RP Team in rough sailing in Team Rapid event in 3rd Asian Indoors

After a very strong start by blanking both Team Nepal (4-0) and Team Maldives (4-0) in Round 1 and Round 2 respectively, Team Philippines froze in the succeeding rounds to settle at No.13 spot out of 15 teams after six rounds of play in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games-Team Rapid Preliminary in Vietnam.

Composed of GM Rogeilo Antonio, Jr., GM Mark Paragua, WFM Catherine Pereña and WFM Shercila Cua, the RP Team, the RP Team suffered successive losses to India (Round 3), Vietnam (Round 4), Iran (Round 5), and Uzbekistan (Round 6).

It was a sweet revenge for the Indian Team as it lost to the Philippine Team in the Blitz Team event.

Let's all pray for our team to deliver again in all the remaining rounds. Go go go PHILIPPINES!!

2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess

The 2007 Asean Age group silver medalist Jerad Docena and RP's reigning 12-Under Boys champion Paulo Bersamina dominated the 2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess which was held at the Padre Zamora Elem. School last November 5.

Chief or supervising arbiter : NM ROBERT SUELO JR
Arbiter : ALFRED MIRANDA
Chairman/Technical Committee: Mr. Jay Ferrer
Tournament Manager/Administration: Mr. Noel Junio

Complete list of winners:

Elementary Boys:
1 DOCENA Jerad, West District (GOLD)
2 BERSAMINA Paolo, East District (SILVER)
3 SOWAIB Mohammad Ali, South District (BRONZE)

Elementary Girls:
1 DOCENA Jesca, West District (GOLD)
2 CIRIACO Clycel, South District (SILVER)
3 RAMOS Ileen Marie, North District (BRONZE)

High School Boys:
1 PANAHON Roi Mark, Pasay South (GOLD)
2 ARQUERO Kevin, Arellano - JAS (SILVER)
3 ALCANTARA Aeve, John Pasay City Science (BRONZE)

High School Girls:
1 PORTEM Hanna Noemi, Kalayaan Nat'l. HS (GOLD)
2 ASENCIO Jastine, Pasay East (SILVER)
3 ESPINOSA Jade, St. Mary's Academy (BRONZE)

Top two winners in each category will represent Pasay City in the NCR Meet.

This chess event was staged with the support of Pasay City local government officials particularly Atty. Tina Bernabe-Carbajal and Ms. Rosalinda Tongco of DepEd Pasay City.

Atty. Tina Carbajal with Jerad, Mohammad Ali(?) and Paulo

The actions

(Nice chess sets and chess clocks used in the tournament)

Mrs. Sally Bersamina with Pau and Atty. Tina with son

NM Suelo and Mrs. Joanna Ochoa (in green)

2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess Elementary (Boys)

Rank Name Rtg District Pts
1 DOCENA Jerad 1954 West District 4½ (GOLD)
2 BERSAMINA Paolo 1900 East District 4½ (SILVER)
3 SOWAIB Mohammad Ali 0 South District 4 (BRONZE)
4 MAURICIO Dan Kenneth 0 East District 4
5 LEOVERAS John Paul 0 South District 4
6 GELUZ Paul Christian 0 North District 3
7 CAPAROS Romel 0 West District 3
8 BAUTISTA Sherwin William 0 North District 3
9 CANETE Johntein 0 South District 3
10 LACSON Sherwin 0 West District 3
11 MELLENCION Louiever 0 East District 2½
12 BADILLA Francis Nicko 0 East District 2½
13 CARAS Ace York 0 St. Mary's Academy 2
14 VINUYA Darwin Edward 0 West District 2
15 SAN LUIS Eivan Philip 0 St. Mary's Academy 2
16 SOTTO Patrick Jules 0 St. Mary's Academy 2
17 MARTIN Erjon 0 North District 2
18 DECENA Rommel 0 St. Mary's Academy 1
19 LUNAS John Kenneth 0 North District 1

