
In other matches saw, WNM Catherine Perena bowed to FM Robert Smith of New Zealand, Ramon Manon-Og Jr. split the point with Eugene Schon of Australia, NM Homer Cunanan defeated countryman Leo Daylo Jr.,WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan ripped FM James Morris of Australia. Fil-Aussie Amiel Rosario also won his match. However, three Filipino-Australia based Levi Descallar, Edsil Dilla and Lorenzo Escalante were not fortunate yesterday losing their respective matches.
In the Challengers section, Australia based Pinoy Leonardo Tenorio, who hails from Marikina City split the point with Sebastian Jurd of Australia to raise his total 4.0 points and was tied at 4th to 6th places.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO
FILIPINO International Master Rolando Nolte (2412) boost his grandmaster norm bid after settling another huge draw against Indian GM RB Ramesh (2473) in the fifth round of 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament yesterday in Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India.
This is the third straight draw of the enlisted member of Philippine Airforce against tough grandmaster opponents. Nolte had earlier draw against GM Das Neelotpal (2486) of India in the third round and GM Vladimir Dobrov (2501) of Russia in the fourth round.
The undefeated Quezon City based Nolte raise his total 3.5 points on account of 2 wins, 3 draws in five outings. He shares 12th to 27th placers with sixth round opponent GM Smbat Lputian (2616) of Armenia who lost to GM Ziaur Rahman (2492) of Bangladesh.
GM Rahman, meanwhile improve his 4.5 points and tie for 1st to 3rd place with GM Victor Laznicka (2595) of Czech Republic and GM Nguyen Anh Dung (2525) of Vietnam, both agreed draw in their games.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is hoping that Nolte can hold the momentum to obtain his grandmaster norm.
"I hope na mahawakan ni (Rolando) Nolte ang kanyang momentum at nawa'y makakuha niya ang GM norm," said Pichay.
IM Oliver Barbosa (2410) and IM Chito Garma, on the other hand had a different route yesterday.
Barbosa split the point with IM Sudhakar Babu of India while Garma bowed to FM Sahaj Grover of India.
The Taytay, Rizal resident Barbosa now has 3.0 points and joint 28th to 50th placers together with sixth round Kutwal Shashikant of India. The Tondo, Manila native Garma remains at 2.5 points and was dropped into a tie for 51st to 64th placers with sixth round opponent Nikil Shyam of India. MARLON BERNARDINO.
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FILIPINO GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (2525) trounced Velimir Kresovic of Germany to stay in course in the seventh round of 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Championships yesterday at the Parramatta Town Hall in New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
The no.8 seed Antonio scored 5.5 points and climbed into a share of 3rd to 9th placers along with GM Varuzhan Akobian of the United States, GM Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia, GM Murray Chandler and Gawain Jones of England, IM Gary Lane of Australia and eight round opponent IM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia.
The No.3 seed GM Akobian (2599) halted the Cinderella's run of Fil-Australia based Raul Samar yesterday that results the latter's stuck at 4.5 points. Samar fell to 15th to 30th placers with compatriot NM Julius Joseph de Ramos and WNM Sherily Cua and eight round opponent IM Stephen Solomon of Australia.
De Ramos settled for a truce with FM Igor Goldenberg of Australia as well Cua halve the point with IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia.
Toseed GM Zhang Zhong (2617) of Singapore beat GM Vadim Malakhatko (2600) of Belarus to score 6.0 points and join GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2579) of India in the leadership board. GM Gangul also drew with GM Gawain.
In other matches saw, WNM Catherine Perena bowed to FM Robert Smith of New Zealand, Ramon Manon-Og Jr. split the point with Eugene Schon of Australia, NM Homer Cunanan defeated countryman Leo Daylo Jr.,WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan ripped FM James Morris of Australia. Fil-Aussie Amiel Rosario also won his match. However, three Filipino-Australia based Levi Descallar, Edsil Dilla and Lorenzo Escalante were not fortunate yesterday losing their respective matches.
In the Challengers section, Australia based Pinoy Leonardo Tenorio, who hails from Marikina City split the point with Sebastian Jurd of Australia to raise his total 4.0 points and was tied at 4th to 6th places.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
PINOY IM NOLTE SPLITS POINT WITH INDIAN GM DAS IN 3RD KOLKATA OPEN CHESS
NEWLY-INSTALLED Filipino International Master Rolando Nolte held into a draw over Indian GM Das Neelotpal to share 6th to 19th placers alongside with countryman and fellow IM Oliver Barbosa who beat FM Minhazuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh in the third round of 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament yesterday at the Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India.
The Quezon City based Nolte, who obtain his 3rd and final IM norm in the Asean Master Chess Circuit in Vietnam early this year beat Nimmy Ag and Ghosh Diptayan of India in the first two rounds before settling adraw with. Barbosa, on the other hand also had a good start by demolishing Swayams Mishra of India and drew with top seed GM Krishnan Sasikiran of India in the second round before crushing FM Ahmed.
Nolte and Barbosa, had 2.5 points each and both eyeing their GM norm in this tournament dedicated to the Year of Russia in India with the champion take home about US$5,000 or RS 2,00,000.
Meanwhile, IM Chito Garma suffered his first setback against GM Ahmed Adly of Egypt and remains at 1.5 points. Garma open his campaign into draw against Ghosh Ananda K
then beat Ankit R Rajpara of India in the second round before losing his match to GM Adly.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. lauded nice start of RP woodpushers.
