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.

Dimakiling, Nolte eye grandmaster title status in Malaysia chess tourney

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino International Masters (IM) Oliver Dimakiling and Rolando Nolte both seeking their third and final grandmaster norms/results when the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Invitational KL Masters 2013 gets underway on June 13 to 21 at the at the Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Dimakiling, fresh from winning the gold medal in the blitz event of the PSC-POC Philippine National Games, seeks his third GM norm in the event Organized by Polgar Chess Asia for the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA) with support from the Malaysian Chess Federation and Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation.

"Sana makuha ko na ang 3rd at final GM norm ko dito sa KL Masters," said the Davao City native Dimakiling, who earned his first GM norm after finishing as co-champion in the 2006 Malaysian Open.

The pride of Quezon City Nolte, meantime is targeting his 3rd and final GM norm"Gaya ni (Oliver) Dimakiling ay target ko din makuha ang 3rd at final GM norm sa KL Masters," .

According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., a player needs to complete the required three norms and at least reach 2500 Elo rating once. Dimakiling and Nolte, both have already accomplished the latter.

Filipino pawnpushers expects to face stiff competition from GMs Sergei Tiviakov of the Netherlands, Thomas Luther of Germany and IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia, among others.

PH team confident of chances at Asean chess tilt in Thailand

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---READY and confident.

That’s how members of the Philippine age-group team, headed by newest Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna, described themselves on the eve of 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 gets underway from June 5 to 14 at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiangmai, Thailand.

“I will do my very best for flag and country,” said the Far Eastern University sophomore Psychology student who just completed her Woman International Master (WIM) title status.

" I hope to earn some ELO rating points," added 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).

Joining Frayna in the Girls 20 and under bracket are Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila and 12-year-old Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite, who also got her first two WIM title results/norms in the $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship.

“Most of our players are in good shape right now. They are all well-prepared and better-trained,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executive Director and former Olympian GM Jayson Gonzales who spearheaded Philippine Team courtesy call to NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. on Tuesday at the Juan Republik Foods Inc. in Pateros.

"There are tournaments in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess, all eligible for FIDE ratings in 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 in in Chiangmai, Thailand. In addition, titles will be awarded as in the Olympiads, with IM and WIM titles possible in the under 20′s division." said 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 said the players earned the right to represent the country following their strong showing in this year's nationwide search Philippine Age Group Chess Championships. The Philippine age-group chess team left the country yesterday via Thai Airways bound for Chiangmai, Thailand.

In the Girls 16 and under bracket are Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ynna Sopia Canape of Marikina and Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City. Other member of the Philippine age-group chess team backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) are Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan, May Ann Alcantara of Calumpit, Bulacan and Alexis Anne Osena of Quezon province for Girls 14 and under bracket; Allaney Jia G Doroy of Agusan del Norte, Natori Biazza Diaz of Sagay City, Negros and Bea Mendoza of Baguio City for Girls 12 and under bracket; Mae Ann Joy Baclayon and Mary Joy Tan of Misamis Oriental and Checy Aliena Telesforo of Iloilo City for Girls 10 and under bracket and Rhea Jane Canino of Cagayan de Oro City, Joannah Love MarieOlay of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite for Girls 8 and under bracket.

Meanwhile, 2013 PSC-POC Philippine National Games standard chess gold medallist International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan and National Master Alcon John Datu of Caloocan City are seeing action in the open 20-and-under; Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City, IM candidate Jerad Docena of Bohol and NM Giovanni Mejia of Labrador, Pangasinan will compete in the open under-16; Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon, Carl Terrence Valdellon of Pasig City, John Marvin Miciano of Davao City and John Merill Jacutina of Caloocan City will show their talent in the open under-14; Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Bulacan, Julius Gonzales of Marikina and Istraelito Rilloraza of of Las Piñas City are seeing action in the open 12-and-under.

Also including John Ruiz Bravo of Pangasinan, Ronald Canino of Cagayan de Oro City, Daniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal and Adrian de Luna of Guimaras province for the open 10-and-under and Jerish John Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Michael Concio Jr. of Los Banos, Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental and Thailand based James Henry Calacday for the open 8-and-under bracket.

FIDE Trainer's Seminar for FIDE Trainer Titles was successfully organized in Manila

by Marlon Bernardino

A yet another FIDE Trainers’ Seminar for FIDE Trainer Titles was successfully organized by Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and Asian Chess Federation, in cooperation with FIDE and the FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG) and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) at the Midas Hotel and Casino last May 21 to 25 in Pasay City.

 Chief Lecturer is GM Efstratios Grivas of Greece and assisted by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales of the Philippines.

A total of 33 who participated in the said FIDE Trainer's Seminar for FIDE Trainer Titles. They are Jesus Bitantes, Arnolito Cadiz, Ralph Caluya, Erwin Carag, Roberto 'Ryan" Carandang, Leo Carlos, Dari Castro, Enriquito Cudiamat, Chiara Reina Datu, Idelfonso Datu, Neal Jerusalem Garcia, Michael Gotel, Joel Anthony Hicap, Rudy Ibanez, James Infiesto, Elias Lao, Florante Lopez, Augusto Marcial, Luis Navaja, Susan Grace Neri, Wilfredo Neri, Ilann Perez, Felix Poloyapoy Jr., Edmon Grey Prado, Alan Quezon, Hermilo "Ka Milo" Samaniego, Winston Silva and Eliseo Tumbaga of the Philippines, Minh Chau Lam of Vietnam, Jimmy Lieu of Malaysia, Endar Saktri Lubis of Indonesia and Dashzegve Sharavdorj of Mongolia.