2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess Elementary (Girls)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rank Name School Pts
1 DOCENA Jesca West District 5 (GOLD)
2 CIRIACO Clycel South District 4 (SILVER)
3 RAMOS Ileen Marie North District 3 (BRONZE)
4 LOMIBAO Katrina North District 3
5 RADOC Ina Beatrice St. Mary's Academy 3
6 BUMANGLAG Caryl Jade South District 3
7 CALDERON Ma. Celina East District 3
8 MANGUERRA Maria Rochelle St. Mary's Academy 3
9 CONCEPCION Precious St. Mary's Academy 3
10 BALLEBAS Trisha North District 2
11 LEONEN Victoria St. Mary's Academy 2
12 BAUTISTA Sharmin East District 2
13 KHORSHID Pirdehy West District 2
14 NEGAPATAN Czarina East District 1
15 SOBREVILLA Diana West District 1

2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess Secondary (Boys)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rank Name District Pts
1 PANAHON Roi Mark Pasay South 6 (GOLD)
2 ARQUERO Kevin Arellano - JAS 5 (SILVER)
3 ALCANTARA Aeve John Pasay City Science 5 (BRONZE)
4 OLIZA Charles Sta. Clara 4½
5 GONZALES Paul Vincent Pasay South 4½
6 ELAURIA Paolo St. Mary's Academy 4
7 ATALIA Gian Del Pasay East 4
8 DESTRAJO Benedict Pasay East 4
9 CADIENTE John Mark Arellano - JAS 4
10 TUYA Aquilino Pasay City Science 4
11 RIVA Berhel Pasay South 4
12 OLIZA Cedie Sta. Clara 4
13 SAN MIGUEL Blaise Pierre Sta. Clara 3½
14 ALMIRANTE Jayvee Arellano - JAS 3½
15 BENEDICTO Rey Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 3
16 JALLORES Alvin Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 3
17 ALBAN Michael Pasay East 3
18 SILVA John Paul Pasay West 3
19 SALANTES John Clement Arellano - JAS 3
20 ONG Gian Aldrin Pasay Chung Hua 3
21 MEDRANO Darriel Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 2½
22 BOBIS June Carlo Pasay West 2½
23 CHING Neil Jayson Pasay Chung Hua 2½
24 BAYAN Tyrone Christian Pasay City Science 2
25 ALGADO Paolo Pasay Chung Hua 2
26 SIA PUA Paul Adriel Pasay Chung Hua 2
27 OCAMPO Brix Sta. Clara 1½
28 ABBANG Patrick Jonell Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 1
29 CADAVOS Robert St. Mary's Academy 1
30 CALMA Danniel Jay Pasay City Science 1
31 ZUBIRI G 0
32 BATCHO Ricardo Pasay East 0

2009 Pasay City DepEd Division Meet Chess Secondary (Girls)

FINAL RANKINGS

Rank Name District Pts
1 PORTEM Hanna Noemi Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 6 (GOLD)
2 ASENCIO Jastine Pasay East 5 (SILVER)
3 ESPINOSA Jade St. Mary's Academy 4½ (BRONZE)
4 CORDERO Jamaica Sta. Clara 4
5 FERNANDEZ Camille Pasay East 4
6 CORNEJO Jazmine Sta. Clara 4
7 PENA Rosaly Joy Pasay East 4
8 DAYANDAYAN Camille Pasay South 4
9 ALBORQUE Leslie Sta. Clara 3½
10 SIA PUA Ann Caresse Pasay Chung Hua 3½
11 CLEMENTE Venus Faye Arellano - JAS 3½
12 PAGADDU Jessica Marie Sta. Clara 3½
13 PANES Jermelyn Pasay West 3
14 AGUIRRE Abigail Arellano - JAS 3
15 PAYAPAG Carmela Pasay West 3
16 FLOR Fiona Nadine Pasay City Science 3
17 RODRIGUEZ Rizza Loreine Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 3
18 CARONAN Bea Kristine Pasay South 3
19 VERGARA Christine Joy St. Mary's Academy 2½
20 PEREZ Carmela Arellano - JAS 2½
21 CAPUZ Ma. Angelica Pasay City Science 2
22 LIM Josell Engelee Pasay Chung Hua 2
23 TIU Maria Eunice Pasay Chung Hua 2
24 STA. ANA Angelica Pasay City Science 2
25 CALICOY Trisha Pasay East 1½
26 DAGUPLO Sarah Jean Pasay South 0
27 MONTERO Chrizsalyn Pasay Chung Hua 0
28 CALUMPIANO Marivic Kalayaan Nat'l. HS 0

