AGAGON TOPS 3RD LEG OF NCFP EXECUTIVE CHESS

VETERAN campaigner Eduardo Agagon settled for a quick draw against fellow National Master Quirino Sagario in the fifth and final round to rule the just concluded 3rd leg of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St., Diliman, Quezon City, on Saturday.

Agagon posted a finally tally of 4.0 points with three wins and one draw after five rounds of play to claim his first NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess title in this event sponsored by lawyer Rudegelio Tacorda, president of Centralhill Properties Corporation. Tournament arbiters were Daisy Rivera and Roy Madayag of CAAP.

Leodegario Ricana, upset NM Stewart Manaog to finish tied for 2nd to 3rd places along with Willy San Juan. The duo (Ricana and San Juan) scored identical 3.5 points apiece in this event also supported by NCFP Chair Q.C. Congressman Mat Defensor, GM Eugene Torre, IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, Comelec Commissioner Mehol Sadain and lawyer Ernesto Salunat.

A singer-composer and recording artist, San Juan held NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. into a draw.

Bernardino, on the other hand, who is best remembered beating the top seed Russian Grandmaster Sergei Shipov in the 2007 Sydney International Open Chess early this year, settled for 4th to 5th places together with NCFP incumbent executive director NM Samuel Estimo, winner over Isidro Erispe. The former two-time Olympian Estimo, who tops the first two legs and Bernardino, journalist and radio commentator finished with 3.0 points each.

Rounding off the top twelve winners were: NM Stewart Manaog (6th), NM Quirino Sagario (7th), NM Nick Nisperos (8th), lawyer Jose Aspiras (9th), Mar Quejada (10th), engineer Octavio Canta (11th) and Isidro Erispe (12th).

For future events, players may contact NCFP incumbent Executive Director lawyer Sammy Estimo at cel no. 0915-9360354.

Final Standings:
4.0 points---NM Eduardo Agagon
3.5 points---Leodegario Ricana
3.5 points---Willy San Juan
3.0 points---NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr.
3.0 points---NM Samuel Estimo
2.5 points---NM Stewart Manaog
2.5 points---NM Quirino Sagario
2.5 points---NM Nick Nisperos
2.5 points---Jose Aspiras
2.0 points---Mar Quejada
1.0 points---Octavio Canta
0.5 Isidro Erispe

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

NCFP EXECUTIVE CHESS ON TODAY

ESTIMO, BARTOLOME head entries in NCFP EXECUTIVES Chess Today

The 3rd leg of the NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge gets underway at 10 a.m. today at the Greenhouse Grill, Matalino St., Quezon City.

Sponsored by Atty. Rudy Tacorda, the tournament is open to all executives and professionals and will be played over 7 rounds - Swiss system, 25 minutes active style. At stake are fabulous home appliances, trophies and 7 slots to the Grand Finals to be held early next year.

Confirming their participation are patriotic singer Heber Bartolome, Engr. Octavio Canta of HLURB, German businessman Reinhardt Orth, Fiscal Ben de la Cruz, pilot Armando Labarda, computer experts Cecil Cuevas and Orly Pascual, Col. Jimsky Santos, Engrs. NM Nick Nisperos and Ali Branzuela and many other executives and professionals.

Doing the ceremonial moves in this event supported by GM Eugene Torre, IM Rudy Tan Cardoso, Comelec Commissioner Mehol Sadain and NCFP directors Ed Madrid, Gen. Art Carillo, Jess Torre, Benguet Governor Rocky Molintas, Doc Jenny Mayor and ex-NCFP President Go Teng Kok, are NCFP Chair Q.C. Congressman Mat Defensor and Atty. Rudy Tacorda.

For more details, players may contact NCFP Executive Director lawyer Sammy Estimo at cel no. 0915-9360354. (Marlon Bernardino)

3rd LEG OF NCFP EXECUTIVE CHESS ON SATURDAY

NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) incumbent executive director Samuel Estimo announced the holding of the 3rd leg of NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge on Saturday, 10am at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St., Diliman, Quezon City.

Estimo, a two-time Olympian, won the first two legs of this one day event open to all professional and executive chess player in the country and backed by lawyer Rudy Tacorda.

The event is also supported by NCFP chairman rep. Matias Defensor of Quezon City , lawyer Ernesto Salunat, NCFP founding president GM Eugene Torre, Commelec commissioner Mehol Sadain and Asia's First IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

Confirming their participation are NCFP Leyte coordinator engineer NM Mario Rebano, UNESCO administrative officer IV Laurence Wilfred Dumadag, businessman Albert Rivera, singers Heber Bartolome, Christopher Castellano and Willy San Juan, Engr. Octavio Canta of HLURB, commercial pilot Amando Labarda Jr., Engr. Marianito Geguinto of Mauban, Quezon, businessmen Loren Tabilog, Noel Garcia, Joey Pastrana and Nilo Pagdanganan, Attys. Joe Aspiras, Quirino Sagario and Achmad Tomambiling, German businessman Reinhardt Orth, Jose Villanueva of Bulacan, Engrs. Achiles Iglesia, NMs Andrew Merlas, Dr. Bong Perez, computer experts Cecil Cuevas and Orly Pascual, Col. Jimsky Santos and many other executives and professionals.

