Chiang Mai, Thailand: Datu off to good start in ASEAN age-group rapid chess tilt

by Marlon Bernardino

NATIONAL MASTER Alcon John Datu subdued Tran Quang Khai of Vietnam  to lead the Filipinos in the opening round of the 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 rapid event  at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Thursday.

The pride of Caloocan City, playing in the Open Under-20 division, got the win despite playing with balck pieces. International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila won by default over Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh of India, however Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan was yielded to FM Dang Hoang Son of Vietnam.

Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna, meantime bested Archie Gupta of India in the distaff side of Girls 20 and under.

The Far Eastern University sophomore Psychology student who just completed her Woman International Master (WIM) title status.  The Legaspi City, Albay native Frayna who earned her two (2) WIM norms in last year's World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and another two (2) WIM norms in the just ended $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City. According to Asian Chess Federation (ACF) deputy vice president Casto "Toti Abundo" said Frayna will need to improve her current ELO rating of 2050 to 2200 this year to become a full-fledged Woman International Master (WIM).

Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite downed WFM Nominerdene Davaademberel of Mongolia while Woman National Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila bowed to Thi Van Anh of Vietnam.

“Maganda simula ng laro nina Datu, Frayna at San Diego, sana mahawakan nila ang momentum," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.  who is grateful to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for undying support to the Philippine Chess. 

Pichay and NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales is schedule to leave the country via Thai Airways bound for Chiang Mai, Thailand on Friday.

A total of 389 players seeing in action in the said rapid, blitz and standard play with defending champion Vietnam has 117 entries followed by host nation Thailand with 69, Singapore with 51,

Malaysia with 44 and Philippines with 40. Other participation nation were Mongolia (19), Indonesia (19), India (16), Laos (8), Russia (1), China (1), Bangladesh (1), Iran (1), Hongkong (1) and Chinese Taipei (1).

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Also winning their opening matches were Fide Master Paulo Bersamina over Nguyen Tri Thien of Vietnam, International Master candidate Jerad Docena over Kanav Gupta of India and National Master Giovannie Mejia over Ayush Jugele of India in the OU-16; Daryl Unix Samantila against Kavin Nattavutthisit of Thailand and Carl Terrence Valdellon against Jarudet Chailert of Thailand in the OU-14; Julius Gonzales over  CM Teh De Juan of Malaysia and Istraelito Rilloraza against countryman Stephen Rome Pangilinan in the OU-12; John Ruiz Bravo  against Santi Tamtarkoon of Thailand, Daniel Quizon against  FM Pham Phu Vinh of Vietnam and Ronald Canino over Sarun Kamwangsawat of Thailand in the OU-10; Alekhine Nouri against Alden Goh Kai Ray of Malaysia, Michael Concio Jr. against  Pham Cong Minh of Vietnam and James Henry Calacday over Tanakorn Tuwatawannurak of Thailand in the OU-8 under class.

Sharing the limelight were Ella Grace Moulic winner over Tran Nguyen Que Huong of Vietnam in the G-16; Samantha Glo Revita against Koo Wei Xin Rosamund of Malaysia and Alexis Anne Osena over Nguyen Thi Minh Thu of Vietnam in the G-14; Bea Mendoza over  Steffi Lim of Singapore and Natori Biazza Diaz over Tran Nguyen Huyen Tran of Vietnam in the G-12; Checy Aliena Telesforo over  Kanyanut Chaipa of Thailand in the G-10 and Jerlyn Mae San Diego over  Ding Dao En of Malaysia and Rhea Jane Canino over Phumrapee Weerapan of Thailand in the G-8 under class.