" Sana makuha na nila 'yung GM norm," said Pichay, also the president of Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).
In the fourth round, Nolte will face GM Vladimir Dobrov of Russia,Barbosa opposite GM Chanda Sandipan of India while Garma takes on Shah Sagar of India.
Five players has a perfect 3.0 puntos and they are GM Victor Lanizcka of Czech Republic, GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam, IM Arun Prasad, IM Konguvel Ponnuswamy andt Thejkumar M S of India.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The Quezon City based Nolte, who obtain his 3rd and final IM norm in the Asean Master Chess Circuit in Vietnam early this year beat Nimmy Ag and Ghosh Diptayan of India in the first two rounds before settling adraw with. Barbosa, on the other hand also had a good start by demolishing Swayams Mishra of India and drew with top seed GM Krishnan Sasikiran of India in the second round before crushing FM Ahmed.
Nolte and Barbosa, had 2.5 points each and both eyeing their GM norm in this tournament dedicated to the Year of Russia in India with the champion take home about US$5,000 or RS 2,00,000.
Meanwhile, IM Chito Garma suffered his first setback against GM Ahmed Adly of Egypt and remains at 1.5 points. Garma open his campaign into draw against Ghosh Ananda K
then beat Ankit R Rajpara of India in the second round before losing his match to GM Adly.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. lauded nice start of RP woodpushers.
" Sana makuha na nila 'yung GM norm," said Pichay, also the president of Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).
In the fourth round, Nolte will face GM Vladimir Dobrov of Russia,Barbosa opposite GM Chanda Sandipan of India while Garma takes on Shah Sagar of India.
Five players has a perfect 3.0 puntos and they are GM Victor Lanizcka of Czech Republic, GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam, IM Arun Prasad, IM Konguvel Ponnuswamy andt Thejkumar M S of India.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
ZHANG STOPS ANTONIO'S WIN STREAK IN SYDNEY CHESS
TOP SEED Grandmaster Zhang Zhong (2617) of Singapore stopped the winning ways of No.8 pick lone Filipino GM entry Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (2529) after the fourth round of the 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Championships yesterday in Parramatta Town Hall in New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
GM Zhang prevailed with the white pieces after 61 moves of a Caro Kann Defense.
With the win, GM Zhang, a former member of China Olympic Chess Team and currently chess teacher in Singapore raised his total to a perfect 4.0 points, good enough to share 1st to 4th placers in the company of GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2579) of India, GM Merab Gagunashvili (2553) of Georgia and IM Zhao Zong-Yuan (2487) of Australia.
In the fifth round, GM Zhang will square off with GM Gagunashvili on board 1 while GM Ganguly battles IM Zhao on board 2 for the leadership board.
On the part of GM Antonio, who earlier beat WFM Helen Milligan of New Zealand, Fil-Aussie Edsil Dilla and FM Hartmun Metz of Germany remains at 3.0 points and dropped into a tie for 7th to 26th placers along with fifth round opponent FM Dariusz Swiercz of Poland, who is also coming a lost to GM Gagunashvili.
Tied at 5th to 6th placers were GM Darryl Johansen of Australia and IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia with 3.5 points each after winning their respective matches.
GM Johansen nipped FM Daniel Howard Fernandez of Singapore while IM Mas upset GM Murray Chandler of England.
NM Julius Joseph de Ramos, meanwhile bounce back in contention by crushing Nguyen Thu Giang of Australia for his 3.0 points. His next round assignment is No.3 seed GM Varuzhan Akobian (2599) of the United States.
Also with 3.0 points is WNM Catherine Pereña, winner over Roy Cristuta of Australia. WNM Sherily Cua, on the other hand split the point with IM Gary Lane of Australia for her 2.5 points, the same output of countryman untitled Ramon Manon-Og Jr., who beat Dan Dolejs of New Zealand.
In other results, WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan bowed to Domagoj Dragicevic of Australia and was stuck at 2.0 points, the same score of his uncle NM Homer Cunanan who trounced Mike Canfell of Australia.
Leo Daylo Jr. beat Peter Abbott of Australia for his 2.0 points to join Filipino Australia based Lorenzo Escalante who trounced William Foster of New Zealand.
Fil-Aussie Amiel Rosario settled for a truce with Sebastian Jule of Australia for his 1.5 points while another Filipino Australia based Levi Descallar yielded to Tony Davis of Australia and totes 1.0 point.
In the Challengers section, Filipino Australia based Leonardo Tenorio of Marikina City suffered his first lost at the hands of Basem Kabar of Australia and remains at 2.5 points after four rounds of play.
ATENEO INTER-UNIVERSITY CHESS FESTIVAL '08 BEGINS TOMORROW
THE Dr. Jose P. Leviste Sr., Inter-University Chess Festival gets underway tomorrow, March 29-30, 2008, at the Ateneo Grade School Cafeteria, Ateneo De Manila University, Katipunan, Quezon City.
A project of the Ateneo Grade School, High School and Collegiate Chess Teams under the guidance of former Olympian IM Idelfonso Datu, this all-student non-master chess tournament is open to all interested students who are untitled players. There are three divisions for this tournament: Grade School, High School, and Collegiate Division. The tournament will employ the nine-round Swiss System tournament play with an active time control of 25 minutes per player.