"FIDE will approve or disapprove your proposed titles in the coming FIDE Congress meeting in September 2013." according to Chief Lecturer GM Efstratios Grivas of Greece.

2013 SPARTAN MINING PHILIPPINE INTER-COLLEGIATE CHESS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

by Marlon Bernardino

SOME of the finest and upcoming athletes is seeing action in the 2013 Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championships on June 15 to 19 at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Canteen, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC), Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), Malate, Manila.

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

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.

Standard chess tournament: Garcia, Galas, Balbona, Lim share top honors in POC-PSC Philippine National Games

by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings of the Standard chess event:

(Open Division for Mens)

Gold---IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (Manila)

Silver---GM Mark Paragua (Quezon City)

Bronze---FM Haridas Pascua (Mangatarem, Pangasinan)

(Open Division for Womens)

Gold---WIM Bernadette Galas (Makati)

Silver---WFM Rulp Ylem Jose (Taguig)

Bronze---WNM Jedara Docena (Bohol)

(Junior Division for Boys)

Gold---Felix Shaun Balbona (Cebu)

Silver---Christian Nanola (San Pablo, Laguna)

Bronze---Jaymarc Gutierrez (Manila)

(Junior Division for Girls)

Gold---Adelaide Joie Lim (Bacolod City)

Silver---Jean Karen Enriquez (Marikina)

Bronze---Michelle Yaon (Calamba, Laguna)

Manila---International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, Woman International Master (WIM) Bernadette Galas of Makati, Felix Shaun Balbona of Cebu and Adelaide Joie Lim of Bacolod City bested their respective rivals to top Open Division for Mens, Open Division for Womens, Junior Division for Boys and Junior Division for Girls, respectively in the just ended 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games Standard chess competition held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Tahanan ng Alumni Building in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Saturday.

The top player of Ateneo de Manila University Garcia, playing under the banner of Manila Mayor-elect Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno tallied six points in seven outings to went home the gold medal.

Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua of Quezon City took the silver medal for having superior tie-break score against fellow 5.5 pointers bronze medallist Fide Master (FM) Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan and fourth placer Philippine Airforce mainstay IM Barlo Nadera of Malabon.

In the Open Division for Womens, Woman International Master (WIM) Bernadette Galas of Makati edged fellow 5.5 pointers Woman Fide Master (WFM) Rulp Ylem Jose of Taguig in a tie-break points to enroute the coveted gold medal. Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena (Bohol) scored 5.0 points for bronze medal.

Other notable winners were Felix Shaun Balbona of Cebu (Gold), Christian Nanola of San Pablo, Laguna (Silver) and Jaymarc Gutierrez of Manila (Bronze) in the Junior Division for Boys; Adelaide Joie Lim of Bacolod City (Gold), Jean Karen Enriquez of Marikina City (Silver) and Michelle Yaon of Calamba, Laguna (Bronze) in the Junior Division for Girls.

No less than Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Salvador "Buddy" Andrada, National Sports Associations Affairs (NSA) Section Head Judith Laygo, NCFP Deputy-Secretary General Red Dumuk, NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, National Coach NM Edmundo Gatus, International Arbiter Elias Lao and International Arbiter Gene Poliarco led the closing rites.

PNG: Garcia grabs solo lead in Standard chess tilt; Paragua, Pascua share 2nd spot

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila grabbed the solo lead in the 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games Standard chess competition following an impressive victory over Eden Diano of Cebu

held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Main Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The Ateneo de Manila University top player raised his total to 5.5 points in six rounds.

Top seed GM Mark Paragua of Quezon City and Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan agreed to a truce and share second to third placers after tallying identical 5.0 points apiece.

12-time national open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. defeated Jeffrey Ravago of Manila to lead the group of 4.5 points in the company of GM John Paul Gomez of Binan, Laguna, IM Barlo Nadera of Malabon, IM elect Mari Joseph Turqueza of Quezon City and NM Alcon John Datu of Caloocan City.

In the women's play, WFM Rulp Ylem Jose of Taguig split the point with WIM Bernadette Galas of Makati to scored 4.5 points and create a three-way tie for first place along with WNM Jedara Docena of Bohol.

Docena also drew with WNM Cecilia Cuizon of Cagayan de Oro City. Cuizon and top seed WIM Catherine Perena of San Jose Delmonte, Bulacan share fourth to fifth placers with 4.0 points each. Perena beat Jerirose Lucero of Cavite City.

Meanwhile, Felix Shaun Balbona of Cebu is leading in the junior boys category with 5.0 points, half point ahead over Jaymarc Gutierrez of Manila and Christian Nanola of San Pablo City while Jean Karen Enriquez of Marikina City and Adelaide Joie Lim of Bacolod City remained on top in the junior girls category with 5.0 points each.NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales is the tournament director while International Arbiter Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter.