Round 5: Wesley So grabs solo lead in Asian Chess

Individual Standings after round 5:(Open Division, Nine Round Swiss-System/ 42 player's field)

4.5 points---GM Wesley So (Philippines)
4.0 points---GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vietnam)
3.5 points---GM Susanto Megaranto (Indonesia), FM Gombosuren Munkhgal (Mongolia), GM Darwin Laylo (Philippines), GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines), IM Nguyen Doc Hoa (Vietnam)
3.0 points---FM Haridas Pascua (Philippines), GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. (Philippines), IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (Mongolia), FM Tran Tuan Minh (Vietnam), IM Barlo Nadera (Philippines),
GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), GM Richard Bitoon (Philippines), FM Mari Joseph Turqueza (Philippines), GM Cao Sang (Vietnam), IM Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam)
2.5 points---GM Eugene Torre (Philippines), Manny Yu (Philippines), Roger Sarip (Philippines), FM Paulo Bersamina (Philippines), GM Dao Thien Hai (Vietnam), Rustum Tolentino (Philippines)

Tagaytay City---Filipino teenage chess wonder Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So claimed solo leadership in the fifth round of the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship here at the Tagaytay International Convention Center on Friday.

 So, the country’s highest-ranked player and the tournament’s top seed with an Elo rating of 2682, took a break from his studies at Webster University in the United States to compete in the event hosted by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and the city council, defeated  IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa of Mongolia (Elo 2522).

"Maganda 'yung coordination ng major pieces ko kaya napilit kong manalo sa laro against (Bayarsaikhan) Gundavaa," said So.

The 19-year-old Bacoor, Cavite native surged to 4.5 points in the standings after 5 rounds in the Nine Round Swiss-system event, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. which offers two (2) slot for this year's World Cup in Tromso, Norway.

Actually, So took the leadership board in the fifth round after ertswhile co-leader second seed GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam (Elo 2631) halved the point with GM Darwin Laylo (2491).

Ngoc Truong Son, the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games five gold medal winner is in the losing position but managed to draw with Marikina ace Laylo to improve his total to 4.0 points for solo second place.

"Slight advantage tayo sa middle game kaso mahirap pa din y'ung laro. Then sa endgame tabla na talaga eh," said Laylo.

"Pang siyam na laban na namin ni Ngoc Truong Son kala ko makaka iskor na ako kaso muling nauwi sa tabla," Laylo referring his nine (9) head to head match against Ngoc Truong Son and all ended into a fighting draw.

Sharing third to eighth places with 3.5 points each are defending champion GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, FM Gombosuren Munkhgal of Mongolia, Laylo, 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and IM Nguyen Doc Hoa of Vietnam.

Megaranto settled a draw with Duc Hoa, Munkhgal upset GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and Antonio edged countryman FM Haridas Pascua.

In other matches saw, GM Mark Paragua bested countryman GM Eugene Torre, GM John Paul Gomez subdued FM Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia, US based GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. routed Ravdanlkhumbuu Amgalanbaatar of Mongolia, FM Mari Joseph Turqueza shocked IM Rolando Nolte.

In the distaff side, Nguyen Thi Thanh An of Vietnam defeated fellow Vietnamese Woman Grandmaster Nguyen Pham Le Thao to remained on top with 4.5 points in five outings.Bernadette Galas of the Philippines crushed WFM Ummi Fisabilillah of Indonesia to climbed at 4th to 7th place in the company of 3.0 pointers the likes of Pham, WGM    Hoang Thi Bao Tram and WIM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung of Vietnam.

Other Pinay bets WFM Rulp Ylem Jose, WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego and WIM Catherine Perena tallied 2.0 points each for 10th to 14th places while Mary Grace Tambasen at the cellar dwellar with no point.  -Marlon Bernardino

Wesley So settles for draw with Vietnamese Super GM in Tagaytay Zonal chess

Tagaytay City---Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So settled for a draw with second seed Vietnamese GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Elo 2631) in the fourth round of the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship here at the Tagaytay International Convention Center onThursday.

