Youth Asian Chess

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

NEWLY-INSTALLED RP junior champion Paulo Bersamina and Jan Nigel Galan will banner the Philippine's campaign against Asian chess star when the 2010 Asian Youth chess championships gets underway on July 8-15 in Beijing, China.

The former La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) bet Bersamina, who made history by becoming the country’s youngest player to win the national junior championships held in Davao City early this year, will compete in the boys 12 years old and under category.

Galan, the top player of La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) under head coach NM Erwin Carag will vie in the boys 16 years old and under division.


“We expect these young and talented players we’re sending to Beijing to perform well as usual and bring honors to the country,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr..

“Most of these players did very well during the ASEAN age-group chess championships held in Subic, so it will not be a surprise that they will perform just as well in the Asian level,” added Pichay.

NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the 11-man RP delegation to Beijing will also take time to invite their foreign counterparts to come to the country when the NCFP plays host to next year’s edition of the Asian championship.

Joining Bersamina and Galan are FM Haridas Pascua (boys 18 under), Austin Jacob Literatus (boys 14 under), Haince Patrick de Leon ( boys 10 under) and Julius Gonzlaes ( boys 8 under).

In the girls division are WFM Christy Lamiel Bernales (girls 18 under), Jan Jodilyn Fronda (girls 16 under), Janelle Mae Frayna ( girls 14 under), Shanie Mae Mendoza ( girls 12 under), and Jesca Docena ( girls 10 under).

National Youth training director IM Idelfonso Datu will be the head coach.

The nine-round tournament is being organized by the Chinese Chess Associaiton and the Jinma Chess Club (China) under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation.

The opening ceremony and technical meeting will be held on July 8, while the first round will begin on July 9. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three winners in each age categories.