Jerad Docena tops 18th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship-NCR Leg (KIDDIES)

18th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship-NCR Leg (KIDDIES)
Event Center, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Organizer(s) : Pilipinas Shell
Tournament Director : Alexander E. Dinoy
Chief or supervising arbiter : IA Gene Poliarco
Arbiter : IA R.Yutuc, J.Rabe, R.Cruz, M.Samaniego, G Luz, J. Tatad, R. Madayag
Town : Event Center, Lower ground floor, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Rating-Ø : 1291
Date : 2010/06/26 To 2010/06/27

Final Ranking
Rank	Name		Pts
1	DOCENA Jerad R.	champion	8
2	BALTAZAR Melwyn Kenneth	1st runner up	8
3	MEJIA Giovanni P.	2nd runner up	7½
4	NANOLA Christian C.	3rd runner up	7½
5	EVANGELISTA Paul Robert G.	4th runner up	7½
6	CASTRO Jose Carlo S		7½
7	SAMANTILLA Daryll Unix		7½
8	MAGPILY John Michael S.		7
9	MAGDALAGA Felipe		7
10	FUERTE Vincent T.		7
11	CABIDA Christian Dave B.		7
12	MARGARITO John Eric		7
13	CASIANO Paul Benjamin P.		7
14	OSENA Alexis Anne P.	Top Female	7
15	REYES Prince Kenneth D.		7
16	CANTONJOS Alji		7
17	YAON Michelle L.		7
18	DRAPETE Christian Ray E.		7
19	ABUZO Charles Daniel B.		6½
20	DANDAY Jason		6½
21	CURIOSO JR. Romulo		6½
22	MARCOS Jett Adams C.		6½
23	FRONDA Jusmel Christian P.		6½
24	PRESENTE Juan Carlos M.		6½
25	BUSA Nelson U.		6½
26	FLORO Ralph Jordan S.		6½
27	COBSILEN Clifford V.		6½
28	FULCHER Lawrean Angeley A.		6½
29	MALIAM Elijah M.		6½
30	DATU Bianca Marie E.		6½
31	VERGARA Sudama Krishna Das		6½
32	VERANO Dante Leonardo		6½
33	CARANYAGAN Carlo R.		6
34	FRAYNA Janelle Mae		6
35	ENRIQUEZ Karen Jean		6
36	CUNANAN Homel Aristotle B.		6
37	PRADO Davemar L.		6
38	REANO Jessther C.		6
39	AUSTRIA Aldus Brant B.		6
40	PALACIO John Tristan S.		6
41	CANADA Crissa P.		6
42	VERANO Clinton		6
43	RUAYA Virgenie C.		6
44	MENDOZA Shania Mae G.		6
45	PANGILINAN Stephen Rome E.	Top 8-year old	6
46	REYES Earvin John P.		6
47	BONIFACIO Anfernee T.		6
48	DUENAS Erveen Mars G.		6
49	MANANSALA II. Michael Angelo		6
50	RILLORAZA Estraelito		6
51	FLORES Keneth B.		6
52	UY Philip A.		6
53	GALAS Bernadette		6
54	DE LEON Haince Patrick A.		6
55	LLANTADA Kyz D.		6
56	REPATO William Paul M.		6
57	MANAHAN Ralph R.		6
58	YAP Eric Robert R.		6
59	YANZON Mervince		5½
60	VIERNES Tucker Howard M.		5½
61	SAN DIEGO Marie Antoinette M.		5½
62	ROMERO Gerome M.		5½
63	DELA CRUZ Jean Paula S.		5½
64	CANAPE Ynna Sophia		5½
65	DOCENA Jesca R.		5½
66	DE LEON Luke Matthew D.		5½
67	CHANGCO Francelouis E.		5½
68	TAN Joshua T.		5½
69	BONIFACIO Joribene T.		5½
70	SERBAN Arvin John S.		5½
71	MARCE Jasper V.		5½
72	CARLOS Christopher Jose C.		5½
73	ABUCEJO Francis Albert V.		5½
74	HERNANDEZ Joric Justine F.		5½
75	ATADERO Jose Miguel C.		5½
76	ADRIANO Paolo Miguel J.		5½
77	FUERTE Mary Joyce T.		5½
78	CRUZ JR. Rhal Sol		5½
79	SOPUNGCO Andrew S.		5½
80	NAVARRO Christian Michael M.		5½
81	PELAYO Ariel Kenneth N.		5½
82	SIERRA Joanna Mae S.		5½
83	VIRAY John Edward V.		5½
84	TANYAG Aaron Gabriel		5½
85	MONTEZA Jomarie T.		5½
86	GUTIERREZ JR. Dennis A.		5½
87	PARRO Francis Roi E.		5½
88	WERBA Crystal Jade D,		5½
89	MIRANDA Stephen Matthew C.		5
90	DURIAN Miscah Allain L.		5
91	ADRIANO John Clifford S.		5
92	SALTORIO Jefferson M.		5
93	KWOK Malcolm Leeland		5
94	BABINA Ralph Vincent J.		5
95	RAMOS Justine Joshua P.		5
96	CRUZ Diana R.		5
97	MARCELLANA Mark James S.		5
98	DAGAN Raymond Karl S.		5
99	CRUZ Owen John		5
100	ESPARAGOZA Eithom Adam Jamie T.		5
101	DEDEL Jason B.		5
102	BERNALES Carl Lemuel P.		5
103	ABAPO John Fritzgerald B.		5
104	DEL ROSARIO Emer Ralph R.		5
105	ZACARIAS Julian Troy L.		5
106	TINAZA Earl Michael B.		5
107	CUNANAN Harvey Matthew A.		5
108	MENDOZA Mytzka M.		5
109	LUCHINA Christian David		5
110	MAGPILY Francois Marie E.		5
111	HERNANDEZ Sean Jeremy F.		5
112	LOZANO Marx C.		5
113	COMPASIBO Saireen A.		5
114	MACAPAGAL Kianjoo A.		5
115	FELIA Michella M.		5
116	ADRIANO Patricia Mae J.		5
117	SUNGA Angel Gabriel F.		5
118	CATAQUE Kristal Joy A.		5
119	NUESTRO Angelo Isaiah P.		5
120	MONDRAGON Raphael Angelo V.		5
121	LACAMBRA Jalen Rhey A.		5
122	SISTOZA Jester S.		5
123	CLAVERIA Alison A		5
124	VIRAY Angela Mariz V.		5
125	BLANCH Joshua Gabriel M.		5
126	LUMACAD Jerome Christian M.		4½
127	GUTIERREZ III Dennis		4½
128	VILLANUEVA Angelie N.		4½
