Final standings:
7 points -- J. Gonzales
6.5 -- W. So, Y. Kuzubov (Ukraine), E. Torre, B. Villamayor
6 -- R. Andador
5.5 -- O. Barbosa, R. Nolte, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), H. Mas (Malaysia), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), D. Ballecer, R. Olay, R. Bitoon, J. Sadorra, C. Garma, O.K. Nay (Myanmar), S. Irwanto ((Indonesia), J. Gomez, Tirto (Indonesia), A. Novita (Indonesia), C. Kosasish (Indonesia), R. Antonio, K. Yang (China), Y. Wan (China), B. Nadera.
5 -- D. Sonjaya (Indonesia), R. Tolentino, R. Nava, N. Alisangco, A. Wahomo (Indonesia), S. Siyuan (China), J. Salubre.
AFTER waiting ten years, newly-installed GM-elect Jayson Gonzales won his first international title, in his native land.
Gonzales, an enlisted member of the Philippine Army trounced compatriot and former RP junior champion NM Rolando Andador in the ninth and final round to emerge over-all champion in the just concluded 2008 Subic Open International Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, on Friday.
Gonzales, who nailed his third and final GM norm in the Asean Master Chess Circuit GMT category B event last January in Tarakan, Indonesia prevailed with the white pieces after 43 moves of a Slav Defense.
"Sa wakas," said the soft-spoken Gonzales in a long distance interview with this writer yesterday.
Gonzales became the first Filipino to win the Subic Open International Chess Championship. For this fete, he gets the top prize of US$5,000 from NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Gonzales.
" Napakasarap kasi ako ang unang Filipino player na nagkampeon sa Subic Chess at timing na timing ganito din ako noong 1998 na kauna-unahang Filipinong nagkampeon sa Southern California International Open Chess," said Gonzales, who will spearhead the Filipino contingent in a goodwill match against visiting team-Myanmar on Monday in Tagaytay City.
"Salamat sa pagtitiwalang binigay ni Cong. (Butch) Pichay, siya kasi ang tumutulong sa local at international chess campaign ko," said Gonzales, who is best remembered for winning the tough 1998 Southern California International Open Chess which attracted world renowned wood pushers.
The Quezon City based Gonzales, currently No.8 in the April 2008 Fide rating list with 2468, increase his rating to 2490 after getting a plus 22 points because of his superb performance in Subic. He only needs 10 Elo rating points to formally bag his GM title.
Meanwhile, four players--- tournament favorite Ukrainian GM Yuriy Kuzubov and Filipino grandmasters Wesley So, Eugene Torre and Bong Villamayor were tied at 2nd to 5th placers with identical 6.5 points apiece.
So and Kuzubov agreed a quick 11 moves draw of their Sicilian encounter while Torre and Villamayor hurdled their last round assignments.
Torre defeated IM IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar after 44 moves of a King's Indian Defense, while Villamayor crushed former national junior champion Oliver Barbosa after 64 moves of Reti Opening.
So, at 14 the world's youngest GM, finished second -overall due to higher tiebreak score. Kuzubov (ELO 2603) came in third, followed by Torre and Villamayor.
So, Kuzubov, Torre and Villamayor received US$2,625 each.
Andador, a mainstay of the Philippine National Police who barely missed a GM norm, settled for sixth place with six points and pocketed US$1,000. Andador, however, earned an IM norm.
Twenty players, led by Barbosa and IM-candidate Rolando Nolte, finished in a tie for seventh to 26th places with 5.5 points. They pocketed US$ 675 each.
Nolte halved the point with GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia. GM Rogelio " Joey" Antonio Jr., the country's third highest-rated player behind So and GM Mark Paragua with an ELO of 2529, subdued Hamed Nouri to also finish with 5.5 points. The pride of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, however, finished in 23rd place due to lower tiebreak score.
Sharing the limelight were Karl Victor Ochoa ( 4.5 points) and Kimberly Jane Cunanan (four points), who emerged as top junior and top female players, respectively. Haridas Pascua came in second, while Alcon John Datu wound up third.
Joining Cunanan for a podium finish were Jedara Docena and Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who finished second and third, respectively.