The Bacoor, Cavite native So agreed to a draw after 44 moves of a Neo-Gruenfeld defense using the black pieces to tally 3.5 points in 4 rounds in the company of Ngoc Truong Son.

"Mabuti naka draw pa tayo. Masyadong mahirap ang laro saka slight advantage si Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son," said the 19-year-old So, the country’s highest-ranked player and the tournament’s top seed with an Elo rating of 2682, took a break from his studies at Webster University in the United States to compete in the event hosted by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and the city council.

Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., the 42 player's field in the Open division of the Nine Round Swiss format offers two slot for this year's World Cup in Tromso, Norway. GM Oliver Barbosa is the only Filipino currently guaranteed a seat in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Filipino chess prodigy So is scheduled to handle the white pieces over to Mongolian GM-elect Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa in the fifth round, Friday's afternoon session while the Vietnamese ace goes up against another Filipino GM entry Darwin Laylo. Gundavaa split the point with Laylo after 30 moves of Gruenfeld defense.

"Go for win po tayo sa Mongolian na si Gundavaa lalu na't white pieces tayo,' added So, next tournament line-up is the tough Reykjavik Open chess nexth month.

Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., said So is expected to past Gundavaa " Inaasahan natin mananalo si Wesley kay Gundavaa. Limang beses na silang nagkatapat at apat dun ay nagwagi si Wesley at isa dun ay naka draw yung Mongolian GM-elect,".

Joining Gundavaa and Laylo in a bunch of 3.0 pointers were defending champion Indon GM Susanto Megaranto and Viet IM Nguyen Doc Hoa, who will face each other yesterday.

The Jakarta based Megaranto edged IM Rolando Nolte after 85 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening while Doc Hoa outclassed US based GM Rogelio 'Banjo' Barcenilla Jr. after 42 moves of King's Indian defense. NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales id the Tournament Director while Fide delegate Casto Abundo is the Chief Arbiter.

-Marlon Bernardino

Tagaytay Zonal Chess: Wesley So beats Eugene Torre

Tagaytay City---THE COUNTRY's top rated Grandmaster Wesley So scored back-to-back win after beating GM Eugene Torre in the second round of the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship late Wednesday here at the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

The 19-year-old So, the country’s highest-ranked player and the tournament’s top seed with an Elo rating of 2682, took a break from his studies at Webster University in the United States to compete in the event hosted by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and the city council prevailed with the black pieces after 38 moves of Torre Attack.

" Talagang pinilit kong manalo. Hirap ng posisyon buti napilit," said So.

The Nine Round Swiss-System Tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chaiirman/president Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr.

The Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid So improved to a total of 2 points to share 1st to 5th places in the 42 player's field along with second seed GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam,  defending champion GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, GM Mark Paragua and GM Darwin Laylo of the Philippines.

So beat GM Eugene Torre after 38 moves of Torre Attack, Ngoc Truong Son downed GM Banjo Barcenilla after 28 moves of King's Indian defense, Megaranto routed FM Haridas Pascua after 26 moves of Queens Indian defense, Paragua bested Ben Polao after 39 moves of Sicilian defense and Laylo dealt NM Nelson Villanueva after 33 moves of Sicilian defense.

Earlier, So toppled NM Rustum Tolentino in the opening round. 

In other matches saw, IM Barlo Nadera split the point with GM Joey Antonio Jr. after 40 moves of another Torre skirmish and IM Bayarsaikhan of Mongolia halved the point with compatriot FM Gombosuren Munkhgal after 41 moves of Queens Indian.

Chief Arbiter is Fide delegate Casto Abundo and Program Director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.

-Marlon Bernardino-

Wesley So off to good start in Tagaytay Zonal Chess

TAGAYTAY CITY---MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines’ top chess player, Super Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So, had a good start in the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship here at the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

The 19-year-old Bacoor, Cavite native So, the country’s highest-ranked player and the tournament’s top seed with an Elo rating of 2682, took a break from his studies at Webster University in the United States to compete in the event hosted by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and the city council, subdued Rustum Tolentino of Cagayan de Oro City (ELO 2364) after 28 moves of Queens Pawn Game using the advantageous white pieces to lead the opening winners late Tuesday.