Doing the ceremonial moves are lawyer Rudy Tacorda, and NCFP Chair Q.C. Congressman Mat Defensor. Expected to be present are NCFP Executive Director lawyer Samuel Estimo, NCFP Vice President Ed Madrid and directors ex-Benguet Governor Raul Molintas, Gen. Art Carillo, ex-NCFP President Go Teng Kok, and Jess Torre.

(Report from Marlon Bernardino)

DE LA CRUZ WINS MCC CHESS

Top seed Noel dela Cruz lived up to his billing as he beat Catalino Pestaño Jr. in 30 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense in the seventh and final round to rule the September edition of MCC 2050 below active chess tourney held Sunday at St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.

Dela Cruz, former stalwart of SSC, wound up with a final tally of six points with five wins and two draws in this one-day monthly event and claimed his second MCC title

In second spot with 5.5 points was eight seed Peter Lim, former varsity player of UST, who upset sixth round leader and ranked No. 4 Ryan Dungca of Adamson in 45 moves of a Center Counter game. Dungca dropped into a tie in third - fifth places with 5.0 points along with No. 3 Harrison Maamo and No. 10 Ervin Villa.

Adjudged best junior player was MJ Turqueza and best unrated players were former PCF president Pestaño and Isidro Retiro Jr. of Aklan. Rounding off the top ten placers were: Turqueza (6th); Robert Cacho (7th); Pestaño (8th); Retiro (9th); and Rommel Valdez of Masbate (10th).

Meanwhile, the next MCC events are: 16-under standard 2-day event Sept. 29-30; Codiñera Lightning Open-Oct. 6; and Codiñera Unrated (1800 below) active- Oct. 7. For details, call 826-8560 and 974-7403 or 0916-852-1069.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

NCFP EXECUTIVES AND PROFESSIONALS CHESS TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Officials and winners in the just concluded of second leg of NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge late Saturday at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St., Diliman, Quezon City. (L-R) Lawyer Jose "Joe" Aspiras (runner-up place), NCFP founding president Asia's First GM Eugene Torre, NCFP executive director NM Samuel "Sammy" Estimo (champion) and Ray Marras (3rd place).


ESTIMO BEATS ASPIRAS IN TIE BREAKS

Final Standings and rankings in order: (Seven round Swiss-System/30 player's field which attracted nine National Master)

5.5 points---NM Samuel Estimo, Jose Aspiras
5.0 points---Ray Marras, NM Nick Nisperos, NM Quirino Sagario,
4.5 points---NM Dante Zuniga, Jenny Mayor, NM Stewart Manaog, Joselito Obrero
4.0 points---Willy San Juan, NM Eduardo Agagon, NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Ramil Ranilla, Primitivo Virtudazo, Dennis San Juan
3.5 points---NM Efren Bagamasbad, NM Mario Rebano…

TWO-TIME Olympian and National Master Samuel "Sammy" Estimo had 20 bucholz tie break points to beat fellow lawyer Jose "Joe" Aspiras' 18.5 points to retain his title in the just concluded second leg of the NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge late Saturday at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St. , Diliman, Quezon City.

Last week, Estimo, the incumbent executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and RP executive six-time champion Dr. Jenny Mayor, director and PRO of the said group, both tallied identical 6.0 points apiece to advance in the grand finals on March 2008.

According to tournament chief arbiter Boyet Tardecilla, assisted by 1996 RP Junior champion NM Roberto Suelo Jr., the duo finished with identical 5.5 points apiece, however Estimo took the championship trophy in this one-day competition that was supported by NCFP chairman rep. Matias Defensor, prominent lawyer Ernesto Salunat, Comelec commissioner Mehol Sadain, Asia's First GM Eugene Torre, founding president of NCFP and Asia's First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

The Pugo, La Union native Jose of Aspiras and Aspiras law offices settled for a runner-up place in this Seven round Swiss-System 30 player's field tournament which attracted nine National Masters.

Ray Marras, NM Nick Nisperos and NM Quirino Sagario settled for third and fifth placers with 5.0 points each.

Tournament chief arbiter Boyet Tardecilla invited again all players to participate in the forthcoming 2nd Chairman Jun Virata Chess Cup on September 29, 9:00am at the Perez Building, Doña Soledad corner Australia St., Better Living in Parañaque City.