Other players who earned IM norms were Barbosa, Nolte, Dino Ballecer, Rustum Tolentino, Reggie Olay and Deni Sonjaya of Indonesia.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
LI CHAO BEATS WESLEY
Standings after nine rounds:
6.5 points – C. Li (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam)
6 – W. Zhou (China), D. Liu (Indonesia)
5.5 – R. Antonio, B. Villamayor, R. Nolte , E. Maghami (Iran), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), M. Mahjoob (Iran), S. Irwanto (Indonesia)
5 – W. So, R. Bitoon, J. Sadorra, J,. Gomez, D. Elorta, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), D.T. Hai (Vietnam), L. Wang (China), X. Zhang (China)
Chinese GM Li Chao inflicted Filipino GM Wesley So's second defeat in three days to gain a share of the lead with Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem in the eighth round of the US$40,000-Philippine Open chess championship at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center late Monday.
Li, who is best remembered by local fans for winning the second President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup last year, prevailes only 30 moves of the Sicilian Duel to move into a two-way tie for the lead with Le, who bested erstwhile pacesetter another Chinese ace Weiqi Zhou.
Li became the second Chinese player to win a game over So in the tournament, following up the earlier triumph by Zhou in the fifth round.
Top GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Buenaventura "Bong" Vilamayor and NM Rolando Nolte belonged the honor of keeping Filipino hopes alive in this tough, 11-round tournament organized by the national Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under president Prospero "Butch" Pichay and secretary-general Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.
Antonio, Villamayor and Nolte all have 5.5 points, a full point behind Li and Le with still three rounds remaining in this 76-player tournament which attracted 11 GMs, 17 IMs and three FMs.
Antonio, who was dislodged by So as the country's highest-ranked player in the recent FIDE list for April, outplayed compatriot IM Barlo Nadera.
Villamayor, who left a high-paying job as a chess instructor in Singapore to resume his playing career, trounced Xiu Deshun of China, while Nolte, one of the most underrated players in the country's deep pool of talents, dumped Yang Kaiqi of China.
Tied with Antonio, Vilamayor and Nolte with 5,5 points are top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, GM Susanto megaranto of Indonesia, GM Nguyen Anh Dun of Vietnam, GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran and IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia.
So dropped into a a tie for 13 th to 21 st places with only five points.
IM Julio Catalino Sadorra crushed WGM Zhang Jilin ofChina, David WElorta whipped Yu Lie of China, Reggie Olay humbled FM Lin Naing Kyaw of Mynamr and Arlan Cabe demolished Xu Tong of China to provide the other victories for the Filipino side.
Not as fortunate were IM Richard Bitoon, who succumbed to GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran; Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who bowed to IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar, Emmanuel Senador, who lost to Wang Yunguo of China, Nelson Villanueva, who fell to IM Danny Juswanto of Indonesia, and Roderick naca, who lost to IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia.
In other eighth-round matches, Hamed Nouri downed Cristy Berlanes, Rolando Andador outplayed Karl Victor Ochoa, Efewn Bagamasbad nipped Aices Salvador, FM Adrian Pacis stopped Catherine Perena and Victor Lluch overwhelmed IM Chito Garma.
A total of US$40,000 are up for grabs in the prestigious tournamenrt, with the champion pocketing the grand prize of US$6,000, the runner-up getting US$5,000 and the third placer eanring US$4,000.
Cash prizes are distributed up to the 32nd placers.
The top three women and top three junior will also receive cash prizes of US$500, US$300 and US$200 each.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
6.5 points – C. Li (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam)
6 – W. Zhou (China), D. Liu (Indonesia)
5.5 – R. Antonio, B. Villamayor, R. Nolte , E. Maghami (Iran), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), M. Mahjoob (Iran), S. Irwanto (Indonesia)
5 – W. So, R. Bitoon, J. Sadorra, J,. Gomez, D. Elorta, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), D.T. Hai (Vietnam), L. Wang (China), X. Zhang (China)
Chinese GM Li Chao inflicted Filipino GM Wesley So's second defeat in three days to gain a share of the lead with Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem in the eighth round of the US$40,000-Philippine Open chess championship at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center late Monday.
Li, who is best remembered by local fans for winning the second President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup last year, prevailes only 30 moves of the Sicilian Duel to move into a two-way tie for the lead with Le, who bested erstwhile pacesetter another Chinese ace Weiqi Zhou.