GM Wesley So versus Barangay Wesley simul video

GM Wesley So's simul games with Barangay Wesley members

Here are five of ten simul games played by GM Wesley So versus Barangay Wesley members at Burgoo Restaurant, Mall of Asia, Pasay City last November 2. PGNs of the remaining five games to be posted soon. You need to have java installed in your computer to view the games. To other remaining simul participants, please submit your error-free PGNs to complete this very special collection of replayable games!!

Pereña, Cua finished strong in Women's Rapid

Congratulations to RP's WFM Catherine Pereña and WFM Shercila Cua for a strong showing in the preliminary round of the 3rd Asian Indoor Games - Women Rapid in Vietnam.

Pereña and Cua were ranked No.5 and No.7 respectively after nine rounds in a 33-player strong battlefield which included GM Hou Yifan (2585), GM Zhao Xue (2542), GM Zhu Chen (2488) and IM Harika Dronavalli (2474).

Notably, Pereña (6.0 points) almost made it to Top 4 for the semifinal round, just half a point off GM Zhao Xue (6.5 points). Cua also scored 6.0 points.

Interestingly, the top 4 seeded players mentioned above were the ones who made it to the semis.

In the finals, No.1 seed GM Hou Yifan faces No.3 seed GM Zhu Chen.

3rd ASEAN Primary School Sports Olympiad

By: Marlon Bernardino

THE La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) Chess Team left the country last night (Monday) aboard Cebu Pacific, with one mission to bring home the championships’ trophy when the 3rd ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Primary School Sports Olympiad Chess Championships begans November 3 and will end on November 9 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Fresh from winning the 1st EHSL Chess Team Leaque, grade school division held at the Perez Building in Paranaque City and 2009 Lasallians Sportsfest held recently at La Salle Canlubang, Laguna, last month, the LSGH chess team under the tutelage of National Master/ International Arbiter Erwin Carag and program manager Vic Lahoz is composed of Giovannie Mejia, Matthew Luke de Leon and Rhal Sol Cruz.

“We will do our very best, for flag and country,” said delegation head coach NM/IA Erwin Carag.

Other members of the team are Meralco chess club president Rolly Sol Cruz and Davis de Leon.

Shania Mendoza of Sta. Rosa, Laguna is the girl’s representative in the week-long event, which is open to all student ages 12 year old and below.

GM Wesley So spends day with fans

And so, after the postponement of the original date due to bad weather, Barangay Wesley's memorable chess affair with GM Wesley So pushed through Monday, November 2, 2009 at Burgoo Restaurant.

It was a smooth-sailing, jolly, light-hearted affair, with all the elements of respect, admiration, and brotherhood falling perfectly into proper place.

It was a testament that when a group of individuals with common aspirations unite, they can move mountains and reach for the star.

The star? He needed no introduction. GM Wesley So simply continues to amaze and move us.

Just imagine this wonderful scene: a group of adults from different walks of life acting like jolly children from one big family, asking questions, eating, and playing with their common source of admiration - that is, Big Brother GM Wesley So. Fantastic indeed.