"Maganda y'ung coordination ng major pieces ko sa Queen, Rook and Knight sa middle game namin ni Rustum kaya napilit kong manalo sa laro despite equal ang piyesa naman at saka mga pawn," said So.

So, the top seed in the 38-player Open division and ranked 66th in the world, was pitted against compatriot GM Eugene Torre of Quezon City (ELO 2485) in the second round held late in the afternoon (Wednesday).

"Mabigat ang second round natin. I think huling beses kami nagkalaban ni GM (Eugene) Torre ay nauwi sa draw,"  added So, who is setting his main goal to return to the World Cup slated on Aug. 10 to Sept. 5 in Tromso, Norway.

Torre, the Asia's First Grandmaster, meantime won over default against National Master Michael Gotel of Quezon City (ELO 2161). "Gagawin na lamang natin ang makakaya natin against kay Super GM (Wesley) So. Ang mahalaga sana Pinoy pa din ang makakakuha ng dalawang slot sa World Cup."

Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino Jr., also the secretary general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr., commented " Magandang laban ang aasahan natin kina GMs So at Torre at inaasahan natin magiging madugo ang kanilang labanan". 

National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr., added " Bukod sa laban nina GMs So at Torre ay aasahan din natin na magiging kapana-panabik na laban sa pagitan nina Vietnamese Super GM (Nguyen) Ngoc Truong Son vs US based GM Banjo (Barcenilla) at FM (Haridas) Pascua vs defending champion Indon GM (Susanto) Megaranto."

US based GM Rogelio 'Banjo' Barcenilla Jr. (ELO 2483) defeated NM Rolando Andador of Talisay, Negros Occidental (ELO 2326) after 53 moves of Slav defense to meet second seed Super GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2631) in the next round, winnr over FM Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia (ELO 2357) after 49 moves of French defense.

Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan (ELO 2386), on the other hand, toppled countryman Sarangani Usman (unrated) after 36 movs of Pirc defense to face defending champion GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia (ELO 2529) who brought downed FM Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (ELO 2306) after 37 moves of Queens Indian defense.

Other Filipino Grandmasters won their opening assignments are 12-time national open champion Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio Jr. of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (ELO 2541), PSC International chess champion Mark Paragua (ELO 2519) of Bulacan and Darwin Laylo (ELO 2491) of Marikina Cty.

Antonio defeated IM-elect Edgar Reggie Olay of Kidapawan City (ELO 2353) after 41 moves of Sicilian-Alapin, Paragua crushed Manny Yu of GMA, Cavite (ELO 2274) after 44 moves of Sicilian defense and Laylo dealt FM Sumiya Bilguuun of Mongolia (ELO 2213) after 35 moves of Slav defense.

However, GM Richard Bitoon of Cebu (ELO 2411) was yielded to journeyman Ben Polao of Mindanao (ELO 2091) after 47 moves of another Sicilian skirmish while GM John Paul Gomez of Binan, Laguna (ELO 2520) was held into a draw with youthful Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia (ELO 2278) after 51 moves of Slav duel.

The game between IM Farid Firman Syah of Indonesia (ELO 2338) vs GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam (ELO 2531), IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam (ELO 2504) vs FM Mari Joseph Turqueza of Quezon City (ELO 2256), Nelson 'Elo' Mariano III of Bacoor (ELO 2251) vs IM Nguyen Doc Hoa of Vietnam (ELO 2495), FM Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City (ELO 2206) vs GM Cao Sang of Vietnam (ELO 2488), Dr. Alfredo Paez of Cabuyao, Laguna (ELO 2151) vs IM Rolando Nolte of Quezon City (ELO 2460) ends in draw.

In the distaff side, Philippine's representative WIM Catherine Perena, WFMs Rulp Ylem Jose and Mary Antoinette San Diego, Bernadette Galas and Mary Grace Tambasen lost their first round matches. Fide delegate Casto Abundo is the chief arbiter while NCFP Executive Director is the Project Director.     - Marlon Bernardino -

Wesley So spearhead Philippine campaign in Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship in Tagaytay City

LOCAL fans will surely delight when Super GM Wesley So head the list of cast in the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship on Jan. 22 to 30 at Tagaytay International Convention Center.

Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. will host the event for the second time in his capacity as president of Asian Zone 3.3.

“The city will make sure that all participants, especially the foreigners, will enjoy their stay here (Tagaytay),” said Tolentino, also the secretary general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, who drew praises from foreign delegations for the smooth running of the 2011edition won by Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto.

“Wesley arrived Saturday and is raring to bring pride and joy to his countrymen,”  he added.

Other than the cash prizes, participants will be vying for two slots to the World Chess Cup 2013 slated in Tromso, Norway, from Aug. 10- Sept. 5.

Megaranto will be back to defend his title against a strong field to be led by top Filipino GM So, who took a break from his studies in the United States to seek another stint in the biennial World Cup.

Joining So to carry the good fight for the Filipino are GM Mark Paragua, who is fresh from winning the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships on Sunday, 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio Jr., GM Richard Bitoon, GM Eugene Torre and GM Darwin Laylo.

Also expected to contend for the men’s crown are the Vietnamese and the Indonesians.

The top lady performer  will advance to the Women’s World Championship in September.

GM Paragua placed second to Megaranto in 2011 and also advanced to the World Cup.

Singaporean International Li Ruofan ruled the distaff side and represented the zone in the Women’s World Championship.

Thus far, GM Oliver Barbosa is the only Filipino assured of a slot to the World Cup after placing fifth in the Asian Chess Championship held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, last May.      -Marlon Bernardino-

TAGAYTAY ZONAL CHESS: ALL EYES ON SO AND TRUONG SON

TAGAYTAY CITY---ALL eyes on Super Grandmasters Wesley So and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, the top two seed when the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship gets underway yesterday here at the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

The 19-year-old So, the country’s highest-ranked player and the tournament’s top seed with an Elo rating of 2682, took a break from his studies at Webster University in the United States to compete in the event hosted by Tagaytay Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and the city council.

"Talagang pinaghadaan ko itong 3.3 Zonal chess dito sa Tagaytay City. Hope makuha natin ang isa sa dalawa slot sa World Cup" said So, who is schedule to face Rustum Tolentino, with an Elo rating of 2364 in yesterday's opening round.

" Maganda ang aabangan natin dito sa Tagaytay 3.3 Zonal chess. Tiyak lahat nakatutok sa dalawang super grandmasters na sina Wesley So at Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son ng Vietnam," said Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, also the secretary general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr.

"Hope makuha natin ang dalawang slot sa World Cup" added NCFP Chairman/President Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr.

At stake are cash prizes and two slots to the World Chess Cup 2013 slated Aug. 10 to Sept. 5 in Tromso, Norway.

GM Oliver Barbosa, who is assured of a World Cup berth by virtue of a fifth-place finish in the Asian Chess Championship held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, last May, opted not to play in the said qualification tournament for the World Championships .

Meanwhile, Truong Son, ranked second from Vietnam with a Elo rating of 2631 goes up against Fide Master Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia who hold an Elo rating of 2357 in Board 2 while 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio Jr. (Elo 2541), ranked third opposite Edgar Reggie Olay (Elo 2353) in Board 3.

In other matches saw, GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam (Elo 2531) opposite IM Firman Syah Farid of Indonesia (Elo 2338) in Board 4, defending champion GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia (Elo 2529) against FM Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (Elo 2306) in Board 5, IM Gundavaa Bayarsaikhan of Mongolia (Elo 2522) versus Roger Sarip (Elo 2284) in Board 6, GM John Paul Gomez (Elo 2520) versus Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia (Elo 2278) in Board 7, PSC Chess Ruler GM Mark Paragua (Elo 2519) versus Manny Yu (Elo 2274) in Board 8, IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam (Elo 2504) versus FM Mari Joseph Turqueza (Elo 2256) in Board 9 and IM Nguyen Doc Hoa of Vietnam (Elo 2495) versus Nelson 'Elo' Mariano III (Elo 2251) in Board 10.-Marlon Bernardino-

Mark Paragua Wins PSC Chess; Pockets $6,000

GRANDMASTER Mark Paragua,  the 6th Philippines International Grandmaster (2005), the former  Philippines’ no.1 chess player,  and the first Filipino to breached the super GM status at 2600+ mark, won the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships,  in an  impressive fashion on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. 