Li became the second Chinese player to win a game over So in the tournament, following up the earlier triumph by Zhou in the fifth round.
Top GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Buenaventura "Bong" Vilamayor and NM Rolando Nolte belonged the honor of keeping Filipino hopes alive in this tough, 11-round tournament organized by the national Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under president Prospero "Butch" Pichay and secretary-general Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.
Antonio, Villamayor and Nolte all have 5.5 points, a full point behind Li and Le with still three rounds remaining in this 76-player tournament which attracted 11 GMs, 17 IMs and three FMs.
Antonio, who was dislodged by So as the country's highest-ranked player in the recent FIDE list for April, outplayed compatriot IM Barlo Nadera.
Villamayor, who left a high-paying job as a chess instructor in Singapore to resume his playing career, trounced Xiu Deshun of China, while Nolte, one of the most underrated players in the country's deep pool of talents, dumped Yang Kaiqi of China.
Tied with Antonio, Vilamayor and Nolte with 5,5 points are top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, GM Susanto megaranto of Indonesia, GM Nguyen Anh Dun of Vietnam, GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran and IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia.
So dropped into a a tie for 13 th to 21 st places with only five points.
IM Julio Catalino Sadorra crushed WGM Zhang Jilin ofChina, David WElorta whipped Yu Lie of China, Reggie Olay humbled FM Lin Naing Kyaw of Mynamr and Arlan Cabe demolished Xu Tong of China to provide the other victories for the Filipino side.
Not as fortunate were IM Richard Bitoon, who succumbed to GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran; Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who bowed to IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar, Emmanuel Senador, who lost to Wang Yunguo of China, Nelson Villanueva, who fell to IM Danny Juswanto of Indonesia, and Roderick naca, who lost to IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia.
In other eighth-round matches, Hamed Nouri downed Cristy Berlanes, Rolando Andador outplayed Karl Victor Ochoa, Efewn Bagamasbad nipped Aices Salvador, FM Adrian Pacis stopped Catherine Perena and Victor Lluch overwhelmed IM Chito Garma.
A total of US$40,000 are up for grabs in the prestigious tournamenrt, with the champion pocketing the grand prize of US$6,000, the runner-up getting US$5,000 and the third placer eanring US$4,000.
Cash prizes are distributed up to the 32nd placers.
The top three women and top three junior will also receive cash prizes of US$500, US$300 and US$200 each.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Sunday, May 11, 2008
WESLEY BOUNCES BACK
Standings after six rounds:
5.5 points – W. Zhou (China)
5 – C. Li (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam)
4.5 – W. So, R. Nolte, E. Maghami (Iran), S. Megaranto (Indonesia)
4 – R. Antonio, R. Bitoon, D. Ballecer, J. Sadorra, B. Nadera, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), , M. Mahjoob (Iran), X. Zhang (China), S. Irwanto (Indonesia), D. Liu (Indonesia).
A DAY after losing to Weiqi Zhou of China, GM Wesley So bounced back in contention by demolishing Haoxiang Jia of China after the six rounds in the US$40,000-Philippine Open international chess championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center late Saturday.
With the win, So tied for fourth to seventh places with compatriot NM Rolando Nolte, top seed Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran and GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia Weiqi, on the other hand remain on top with a masterful win over Megaranto with 5.5 points on account of five wins and one draw.
Li bounced back from a sorry loss to Megaranto in the fifth round as he whipped GM-candidate Julio Catalino Sadorra in the following round to share second to third places with GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam with five points.
Le, one of the three Vietnamese seeing action in this 76-player, six-nation championship, subdued GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in another marquee match watched by a sizable weekend crowd which included NCFP president Prospero "Butch' Pichay.
So, the reigning Dubai Open champion, and NM Rolando Nolte are the highest-placed Filipinos with 4.5 points in the tough, 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Nolte continued his surprisingly strong showing when he halved the point with Maghami.
Nolte, who is seeking his second GM norm, held his ground against foreign opponents. He won over GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vetnam and IM Dede Liu of Indonesia and drew with Le and Xiaohui Wang of China.
