Laylo draws with Antonio, Barbosa prevails in Bangkok Chess Club 2013

GRANDMASTER (GM) Darwin Laylo settled for a truce with compatriot GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. in 30 moves of Queen's Indian defense to create a 10-way tie for sixth place along with GM Oliver Barbosa in the eight round of the Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand, over the weekend.

Barbosa toppled FM Riste Menkinoski of Macedonia in 36 moves of Bogo-Indian defense to scored six points, the same output of Laylo and Antonio and seven others woodpushers.

GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia upset top seed GM Nige Short of England in 65 moves of Reti Opening to grabs the solo leadership board with 7.0 points.

IM Wan Yunguo of China, GM Jan Gustafsson and GM Gerhard Schebler of Germany and GM Sune Berg Hansen  of Denmark was tied at 2nd to 5th place with 6.5 points each.

The defending champion Short, who had an ELO rating of 2697 remains at 5.5 points and was dropped into a tie for 16th to 33th place in the company of GM Mark Paragua, GM John Paul Gomez, FM Deniel Causo and FM Hamed Nouri.NM Nelson Villanueva, Jasper Rome and Jimson Bitoon tallied 5.0 points for 34th to 56th place.

The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.  -Marlon Bernardino-

Laylo catches Antonio

GRANDMASTER (GM) Darwin Laylo split the point with International Master (IM) Roy Saptarshi of India in 27 moves of Queen's Pawn game to share compatriot GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. into a tie for 4th to 14th place  after the seventh round in the on-going Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand.

Antonio who grabs the solo leadership board in the sixth round failed to continued his impressive showing after losing to GM Sune Berg Hansen  of Denmark in 64 moves of Queen's Indian defense to remains on 5.5 points in seven outings, the same output of Laylo and nine others woodpushers along with top seed GM Nigel Short of Britain, winner over  GM Jha Sriram of India. The defending champion Short prevailed in 53 moves of Old Indian defense.

GM Oliver Barbosa halved the point with Ma Zhonghan of China in 66 moves of Slav defense to scored 5.0 points and share countryman GM Mark Paragua and NM Nelson Villanueva into a tie for 15th to 29th place. 

Paragua, on the other hand was bowed to GM Gerhard Schebler of Germany in 37 moves of Sicilian defense while Villanueva suubdued IM Awam Wahono of Indonesia.

Hansen , Schebler  and GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia was tied at the leadership board with 6.0 points each. Zhao bested GM Ralf Akesson of Sweden in 30 moves of Queen's Gambit declined.

In the eight round, Laylo goes up against Antonio on board 7, Barbosa will meet FM Riste Menkinoski of Macedonia on board 9, IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia opposite Paragua on board 10 while GM Venkatesh M.R. of India versus Villanueva on board 12.

The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.-Marlon Bernardino-

CHESS TOURNEY GOES TO BULACAN THIS WEEKEND

EVERYTHING is set for the much awaited Sta. Maria Summer Chessfest on April 21 at the Walter Mart Sta. Maria in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

The tournament is divided into three sections-1975 & below NCFP  January 2013 rating, 18 yrs old and Under  and Kiddies (14-U).

Participants are given 20 minutes to finish the game.

The 1975 and below section offers  P5,000 to the Champion; P2,500  to second ; P1,500 to  third placer; P 1,000 to forth placer; P700 to fifth placer; P300 each to 6th to 10th placer in the 1 day tourney supported by Walter Mart, Dunkin Donuts, Sta. Maria Mulawin Lions Club, Board Member Ryan Santos, BM Jon Delos Santos at Vice Mayor Yoyoy Pleyto.

Top finisher in different categories, such as ladies, kiddies, unrated, senior, top Sta. Maria will also get P500.

In the 18 and Under section18, the Champion will receive P2,000, P1000 to second, P500 to third; P 400 to forth placer; P300 to fifth placer

In the 12 and under section, the Champion will receive P1,000, P700 to second, P500 to third; P 400 to forth placer; P300 to fifth placer.

