PH woodpushers win golds in 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013

by Marlon Bernardino

Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City,  Allaney Jia G. Doroy of Agusan del Norte and Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan carried the load for the victorious Philippine age group chess team at the conclusion of 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 Standard competition at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Thursday.

The 7-year-old Nouri, incoming grade one pupil of FEU-FERN College in Quezon City defeated Nguyen Hoang Hiep of Vietnam in the eight and penultimate round then subdued Luvsandorj Orgilbold on Mongolia in the ninth and final round to finished 8.0 points to topped the Open 8 and under category. Nouri also teaming up with Michael Concio Jr. of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Jerish John Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City and  James Henry Calacday of Antipolo City to bagged the silver medal in the team competition.

Doroy, for her part, drew with WFM Vo Mai Truc of Vietnam in the eight then split the point with Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahr of Malaysia in the ninth round to finished 6.5 points, the same output of Vo and Juwita Ardelia Sharfina Menda of Indonesia. The triumvirate won each gold medal in the Girls 12 and under class. Doroy togerher with Natori Biazza Diaz of Sagay City, Negros Oriental and Bea Mendoza of Baguio City also won the gold medal in the team event.

Revita, meantime crushed Nguyen Hong Ngoc of Vietnam in the eight then Chandra Vania Vindy of Malaysia in the ninth round to finished 7.0 points. She joined fellow 7.0 pointers Nguyen Thi Minh Thu of Vietnam in the gold medal winners in the Girls 14 and under division. Revita along with Alexis Anne Osena of Quezon province and May Ann Alcantara of Calumpit, Bulacan took the silver medal in the team event.

“These kids are the young blood, the future of Philippine chess. They want to give not their 99 percent, but their 100 percent all the time. They know what it takes to win," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

National Master Alcon John Datu, Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila collected identical 6.0 points each to finished silver medal in the Open 20 and under class. FM Nguyen Van Hai of Vietnam took the individual gold medal with 7.5 points. However, the Pinoy trio went home the gold medal in the team event. 

Meanwhile, WIM elect Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City scored 6.0 points and settled for the silver medal in the Girls 20 and under. Frayna, top player of Far Eastern University joined WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila for the silver medal finish in the team event.

Other medallist are FM Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City (silver, individual), Bersamina, NM Giovanni Mejia of Labrador, Pangasinan and Jerad Docena of Bohol (silver, team event) in the Open 16 and under class; Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, John Marvin Miciano of Davao City Malabon, Carl Terrence Valdellon of Pasig City and John Merill Jacutina of Caloocan City (bronze, team event) in the Open 12 and under class and CM Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Bulacan, Julius Gonzales of Marikina City and Israelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City (bronze, team event) in the Open 12 and under class

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).-Marlon Bernardino-

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photo caption:

President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos.

Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship this weekend

by Marlon Bernardino-

Registration in this year's edition of the Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship is now in full swing as it unfolds on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Canteen, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC), Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), Malate, Manila.

Bankrolled by Spartan Mining and Development Corporation in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) 

 event is open to all Colleges and Universities nationwide which my be represented by one or more teams provided each team pays the corresponding entry fee of P3,000.

Among the teams who signified their intention to join are La Salle, Ateneo, UST, FEU, UP, UE, NU, San Sebastian College, San Beda College, RTU, PUP, PCCR, Holy Angel University (Angeles, Pampanga), Western Mindanao State University, University of San Jose-Recoletos (Cebu), among others.

Each team may be composed of a maximum of five (5) members or a minimum of four (4) who must be member in good standing with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). Each member must be not be more than 26 years old and enrolled in the current semester in the school they represent and certified by their authorized school representative. Proof of age and school ID's may be required.

"Primary aim of this competition between and among universities and colleges is to determine from among the champions of collegiate leagues the national champion, not to mention its fostering camaraderie among student chess players and instilling in them values for good citizenship." said President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos.

The two-division (Men and Womens) tournament will employ a straight nine-round Swiss system format.

Aside from pocketing the P30,000 plus trophy, gold medals, the College (Men) Champion Team will have the right to represent a city in the coming Asian Inter-Cities Chess Team Tournament which will be held on October 12 to 20 in Tagaytay City.

The second to third placers settle for the cash purse of P20,000 plus trophy, silver medals and P10,000 plus trophy, bronze medals, respectively. Fourth to sixth placers gets P7,000, P6,000, P5,000 while 7th to 10th placers went home P4,000 each.

Meanwhile, the College (Womens) Champion Team will bring home P20,000 plus trophy, gold medals, The second to third placers settle for the cash purse of P15,000 plus trophy, silver medals and P8,000 plus trophy, bronze medals, in order. Fourth to sixth placers gets P7,000, P6,000, P5,000 while 7th to 10th placers went home P3,000 each.

A special award is given to the Individual winners in the Mens and Womens division, P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000 plus trophies, in both division.

For more details, call or text International Arbiter Gene Poliarco at 0923-730-9445 or International Arbiter Elias Lao at 0926-237-8876 or email: laoickz@yahoo.com. Tournament Director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.