129	VICENTE Venice		4½
130	PEREZ Remdee Angiel		4½
131	CAMILLO Francine Jhnea E.		4½
132	GUTIERREZ Jan Cedric D.s.		4½
133	GUEVARA Jose Enrique E.		4½
134	DELA CRUZ Timothy James P.		4½
135	SUEDE Alexis Charlotte M.		4½
136	NAVARRO Daniel Vincent M.		4½
137	TOLENTINO Robert Jacob L.		4½
138	BABINA Terence Eduard J.		4½
139	DELA CRUZ Mico S.		4½
140	GAMAYOT Jazz C.		4½
141	DIONISIO Nikko Ver A.		4½
142	GUDEZ Gale Anne		4½
143	YANO Elvin V.		4½
144	DE LEON Dominique Dave D.		4½
145	NERONA Jonathan C.		4½
146	UTSUKA JR. Tet Suo Dhzora		4½
147	ULANDAY Kevin Paolo C.		4½
148	TAGAPAN Karl Rafael		4½
149	MANDAGAN John Hamsel E.		4½
150	FERNANDEZ Samuel Alexander J		4½
151	CARLOS Juan Pancho B.		4½
152	CERENO Jude A.		4½
153	BERMEJO III Arturo F.		4½
154	SISTOZA Lea Kim		4½
155	ROBLES Samantha S.		4½
156	MARCOS John Vincent C		4
157	ESPIRITU Emmanuel V.		4
158	ALAURIN Noel Gio		4
159	DE LEON Ronwell John I.		4
160	CAUNCA Louie A.		4
161	ILAS David Lanz B.		4
162	BALSALUBRE Ricardo L.		4
163	FERNANDO Michael Francis N.		4
164	ACOSTA Carlo M.		4
165	ESPIRITU Jonash V.		4
166	CANAPE Cyrus Benjamin C.		4
167	GONZALES John Paul		4
168	LAZARO Lorenzo Thomas M.		4
169	PEREZ Deniel		4
170	CUAL Nyck Mikhael G		4
171	CAMILLO Francisc Jerhone E.		4
172	DURANA Chiari I.		4
173	TAN Jared T.		4
174	GAMAYOT Janela Joyce C.		4
175	SAYSON Rommel Jeon V.		4
176	LIM Charles Andrew P.		4
177	MIRANDA Kenneth John C.		4
178	TIODOSO Anthony Brienne R.		4
179	SAMPANG Jesse Justine E.		4
180	SAMPANG Joemari Angelo E.		4
181	SAN DIEGO Jerlyn Mae M.		4
182	FERNANDEZ Patrick Lans P.		4
183	TY Justin Ainsley Louis		4
184	ESPIRITU Paolo Edni V.		4
185	REVIL Michael Ken H.		4
186	QUINIQUINI Nicolai Paul M.		4
187	ALCON Mauricio		4
188	GUEVARA Virgilio Joselito E.		4
189	POLANCOS Anne Klein		4
190	YUTUC Adriel John T.		4
191	RANOLA Jon Cedric		4
192	MACANDILI Dave D.		4
193	CORTEZ Justine Aubrey		3½
194	CASIANO Sophia P.		3½
195	ABAYON Robelyn G.		3½
196	NICART Joshua T.		3½
197	GAJO Milano Walden L.		3½
198	MACAWILI Mclister		3½
199	GARCIA Kalel Liam M.		3½
200	DE GRACIA Arjel Emmanuel S		3½
201	RESUENA Christian J.		3½
202	CUNANAN Harold Thaddeus A.		3½
203	SALTORIO Jomari M.		3½
204	PASTOR Carlo Gabriel M.		3½
205	DONGUINES Cherrlyn G.		3
206	DONGUINES John Fleer G.		3
207	GAJO Nathan Gregory L.		3
208	ALAURIN Noel Gabriel G		3
209	SERBAN Aljhon S.		3
210	LACAMBRA Jarel Renz A.		3
211	MANALOTO John Romvi Y.		3
212	GAVARAN Myungsin Charles		3
213	MARIANO Jio Oliver P.		3
214	ESTRABELA Shimkwon Jovenic A.		3
215	REYNOSO Rae Janea		3
216	GACUSAN Kimberly Shane M.		3
217	YUTUC Amiel Joseph T.		3
218	CUARESMA Abel Isaac		3
219	MARCELLANA Jan Erlson S.		3
220	SUSTAL Anne Margarette R.		3
221	DIONISIO Lucy Jane A.		3
222	LABANZA Lovely Joy D.		3
223	DACANAY Veronica		3
224	DIZOR Mark Joseph Y.		3
225	MACALALAD Nadine S		3
226	CRISOSTOMO Mark Aldwin P.		3
227	EVANGELISTA Princess Rose G.		3
228	SAMANTILLA Danielle Ray		3
229	ALVEZ Renshell Angelo		3
230	LOPEZ Princess Hyunli		3
231	GUTIERREZ Mikaela Bianca A.		2½
232	GONZALES Julius B.		2½
233	COLUMNA Dhexvernlee Kate T,		2½
234	MARQUEZ Ivan Czar D.j.		2½
235	CLAVERIA Ireson A.		2½
236	NAVARRO Joshua F.		2
237	COCHING Christiane J.		2
238	GUTIERREZ Myka Sofia		2
239	DATU John Vasilly D.		2
240	MENDOZA Merlin M.		2
241	GANOB Rohn Michael		2
242	NAVARRO Maya F.		2
243	AGUSTIN Seukjoon		2
244	BERNALES Mayen P.		2
245	BUCAL Aeron Daniel O.		2
246	SANGCO Noriel G.		2
247	SE JR. Rodrigo S.		2
248	CRUZ John Rex R.		2
249	DELA CRUZ Devie Rose R.		2
250	DINOY Juliana R.		2
251	ULANDAY John Benedict I.		2
252	CASTILLO Rafael Marron		2
253	BUTSON Ashley O.		2
254	LOPEZ Chanmi C.		2
255	DATU Ma. Perlhene P.		1½
256	MARQUEZ Christian Czar D.j.		1½
257	LITONG Jessalim B.		1½
258	MACABITAS Angelica M.		1½
259	TATAD Jane A.		1½
260	EVANGELISTA Cybelle		1
261	COCHING Christia J.		1
262	GANOB Anthony Kyle		1
263	DELA CRUZ Jandro S.		1
264	MENDOZA Victor Ferdinand E		1
265	COCHING JR. Arnold O.		1
266	CRUZ Kristine Mae N.		1
267	DIVINO John Alfred S.		1
268	TIA Julianne		1
269	TATAD Aira Shane A.		1
270	MONTEZA Jan Aron T.		1
271	CAMILLO Francine Jhnces E.		1
272	DE LEON Kaye Anne L.		1
273	GARCIA Earl Francis C.		½
274	EVANGELISTA Chrysbie Aira		½
275	VILLANUEVA Cyamir Jill V.		½
276	COLUMNA Cenard Jade T.		0
277	CASTELLON Gale Anne		0