For complete details please call or txt Sta. Maria Chess Club. President- Engr. Norben de Jesus at 0922-8386729, All Bulacan Chess Federation President Mr. Richard R. Dela Cruz at 0912- 4508786 or NA Alfredo Chay @0908-7540888.  -Marlon Bernardino-

Antonio grabs lead in Bangkok Chess

Individual Standings after Round 6:

5.5 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines)

5.0 points---IM Roy Saptarshi (India), GM Jan Gustaffson (Germany), GM Mark Paragua (Philippines),GM Hansen Sune Berg (Denmark), GM Zhao Zong-Yuan (Australia), IM Wang Chen (China), GM Ralf Akesson (Sweden), GM Darwin Laylo (Philippines), GM Gerhard Schebler (Germany)

GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. defeated GM Levente Vajda of Romania in 52 moves of Modern defense to grabs the solo leadership board in the sixth round on Friday in the Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand.

Antonio, member of the multi-titlist Philippine Army Chess Team raised his total 5.5 points, half point ahead over compatriots GMs Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo, GMs Jan Gustaffson  and GM Gerhard Schebler of Germany, GM Hansen Sune Berg of Denmark, GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia,GM Ralf Akesson of Sweden, IM Roy Saptarshi of India and IM Wang Chen of China who totes five points each.

In other results, Paragua split the point with Akesson after 10 moves of King's Indian defense; Laylo beat WGM Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia after 67 moves of Queen's Indian defense; Gustaffson outplayed IM Manuel Bijaoui of France after 30 moves og King's Indian defense; Schebler nipped NM Nelson Villanueva after 82 moves of Reti Opening; Sune Berg dealt IM Thejkumar M. S. of India after 57 moves of Queen's Pawn game; Zhao halved the point with Saptarshi after 59 moves of Slav defense and Wang edged Jimson Bitoon after 27 moves of Sicilian defense.

In the seventh round, Sune Berg  will meet Antonio on board one, Wang opposite Gustafsson on board two, Paragua goes up against Schebler on board three, Zhao versus Akesson  on board four and Saptarshi will face Laylo on board five.

"We hope Joey (Antonio). Darwin (Laylo) & Mark (Paragua) will end up as champions and other Filipino players to finish strongly and be at the top ten." said Allan Diez, a strong chess supporter from Mindanao.

Defending champion and tournament top seed GM Nigel Short of England, with an ELO rating of 2697 crushed GM Yrjo A.Rantanen of Finland to lead the huge group of 4.5 pointers.

The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.-Marlon Bernardino-

Antonio catches Paragua on top

Individual Standings after Round 5:

4.5 points---GM Mark Paragua (Philippines), IM Roy Saptarshi (India), GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines), GM Levente Vajda (Romania),  GM Zhao Zong-Yuan (Australia), GM Ralf Akesson (Sweden)

GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.  toppled International Master  (IM) Wan Yunguo  of China in 43 moves of French defense in the fifth round on Thursday to join compatriot GM Mark Paragua and four others on top in the Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand.

Paragua managed only a draw opposite IM Roy Saptarshi of India after 73 moves of Sicilian defense, dragon variation in their rook and pawn endgame.

Antonio, Paragua and Saptarshi have 4.5 points in five outings, the same output of GM Levente Vajda of Romania,  GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia and GM Ralf Akesson of Sweden.

 Zhao split the point with GM Jan Gustaffson of Germany,  Vajda  beat GM John Paul Gomez after 37 moves of French defense while Akesson defeated GM Oliver Barbosa after 41 moves of Slav defense.

In the sixth round, Antonio will meet Vajda on board one, Akesson opposite Paragua on board two while Saptarshi goes up against Zhao on board three.


The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.-Marlon Bernardino-

UP bet Corpin rules Meralco Chess Club Tourney

University of the Philippines chess player Justin Corpin topped the just concluded Paulina Sol Cruz Memorial Cup hosted by Meralco Chess Club. The round robin blitz tournament was sponsored by the family of Lola Poleng, as
she is fondly called, in commemoration of her birthday this month of April.

Corpin, one of the products of the club that have earned college scholarship through chess, dominated the event by scoring 7.5 points in 8 games.

"Utang na loob ko po itong panalong ito sa Meralco Chess Club na walang sawang tumutulong sa mga katulad kong nag-aral sa public school (Roces Science and Technology HS) at kay Coach Leo Carlos ng UP sa training at
tiwalang ibinigay niya sa akin", added Corpin.