IM Richard Bitoon outclassed Emmanuel Senador, IM Barlo Nadera toppled GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and Dino Ballecer split the point with IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar to join Antonio, Sadorra and six foreign players in a big group with four points.
Fast-rising Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Ateneo and Karl Victor Ochoa of Bulacan State University also pulled minor reversals by beating their older and more experienced rivals.
Garcia shocked IM Chito Garma, while Ochoa bested Victor Lluch to improve to three points.
In all-female encounters, national women's champion Cristy Bernales trounced WIM Irine Sukandar of Indonesia and Catherine Perena beat Kimberly Jane Cunanan.
In other notable sixth-round results, IM John Paul Gomez overpowered Efren bagamasbad, IM Ronald Bancod dumped Arlan Cabe, Xu Deshun of China downed Reggie Olay, IM Salor Sitanggang outplayed Rustum Tolentino, NM Adrian Pacis stopped Haridas Pascua, Fernandito Pialan repulsed Hamed Nouri, and Aices Salvador toppled IM Aung Aung of Myanmar.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
5.5 points – W. Zhou (China)
5 – C. Li (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam)
4.5 – W. So, R. Nolte, E. Maghami (Iran), S. Megaranto (Indonesia)
4 – R. Antonio, R. Bitoon, D. Ballecer, J. Sadorra, B. Nadera, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), , M. Mahjoob (Iran), X. Zhang (China), S. Irwanto (Indonesia), D. Liu (Indonesia).
A DAY after losing to Weiqi Zhou of China, GM Wesley So bounced back in contention by demolishing Haoxiang Jia of China after the six rounds in the US$40,000-Philippine Open international chess championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center late Saturday.
With the win, So tied for fourth to seventh places with compatriot NM Rolando Nolte, top seed Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran and GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia Weiqi, on the other hand remain on top with a masterful win over Megaranto with 5.5 points on account of five wins and one draw.
Li bounced back from a sorry loss to Megaranto in the fifth round as he whipped GM-candidate Julio Catalino Sadorra in the following round to share second to third places with GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam with five points.
Le, one of the three Vietnamese seeing action in this 76-player, six-nation championship, subdued GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in another marquee match watched by a sizable weekend crowd which included NCFP president Prospero "Butch' Pichay.
So, the reigning Dubai Open champion, and NM Rolando Nolte are the highest-placed Filipinos with 4.5 points in the tough, 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Nolte continued his surprisingly strong showing when he halved the point with Maghami.
Nolte, who is seeking his second GM norm, held his ground against foreign opponents. He won over GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vetnam and IM Dede Liu of Indonesia and drew with Le and Xiaohui Wang of China.
IM Richard Bitoon outclassed Emmanuel Senador, IM Barlo Nadera toppled GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and Dino Ballecer split the point with IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar to join Antonio, Sadorra and six foreign players in a big group with four points.
Fast-rising Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Ateneo and Karl Victor Ochoa of Bulacan State University also pulled minor reversals by beating their older and more experienced rivals.
Garcia shocked IM Chito Garma, while Ochoa bested Victor Lluch to improve to three points.
In all-female encounters, national women's champion Cristy Bernales trounced WIM Irine Sukandar of Indonesia and Catherine Perena beat Kimberly Jane Cunanan.
In other notable sixth-round results, IM John Paul Gomez overpowered Efren bagamasbad, IM Ronald Bancod dumped Arlan Cabe, Xu Deshun of China downed Reggie Olay, IM Salor Sitanggang outplayed Rustum Tolentino, NM Adrian Pacis stopped Haridas Pascua, Fernandito Pialan repulsed Hamed Nouri, and Aices Salvador toppled IM Aung Aung of Myanmar.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
WEIQI ZHOU STOPS WESLEY SO AMAZING RUN IN SUBIC INT'L CHESS
Round 5: Standings after five rounds:
4.5 points – S. Megaranto (Indonesia), W. Zhou (China)
4 – R. Antonio, J. Sadorra, R. Nolte, E. Maghami (Iran), Q.L. Le (Vietnam), C. Li (China)
3.5 – W. So, D. Ballecer, Z. H. Wynn (Myanmar), H. Jia (China), M. Mahjoob (Iran), D. Liu (Indonesia), J. Zhang (China)
CHINESE WEIQI ZHOU stopped the winning streak of Filipino GM Wesley So after 32 moves of a French Defense to share the lead with Indon GM Susanto Megaranto after five rounds in the 2008 Philippine Open international chess championship yesterday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
Megaranto, meanwhile toppled erstwhile solo leader GM Li Chao of China in 34 moves of the Sicilian Najdorf to take charge the 11-man Indonesian team seeing action in this tough, 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Subic Bay Management Administration (SBMA).
Both Zhou and Megaranto have 4.5 points out of a possible five.Games of the top players can be viewed live daily at www.ncfphilippines.org
GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. bounced back from a heartbreaking fourth-round setback to Li to subdue compatriot NM Emmanuel Senador in their Three Knights Duel to stay in contention for the US$6,000 grand prize with four points.
Antonio, ever so eager to regain the country's top ranking from So, is tied with fellow Filipinos IM Julio Catalino Sadorra and NM Rolando Nolte, top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam and Li.
Sadorra humbled WIM Xiaowen Zhang of China, Nolte crushed GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam, Maghami outplayed IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia and Le whipped IM Barlo Nadera.
Little-known Dino Ballecer subdued IM Hafizulhelmi Mas of Malaysia to join So and five other foreign players with 3.5 points going into the sixth round late Saturday.
Tied with So and Ballecer with 3.5 points are GM Mahjoob Morteza of Iran, IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar, IM Dede Liu of Indonesia and untitled Haoxiang Jia of China,
The beginning of end for the white-playing So came with a weak pawn push on the 18th move, which allowed his 21-year-old Chinese opponent to launch a razor-sharp queen-rook-bishop attack and left the Filipino champion with no option but to resign 14 moves later.
Zhou, a two-time member of the Chinese national team in the World Under-16 Olympiad ( 2000, 2002) who made headlines when he finished in a tie for first place in the 2008 Aeroflot Open in Moscow early this year, sealed the outcome with 31… Re3, a potent rook move that forced the Filipino to resign or face mate in two moves.
It was So's first setback in the tough, 11-round tournament – and only his second since winning the 10th Dubai Open in United Arab Emirates and the "One-on-One Duel" with Megaranto in Jakarta last month.
The 14-year-old high school student at St. Francis College (Bacoor) hurdled his first three matches against FM Roderick Nava, IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia and Reggie Olay before drawing with Li in the fourth round late Friday night.
World age-group campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa also pulled a major surprise when he beat IM Aung Aung of Myanmar.
In other notable fifth-round results, GM Buenaventura "Bong" Vilamayor bested Rusutm Tolentino; GM Win Lay Zaw of Myanmar outclassed FM Adrian pacis; GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam outplayed Kaiqi Yang of China; IM Tirto of Indonesia downed Tong Xu of China; Tiles Aris of Indonesia toppled IM Ronald Bancod; Arlan Cabe stopped Panru Li of China; and WIM Irene Sukandar of Indonesia downed Jedara Docena.
At stake in the prestigious tournament is a guaranteed cash prize of US40,000, with the champion bringing home the lion's share of US $6,000 and an elegant trophy from NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr..
The runner-up and the third placers will receive US$5,000 and US$4,000, respectively.
Cash prizes will be given up to the 32nd placers.
After the tournament, the NCFP will hold the Subic International Open starting May 16 with more foreign players expected to come.
At stake is US$30,000, with the champion pocketing the top prize of US $5,000.
Tournament director is Willie Abalos, while chief arbiter is Toti Abundo.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
4.5 points – S. Megaranto (Indonesia), W. Zhou (China)
4 – R. Antonio, J. Sadorra, R. Nolte, E. Maghami (Iran), Q.L. Le (Vietnam), C. Li (China)
3.5 – W. So, D. Ballecer, Z. H. Wynn (Myanmar), H. Jia (China), M. Mahjoob (Iran), D. Liu (Indonesia), J. Zhang (China)
CHINESE WEIQI ZHOU stopped the winning streak of Filipino GM Wesley So after 32 moves of a French Defense to share the lead with Indon GM Susanto Megaranto after five rounds in the 2008 Philippine Open international chess championship yesterday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
Megaranto, meanwhile toppled erstwhile solo leader GM Li Chao of China in 34 moves of the Sicilian Najdorf to take charge the 11-man Indonesian team seeing action in this tough, 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Subic Bay Management Administration (SBMA).