Husband and wife tandem in chess

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MARY CHRISTINE JOYCE DACAYO-PARAGUA (in photo), wife of grandmaster Mark Paragua, defeated American Calvin Hurst in the ninth and final round to emerged over-all champion in the just-ended 2010 World Open Chess Championships, Under 1200 section was held last June 29 to July 5 at the Valley Forge Convention Plaza in Pennsylvania, USA.

Dacayo-Paragua, a former varsity player of University of the Philippines with a USCF 1091 rating points finished undefeated in the nine round Swiss-system tournament with impressive 8.5 points on account of eight wins and a single draw.

Actually, Dacayo-Paragua took the title after beating fellow 8.5 pointers Vietnamese Tram Pham in the tie break points.

Dacayo-Paragua and Tram Pham, each received US$3,232.50 sharing the top honors in the event jointly organized by husband and wife tandem Bill and Brenda Goichberg of the Continental Chess Association (CCA).

Among the impressive wins of New York-based Dacayo-Paragua against Helen Tran, Calvin Chen, Xinh Ngoc Nguyen, David Braun, Brian Swope, Anthony Greenwood, Valdish Ibeh before beating Calvin Hurst.

Her only draw against co-champion Vietnamese Tram Pham in the fifth round. With her latest feat, Dacayo-Paragua raised her USCF 1091 rating points to 1458.

In the Open section, GM Mark Paragua, the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete settled a draw with Indian GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly in the final round to finish in a tie for 9th to 19th placers in the huge group of 6 pointers. Mark went home US$862 in this Open section which topped by Czech Republic's GM Victor Laznica with 7.5 points for the top prize of US$17,413.

Another Filipino entry and Chicago resident former Asian Junior champion IM Angelo Young scored 4.5 points.

In the Under 2000 section, New York-based Jan Vincent Paragua, younger brother of GM Mark finished with 6.5 points, the same output of compatriots Rene Ancheta of Chicago and Vitaliano Rafael of New York to settled in a tie for 7th to 21st placers.

1 vs 600

(Photo sourced from pinoychessinforme, as tipped off by Chess Windows Laguna correspondent Anthony Navarro.)

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales considers the delay in his attempt to break the world record in simultaneous chess exhibition a blessing in disguise.

“Mas may time pa ako para maging mas kondisyon,” Gonzales said.

The two-time Olympian will try to beat the mark set by Iranian GM Morteza Mahjoob simultaneous chess on July 31 to August 1 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Mahjoob did the trick last August 13 when he faced 500 opponents at the Engelab Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran.
An equivalent to 80-percent of the number of participants is the minimum required score in the ultimate test for mind and body endurance.

“Stamina is critical in simultaneous exhibition. Kahit winning ka sa lahat ng boards kung kakapusin ka rin towards the end talo ka pa rin,” said Gonzales.

“When you’re tired prone ka sa blunder eh.”

Gonzales walks and jogs for four hours twice a day at the University of the Philippines-Diliman to prepare himself for the arduous task.

Mahjoob walked around 40 kilometers before finishing all his matches in his record-breaking feat.

For inquiry, call or text tournament organizers Noli Cruz of Touch of Gold Enterprises at 0929-835-7770 or email address: nsc8181@yahoo.com and Roberto “Robbie” Pangilinan, Diliman Preparatory School media head at 0290-953-4559 or gtcsports@yahoo.com for complete details.

Karjakin: new Russian

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, Business World, 09 July 2010)

11th Poikovsky Karpov Tournament
Poikovsky, Khanty-Mansi Okrug, Russia
June 2-14, 2010

Final Standings

1-2. GM Sergey Karjakin RUS 2739, GM Viorel Bologan MDA 2668, 7.0/11
3-4. GM Dmitry Jakovenko RUS 2725, GM Nikita Vitiugov RUS 2707, 6.5/11
5. GM Alexander Riazantsev RUS 2674, 6.0/11
7-9. GM Emil Sutovsky ISR 2661, GM Baadur Jobava GEO 2715, GM Ivan Sokolov BIH 2654, 5.0/11
10. GM Arkadij Naiditsch GER 2686, 4.5/11
11-12. GM Sergei Rublevsky RUS 2704, GM Alexander Motylev RUS 2704, 4.0/11

Average ELO: 2694
Category 18

The 11th Poikovsky Karpov tournament took place June 2-14, 2010 in Poikovsky, which is in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (District) of Russia. This is not the same as, but not far from, Khanty-Mansiysk, where the 2010 Chess Olympiad will be taking place soon. Poikovsky used to be an oil-drilling station but is now a very progressive town and in 1998 was adjudged the region’s "most comfortable municipal urban and settlement center."

Twenty-year-old Sergey Karjakin, shortly after winning the World Rapid Cup in Odessa, scored another great triumph by emerging victorious in the category-18 Poikovsky Karpov tournament, beating out GM Viorel Bologan on tie breaks.

Karjakin has also made news off the board recently. Citing (1) the problems he is having with the Ukrainian Chess Federation, (2) taking a new Russian coach (Dokhoian), the long-time second of Garry Kasparov, and (3) moving to Moscow for that reason, Karjakin took up Russian citizenship and announced that henceforth he will be representing his new country in international competition.