The Tondo, Manila born Paragua, a former Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete settled for a truce with 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio jr. after 31 moves of Sicilain defense to scored 7.5 points in nine outings and captured the coveted title. 

With his latest feat, Paragua received the pay check of top prize US$6,000 in the US$30,000 SMART-sponsored nine Round-Swiss tournament, hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by it's Chairman Ricardo Garcia and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman / President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. , Secretary-General and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director Jayson Gonzales.

GM John Paul Gomez edged FM Haridas Pascua after 37 moves of another Sicilain skirmish to scored 7.0 points, thae same output of Pascua. Gomez and Pascua, split the combined prize worth US$7,000 for second and third placers.   -Marlon Bernardino-

PSC Chess Round 2: Nagpatuloy ang mga Upset

NAGPATULOY ang mga dambuhalang upsets matapos ang second round ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships Martes sa Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex sa Manila.

Itinal nina Fide Masters David Elorta (ELO 2343) at Randy Segarra (ELO 2311) ang giant king upset kontra sa higher rated opponents sa US$30,000 SMART-sponsored nine Round-Swiss tournament, hosted ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sa gabay ni Chairman Ricardo Garcia na inorganisa ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) sa pakikipagtulungan nina Chairman / President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. , Secretary-General at Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino Jr. at Executive Director Jayson Gonzales.

Giniba ng San Andres Bukid, Manila resident Elorta si top seed Russian Super GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov (ELO 2612) sa 67 moves ng London System Opening habang angat naman ang La Salle Taft head coach Segarra kay GM John Paul Gomez (ELO 2520) sa 33 moves ng English Opening.

" Queen less o mamamate s'ya sa pag tira ko ng Nh4 sa 67 moves. Kaya wala s'yang magagawa kung hindi mag resign," sabi ni Elorta na biniktima din dati sina Chinese Grandmasters Zhang Zhong at Zhou Weiqi sa kanyang entire chess career.

"Nagkamali si John Paul sa middle game at na one piece ko s'ya," ani naman ni Segarra.

Nakasama nina Elorta at Segarra sa leadership board na may tig 2.0 points ay sina Mongolian GM elect Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (ELO 2522) panalo kay IM Chito Garma (ELO 2326) sa 27 moves ng Catalan Opening; GM Mark Paragua (ELO 2519) na ungos kay IM Ronald Bancod (ELO 2310) sa 44 moves ng Sicilian defense; FM Haridas Pascua (ELO 2386) na namayani naman kay Rhobel Legaspi (ELO 2257) sa 37 moves ng Catalan Opening at youthful Nelson' Elo' Mariano III (ELO 2251), panalo kay Noel dela Cruz (ELO 2371) sa 59 moves ng Center Counter Game.

Ang laban sa pagitan nina 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio Jr. (ELO 2541) kontra kay IM Emmanuel Senador (ELO 2329) at NM Roger Sarip (ELO 2284) versus IM Rolando Nolte (ELO 2460) ay nauwi sa tabla para samahan si GM Richard Bitoon (ELO 2411) sa grupo ng 1.5 points. Panalo ang Medellin, Cebu ace na si Bitoon kay Stephen Reloj (unrated) sa 37 moves ng Nimzo-Indian defense.

Nakabalik naman sa kontensiyon sina Asia's First GM Eugene Torre (ELO 2485) at second seed GM Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2574) na galing sa opening loses nitong Lunes sa US$6,000 top prize National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) tournament na suportado din ng Puregold, Manila Pavilion Hotel at City State Tower Hotel.

Kinaldag ni Torre si WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (ELO 2026) sa 53 moves ng London System Opening habang angat si Barbosa kay Kevin Mirano (ELO 2037) sa 59 moves ng  Catalan Opening.  - Marlon Bernardino-