Meralco Wins in Power Utility Chess

by Marlon Bernardino

Meralco escaped with a 2-2 draw over the NM Dennis Gutierrez-led National Grid Corporation of the Phils. in the final round and was declared the champion of the 4th TransCo Invitational Chess Tournament.

The distribution company was powered by the electrifying performance of Fide Master and Fide chess trainer Leonardo Carlos and Karl Clarito, who won the  tournament's Best in Boards 1 and 4 honors, respectively. With a line-up decimated by the sudden demise of veteran Abet Casiano and non-availability of UAAP veterans Bernard Templo of UP, and Marvin Colasito of UE, support came from the unlikely trio of Jay Dicen, Darryl Mata, and Rolly Sol Cruz who delivered with 7 wins and 1 draw in 10 games.

NGCP wound up in 2nd Place with 4 match points and 13 board points while host TransCo was 3rd with 3.5 match points and 12.5 board points. Other participating power utility partners are Napocor, Department of Energy, and Energy Regulatory Commission.

Manila's Garcia Bags Two Chess Golds

by Marlon Bernardino

Filipino medallists:

International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Gold in open under-18 category, Blitz and Standard event, respectively.

Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City, Silver-Bronze in open under-16 category, Standard and Blitz event, in order.

Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon Bronze in open under-14 category, Blitz event.

MANILA—International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia lived up to his top billing on Wednesday, after halving the point with Ganesan Akash of India in the sixth and penultimate round and beating Eiti Bashir of Syria in the seventh and final round to become the Philippines’ double gold medalist and put a dent on India’s dominance in the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran.

The Manila resident Garcia, top player of Ateneo de Manila University notched a total of 6.5 points on six wins and a draw in seven outings in ruling the open under-18 category, Blitz chess competition.

According to Asian Chess Federation deputy vice president Casto "Toti" Abundo, for 16 players and fewer, they applied Seven rounds Swiss-System.

"Masyado pong mabigat ang field na sumali dito kasama na ang pag-dagsa ng stong Indian contingent, China at former Russian Republics na bansa gaya ng Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan at Kyrgyzstan" the 2011 Subic Asian Youth gold medallist Garcia informed the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and secretary-general Cavite 7th district rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr.

Patil Pratik Pravin of India subdued Ismailov Mukhit of Kazakhstan to scored 5.5 points and settled for silver medal. Le Tuan Minh of Vietnam defeated Ganesan Akash of India to scored 5.0 points to went home the bronze medal.

It was the second gold medal of the Philippines' brightest hope Garcia, who also topped the Standard competition after edging Ma Zhonghan of China in a tie break points.

 Other Filipinos who delivered with bronze medals were Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City in the open under-16 and Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon  in the open under-14. Bersamina split the point with Das Sayantan of India to climb to 4.5 points, 1.5 points behind gold medallist Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam (6.0 points) and silver medallist Das (5.0 points).

The pride of Adamson University Samantila drew with Veerappan Aravindh Chithambaram of India to finish with 5.5 points and take third behind gold medallist Veerappan (6.0 points) and silver medallist Murali Karthikeyan of India (5.5 points).

Bersamina posted 6.5 points and also landed second behind eventual champion Koushik Girish Arun of India (7.5 points) in the Standard event.

"This is another major achievement for the NCFP in particular and the country as a whole." said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay  Jr. when informed about the news.

NCFP secretary general and Cavite 7th district Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. said the success of the young athletes once again proved chess’s lofty record as a certified achiever.

““Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayans won the coveted gold medals in the Blitz and Standard competition as well silver and bronze medal,” said Tolentino, also the Asian Zone 3.3 FIDE President.

Current world youngest Fide Master seven year old Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City is 6th place in the open under-8 in the Blitz event and 7th place in the Standard play.

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Bayan Muna Party-list group.

Other member of the team are Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City (OU12);  Deniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal (OU10); Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (G18); Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City (G16); Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan (G14);  Bea Mendoza of Baguio City (G12); Mary Joy Tan of Misamis Oriental (G10) and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (G8).