In fact, the Russian team to the forthcoming Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad has already been announced (no board order yet, I just rank them by ELO as of July 1st, 2010):
1. Vladimir Kramnik 2790
2. Alexander Grischuk 2760
3. Sergey Karjakin 2747
4. Peter Svidler 2734
5. Vladimir Malakhov 2732
Captain: GM Evgeny Bareev

The transfer of Karjakin definitely spells trouble for Ukraine chess, but it is perhaps partly its national federation’s fault. It is well known that despite winning the 2004 Calvia de Mallorca Olympiad, and its women’s team mirroring this success in 2006 Turin, the players from both squads were hardly shown any sign of appreciation from their Federation. Former FIDE World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov’s last Olympiad was in 2004 and he has since then refused to play for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s reaction to this state of affairs? "Good thing we still have Ivanchuk".
Karjakin lately has been showing a lot of resiliency as a player. Among the elite he is probably the one who has won the most lost games. The King under his stewardship has become quite a slippery creature. In Poikovsky we got yet another example.

Riazantsev, Alexander (2674) -- Karjakin, Sergey (2739) [E15]
11th Karpov Poikovsky RUS (8), 10.06.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME

GM Alexander Riazantsev is a very strong and brilliant player, but is some sort of a player "with one big punch." He plays this game brilliantly up to a point when he tires after the superhuman defense of Karjakin, and then the second player takes over.





Reader comments/suggestions are solicited. E-mail address is bangcpa@gmail.com

11-player RP contingent to vie for honors in 2010 Asian Youth Invitational Chess Championships

Based on media reports, the 11-player RP contingent flew this morning (Thursday) for Beijing, China to represent the country in the 2010 Asian Youth Invitational Chess Championships which will run from July 8 to July 15.

GIRLS
Jesca Docena (Girls U10)
Shania Mae Mendoza (Girls U12)
Janelle Mae Frayna (Girls U14)
Jan Jodilyn Fronda (Girls U16)
WFM Christy Lamiel Bernales (Girls U18)

BOYS
Julius Gonzales (Boys U8)
Haince Patrick de Leon (Boys U10)
Paulo Bersamina (Boys U12)
Austin Jacob Literatus (Boys U14)
Jan Nigel Galan (Boys U16)
FM Haridas Pascua (Boys U18)

Let's all pray for the success and safety of the Philippine team!!

Playing Schedule:

08th July
Arrival 12:00 hrs
Opening Ceremony 18:00 hrs
Technical Meeting 20:00 hrs

09th July
Round 1 09:00 hrs
Round 2 15:30 hrs

10th July
Round 3 09:00 hrs

11th July
Round 4 09:00 hrs
Round 5 15:30 hrs

12th July
Round 6 09:00 hrs

13th July
Round 7 09:00 hrs
Round 8 15:30 hrs

14th July
Round 9 09:00 hrs
Closing Ceremony 15:30 hrs

15th July
Departure 12:00 hrs

Format

8.1 The Championships will be played according to the Swiss System of 7 or 9 Rounds, depending on the number of participants in each category. Seven rounds shall be played with 16 or fewer players, and 9 rounds if greater than 16.

8.2 If possible, players from the same federation shall not be paired with each other in the last round.

8.3 Rate of play will be 90 minutes for the whole game + 30 seconds increment for each move played starting from move 1.

8.4 Tie-Break for Swiss-System : Buchholz, followed by Sonneborn-Berger; Number of Wins with the Black pieces. In case of Round-Robin : Sonneborn-Berger; Direct Encounter; Number of Wins with the Black pieces.

An interview with GM Wesley So

It was a special (or unique?) setting, particularly not the usual interview we see on TV.

As I've been saying it here over and over again, this kind of a phenomenon could be an interesting subject for a keen observer to investigate on.

There's only one interviewee and a 'barangay'of interviewers from different social, political, economic and even spiritual strata who beamed their questions from different parts of the world and who either said "Good morning," "Good afternoon," or Good evening" depending on which part of the globe they were in.

The questions varied from the most serious thing about chess, to personal matters, and even to the most trivial sorts of day-to-day living. Indeed it was as a masterpiece, a tapestry of colorful souls bonded only by shared imagined identities.

It wasn't just a real-time, live interview, but a very lively one at that, made possible by a common interest aided by technology.

That concept of 'barangay' [the smallest local government unit in Philipine setting] in this case is imaginary, which makes this phenomenon one of a kind. Called 'Barangay Wesley' whose members are composed mostly of Filipinos from different parts of the globe, this online group best symbolizes the global diasporic Filipinos who always link their identities to their imagined deterritorialized 'homeland'.

The unique interview took place in cyberspace (chessgames.com), with the interviewee (GM Wesley So) and the interviewers (BW members) located in different parts of planet Earth, with languages both understandable in the dominant culture and with other representations that only those in the resisting culture could derive meaning from.

In the context of globalization, online chess forums can serve as battlegrounds for the constant struggle for group identity. At Barangay Wesley, the quest for imagined global Filipino chess community is lived by BW members everyday. And as the dynamics within this virtual group continue to change over time, the diasporic Filipino chess lovers need to keep up with the corresponding challenges to keep the struggle for the imagined citizenship alive.

I have a PDF copy of the full interview. I'm a bit apprehensive, however, to post it here since some BW members, might crucify me for possibly exposing their hero's strengths and weaknesses. (The interview, nonetheless, is readily accessible at Wesley's page over chessgames.com, though you have to dig in the volume of pages.)

Anyway, this is my favorite part of the interview. A BW member asked GM So how he wants to be addressed. He simply replied: : "Wes or Wesley is good, with or without the GM."

7-year old Pangilinan rules 14-Under tourney with 9/9 performance

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

ANOTHER Wesley So is in the making as a young Filipino woodpusher emerged as the over-all champion in his divisions at the conclusion of Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Northern Luzon leg in Tuguegarao City on Sunday.

Stephen Rome Pangilinan (in photo), a 7 year old student of Christian Ecclesiastical School, takes home the championship trophy in the kiddies division by winning all his nine games.

Pangilinan from Bulacan province makes name for himself after winning the Susan Polgar International Chess Festival under eight-year-old division two years ago in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mark Kevin Labog, Paul Benjamin Casiano, Christian Dave Cabida and Alder Baldwin Jallorina finished in a tie for 2nd to 5th placers with 7.5 points each.

In the junior division, Vince Angelo Medina of FEU-FERN with undefeated 7.5 points out of 8 rounds champions to enroute the title. FEU-FERN dominate the top 4 places with 2nd place is Kevin Mirano, 3rd place is Mc Dominique Lagula and 4th is Lennon Hart Salgados.

In the kick-off leg at SM Megamall a week ago, Mari Joseph Turqueza, the pride of V.Luna Chess Club topped the juniors division while Jerad Docena of FEU-FERN won the kiddies tiara.