Supported by major sponsors Adidas Philippines, Columbia Business School Alumni Philippines (CBSP), Quest Asia Pacific Resources Inc. (QAPRI), Treswell Investment Asia Corporation (TIAC), Australia Philippine Business Council (APBC), minor sponsor and Ateneo Alumni Chess Team member Mr. Travis Chua, and in cooperation with the Ateneo University Athletics Office, the tournament offers awards for the top five finishers per division. P5,000.00 plus trophy will go to the top placer for the High School and Collegiate divisions. The 2nd runner ups for the High School and College divisions will receive P3,000.00 plus trophy; the third placer will receive P2,000.00 plus trophy. The 4th place overall finishers will receive P1,000.00 plus gold medal and the 5th place finishers will receive P500.00 and a silver medal. The top finishers for the grade school division will receive P3,000.00 and trophy, P2,000.00 plus trophy, P1,000.00 plus trophy, P700.00 plus gold medal, and P400.00 plus silver medal respectively.
Interested parties may register at the Ateneo University Athletics Office, 2nd floor of the Blue Eagle Gym. Please present your most recent school ID upon registration. Graduates students (students taking their masters degree) will not be allowed to join. For inquiries you may call 4266001 loc. 4191 or 4192 or you may text (0922) 6920503.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
GM Zhang prevailed with the white pieces after 61 moves of a Caro Kann Defense.
With the win, GM Zhang, a former member of China Olympic Chess Team and currently chess teacher in Singapore raised his total to a perfect 4.0 points, good enough to share 1st to 4th placers in the company of GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly (2579) of India, GM Merab Gagunashvili (2553) of Georgia and IM Zhao Zong-Yuan (2487) of Australia.
In the fifth round, GM Zhang will square off with GM Gagunashvili on board 1 while GM Ganguly battles IM Zhao on board 2 for the leadership board.
On the part of GM Antonio, who earlier beat WFM Helen Milligan of New Zealand, Fil-Aussie Edsil Dilla and FM Hartmun Metz of Germany remains at 3.0 points and dropped into a tie for 7th to 26th placers along with fifth round opponent FM Dariusz Swiercz of Poland, who is also coming a lost to GM Gagunashvili.
Tied at 5th to 6th placers were GM Darryl Johansen of Australia and IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia with 3.5 points each after winning their respective matches.
GM Johansen nipped FM Daniel Howard Fernandez of Singapore while IM Mas upset GM Murray Chandler of England.
NM Julius Joseph de Ramos, meanwhile bounce back in contention by crushing Nguyen Thu Giang of Australia for his 3.0 points. His next round assignment is No.3 seed GM Varuzhan Akobian (2599) of the United States.
Also with 3.0 points is WNM Catherine Pereña, winner over Roy Cristuta of Australia. WNM Sherily Cua, on the other hand split the point with IM Gary Lane of Australia for her 2.5 points, the same output of countryman untitled Ramon Manon-Og Jr., who beat Dan Dolejs of New Zealand.
In other results, WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan bowed to Domagoj Dragicevic of Australia and was stuck at 2.0 points, the same score of his uncle NM Homer Cunanan who trounced Mike Canfell of Australia.
Leo Daylo Jr. beat Peter Abbott of Australia for his 2.0 points to join Filipino Australia based Lorenzo Escalante who trounced William Foster of New Zealand.
Fil-Aussie Amiel Rosario settled for a truce with Sebastian Jule of Australia for his 1.5 points while another Filipino Australia based Levi Descallar yielded to Tony Davis of Australia and totes 1.0 point.
In the Challengers section, Filipino Australia based Leonardo Tenorio of Marikina City suffered his first lost at the hands of Basem Kabar of Australia and remains at 2.5 points after four rounds of play.
ATENEO INTER-UNIVERSITY CHESS FESTIVAL '08 BEGINS TOMORROW
THE Dr. Jose P. Leviste Sr., Inter-University Chess Festival gets underway tomorrow, March 29-30, 2008, at the Ateneo Grade School Cafeteria, Ateneo De Manila University, Katipunan, Quezon City.
A project of the Ateneo Grade School, High School and Collegiate Chess Teams under the guidance of former Olympian IM Idelfonso Datu, this all-student non-master chess tournament is open to all interested students who are untitled players. There are three divisions for this tournament: Grade School, High School, and Collegiate Division. The tournament will employ the nine-round Swiss System tournament play with an active time control of 25 minutes per player.
Supported by major sponsors Adidas Philippines, Columbia Business School Alumni Philippines (CBSP), Quest Asia Pacific Resources Inc. (QAPRI), Treswell Investment Asia Corporation (TIAC), Australia Philippine Business Council (APBC), minor sponsor and Ateneo Alumni Chess Team member Mr. Travis Chua, and in cooperation with the Ateneo University Athletics Office, the tournament offers awards for the top five finishers per division. P5,000.00 plus trophy will go to the top placer for the High School and Collegiate divisions. The 2nd runner ups for the High School and College divisions will receive P3,000.00 plus trophy; the third placer will receive P2,000.00 plus trophy. The 4th place overall finishers will receive P1,000.00 plus gold medal and the 5th place finishers will receive P500.00 and a silver medal. The top finishers for the grade school division will receive P3,000.00 and trophy, P2,000.00 plus trophy, P1,000.00 plus trophy, P700.00 plus gold medal, and P400.00 plus silver medal respectively.