2nd Place went to Jefferson Saltorio, a graduate of Eulogio Rodriguez Vocational HS, while Prince Sanguan, a graduate of Mataas na Paaralang Neptali Gonzales and last year's champion, landed on 3rd Place.

The club will conduct a free summer workshop for public school players this coming Saturday, from 9am to 12 nn, at the Basement Canteen of Lopez Bldg,
Meralco Center in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. Participants must register on line at Meralco Chess Club at facebook.-Marlon Bernardino-

Pichay, Gonzales to grace Manila Chess Tourney

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales have been invited to grace the opening  ceremony of the  2013 Manila Open Non-Master Rapid Chess Championship on April 27 at the San Andres Complex, San Andres Street, Malate, Manila.

Joining them in the opening ceremony are Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, vice mayoral candidate Lou Veloso and other City Officials.

The one-day tournament, organized by sportsman Bermar (MaiMai) Polancos, Andrew Casiano and Noel Francisco and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), will begin at 10 a.m.

At stake are P10,000 cash prizes plus elegant trophy for the Non-Master champion and P3,500 plus trophy for the kiddies Under 14 category. Registration fee worth P300 for the non-master and titled lady player and P200 for the kiddies woodpushers. For registration please contact sportsman Bermar (MaiMai) Polancos at 0939-179-0788, Andrew Casiano at 0918-560-4470 and Noel Francisco at 0926-975-4612.-Marlon Bernardino-

Paragua share lead with 2 others in Bangkok Chess

Grandmaster Mark Paragua continued his fiery showing Wednesday even as two other players managed to keep pace after four rounds of the Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand.

The eight seed Paragua defeated no.19 seed GM Czebe Attila of Hungrary to post his fourth straight wins in as many rounds, the same output of no.10 seed GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia, winner over no.41st seed FM Hamed Nouri and no.24 IM Roy Saptarshi of India, who rbought downed no.6 seed GM Lu Shanglei of China.

Grandmasters John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo defeated their respective rivals to scored 3.5 points and shared fourth to 14th place along with compatriots GMs Oliver Barbosa and Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.

The no.13 seed Gomez blasted no.44 seed GM Rantanen Yrjo A. of Finland; the no. 17 seed Laylo crushed no.56 Muke of China; the no.12 seed Antonio split the point with no.3 seed GM Jan Gustafsson  of Germany and the no.5 seed Barbosa halved the point with no.18 seed IM Wang Chen of China.

In the fifth round, Paragua goes up against Saptarshi  on board one while Zhao opposite Gustafsson on board two.

"Inaasahan natin mas magiging bakbakan ang laban sa mga susunod na round," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.-Marlon Bernardino-

Filipino GMs off to a good start in Bangkok Chess

Grandmasters Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua led the rampaging start of Filipino chess players in Bangkok Chess Club 2013 in Pattaya, Thailand, yesterday.

The fifth ranked Barbosa defeated Thanatipanonda Thotsaporn and FM Teerapabpaisit Wisuwat of Thailand while eight ranked Paragua bested Hj Azahari Md Aliuddin of Brunei and countryman FM Deniel Causo, respectively.

Grandmasters Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. , John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and FM Hamed Nouri also won their first two matches.

 The 12th ranked Antonio outplayed Ron Hoffman of the Netherlands and Timo Tuomala of Finland, the 13th ranked Gomez routed Viacheslav Dotsenko of Russia and compatriot NM Nelson Villanueva, the 17th ranked Laylo subdued Poompong Wiwatanadate of Thailand and Ronald Frosch of Austria and the 41st seed Nouri smashed Yutithamnon Surapole of Thailand and Gonzalez Gonzalez Alfonso of Spain.

"So far, so good. ‘Yung mga manlalaro natin naglaro sa Bangkok Chess Club 2013 sa Pattaya, Thailand," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. 

Also with two points are top seed GM Nigel Short (ELO 2697) of England, third seed GM Jan Gustafsson (ELO 2621) of Germany, fourth seed GM Humpy Koneru (ELO 2597) of India, seventh seed GM Hansen Sune Berg (ELO 2561) of Denmark and 15th seed GM Venkatesh M.R. (ELO 2508) of India.