The third leg will be held July 17-18 for the Southern Luzon elims in Batangas while Naga City will host the fourth leg for the Southern Luzon qualifier on July 31-Aug. 1.

Iloilo takes its turn on Aug. 14-15 for the Western Visayas leg while Cebu will hold the Central Visayas stage on Aug. 28-29. The seventh leg will be held Sept. 11-12 in Cagayan de Oro before the circuit winds up on Sept. 25-26 for the Mindanao leg in Davao.

The top three finishers in all legs will advance to the grand finals slated Oct. 23-24 at SM Megamall. Each leg will be an eight-round Swiss system event for the juniors and nine-round for the kiddies. The grand finals will be a nine-round tournament for both divisions.

RP's Top 10 (July 2010)

Some notes:

- For the first time in more than three (?) decades, GM Torre bowed out of the 2500-mark

- Among the Top 10, the biggest Elo point gainer is IM Julio Catalino Sadorra who added 23.3 Elo points to his May rating; on the other hand, the biggest loser is GM Mark Paragua who lost 21.3 Elo points

- As of July 1, 2010, the number of RP’s 2500-rated players has shrunk to only 4 from 6 in May 2010

Philippines (Active players) July 1, 2010

#	Name	Rating
1	So, Wesley	2674
2	Antonio, Rogelio Jr	2575
3	Gomez, John Paul	2527
4	Laylo, Darwin	2522
5	Salvador, Roland	2498
6	Torre, Eugenio	2489
7	Sanchez, Joseph	2479
8	Paragua, Mark	2476
9	Sadorra, Julio Catalino	2473
10	Barbosa, Oliver	2458

Philippines (Active players) May 1, 2010

#	Name	Rating
1	So, Wesley	2665
2	Antonio, Rogelio Jr	2572
3	Laylo, Darwin	2527
4	Barcenilla, Rogelio	2518
5	Gomez, John Paul	2507
6	Torre, Eugenio	2506
7	Paragua, Mark	2497
8	Salvador, Roland	2485
9	Sanchez, Joseph	2478
10	Bitoon, Richard	2476

Capablanca Memorial

BY: BOBBY ANG

(As published in Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 05 July 2010)

Photo sourced from chessbase.com

45th Capablanca Memorial
Havana, Cuba
June 9-22, 2010

Final Standings
1. GM Vassily Ivanchuk UKR 2741, 7.0/10
2. GM Ian Nepomniachtchi RUS 2695, 6.0/10
3-4. GM Leinier Dominguez CUB 2713, GM Nigel Short ENG 2685, 5.5/10
5-6. GM Evgeny Alekseev RUS 2700, GM Lazaro Bruzon CUB 2668, 3.0/10

Average ELO 2700
Category 18

The Capablanca Memorial, commemorating the third world champion (1921-1927) Jose Raul Capablanca, is a chess tournament that has been held annually in Cuba since 1962. It has an impressive history -- the Havana Hilton was opened in 1958 as a huge casino. Che Guevara and his revolutionaries took over the building in 1959 and formed their new government in one floor of the hotel, naming it Habana Libre. Guevara was an extremely harsh disciplinarian who unhesitatingly shot defectors. Deserters were punished as traitors, and Guevara was known to send execution squads to hunt down those seeking to go AWOL.

However, he was also a great chess lover, and when the new government had stabilized he acted as moving spirit to organize the first memorial tournament in 1962, covering the costs as Director of the National Bank and Minister of Industries. Miguel Najdorf won this event ahead of a powerful cast including Lev Polugaevsky, Boris Spassky, Svetozar Gligoric, Vassily Smyslov, etc.. In its early years this tournament paid the biggest cash prizes in the world and to get an invitation to play here was considered a recognition of your worth as a player.

Perhaps the most famous edition was the 4th, in 1965. The US Champion Bobby Fischer agreed to play in Havana, but the US State Department would not allow him to go to Cuba due to strained relations between the two countries. Finally they arranged for Fischer to play his games by telex from the Marshall Chess Club in New York City.
A total of 22 players (13 GMs) played in that event. Vassily Smyslov won the tournament with 15.5/21. Fischer tied for 2nd with Yugoslavia’s Borislav Ivkov and Efim Geller (USSR).

In contrast to the monster single round-robin tournaments previously with a big player list, lately the tournament format has been changed to a six-player double round-robin event (although, to be fair, now there are usually two tournaments held alongside for lesser players). The Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk has won the elite tournament for three straight years from 2005-2007, and with his victory this year he is now the only player ever to have won the Capablanca Memorial solo. Tony Miles of England has also won four times, but one of his victories was shared.

Chucky started this double-round robin tournament with a black-piece victory over Nigel Short and continued with three more wins and no losses, leading from start to finish. He relied more on his technique and efficiency though in this event. He left it to Nepomniatchtchi, the reigning European champion, to bring on the fireworks. Literally translated, Nepomniachtchi means "the one who remembers nothing." Well, for sure, he does not play by rote -- his games have always been shining examples of creativity over the board. Here is his latest masterpiece.

Short, Nigel (2685) -- Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2695) [B74]
45th Capablanca Mem Elite Havana CUB (8), 18.06.2010
REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME

FM Castellano rules 5th leg of PACE Active Open Chess

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FIDE MASTER Christopher Castellano of Cainta, Rizal settled for a truce against Jonathan Bayron of La Union after 30 moves of Scandinavian Defense using the disadvantageous black pieces in the seventh and final round to emerged over-all champion in the 5th leg of Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) Active Open Chess Championship, which ended Sunday night at the PACE headquarters , 2nd Floor 56 Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City.

Castellano, a U.P. Music Tenor graduate scored unbeaten 6.5 points in six outings and a draw to enroute the coveted chess title, top prize of P4,000 plus elegant trophy courtesy of PACE founding head two-time Olympian GM Jayson Gonzales and supervised by NAPCA head national arbiter Boyet Tardecilla.

Among the Philippine Artist Champion Castellano victims that includes Fide Master Raymond Salcedo, Sheider Nebato, Mervin Lumidao, National Master Julius Sinangote, Ferdinand Palermo and Raul Villate.

Bayron and Lumidao settled for a tied for 2nd to 3rd placers with 5.5 points each. Rounding up to the top nine finishes with 5 points each are Nebato, Roel Abelgas, Dandel Fernandez, Sonny Dela Rosa, NM Mirabeau Maga and Jose Aquino Jr.