I'm sorry if I can't put into words the happiness that was there. All I could say was that it was the kind of an affair where everybody had already said goodbye, but nobody wanted to walk away for the sorrow of vanishing from each other's sight.

I just hope that you can feel the aura of joy, too, from that unforgettable event through the moments captured by my digital camera. (MORE PHOTOS TO COME)

This banner set the stage


Preparations for the simul exhibition






Sugardom, the main organizer, announces the start of the simul exhibition


Start of the simul





The final results


Gift-giving ceremony being done by Atty. Nanobrain and Mr. Reginald Tee


Chairman Wesley wearing the gift


Eating time together . . . delicious food indeed




A personal gift from GM Wesley and the award certificate that goes to the Best Player


And the Best Player Award goes to . . . University of the Philippines (UP) student Joshua Bersamina, the lone winner over GM Wesley


And now, the luckiest BW member of us all, Epistle, receiving a personal gift from Chairman Wesley


Q & A portion




The fans line up for their idol's autograph


Thankful, satisfied, joyful BW members with Chairman Wesley

Blitzin Antonio

GM Rogelio Antonio,Jr. has been considered Blitz King in the Philippines. Perfectly true. He proved it once again by scoring 8.5 points out of possible nine in the Team Blitz event of the 3rd Asian Indoor Games. Awesome indeed!!

Notably, Antonio had an amazing perfect performance up to Round 8. That's 8/8, or 100%! Isn't that perfect? It could have been a 9/9 if not for the draw in Round 9 against Iranian GM Moradiabadi Elshan (2547).

Of his eight wins, three were over fellow strong GMs. After nine rounds of play, Antonio erected a rating performance of 2822!! Oh men, that's Blitzin Antonio! (PHOTO taken during a simul in Meralco.)

RP settles for 5th in Team Blitz in 3rd Asian Indoor Games

Whoaaa!! Our team almost made it in the 3rd ASIAN INDOOR GAMES - TEAM BLITZ if not for the loss to Iran in Round 9.

But still, I'm proud of the Philippine Team for their highly competitive performance in this team event.

Just look at their performance:

Round 1. WIN over Nepal (4:0)
Round 2. DRAW with Qatar (2:2)
Round 3. WIN over Vietnam (3:1)
Round 4. LOSS to China (1:3)
Round 5. WIN over India (3:1)
Round 6. LOSS to Kazakhstan (1.5:2.5)
Round 7. WIN over Uzbekistan (3.5:0.5)
Round 8. WIN over Japan (4:0)
Round 9. LOSS to Iran (1.5:2.5)

Finishing 5th overall in a 15-country battlefield is not that bad. Beating chess powerhouse India made it sweeter.

Cua, Pereña fight for the country

Our two chess heroines WFM Shercila Cua (2142) and WFM Catherine Pereña (2090) are in the company of world famous players like GM Hou Yifan (2585) for the 3rd ASIAN INDOOR GAMES - WOMEN RAPID PRELIMINARY.

This very early, Pereña will face a very tough opponent against No.2 seed GM Zhao Xue (2542) for Round 1. On the other hand, Cua will face untitled Khamboo Monalisa (1200) of Nepal.

It will be a totally different situations for the two Filipina warriors in Round 1, but let's hope and pray for common results: WIN.

Antonio, Paragua in Men's Rapid in 3rd Asian Indoor games

I thought that only GM Mark Paragua will wave the Philippine flag in the Chess Men's Rapid category in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games.

It's good that World Chess Cup-bound GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. (2557) will also battle for the country's pride and honor in this event.

How I wish to see either GM Paragua or GM Antonio face the top seeds like GM Bu Xiangzhi (2702) and GM Wang Hao (2690) and beat them!!

For Round 1, Antonio will face untitled Kobayashi Atsuhiko (1962) of Japan while Paragua will compete with another untitled Ahmed Ashraf (1788) of Moldova.

Let's all pray for the campaign of our chess heroes. Go go go!!