Both Zhou and Megaranto have 4.5 points out of a possible five.Games of the top players can be viewed live daily at www.ncfphilippines.org
GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. bounced back from a heartbreaking fourth-round setback to Li to subdue compatriot NM Emmanuel Senador in their Three Knights Duel to stay in contention for the US$6,000 grand prize with four points.
Antonio, ever so eager to regain the country's top ranking from So, is tied with fellow Filipinos IM Julio Catalino Sadorra and NM Rolando Nolte, top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam and Li.
Sadorra humbled WIM Xiaowen Zhang of China, Nolte crushed GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam, Maghami outplayed IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia and Le whipped IM Barlo Nadera.
Little-known Dino Ballecer subdued IM Hafizulhelmi Mas of Malaysia to join So and five other foreign players with 3.5 points going into the sixth round late Saturday.
Tied with So and Ballecer with 3.5 points are GM Mahjoob Morteza of Iran, IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar, IM Dede Liu of Indonesia and untitled Haoxiang Jia of China,
The beginning of end for the white-playing So came with a weak pawn push on the 18th move, which allowed his 21-year-old Chinese opponent to launch a razor-sharp queen-rook-bishop attack and left the Filipino champion with no option but to resign 14 moves later.
Zhou, a two-time member of the Chinese national team in the World Under-16 Olympiad ( 2000, 2002) who made headlines when he finished in a tie for first place in the 2008 Aeroflot Open in Moscow early this year, sealed the outcome with 31… Re3, a potent rook move that forced the Filipino to resign or face mate in two moves.
It was So's first setback in the tough, 11-round tournament – and only his second since winning the 10th Dubai Open in United Arab Emirates and the "One-on-One Duel" with Megaranto in Jakarta last month.
The 14-year-old high school student at St. Francis College (Bacoor) hurdled his first three matches against FM Roderick Nava, IM Tirta Purnama of Indonesia and Reggie Olay before drawing with Li in the fourth round late Friday night.
World age-group campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa also pulled a major surprise when he beat IM Aung Aung of Myanmar.
In other notable fifth-round results, GM Buenaventura "Bong" Vilamayor bested Rusutm Tolentino; GM Win Lay Zaw of Myanmar outclassed FM Adrian pacis; GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam outplayed Kaiqi Yang of China; IM Tirto of Indonesia downed Tong Xu of China; Tiles Aris of Indonesia toppled IM Ronald Bancod; Arlan Cabe stopped Panru Li of China; and WIM Irene Sukandar of Indonesia downed Jedara Docena.
At stake in the prestigious tournament is a guaranteed cash prize of US40,000, with the champion bringing home the lion's share of US $6,000 and an elegant trophy from NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr..
The runner-up and the third placers will receive US$5,000 and US$4,000, respectively.
Cash prizes will be given up to the 32nd placers.
After the tournament, the NCFP will hold the Subic International Open starting May 16 with more foreign players expected to come.
At stake is US$30,000, with the champion pocketing the top prize of US $5,000.
Tournament director is Willie Abalos, while chief arbiter is Toti Abundo.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
SO BEATS OLAY
SHARES LEAD WITH THREE OTHERS
Standings after three rounds:
3 points – W. So, R. Antonio, C. I (China), S. Megaranto (Indonesia)
2.5 – R. Nolte (RP), E. Maghami (Iran), W. Zhou (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam), M. Mahjoob (Iran), H. Jia (China)
2 – B. Villamayor, R. Bitoon, J. Gomez, J. Sadorra, R. Bancod, E. Senador, N. Villanueva, ,D. Elorta, R. Nava, E. Olay, Z. H. Wynn (Myanmar), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), T.H. Dao (Vietnam), T. Xu (China), K. Yang (China), L. Ye (China), X. Zhang (China), T. Purnama (Indonesia).
GM Wesley So of Bacoor, Cavite beat NM Reggie Olay of Davao City after 64 moves of a Nimzo Indian Defense to score his third straight win in as many rounds and share the lead with three others after three rounds in the 2008 Philippine Open international chess championship at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center late Thursday.
GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., also notched his third straight victory by crushing three-time national junior champion John Paul Gomez in only 28 moves of the French defense and looking his first international tiara this year.
GM Li Chao of China and GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia hurdled their respective assignments to remain unbeaten with perfect 3.0 points in this 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Subic Bay Management Administration (SBMA).
Li subdued IM Ronald Bancod, while Megaranto nipped GM Nguyen Anh Dung to join So and Antonio in the lead.
All four players will mix it up in the pivotal fourth round with So taking on Megaranto and Antonio battling Li at center stage.
Top games can be viewed live everyday thru website www.ncfphilippines.org
"Magandang laban po ito, lalo na magaling din talaga siya (Megaranto)," said So, the 14-year-old high school junior from St. Francis College (Bacoor) who holds the distinction as the world's youngest GM.
It will mark the first time that So and Megaranto will clash since their much-publicized "One-on-One Duel" held in Jakarta, Indonesia last April 17-20 where the young Filipino champion won, 4-2 (three wins, two draws and one loss).
Equally exciting is the Antonio-Li match, one of four RP-China showdowns lined up for the day.
"Mabigat kalaban ang mga Chinese, pero gagawin natin ang makakaya natin para manalo," said Antonio, referring to his fourth-round match against Li, who earned the respect of Filipino players when he ruled the second President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall last year.
NM Rolando Nolte made short work of IM Dede Liu of Indonesia to lead five highly-rated foreign players with 2.5 points.
Tied with Nolte with 2.5 points apiece are top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam and Weiqi Zhou and Haoxiang Jia of China.
Maghami outwitted IM Julio Catalino Sadorra, Mahjoob whipped Xiaohui Wang of China, Le crushed Dino Ballecer, Weiqi bested Hamed Nouri and Haoxiang toppled GM Wynn Zaw Htun of Myanmar.
Comebacking GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor and IM Richard Bitoon led a big group of players with two points.
Villamayor, who left a high-paying job as chess instructor in Singapore to resume his playing career, drew his match against Nelson Villanueva, while Bitoon, who finished in a two-way tie for second place with GM Eugene Torre in the recent "Battle of GMs", outplayed compatriot NM Rustum Tolentino.
Last year's Sinulog Open champion NM Manny Senador, who pulled the only major surprise in the first round when he upset GM Zaw Win Lay of Myanmar, halved the point with IM Wynn Zaw Htun of Maynamar to join the group of two-pointers.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Standings after three rounds:
3 points – W. So, R. Antonio, C. I (China), S. Megaranto (Indonesia)
2.5 – R. Nolte (RP), E. Maghami (Iran), W. Zhou (China), Q.L. Le (Vietnam), M. Mahjoob (Iran), H. Jia (China)
2 – B. Villamayor, R. Bitoon, J. Gomez, J. Sadorra, R. Bancod, E. Senador, N. Villanueva, ,D. Elorta, R. Nava, E. Olay, Z. H. Wynn (Myanmar), A.D. Nguyen (Vietnam), T.H. Dao (Vietnam), T. Xu (China), K. Yang (China), L. Ye (China), X. Zhang (China), T. Purnama (Indonesia).
GM Wesley So of Bacoor, Cavite beat NM Reggie Olay of Davao City after 64 moves of a Nimzo Indian Defense to score his third straight win in as many rounds and share the lead with three others after three rounds in the 2008 Philippine Open international chess championship at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center late Thursday.
GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., also notched his third straight victory by crushing three-time national junior champion John Paul Gomez in only 28 moves of the French defense and looking his first international tiara this year.
GM Li Chao of China and GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia hurdled their respective assignments to remain unbeaten with perfect 3.0 points in this 11-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Subic Bay Management Administration (SBMA).
Li subdued IM Ronald Bancod, while Megaranto nipped GM Nguyen Anh Dung to join So and Antonio in the lead.
All four players will mix it up in the pivotal fourth round with So taking on Megaranto and Antonio battling Li at center stage.
Top games can be viewed live everyday thru website www.ncfphilippines.org
"Magandang laban po ito, lalo na magaling din talaga siya (Megaranto)," said So, the 14-year-old high school junior from St. Francis College (Bacoor) who holds the distinction as the world's youngest GM.