Roberto Biron scored 4.5 pointers for the top 10 spot after the tie break points was applied, the same output of Ritchie Evangelista, Jerad Docena and John Ranel Morazo.

Shell Active NCR Leg - Laguna Chess Perspectives

BY: ANTHONY NAVARRO
(Chess Windows Laguna correspondent)

Photo sourced from pinoychessinforme

The Shell Active NCR Eliminations was successfully conducted last June 26-27,2010 at the SM Megamall by the Shell team headed by Alex Dinoy and his tried and tested core of chess arbiters and handlers led by IA Gene Poliarco and Roy Madayag.

There were about 277 entries in the Kiddies / U-14 and about 223 entries in the Juniors / U-20 categories which necessitated a welcome change in format to 9 rounds for the Kiddies and 8 rounds for the Juniors to have more decisive outcomes. Compared to last year's edition which was done at the MOA, this year had an earlier start for round 1,more space around the venue for parents/coaches, and fully airconditioned. There were the usual challenges like working around the limited space allowed for the Activity Center and an improvement area on the pairings postings. This is the 18th edition of the longest running and biggest chess program in the country, and those in the chess community were relieved it pushed through despite the earlier challenges.

In the Kiddies Division, the top 3 who qualified to the National Finals were Jerad Docena and Kenneth Baltazar with 8pts while Gio Mejia bagged the 3rd slot with 7.5 points with higher tiebreak points. In the 9th and final rounds, FEU's Evangelista and Docena had a fighting draw at the top table, while Baltazar and Mejia also drew in table 2. Calamba, Laguna's pride Christian Nanola pulled out a win at table 3 over John Margarito and also finished with 7.5 points but had to settle for 4th place after the tiebreak. Alexis Osena of Quezon bagged the top female award with 7 points, edging out Calamba's Michelle Yaon due to tiebreak. Santa Rosa's Nikko Minguez was the lone juniors player in our group, and finished a respectable 5pts in 8 rounds for 42nd place.

Well, onwards to the next elimination legs. The Tuguegarao leg is being conducted this past weekend, while the Batangas leg will be on July 17 and 18. See you there!

As to the rest of the Laguna players, here is how they fared :

Michelle Yaon Calamba 7.0 pts
Shania Mae Mendoza Santa Rosa 6.0
Christian Michael Navarro CDBS Binan 5.5
Jasper Marce Santa Rosa 5.5
Mark James Marcellana Santa Rosa 5.0
Daniel Vincent Navarro CDBS Binan 4.5
Tetsuo Otsuka Jr CDBS Binan 4.5
Jonash Espiritu CDBS Binan 4.0
Emman Espiritu CDBS Binan 4.0
Paolo Espiritu CDBS Binan 4.0
Kimberly Shane Gacusan Calamba 3.0

18th Shell National Youth Active Chess-NCR Leg results (Juniors Division)

(Source: pinoychessinforme)

Organizer(s) : PILIPINAS SHELL
Tournament Director : ALEXANDER E. DINOY
Chief or supervising arbiter : IA GENE POLIARCO
Arbiter : IA R Yutuc, J Rabe, R. Cruz, M. Samaniego, G. Luz, R. Caluya, E. Prado
Town : Event Center, Lower ground floor, SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City
Rating-Ø : 1476
Date : 2010/06/21