San Diego, Indian ace stay on top; Garcia, Bersamina still kicking in Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran

by Marlon Bernardino

Jerlyn Mae San Diego of the Philippines and Deshmukh Divya Jitendra of India defeated separate rivals in the third round over the weekend to stay on top of the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran.

San Diego, from Dasmarinas, Cavite subdued Patil Bhagyashree Pravin of India while Jitendra crushed compatriot Ravi Rakshitta to push their total to 3.0 points in three outings in the Girls 8 and under.

World's Youngest Fide Master seven-year-old Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City defeated Shabani Amin of Iran in the third round but fell short to Gao Yuheng of China in the fourth round. Nouri, an incoming grade one pupil of FEU Fern College in Quezon City was stuck at 2.0 points in four outings in the Open 8 and under category.

Meanwhile, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila and FM Paolo Bersamina of Pasay City settled a truce their respective assignments. Garcia, the top player of Adamson University split the point with Le Tuan Minh of Vietnam to create a three-way tie for first with 2.5 points each in three outings in the Open 18 and under class that includes Le and Ma Zhonghan of China, winner over Sattarov Bobir of Uzbekistan. 

Bersamina, meantime halved the point with Koushik Girish Arun of India in the third round and Asgarizadeh Ahmad of Iran in the fourth round. After four games of play in the Open 16 and under division, Bersamina tallied 3.0 points, the same output of  Ahmad, Das Sayantan of India and Lu Chan Hung of Vietnam. Koushik Girish Arun of India is leading the way in the Open 16 and under division with 3.5 points in four outings.

Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite outclassed Atabayeva Gozel of Turkmenistan to raise her total 2.0 points in three outings in the Girls 18 and under class. 

After suffering first two loses, Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City bounced back in contention after crushing Sydykova Akylai of Kyrgyzstan in the third round and Narzikulova Gulkhayo of Uzbekistan in the fourth round in the Girls 16 and under division.

In other Filipino bets results, Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon drew with Atabayev Saparmurat of Turkmenistan in the third round then beat Yakubboev Nodirbek of Uzbekistan in the fourth round for his 2.5 points in four outings in the Open 14 and under; Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City toppled Do Duc Viet of Vietnam in the third round then bowed to Saydaliev Saidakbar of Uzbekistan in the fourth round. Rilloraza remains at 1.5 points in four outings in the Open 12 and under class.

 Deniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal nipped Batjargal Irmuuntulga of Mongolia in the third round but was yielded to Abdrashev Arlen of  Kazakhstan in the fourth round. Quizon was stucks at 2.0 points in the Open 10 and under class.

Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan, meantime bowed to Suresh Ananya of India in the third round then routed Jayasundara  HJM Rashmi Maheshika of Sri Lanka in the fourth round for 2.5 points in four outings in the in the Girls 14 and under.

 Bea Mendoza of Baguio City drew with Abdulzahra Sali of Iraq in the third round then smashed Agrawal Archi of India in the fourth round for 2.5 points in four outings in the the Girls 12 and under .

 Mary Joy Tan of Misamis Oriental crushed Nabaa Sami Abbas of Iraq in the third round then but fell short to  Pham Tran Gia Tru of Vietnam in the fourth round. She reamains at 2.5 points in the Girls 10 and under.

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Bayan Muna Party-list group.

Pinoy Nolte Finishes 3rd in KL Masters 2013; Misses GM Title Norm

by Marlon Bernardino

Final Rankings:

9.0 points---GM Sergei Tiviakov (Netherlands)

7.5 points---GM Thomas Luther (Germany)

7.0 points---IM Rolando Nolte (Philippines)

5.5 points---GM Niaz Murshed (Bangladesh)

5.0 points---IM Ramnath Bhuvanesh R. (India), IM Goh Wei Ming (Singapore)

4.5 points---IM Mas Hafizulhelmi (Malaysia)

4.0 points---WGM Padmini Rout (India), IM Oliver Dimakiling (Philippines)

3.5 points---IM Aleksandar Wohl (Australia)

0.0 (zero) point ---GM Wong Meng Kong (Singapore)

International Master Rolando Nolte of the Philippines defeated IM Aleksandar Wohl of Australia in the final round to finish third in the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Invitational KL Masters 2013 at the Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday.