It will mark the first time that So and Megaranto will clash since their much-publicized "One-on-One Duel" held in Jakarta, Indonesia last April 17-20 where the young Filipino champion won, 4-2 (three wins, two draws and one loss).
Equally exciting is the Antonio-Li match, one of four RP-China showdowns lined up for the day.
"Mabigat kalaban ang mga Chinese, pero gagawin natin ang makakaya natin para manalo," said Antonio, referring to his fourth-round match against Li, who earned the respect of Filipino players when he ruled the second President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall last year.
NM Rolando Nolte made short work of IM Dede Liu of Indonesia to lead five highly-rated foreign players with 2.5 points.
Tied with Nolte with 2.5 points apiece are top seed GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam and Weiqi Zhou and Haoxiang Jia of China.
Maghami outwitted IM Julio Catalino Sadorra, Mahjoob whipped Xiaohui Wang of China, Le crushed Dino Ballecer, Weiqi bested Hamed Nouri and Haoxiang toppled GM Wynn Zaw Htun of Myanmar.
Comebacking GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor and IM Richard Bitoon led a big group of players with two points.
Villamayor, who left a high-paying job as chess instructor in Singapore to resume his playing career, drew his match against Nelson Villanueva, while Bitoon, who finished in a two-way tie for second place with GM Eugene Torre in the recent "Battle of GMs", outplayed compatriot NM Rustum Tolentino.
Last year's Sinulog Open champion NM Manny Senador, who pulled the only major surprise in the first round when he upset GM Zaw Win Lay of Myanmar, halved the point with IM Wynn Zaw Htun of Maynamar to join the group of two-pointers.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Thursday, May 8, 2008
GM TORRE OPENS INTON CHESS CUP
MAJORITY Floor Leader and Quezon City Councilor Ariel Inton opens the
Grand Finals of 2008 Ariel Inton Chess Cup dubbed as Quezon City Inter-Barangay Chess Tournament with the usual ceremonial moves with Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) yesterday at the Entertainment Plaza of SM North Edsa in Quezon City in the sports tourism event which is the brainchild of Inton and backed up by mayor Sonny Belmonte, Eurotel, SM City North Edsa, Federal Land, Fianchetto Construction Corporation, Shell, Gold Edge's Realty Development Corporation, Informatics and Trans Equipt Motor Sales.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Grand Finals of 2008 Ariel Inton Chess Cup dubbed as Quezon City Inter-Barangay Chess Tournament with the usual ceremonial moves with Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) yesterday at the Entertainment Plaza of SM North Edsa in Quezon City in the sports tourism event which is the brainchild of Inton and backed up by mayor Sonny Belmonte, Eurotel, SM City North Edsa, Federal Land, Fianchetto Construction Corporation, Shell, Gold Edge's Realty Development Corporation, Informatics and Trans Equipt Motor Sales.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
CRISOLOGO-CALALAY CHESS CUP GETS GOING
THE Crisologo and Calalay Cup Chess 1850 Tournament gets underway on May 18, 8:00am at the Barangay Damayan Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City.
The champion will be receiving P3,000 plus trophy, the runner-up gets P2,000 plus trophy and third placer will pocketed P1,000 plus trophy. Fourth to tenth placers will likewise to receive P200 plus medal. Free Registration fee in the first-come-first serve basis.
Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing said that said chessfest is open to all woodpushers with an average rating of 1850 and open to all bonafide resident of District I in Quezon City in the event backed up by representative Bingbong Crisologo and councilor Boy Calalay. For inquiries, contact Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing at 0920-479-8160 for complete details.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
The champion will be receiving P3,000 plus trophy, the runner-up gets P2,000 plus trophy and third placer will pocketed P1,000 plus trophy. Fourth to tenth placers will likewise to receive P200 plus medal. Free Registration fee in the first-come-first serve basis.
Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing said that said chessfest is open to all woodpushers with an average rating of 1850 and open to all bonafide resident of District I in Quezon City in the event backed up by representative Bingbong Crisologo and councilor Boy Calalay. For inquiries, contact Frisco Chess Club president Des Quisumbing at 0920-479-8160 for complete details.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
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