Final Rankings

Rank Name Club Pts Res. BH. SB. Fide vict
1 TURQUEZA Mari Joseph ST. BENILDE 7 0 43½ 36.75 33½ 6
2 NEBATO Sheider FEU 7 0 43 36.00 32 7
3 PEREZ Adrian 7 0 39 35.50 28 7
4 SALCEDO Richelieu RTU 7 0 39 33.00 32 7
5 REYES Narquingden D. BENILDE 7 0 39 31.00 33 7
6 GALAN Jan Nigel H. LSGH 6½ 0 44 34.00 34 6
7 FLORENDO Patrick Erle V. UST 6½ 0 42½ 32.50 29½ 6
8 MERCADO Jayson V. SSC 6½ 0 40½ 32.25 30½ 6
9 RAVAGO Jeffrey O. ARELLANO 6½ 0 37½ 29.25 27½ 6
10 MIRANO Kevin T. FEU 6 0 42½ 28.00 28 6
11 CHAVEZ JR. Antonio FEU 6 0 42 29.50 32½ 5
12 RAPANOT Alfred FEU 6 0 41 29.50 30 5
13 PILARTA Willbert A. UP 6 0 41 27.75 31½ 5
14 CASIL JR. Daniel P. ADAMSON U 6 0 39 28.50 28 6
15 SO KUA Timothy John S. ADAMSON U 6 0 38½ 26.50 26 6
16 DALAUTA Christopher Randolph M. RTU 6 0 38½ 24.00 28 6
17 PLAN VII Emmanuel Neil Jonathan ADMU 6 0 38 22.50 27 6
18 PUNZALAN Michael N. ARELLANO U 6 0 36½ 24.00 25 6
19 RICO Jonathan Adam A. UP 6 0 35½ 26.50 23 6
20 VEGAFRIA Jewello John FRANCISCO G NEPOMUCENOHS 6 0 34 22.00 25 6
21 REYES Einnar Marc L. ADAMSON U 6 0 33 23.00 24½ 5
22 SANCHEZ Daniel Elijah S. ADAMSON U 6 0 32 24.00 24 6
23 LAGULA Mc Dominique FEU 6 0 31 23.50 24 6
24 FLORES Christian UP 5½ 0 39½ 24.75 25½ 5
25 SALGADOS Lennon Hart FEU 5½ 0 39½ 20.75 27½ 5
26 RUAYA Virgen Gil C. TNHS 5½ 0 39 24.25 26½ 5
27 MIRANO Jan Francis T. ARELLANO U 5½ 0 38½ 22.75 27 5
28 BARCELON Ronald Allan B. SAN BEDA 5½ 0 38½ 16.25 20 5
29 BALTAZAR Michael Kevin A. PCCR 5½ 0 37½ 25.25 27 5
30 SUEDE Akiko Charmaine DLSU 5½ 0 37 23.75 27 5
31 SOLER Quinna Louise B. NU 5½ 0 37 23.25 25 5
32 ROMERO Giovanni Cyrene 5½ 0 37 22.00 26½ 3
33 REYES JR. Ferdinand R. ADAMSON U 5½ 0 36½ 23.25 26½ 5
34 TIU Sherwin A. 5½ 0 36 24.75 25½ 5
35 MANANSALA Chaeles Irvin H. FAITH 5½ 0 36 21.00 25 5
36 AGUILAR Michael DLSU 5½ 0 35½ 22.75 24 5
37 CRISTOBAL Kristian Paulo SSC 5½ 0 35½ 22.50 27 4
38 CRUZ Jared B. TAYTAY NHS 5½ 0 35 20.50 22½ 5
39 MEDINA Vince Angelo FEU 5½ 0 34½ 22.75 27 5
40 CORONEL Aldous Roy V. SSC 5½ 0 33½ 22.25 25½ 5
41 SENORA Roma Reigner FEU 5½ 0 33 16.75 26 5
42 MINGUEZ Jan Nikko S. UPHC 5 0 41 22.50 25 5
43 MENDOZA Harmond C. HOLY ANGEL 5 0 40 24.50 25 5
44 FRONDA Jude Emil UST 5 0 40 22.75 29½ 4
45 GRAVILLO Norvin L. NU 5 0 39½ 20.50 27 5
46 BIAG Ranilo Gil C. UERM 5 0 38½ 22.50 25½ 4
47 NAZARIO Marc 5 0 38½ 19.50 26 5
48 ZACARIAS John Nicholo L. UST 5 0 38 20.00 25½ 4
49 DACANAY Steven UST 5 0 38 19.00 25 5
50 REYES Narquingel D. BENILDE 5 0 38 18.00 27 5
51 PICCIO John Isaac T. LETRAN 5 0 36½ 20.25 22½ 4
52 GUYA Ali ADAMSON U 5 0 36 19.00 25 5
53 MEDINA Lovely FEU 5 0 36 17.50 22½ 4
54 SARIGUMBA Nathan Matthew P ADMU 5 0 35½ 23.00 25½ 4
55 ROMERO Gladys Hazelle MABINI 5 0 35 17.00 22 5
56 BERSAMINA Joseph FEU 5 0 35 13.50 24 5
57 CERRADO Jo Nikka V. TERESA NHS 5 0 34 17.50 22 5
58 PORRAS IV Francisco RTU 5 0 33½ 20.50 21 5
59 MENDOZA Christian B. DLSLIPA 5 0 33½ 18.00 23 5
60 YNGAYO Nikki Erica FEU 5 0 33 16.00 20 4
61 ALFONSO Jeremiah FEU 5 0 32½ 19.50 24 4
62 UCOL Shiela Marie Y. NU 5 0 32½ 14.25 23½ 4
63 CHUA Ian Ferdinand C. SAN BEDA 5 0 32½ 12.00 19 5
64 ROVILLOS Kenneth Martin ADAMSON U 5 0 31 17.50 22 5
65 DELA CRUZ Marlyn 5 0 30 17.00 17 5
66 LIGON Francis NU 5 0 29 16.50 18 5
67 ALBARAN Mike Angelo MUNTINLUPA NHS 5 0 29 13.00 17 5
68 ACOBA Kerby A. 5 0 28½ 16.00 17 5
69 ANASTACIO Benz Mckinley S. NU 4½ 0 43 22.25 26 4
70 BARCELON Bryan B. SAN BEDA 4½ 0 40½ 20.75 26½ 4
71 ALBELAR Kritz L. RTU 4½ 0 39½ 18.50 28 4
72 LOZANO Arvie RTU 4½ 0 38 17.25 22½ 4
73 JONGKO Arvie B. SSC 4½ 0 36½ 21.25 20 4
74 UMALI Mark Anthony G. DLSLIPA 4½ 0 36½ 17.75 23 4
75 LISING Jesus Benjamin M. 4½ 0 36 20.75 22 4
76 JACINTO Alexis Enrico R PCU 4½ 0 35½ 18.50 20 4
77 CORAJE Hiezel S. NU 4½ 0 35½ 14.25 24 4
78 MALAYBA Eric C. DLSLIPA 4½ 0 35 18.75 24½ 4
79 SARDOVAL Marjune C. PCCR 4½ 0 35 17.25 20 4
80 CASTRO Juan Claudio SAN BEDA 4½ 0 34 15.75 22 4
81 SIDAYA Jollibee DLSU 4½ 0 33½ 17.50 22 3
82 MABASA Marco Jay M. PMI 4½ 0 33 18.25 17½ 3
83 CASIMINA Charmaine A. DLSLIPA 4½ 0 32½ 17.25 22 4
84 CORANEZ Aldwin A. FAITH 4½ 0 32½ 14.75 20 4
85 MAGPANTAY Gervin M. FAITH 4½ 0 31 15.25 18½ 4
86 RAMOS Alfonso LSGH 4½ 0 31 14.75 21½ 4
87 MAGNO Judy Ann RTU 4½ 0 30½ 16.25 20 4
88 GILBUENA Micky E. 4½ 0 30 15.00 18 4