The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.     -Marlon Bernardino-

Garcia, Batucan settle for draws in Grand Finals of the 2013 National Age- Group Championship Boys 20 and under category

International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila and John Ray Batucan of Davao City opted to play safe in the eleventh round of the Grand Finals of the 2013 National Age- Group Championship Boys 20 and under category being held at the Taguig City University Auditorium in Taguig City
.
With the draw, the top player of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) chess team Garcia has now 19 points for eight wins and three draws going into the last four rounds of the prestigious competition hosted by City Government of Taguig thru the initiative of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Grass Roots Development Program Head and Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares.


In the girls division, Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas City defeated Exiquila Apao of Davao City in the eleventh round. WFM San Diego maintains the lead with 18 points for nine wins and one loss.


The top three winners in each division will earn the right to represent the country in the ASEAN age-group chess championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand and in the 2013 Asian Youth championships in Marshdad, Iran.        -Marlon Bernardino-

GMs Laylo, Paragua shines in Iwica Rapid Chess in Bangkok

FILIPINO Grandmasters Darwin Laylo and Mark Paragua toppled their respective rivals in the final round to share the second place honors with GM Adam Horvath of Hungrary in the 1st Iwica International Rated Rapid Chess Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand last April 12 and 13.

Laylo defeated countryman GM Oliver Barbosa while Paragua toppled GM Czebe Attila of Hungrary. 2nd place Horvath, 3rd place Laylo and 4th place Paragua tallied 7.0 points each in the nine round Swiss-System event which topped by GM Venkatesh M.R. of India who notch 7.5 points. Venkatesh split the point with Horvath.

GM John Paul Gomez and IM Idelfonso Datu finished with 6.5 points along with GM Jha Sriram and CM Puranik Abhimanyu of India and GM Zoltan Varga of Hungrary.

Barbosa, meantime was stuck at six points and dropped into a tie for 10th to 16th placers along with compatriots FM Deniel Causo, NM Nelson Villanueva and Kyz Llantada.

Laylo, Paragua, Barbosa and Gomez next tournament is 13th Bangkok Chess Club 2013 in Pattaya, Thailand gets underway on Friday. The Filipino Thailand chess campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.       -Marlon Bernardino-

National age group chess fest grand finals: Garcia, Bersamina, Samantila virtual champ

DESPITE on round to go, International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Paul Bersamina and Daryl Unix Samantila virtually captured their respective division’s title in the on-going grand finals of the National age group chess championships at the Taguig City University auditorium in Taguig.

Garcia beat Vince Angelo Medina in the thirteenth round before drawing with NM Alcon John Datu in the next round to capture the Boys under 20 plums with 23 points for ten wins and three draws and without a loss going into the final and last round of the grassroots chess competition organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.and Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. , thru the initiative of NCFP Grass Roots Development Head and Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares and hosted by City Government of Taguig. Garcia is followed by Datu with 19 points and IM Haridas Pascua with 18 points.

The NCFP is using a Pichay-Torre modified match point system which gives two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero point for a loss according to NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales. A player is given 1.5 points if he stalemated his opponent.

In the Boys under-16 brackets FM Paul Bersamina impress the crowd by sweeping all his assignments from the first until round 14. He posted an amazing run of fourteen wins, enough to bag the Boys under-16 section with still one more game to play. He is followed by NM Giovanni Mejia with 22.5 points and Austin Jacob Literatus with 21 points. 

Daryl Unix Samantila on the other hand triumph in the Boys under 14 category with 21 points. Tied at second and third in standings with 17 points are John Marvin Miciano and John MerillJacutina.

In other results, Istraelito Rilloraza, Daniel Quizon and AlekhineNouri conquered their respective divisions and on top of the leaderboard of U-12, U-10 and U-8 respectively.

Only the champion in each category will represent the country in the Asian youth chess championships in June 20-27 in Marshad, Iran while the top three finishers will go to Chiang Mai in Thailand.

The leaders in the girls division:

U-20 Marie Antoinette San Diego – 21 points

U-16 Ella Grace Moulic – 17 points

U-14 Samantha GloRevita – 18 points

U-12 AllaneyJiaDoroy – 24 points

U-10 ChecyAlienaTelesforo – 15 points

U-8 Gerlin Mae San Diego – 18 points 

(Marlon Bernardino)