Still in the 2nd leg of the NCFP Tournament, rounding up the top 17 place finishers were NM Dante Zuniga ( 4.5 points), Jenny Mayor (4.5), NM Stewart Manaog (4.5), Joselito Obrero (4.5), Singer-Composer Willy San Juan (4.0), NM Eduardo Agagon (4.0), NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (4.0), Ramil Ranilla (4.0), Primitivo Virtudazo ( 4.0), Dennis San Juan (4.0), NM Efren Bagamasbad (3.5), and NM Mario Rebano (3.5).

For future events, please call or text mobile nos. 0915-936-0354, 0919-478-2209, 0922-882-2870, 0915-782-8666 and tel.no. (02) 704-9775 for complete details.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

FILIPINO MASTER'S PARTICIPATION IN ASIAN INT'L CHESS DOUBTFUL

WITH five days to go, some of the country's top chess player's participation in the forthcoming 2007 Asian Continental Chess Championships is still not certain.

Hosted by Cebu City, headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia, also known as the Queen City of the South, the qualification event for the FIDE Cycle knock-out tournament gets going on September 19 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Mark Paragua, the former first Filipino Super Grandmaster who possessed an Elo rating of 2525 who reached the 2600 Elo barrier in last year's World Chess Federation rating list is currently busy in campaigning in the US chess circuit.

The 22-year-old Paragua left the country last June aiming to increase his 2525 Elo rating to 2600, a feat he once held under his belt, is now based in New York City.

According to Paragua's camp, the 1998 World Rapid Under 14-champion is not sure of playing in the Cebu International Open which features some of the world's best players.

The amiable Paragua obtained a 10-year-multiple entry US visa from the US embassy in Manila.

"Wala pa siyang (Mark Paragua) confirmation. Kung ako lang masusunod ay gusto ko siya makasali" said father/coach/manager engineer Ricardo Paragua in a text message recently. "Baka di na makasali yun (Mark Paragua). Na kina Alan Salgado siya sa Atlantic City." Clarified by older Paragua.

Mark, the only Filipino chess master to win back-to-back qualifiers in the World Championships from Tripoli, Libya to Khanti Mansiyk, West Siberia, Russia.

In a recent report of Weekender headed by chess columnist Manny Benitez, he quoted Michael Atkins and said "Philippine GM Mark Paragua, who will probably compete more in the area now as he is a new member of the UBMC Chess Team, was the only Grandmaster this weekend,"

Other players not yet to confirmed to play in the Cebu International Open Chess are Eugene Torre, reigning national champion IM Ronald Bancod, NMs Rolando Nolte and Emmanuel Senador.

Torre, Asia's first grandmaster, the country's top rated GM who holds an Elo rating of 2539 is the only Filipino to reach the candidates matches in 1983, however lost to Hungrarian GM Zoltan Ribli in their quarter-finals clash. Torre, won the 1982 Inter Zonal in Toluca, Mexico to progress.

"Hindi pa tiyak kung makakasali si Eugene (Torre), magulo pa daw ang usapin, "said an insider from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Bancod, Senador and Nolte's reason is that they need funds to support their stint in the Asian Chess Championships.

"Pero sana inaasikaso ako ng organizing group (NCFP) ng Asian Continental kasi ito na din ang preparation ko sa Asian Indoor Games sa Macau sa Oktubre" said Bancod in an exclusive interview with this writer along with Senador late Wednesday.

"Pero umaasa pa din kami ni Manny (Senador) at Noltz (Nolte) na makalahok sa tulong ng Rotary Club ni NCFP chairman Mat Defensor" added Bancod for the generosity of NCFP chairman Quezon City rep. Matias Defensor.

To date, a total of 51 foreign players from FIDE Zones 3.1, 3.2. 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6. have confirmed their participation in the tournament which offers a total cash purse of US$40,000. Also at stake are 10 slots to the FIDE-organized World Cup scheduled in Kalmykia later this year.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

CHESS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS KICKS OFF IN MEXICO

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 09:17am (Mla time) 09/14/2007

MEXICO -- The 2007 World Chess Championship tournament got underway in Mexico City Thursday, with eight of the world's top players squaring off for the game's most coveted title.

On day one of the competition, defending champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia was challenged by compatriot Peter Svidler, while world number one ranked Viswanathan Anand of India faced Israeli Boris Gelfand.

In other match-ups, Russian Alexander Morozevich faced off against Levon Aronian of Armenia, and Peter Leko of Hungary was to meet Russian Alexander Grischuk.

The four matches commenced simultaneously at a hotel in downtown Mexico before a sparse but engrossed crowd of onlookers. But a virtual community of some 40 million chess devotees are expected to follow the tournament via the Internet site www.chessmexico.com.

Each player will face off against the other seven players twice during the tournament, which is expected to run through the end of September.

The tournament marks only the second time since 1886 that a chess champion has been crowned via this week's four-way match-up, as opposed to a single head-to-head duel.