Nolte tallied 7.0 points on 5 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss in ten outings to pocketed the third prize worth 4,000 Malaysian ringgit. Nolte missed the chance to get his third and final GM norm as he fell short by half point in the 11 round tournament when he had to settle for a draw against Woman Grandmaster Padmini Rout of India in the penultimate round.Nolte needed to win his last two rounds to reach 7.5 points and earn his third and final GM norm. 

"Sa last 2 rounds ay kailangan maipanalo ko ang 2 laro ko po. Tinalo ko sa last round si (IM Aleksandr) Wohl kaso na draw ang laban ko sa penultimate round kay (WGM) Padmini (Rout) na winning pa naman ang posisyon." Nolte informed the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and secretary-general Cavite 7th district rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr.

"Kailangan ko kasi makaiskor ng 7.5 points kaso 7.0 points lamang ako," added Nolte, a former University of Manila mainstay.

Top seed GM Sergei Tiviakov of the Netherlands (ELO 2644), who beat Nolte in the 7th round finish 9.0 points and won the title plus champion's purse worth 10,000 Malaysian ringgit.

 GM Thomas Luther of Germany scored 7.5 points and settled runner-up purse worth 6,000 Malaysian ringgit.

Another Filipino entry IM Oliver Dimakiling, who hails from Davao City scored 4.0 points, the same output of Padmini.

The 11 player's event using the single round robin format organized by Polgar Chess Asia for the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA) with support from the Malaysian Chess Federation and Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation. Fide Master Peter Long is the tournament director.

Garcia, Bersamina, San Diego remain perfect in Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran

by Marlon Bernardino

International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite cruised to their second straight wins in the on-going Asian Youth Chess Championship 2013 in Sari, Iran yesterday.

Garcia, defeated Fang Yuxiang of China and Ismailov Mukhit of Kazakhstan in the Open 18 and under; Bersamina toppled  Kalikov Temirlan of Kazakhstan and Mosadeghpoor Masoud of Iran in the Open 16 and under while San Diego routed Altantuya Boldbaatar of Mongolia and Mohanty Aditi of India in the Girls 8 and under.

World's Youngest Fide Master 7-year-old Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City lost to Mahitosh Dey of India but bounced back in contention by demolishing Zamon Bozorali of Tajikistan in the following round of the Open 8 and under class.

Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite lost to Pallathur Venkatachalam Nandhidhaa of India but beat Bagheri taleghani Nadia of Iran in the second round of the Girls 18 and under. However, Ella Grace Moulic of Davo City remains scoreless losing to Dharia Parnali Satej of India and Pegah Ghaem Maghami  of Iran in the Girls 16 and under division.

In other Filipino bets results, Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon was yielded to Veerappan Aravindh Chithambaram of India then split the point with Aibek Isakzhanov of Kyrgyzstan in the Open 14 and under; Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City halved the point with Erdemdalai Yondonjamts of Mongolia then lost to Saurabh Anand in the Open 12 and under;  Deniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal lost to Docheshmeh Amirmohamad of Iran lost then beat Jaza Jamal Ahmed of Iran in the Open 10 and under.

Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan, meantime drew with Asana Ghazizadeh  of Iran then waylaid Diana Omurbekova  of Kyrgyzstan in the Girls 14 and under; Bea Mendoza of Baguio City subdued

Azali Tanaz of Iran but bowed to Kalantari Darounkola Sedighe of Iran in the Girls 12 and under and Mary Tan Joy of Misamis Oriental split the point with Tina Sabzi of Iran then outclassed Sultanbek Zeinep of Kazakhstan in the Girls 10 and under.

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Bayan Muna Party-list group.

LYCEUM TOPS SPARTAN PHILIPPINE INTER-COLLEGIATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---THE Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A reigned supreme in the recent Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship at the Library and Media Room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila on Wednesday.

Playing under the watchful eye of head coach eng'r Christopher Cunanan, the Pirates composed by International Master Joel Pimentel, Mark Prince Aquino, Francis Ligon, Jan Francis Mirano and Romy Fagon scored 24.5 points to capture the crown in the men's division.