Interested parties may register at the Ateneo University Athletics Office, 2nd floor of the Blue Eagle Gym. Please present your most recent school ID upon registration. Graduates students (students taking their masters degree) will not be allowed to join. For inquiries you may call 4266001 loc. 4191 or 4192 or you may text (0922) 6920503.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
RP GM MARK PARAGUA TIED FOR 9TH PLACE IN CONNECTICUT CHESS
MARK PARAGUA of the Philippines settled for a truce with fellow grandmaster Keith Arkell of England in the ninth and final round to finish in a tie for ninth to 17th places in the just concluded 2008 2008 Foxwoods International Open Chess Championships yesterday in Connecticut, USA.
The New York based Paragua finish in a total of 6.0 points on account of five wins, two draws and two loses in nine games of play and finished over-all 13th place after the tie break points was applied.
Five players was tied at 1st place---GM Alexander Shabalov, GM Yury Shulman, GM Julio Becera, GM Alexander Ivanov and IM Robert Hess with 7.0 points apiece in this annual CCA event which attracted 121 woodpushers. GM Shulman took the title after a play-off with GM Ivanov. The biggest gainer in the five man co-champ is IM Hess who gain his first GM norm.
At 6th to 8th placers were GM Darmen Sadvakasov, GM Eugene Perelshteyn and IM Jay Bonin with 6.5 points each.
Meanwhile, FM Rico Salimbagat defeated Okechukwu A Iwu to finish at 40th place with 5.0 points while NM Oscar Tan drew his last match to Michael Thaler and landed at far 81st place with 3.5 points.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The New York based Paragua finish in a total of 6.0 points on account of five wins, two draws and two loses in nine games of play and finished over-all 13th place after the tie break points was applied.
Five players was tied at 1st place---GM Alexander Shabalov, GM Yury Shulman, GM Julio Becera, GM Alexander Ivanov and IM Robert Hess with 7.0 points apiece in this annual CCA event which attracted 121 woodpushers. GM Shulman took the title after a play-off with GM Ivanov. The biggest gainer in the five man co-champ is IM Hess who gain his first GM norm.
At 6th to 8th placers were GM Darmen Sadvakasov, GM Eugene Perelshteyn and IM Jay Bonin with 6.5 points each.
Meanwhile, FM Rico Salimbagat defeated Okechukwu A Iwu to finish at 40th place with 5.0 points while NM Oscar Tan drew his last match to Michael Thaler and landed at far 81st place with 3.5 points.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
PINOY GM ANTONIO HOT START IN SYDNEY OPEN CHESS
LONE Filipino grandmaster (GM) representative Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. picked up his first two wins after second round to share the lead along 22 others in the ongoing 2008 Sydney International Open Chess Championships yesterday at the Parramata Town Hall in New South Wales, Australia.
The No.8 seed Antonio (Elo 2529) beat WFM Helen Milligan of New Zealand in the first round then subdued Fil-Aussie Edsil Dilla in the second round. His next assignment is FM Hartmun Metz of Germany, who beat Dennis Holland of Australia and WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan, respectively.
Not as fortunate were NM Julius Joseph de Ramos, WNM Sherily Cua, WNM Catherine Perena and untitled Davao's Ramon Manon-Og Jr., who lost their second round matches.
De Ramos bowed to top seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore, Cua yielded to IM Stephen Solomon of Australia, Perena also lost to IM Zhaon Zhong-Yuan of Australia even Manon-Og Jr. succumbed to GM Dejan Antic of Serbia and Montenegro and remains at 1.0 point along with Leo Daylo Jr., NM Homer Cunanan, Fil-Australian Lorenzo Escalante and Amiel Rosario. Another Filipino entry is Davao native and Sydney based Levi Descallar.
In the Challengers section, Sydney based Leonardo Tenorio, who hails from Marikina City beat Christian Kashish and Laurie Dalton, in order to take the lead with perfect 2.0 points.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The No.8 seed Antonio (Elo 2529) beat WFM Helen Milligan of New Zealand in the first round then subdued Fil-Aussie Edsil Dilla in the second round. His next assignment is FM Hartmun Metz of Germany, who beat Dennis Holland of Australia and WNM Kimberly Jane Cunanan, respectively.
Not as fortunate were NM Julius Joseph de Ramos, WNM Sherily Cua, WNM Catherine Perena and untitled Davao's Ramon Manon-Og Jr., who lost their second round matches.
De Ramos bowed to top seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore, Cua yielded to IM Stephen Solomon of Australia, Perena also lost to IM Zhaon Zhong-Yuan of Australia even Manon-Og Jr. succumbed to GM Dejan Antic of Serbia and Montenegro and remains at 1.0 point along with Leo Daylo Jr., NM Homer Cunanan, Fil-Australian Lorenzo Escalante and Amiel Rosario. Another Filipino entry is Davao native and Sydney based Levi Descallar.
In the Challengers section, Sydney based Leonardo Tenorio, who hails from Marikina City beat Christian Kashish and Laurie Dalton, in order to take the lead with perfect 2.0 points.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Monday, March 24, 2008
GM MARK PARAGUA JOINS TOP 10 IN CONNECTICUT CHESS
AFTER losing his seventh round match against GM Alexander Shabalov, Filipino GM Mark Paragua split the point with IM Robert Hess of the United States after the eight round of ongoing 2008 Foxwoods International Open Chess Championships yesterday in Connecticut, USA.
The 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete compiled five wins, two loses and a draw to raise his total 5.5 points and climbed into a tie for 10th to 15th placers that includes last round opponent GM Keith Arkell of England, who also drew with FM Marcel Martinez of the United States.
GM Shabalov and GM Yuri Shulman, both former USSR grandmasters but representing the United States share on top with 6.5 points apiece.GM Shabalov nipped GM Alexander Stripunsky of the United States in the 8th round while GM Shulman beat GM Darmen Sadvakasov of Kazakhstan in other eight round results.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete compiled five wins, two loses and a draw to raise his total 5.5 points and climbed into a tie for 10th to 15th placers that includes last round opponent GM Keith Arkell of England, who also drew with FM Marcel Martinez of the United States.
GM Shabalov and GM Yuri Shulman, both former USSR grandmasters but representing the United States share on top with 6.5 points apiece.GM Shabalov nipped GM Alexander Stripunsky of the United States in the 8th round while GM Shulman beat GM Darmen Sadvakasov of Kazakhstan in other eight round results.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Sunday, March 23, 2008
RP GM MARK PARAGUA SHARES TOP HONORS IN CONNECTICUT CHESS
FILIPINO GM Mark Paragua trounced Mongolian FM Tegshsuren Enkhbat in the sixth round to share the lead along with four others in the ongoing 2008 Foxwoods International Open Chess Championships yesterday in Connecticut, USA.
The New York based Paragua notched five wins and one loss after six games of play, the same output of GM Yury Shulman, GM Julio Becera, GM Alexander Ivanov and GM Darmen Sadvakasov, the conqueror of Paragua in the third round.
Meanwhile, California based FM Rico Salimbagat drew with US bet FM Kazim Gulamali to raise his total 3.5 points and climb into a tie for 26th to 52nd placers in the Open division event which attracted 121 woodpushers.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The New York based Paragua notched five wins and one loss after six games of play, the same output of GM Yury Shulman, GM Julio Becera, GM Alexander Ivanov and GM Darmen Sadvakasov, the conqueror of Paragua in the third round.
Meanwhile, California based FM Rico Salimbagat drew with US bet FM Kazim Gulamali to raise his total 3.5 points and climb into a tie for 26th to 52nd placers in the Open division event which attracted 121 woodpushers.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Saturday, March 22, 2008
BACOLOD WOODPUSHERS TOPS ANGELES CHESS TOURNEY
BACOLOD CITY NATIVE Jerry Areque added another feather on his cap after winning the just concluded 2008 Angeles Chess Tournament at the Robinsons Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Areque, a habitué of Luneta Chess Plaza finished undefeated in seven games of play with six wins and a draw in a total of 6.5 points, good enough to went home the championships trophy and the title.
Tournament favorite and China Bank Corporation employee Mark Anthony Yabut of Florida, Pampanga scored 6.0 points to settle tied for 2nd to 5th placers in the company of Lyndon Sombilon of Davao City, Stephen Manzanero of Manila and Clement Valledor of Quezon City.
Rounding up to the top 10 were Alex Fernandez (5.5 pts.), Robert Halili (5.5), Catalino Pestano (5.5), Jose Camaya (5.0) and Emil Chua (5.0).
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Areque, a habitué of Luneta Chess Plaza finished undefeated in seven games of play with six wins and a draw in a total of 6.5 points, good enough to went home the championships trophy and the title.
Tournament favorite and China Bank Corporation employee Mark Anthony Yabut of Florida, Pampanga scored 6.0 points to settle tied for 2nd to 5th placers in the company of Lyndon Sombilon of Davao City, Stephen Manzanero of Manila and Clement Valledor of Quezon City.
Rounding up to the top 10 were Alex Fernandez (5.5 pts.), Robert Halili (5.5), Catalino Pestano (5.5), Jose Camaya (5.0) and Emil Chua (5.0).
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Monday, March 17, 2008
QUEZON CITY TO STAGE 2ND RP JUNIOR POOL BEGINS TOMORROW
ALL roads lead to Quezon City tomorrow, (Thursday) March 13 when it holds its 2nd Philippines Junior Pool Championship at the Star Billiards Center at #46 Joy Street, Grace Village in Quezon City.
Up for grabs a national title, two spots in the World Junior Pool Championship slated this year in the United States in the four-day (March 13-16) event hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian "Baste" Chua, a local distributor of Brunswick Billiards Table.
It will be a Ten Ball format in a bid to bring out the best of young cue artists in the country according to tournament director Sol Gueco in this event which is open to all players 19-year-old and below.
In addition to trophies, prizes in kind will be awarded to top placers in the tournament. Among these are a scooter, appliances and gift certificates.
Entry is free in the event which the BSCP is staging in cooperation with Raya Sports, Star Billiards Center and the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF).
Qualified players should register at the Raya Sports office, Star Billiards Center or the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center. For details, call or text 0910-8875216 or 0928-7441740.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Up for grabs a national title, two spots in the World Junior Pool Championship slated this year in the United States in the four-day (March 13-16) event hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian "Baste" Chua, a local distributor of Brunswick Billiards Table.
It will be a Ten Ball format in a bid to bring out the best of young cue artists in the country according to tournament director Sol Gueco in this event which is open to all players 19-year-old and below.
In addition to trophies, prizes in kind will be awarded to top placers in the tournament. Among these are a scooter, appliances and gift certificates.
Entry is free in the event which the BSCP is staging in cooperation with Raya Sports, Star Billiards Center and the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF).