Tied for second to third place with 22.5 points each are National University of coach Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. spearheaded by Vince Angelo Medina, Austin Jacob Literatus, John Ray Batucan, Jefferson Mansanero and Virgen Gil Ruaya and San Sebastian College-Recoletos of coach National Master Homer Cunanan led by International Master elect Mari Joseph Turqueza, Adrian Perez, Alexis Maribao, Arvie Jongko and Drexter Saquilayan.

Fourth to fifth place with 21.0 points each are Adamson University of coach Christopher Rodriguez bannred by Mark Kevin Labog, Jerome Villanueva, Ali Guya, Einnar Reyes and John Eric Margarito and Arellano University of National Master Rudy Ibanez comprised by Kevin Arquero, Don Tyrone delos Santos, Jeffrey Ravago, Jaymarc Gutierrez and Michael Nigel Penero.

The straight nine Round Swiss-System tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., hosted by  President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and NCFP Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

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Other participating team were Far Eastern University Team B (20 points); University of Sto. Tomas (19.0 points), Far Eastern University Team A (19.0 points); University of the Philippines (17.5 points); Rizal Technological University (16.0 points); Lyceum of the Philippines University Team B (14.5 points) and University of Batangas (12.5 points).

Adjudged individual top three finishers were the following: Board 1 IM Joel Pimentel of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A (8/9); Adrian Perez of San Sebastian College-Recoletos (6.5/9) and IM elect Mari Joseph Turqueza of San Sebastian College-Recoletos (6.5/9).

No less than NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Asia’s First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and International Arbiter Gene Poliarco have presided in giving the awards to the winners during the closing rites.

Frayna Anchors FEU Chess Romp

by Marlon Bernardino

Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna anchoring the Far Eastern University (FEU) Team A triumphant finish in the conclusion of Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship at the Library and Media Room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila on Wednesday.

Backed up by FEU team owner Anton Montinola and Athletic Director Mark Oliver Molina, the Tamaraws amassed 24 points to grab the first prize worth P20,000 plus trophy, plus gold medals.

The straight nine Round Swiss-System tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., hosted by President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and NCFP Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Frayna, who hails from Legaspi City topped the individual women's event with unbeaten 8.0 points record on account of seven wins and two draws in nine outings to enroute P5,000 plus trophy. Enrica Villa chipped in 6.0 points, followed by Nikki Erica Yngayo and Gladys Hazel Romero, both tallied 5.0 points apiece.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami kina Sir Anton Montinola (FEU team owner) at Sir Mark Oliver Molina (Athletic Director) sa full support nila sa FEU chess team,"said Frayna, who is set to play in the upcoming Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) from June 29 to July 6 in Incheon, Korea.

FEU enhance its reputation as a breeding ground of future chess masters who already produced three (3) grandmasters (Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano and Jayson Gonzales), and International Master (Yves Ranola) who also play for the Philippine Team  for the World Chess Olympiad, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games and Asian Indoor Games and other International chess competition.

“The success of FEU players in chess competitions only shows that a solid program can take you to the top,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. “That’s what we’re trying to establish, a solid program that aims to develop our young players.”

The University of the Philippines coaches by Fide Master/Fide trainer Leonardo Carlos and Woman International Master Catherine Perena, spearheaded by Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales, Joanna Vanessa Barbosa, Roxanne Atayde, Arvie Lozano and Ruth Aubrey de Guzman collected 21.5 points to grab the second prize of P15,000 plus trophy, plus silver medals, Adamson University team of coach Christopher Rodriguez led by Eunice Joy Whigan, Mariel Batulan, Crissa Canada, Jon Ira Dela Cruz and Eloisa Sta. Rita piled up 21.0 points to settle for the third place honor worth P8,000, plus trophy, plus bronze medals while the National University of coach Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. with Jean Karen Enriquez, Lucelle Bermundo, Queenie Lyn Reyes, Quinna Louise Soler and Hiezel Coraje  at the helm accumulated 19.5 points for fourth place finish and pocketed P7,000 cash purse .

No less than NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Asia’s First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and International Arbiter Gene Poliarco have presided in giving the awards to the winners during the closing rites.