Qualified players should register at the Raya Sports office, Star Billiards Center or the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center. For details, call or text 0910-8875216 or 0928-7441740.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
GILBERT TAOPA WINS DUBAI CHESS
GILBERT TAOPA, former member of the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) chess team won the 2nd Filipino Chess Players' League Rapid Open Championship held on February 29 and March 7 at the Reef Mall in Deira, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Taopa claimed the championship trophy by garnering 6.0 points from seven rounds, half a point clear of first runner-up Arnel Matildo according to the electronic mail "The Weekender".
In third place was Ismael Nihuzzar, an overseas worker from India, who won on tiebreak over journalist Jobannie Tabada, Paul Dargan of England and Florencio Superales, in that order, at 5.0 points each. Superales upset FM Antonio Molina Sr.
Two other foreigners who took part in the tournament, which attracted 36 players in all, were Ali Sibt and Zameer Khan.
Sibt had 4.0 points at the tail-end on a tiebreak of four players who had 4.5 each. The other three were FM Antonio Molina Sr, Reyjoy Bartolay and Marcelo Payoket. All three are Filipinos.
Khan was with three other Filipinos who had 4.0 each. They were Fernando Asuncion, Francis Aldeguer and Alexius Valerio, in that order. Khan ranked third in this batch with Asuncion having the highest tiebreak points of the four.
Ernesto Yap headed the next batch of five players with 3.5 each. The four others were Rogelio Taopa, Robert Songalia, Ja-Ard Gapus, and Pucholo Yape.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Taopa claimed the championship trophy by garnering 6.0 points from seven rounds, half a point clear of first runner-up Arnel Matildo according to the electronic mail "The Weekender".
In third place was Ismael Nihuzzar, an overseas worker from India, who won on tiebreak over journalist Jobannie Tabada, Paul Dargan of England and Florencio Superales, in that order, at 5.0 points each. Superales upset FM Antonio Molina Sr.
Two other foreigners who took part in the tournament, which attracted 36 players in all, were Ali Sibt and Zameer Khan.
Sibt had 4.0 points at the tail-end on a tiebreak of four players who had 4.5 each. The other three were FM Antonio Molina Sr, Reyjoy Bartolay and Marcelo Payoket. All three are Filipinos.
Khan was with three other Filipinos who had 4.0 each. They were Fernando Asuncion, Francis Aldeguer and Alexius Valerio, in that order. Khan ranked third in this batch with Asuncion having the highest tiebreak points of the four.
Ernesto Yap headed the next batch of five players with 3.5 each. The four others were Rogelio Taopa, Robert Songalia, Ja-Ard Gapus, and Pucholo Yape.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Sunday, March 9, 2008
DEJAYCO WINS NCR CHESS ELIMS FOR WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD
AFTER A LONG HIATUS, come backing Christopher Dejayco of Las Pinas City scored 1.5 points in the last two rounds to topped the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-National Capital Region qualifying round for this year's World Chess Olympiad held yesterday (Sunday) at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.
Dejayco, whose stint here is supported by sportsman Dennis Custodio and Almanza Chess Club of Las Pinas City defeated Christian Arroyo of Cagayan de Oro City in the penultimate round after 35 moves of a Slav Defense then split the point with Edmundo Gatus of Tondo, Manila in the seventh and final round after 21 moves of a French Defense to finish undefeated with six wins and a draw to raise his total 6.5 points after seven games of play enroute the coveted chess title plus the top purse P7,000.
" Matagal na akong hindi naglalaro ng chess, 'yung sa inter barangay lamang ako naglalaro at pag may time practice lamang sa mga kaibigan natin , pwede pa pala tayo, " said Dejayco, a former mainstay of University of Perpetual Help Data System who is busy operating his business---a Gym and Internet Café in Las Pinas City.
Dejayco and Gatus (6.0 points) along with other top 30 NCR qualifiers advance in the semi-final round together with five players from the regional elimination round qualifiers and national masters.
The top five finishers in the Grand Finale will determine the country's representative in this year's World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany later this year in this event which is supported by NCFP president Prospero Pichay Jr., NCFP secretary-general Abraham Tolentino Jr. and hosted by Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos Jr.
Joining them in the semi-finals set on June were Arroyo, Raymond Salcedo, Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Noel dela Cruz, Christopher Castellano, Ali Branzuela, Albert Rivera, Allan Macala, Esmael Abas, Alfredo Chay, Vivencio Mendoza Jr. and Jimson Bitoon.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Dejayco, whose stint here is supported by sportsman Dennis Custodio and Almanza Chess Club of Las Pinas City defeated Christian Arroyo of Cagayan de Oro City in the penultimate round after 35 moves of a Slav Defense then split the point with Edmundo Gatus of Tondo, Manila in the seventh and final round after 21 moves of a French Defense to finish undefeated with six wins and a draw to raise his total 6.5 points after seven games of play enroute the coveted chess title plus the top purse P7,000.
" Matagal na akong hindi naglalaro ng chess, 'yung sa inter barangay lamang ako naglalaro at pag may time practice lamang sa mga kaibigan natin , pwede pa pala tayo, " said Dejayco, a former mainstay of University of Perpetual Help Data System who is busy operating his business---a Gym and Internet Café in Las Pinas City.
Dejayco and Gatus (6.0 points) along with other top 30 NCR qualifiers advance in the semi-final round together with five players from the regional elimination round qualifiers and national masters.
The top five finishers in the Grand Finale will determine the country's representative in this year's World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany later this year in this event which is supported by NCFP president Prospero Pichay Jr., NCFP secretary-general Abraham Tolentino Jr. and hosted by Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos Jr.
Joining them in the semi-finals set on June were Arroyo, Raymond Salcedo, Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Noel dela Cruz, Christopher Castellano, Ali Branzuela, Albert Rivera, Allan Macala, Esmael Abas, Alfredo Chay, Vivencio Mendoza Jr. and Jimson Bitoon.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
TURQUEZA HEADS LIST IN NCR CHESS ELIMS
MARI JOSEPH "MJ" TURQUEZA, head the list of cast for the staging of the National Capital Region (NCR) eliminations for the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) national qualifying tournament at the third floor of Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City on March 7 to 9.
The 14-year-old Quezon City resident Turqueza, is fresh from topping the 2008 Palarong NCR Chess Tournament which was held at the Valenzuela Convention Center last February 18 – 21, 2008. He also won the NCFP Executive Tournament, Bgy. Aldana Las Piñas Chess Tournament and the MCC Under-16 Chess Tourney.
NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay, Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. are expected to grace the opening ceremony on March 7.
NCFP events director Willie Abalosa said the tournament is part of the nationwide eliminations to determine the players who will play for the national team in the 38th World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany later this year.
The top 30 players in the NCR eliminations will advance to the tournament proper, where they will be joined by the titled players and five qualifiers from different regional eliminations all over the country.
The regional eliminations will also be held in the succeeding weeks. Based on the format, the top 12 players from the national eliminations will join the top 12 FIDE-rated local titled players in the grand finals scheduled later this year. The top five players in the national finals will then earn the right to represent the country in the World Olympiad in Nov. 12-25.For inquiries, call or text at 0929-239-0644.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The 14-year-old Quezon City resident Turqueza, is fresh from topping the 2008 Palarong NCR Chess Tournament which was held at the Valenzuela Convention Center last February 18 – 21, 2008. He also won the NCFP Executive Tournament, Bgy. Aldana Las Piñas Chess Tournament and the MCC Under-16 Chess Tourney.
NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay, Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. are expected to grace the opening ceremony on March 7.
NCFP events director Willie Abalosa said the tournament is part of the nationwide eliminations to determine the players who will play for the national team in the 38th World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany later this year.
The top 30 players in the NCR eliminations will advance to the tournament proper, where they will be joined by the titled players and five qualifiers from different regional eliminations all over the country.
The regional eliminations will also be held in the succeeding weeks. Based on the format, the top 12 players from the national eliminations will join the top 12 FIDE-rated local titled players in the grand finals scheduled later this year. The top five players in the national finals will then earn the right to represent the country in the World Olympiad in Nov. 12-25.For inquiries, call or text at 0929-239-0644.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
XAVIER SCHOOL WINS ANOTHER CHESS TITLE
The high school varsity chess team of Xavier School topped the 4TH Xavier School (XS) Inter-School Chess Invitational held late last month at the Fr. Cortina Sports Center in the said school.
The Xavier – A Chess Team coached by multi-titled NM / IA Erwin Carag collected 17 points to claim the team title. Second place was secured by La Immaculada Concepcion School (LICS) – A with 16 points, while La Salle Greenhills came in third with 14.5 game points.
Earlier, Xavier School won the 1ST Inter Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Chess Tournament with a wide margin. Xavier coaches IA Erwin Carag and IA Rolly Yutuc announced that Xavier School will be holding a summer chess clinic for beginners and intermediate chessplayers in the said school.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The Xavier – A Chess Team coached by multi-titled NM / IA Erwin Carag collected 17 points to claim the team title. Second place was secured by La Immaculada Concepcion School (LICS) – A with 16 points, while La Salle Greenhills came in third with 14.5 game points.
Earlier, Xavier School won the 1ST Inter Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Chess Tournament with a wide margin. Xavier coaches IA Erwin Carag and IA Rolly Yutuc announced that Xavier School will be holding a summer chess clinic for beginners and intermediate chessplayers in the said school.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
FILIPINO GM MARK PARAGUA IS 6TH IN MILLENIUM CHESS TILT
FILIPINO Grandmaster Mark Paragua defeated Yuri Barnakov of Virginia in the fifth and final round to finish in a tie for 6th to 11th placers in the just concluded 8th Millennium Chess Festival was held last Feb. 29 to March 2 at the Virginia Beach Confront Hotel in Virginia, Beach, Virginia, United States.
Paragua, the 2003 Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete finished with 3 wins, 2 loses in five games of play to raise his total 3.0 points, the same output of American GM John Fedorowicz, Kazim Gulamali, Macon Shibut, John Russel Potter and Erickson Smith, however GM Fedorowicz took the 6th spot while Paragua satisfied 7th placers after the tie break points was applied.
Another American GM Joel Benjamin is clear first with 4.5 points, half point ahead with American IMs Lawrence Charles Kaufman and Raymond Kaufman.
Paragua finish over-all 7th place in the 2008 St. John's Masters at the Marshall Chess Club in New York, New York last February 19 which topped by Georgian GM Zviad Izoria, and back to back wins in the Original 4 rated Games last Feb. 21 and 28, respectively, at the Chess Center of New York.
In an email to the electronic mail "The Weekender", Paragua wrote from New York City that he would also enter the prestigious Foxwoods Open (Connecticut) and Chicago Open in May.
"May mga simul din po kasi ako sa California at Vegas (I also have simultaneous exhibitions in California and Las Vegas, Nevada)," he wrote.
"I'm also planning to enter the Foxwoods Open," he said, adding that it is his brother making the arrangements.
The Foxwoods Open is one of the most prestigious US chess events. Among its former champions are Gata Kamsky, Alexander Shabalov and the late Polish-American GM Alex Wojtkiewicz.
In the Asean Masters in Tarakan, Paragua finished first in Group B with 9.0 out of 11, ahead of Armenian IM Ashot Nadanian, then IM Jayson Gonzales and FM Rolando Nolte. Gonzales earned his third and final GM norm and Nolte an IM norm in the same event.
Paragua was supposed to compete in the Aeroflot Open last month but he demurred because of a previous commitment as he was preparing for his trip to the United States.
Born on March 29, 1984, Macmac became the youngest Filipino to become a national master—at the age of nine and, before the advent of Wesley So, became the youngest Filipino grandmaster. So earned his GM title last December at the age of 14.
A child prodigy, Macmac won the 1998 Disney World Rapid Chess Championship for Kids on tiebreak over another prodigy, Bu Xiangzhi of China.
Paragua became the country's first and only super GM when he finished second in the 2005 Asean Zonal Championship in Malaysia. His highest rating that year was 2618, but a series of setbacks in 2006-07 caused his rating to fall to his current 2521.
Lately, however, Paragua regained his old winning form and expects his rating to rise.
Contributed by: MARLON BERNARDINO.
Paragua, the 2003 Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete finished with 3 wins, 2 loses in five games of play to raise his total 3.0 points, the same output of American GM John Fedorowicz, Kazim Gulamali, Macon Shibut, John Russel Potter and Erickson Smith, however GM Fedorowicz took the 6th spot while Paragua satisfied 7th placers after the tie break points was applied.
Another American GM Joel Benjamin is clear first with 4.5 points, half point ahead with American IMs Lawrence Charles Kaufman and Raymond Kaufman.
Paragua finish over-all 7th place in the 2008 St. John's Masters at the Marshall Chess Club in New York, New York last February 19 which topped by Georgian GM Zviad Izoria, and back to back wins in the Original 4 rated Games last Feb. 21 and 28, respectively, at the Chess Center of New York.
In an email to the electronic mail "The Weekender", Paragua wrote from New York City that he would also enter the prestigious Foxwoods Open (Connecticut) and Chicago Open in May.
"May mga simul din po kasi ako sa California at Vegas (I also have simultaneous exhibitions in California and Las Vegas, Nevada)," he wrote.
"I'm also planning to enter the Foxwoods Open," he said, adding that it is his brother making the arrangements.
The Foxwoods Open is one of the most prestigious US chess events. Among its former champions are Gata Kamsky, Alexander Shabalov and the late Polish-American GM Alex Wojtkiewicz.
In the Asean Masters in Tarakan, Paragua finished first in Group B with 9.0 out of 11, ahead of Armenian IM Ashot Nadanian, then IM Jayson Gonzales and FM Rolando Nolte. Gonzales earned his third and final GM norm and Nolte an IM norm in the same event.
Paragua was supposed to compete in the Aeroflot Open last month but he demurred because of a previous commitment as he was preparing for his trip to the United States.
Born on March 29, 1984, Macmac became the youngest Filipino to become a national master—at the age of nine and, before the advent of Wesley So, became the youngest Filipino grandmaster. So earned his GM title last December at the age of 14.
A child prodigy, Macmac won the 1998 Disney World Rapid Chess Championship for Kids on tiebreak over another prodigy, Bu Xiangzhi of China.
Paragua became the country's first and only super GM when he finished second in the 2005 Asean Zonal Championship in Malaysia. His highest rating that year was 2618, but a series of setbacks in 2006-07 caused his rating to fall to his current 2521.
Lately, however, Paragua regained his old winning form and expects his rating to rise.
Contributed by: MARLON BERNARDINO.
RAPID CHESS FEST SLATED IN S.M. BATANGAS
ALL ROADS to Batangas City when the Rapid Chess Festival fires off on March 16 at the Event Center at SM City Batangas.
Up for grabs is a total P27,500 in cash plus trophies and medals awaits to the winners.
The Swiss system, non-master tournament, sponsored by the Art A. Borjal Good Samaritan Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with Malampaya Foundation Inc., features
seasoned campaigners and promising talents from Tanauan City, Lipa City and nearby towns of Batangas.
Events on tap are the kiddies division (12-years-old and under), juniors division (20-years-old and under) and the Open division (maximum local rapid ratings of
2050).
Games will start at 10 a.m., according to the organizers of the event, held in cooperation with the PACD Youth and Sports Division, Province of Batangas.
For details, contact Lito Castro at (043) 723-2568/ (043) 723-4246 or Alex Dinoy at (02) 744-1664.
Contributed by: Marlon Bernardino
Up for grabs is a total P27,500 in cash plus trophies and medals awaits to the winners.
The Swiss system, non-master tournament, sponsored by the Art A. Borjal Good Samaritan Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with Malampaya Foundation Inc., features
seasoned campaigners and promising talents from Tanauan City, Lipa City and nearby towns of Batangas.
Events on tap are the kiddies division (12-years-old and under), juniors division (20-years-old and under) and the Open division (maximum local rapid ratings of
2050).
Games will start at 10 a.m., according to the organizers of the event, held in cooperation with the PACD Youth and Sports Division, Province of Batangas.
For details, contact Lito Castro at (043) 723-2568/ (043) 723-4246 or Alex Dinoy at (02) 744-1664.
Contributed by: Marlon Bernardino
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