89 EVANGELISTA Ryan R. HOLY ANGEL 4½ 0 29½ 12.25 15½ 4
90 CANEDA Rafael D. DASMARINAS 4½ 0 29½ 10.75 19½ 4
91 SANTOS Jennivie M.feu FEU 4½ 0 29 12.00 18 4
92 FULCHER Steve ADMU 4½ 0 28 12.75 16½ 4
93 GOMEZ Michael Angelo C. GEN. PIO DEL PILAR 4½ 0 28 11.50 15½ 4
94 DANDAN Tristan Wayne S. PERPETUAL 4½ 0 27 13.25 16 4
95 DE JESUS Normel Benigno R. STO NINO 4 0 39½ 17.00 23 3
96 GUTIERREZ Jaymarc G. ARELLANO 4 0 38½ 17.75 21 3
97 CAPINPIN Nikki P. ADMU 4 0 36½ 14.75 19½ 3
98 SOLER Nico Occine B. ADAMSON U 4 0 36 14.25 25 3
99 RICO Eva Marion A. SAN JOSE NHS 4 0 36 13.50 19 4
100 GONZALES John Stephen A. RTU 4 0 36 13.00 19 4
101 POLLERO Nelson P. PCCR 4 0 35 14.50 20 4
102 NERI Wilfred Vergel T. ARELLANO U 4 0 34½ 12.00 18½ 3
103 GERON Crizelle C. NU 4 0 33½ 16.00 22 4
104 ALBO Roland F. UNIV. RIZAL SYSTEM 4 0 33½ 13.25 18 3
105 DIAMZON Christine R. HOLY ANGEL U 4 0 33 13.00 16 4
106 VILLA Enrica HOLY ANGEL 4 0 33 12.50 20 3
107 JOSE Leoneris Mira 4 0 32½ 11.50 17 4
108 MARIANO Kristine D. ADMU 4 0 32½ 11.00 21½ 3
109 STA RITA Eloisa D. 4 0 32½ 11.00 19 4
110 CAYANAN Mark Joseph DLSU 4 0 32½ 7.00 17 4
111 RAMOS Antonito LSGH 4 0 31½ 13.00 15½ 3
112 MEDINA Andrea DLSLIPA 4 0 31½ 9.50 18 4
113 BAUTISTA Vangielyn H. ARELLANO 4 0 31 14.00 16 4
114 LAYUGAN Gabriel R. ADMU 4 0 31 12.50 18 4
115 NUESTRO Angelo Joshua P. DLSU 4 0 31 12.50 17 4
116 DONGUINES Mark Fernan G. BENILDE 4 0 31 12.50 16 4
117 CALATA Joseph Bryan O. DLSLIPA 4 0 31 9.00 18 4
118 REYES Queenielyn D. NU 4 0 31 9.00 15 4
119 DAVILA Joaquin R. ADMU 4 0 30½ 12.50 15 4
120 VELASCO Ralph Anthony C. MAYPAJO 4 0 30 13.00 18 4
121 CRUZ JR. Renato B. TAYTAY NHS 4 0 30 11.75 18½ 3
122 AGOHOB Rollyn S. SJDM 4 0 30 11.25 17½ 3
123 AGUSTIN Jhonel 4 0 30 9.50 16 4
124 ZAMORA Alden Jerald M. HOLY ANGEL 4 0 29½ 8.00 19 3
125 DACUT Allan A. PCCR 4 0 28 11.75 15½ 3
126 PRUDENTE Luke O. MARIST 4 0 27½ 10.25 16½ 3
127 BAUTISTA Vergielyn H. ARELLANO 4 0 25½ 9.00 13 4
128 TEJADA Arvin S. DLSLIPA 4 0 25 10.00 13 4
129 VILLAFLOR Sandy Marie T. FEU 4 0 24½ 8.00 14 4
130 VALENZUELA Nigel Keruvin V. SSC 3½ 0 36 14.25 21 3
131 DE LEON John Kristoffferson M. ARELLANO 3½ 0 34½ 10.25 15½ 3
132 GARCIA Paul Edward S. PCCR 3½ 0 33½ 8.50 17½ 3
133 ANDAN John Claude M. ADMU 3½ 0 32½ 5.00 16 3
134 YUTUC John Matthew RTU 3½ 0 32 7.75 19½ 3
135 CANADA Vianca Camille UST 3½ 0 31½ 10.75 15 3
136 SUEDE Mikee Charlene LETRAN 3½ 0 31 9.50 18½ 3
137 CASTRO Arman M. HOLY ANGEL 3½ 0 30½ 9.75 13 3
138 MANAHAN Edric R. ADMU 3½ 0 30 6.50 11½ 3
139 ADRIANO Paul Mark SAN BEDA 3½ 0 30 5.00 18 3
140 SAMONTE Eugene M. TAGUIG SCIENCE HS 3½ 0 29½ 8.75 18 3
141 CORPIN Justin David Q. DON ROCES 3½ 0 29½ 8.25 15 3
142 CABALLERO Jaeric P. FAITH 3½ 0 28½ 9.75 14 3
143 DADO Darell John G. PERPETUAL 3½ 0 28½ 7.25 9 3
144 TALAPIAN Surewin D. TONDO HS 3½ 0 27½ 10.75 13 3
145 DIZON Joselle A. HOLY ANGEL 3½ 0 27½ 8.25 14½ 3
146 MAGTIBAY Francis Gerard C. DLSLIPA 3½ 0 25½ 9.00 10½ 2
147 MOLINES Mina Angelika R. DR ARCADIO SANTOS 3½ 0 25½ 8.25 17½ 3
148 CABUGAO Earl Nathaniel G. LSGH 3½ 0 25½ 5.75 10½ 3
149 TEECHINGCHON Ryan Ray M. HOLY ANGEL 3½ 0 24½ 7.00 11½ 3
150 WHIGAN Eunice Joy ADAMSON U 3½ 0 20 8.25 11 3
151 PEREZ Gianne ADAMSON U 3 0 38 13.00 18 3
152 DUQUE Cherry Mae P. CAVITE STAT U 3 0 34½ 12.50 15 3
153 CHENG Hanz Martin C. ADMU 3 0 34 9.50 16 3
154 LACUESTA Joy Noreen T. HOLY ANGEL 3 0 34 9.50 14 3
155 KARIM Ysmael R. ARELLANO 3 0 33½ 12.00 16 3
156 DELA CRUZ Jon Ira LAKANDULA 3 0 32½ 6.00 18 3
157 LAHOZ Miguel B. LSGH 3 0 31½ 7.50 12 3
158 MANERO Marc Angelo J. PERPETUAL 3 0 31 9.25 16½ 2
159 CRISMO Joshua Hesed G. PUP 3 0 30½ 11.00 15 3
160 PAJARILLO Lovely DLSU 3 0 30 6.00 10 3
161 SOPUNGCO Aaron S. ADMU 3 0 29 8.00 11 3
162 GUIBAO Aaron Paul T. 3 0 29 7.50 13 3
163 DE JESUS Justine Nicole M. SSC 3 0 28 4.00 11 3
164 DULCE Nairedeth A. ADAMSON U 3 0 27½ 7.00 10 3
165 BABATIO Marilou B. ADAMSON U 3 0 27½ 3.00 10 3
166 CASIANO Allesandra P. COLEGIO DE STA. PHILOMNA 3 0 26½ 4.00 12 3
167 TALUSAN Bianca Kristine R. ST. PAUL COLLEGE 3 0 26 2.75 12 1
168 CRUZ Jay Carlo S. DLSU 3 0 25½ 7.50 12 3
169 VALENCIA Lyann Angel M. HOLY ANGEL 3 0 25 7.50 13 3
170 MADRIAGA Mae Nova Jean L. ARELLANO 3 0 25 6.50 8 3
171 PRADO Matheo Genesis S. HOLY CHILD CATHOLIC SC 3 0 24½ 5.00 12 3
172 DELA CRUZ Melvin S. FORT BONIFACIO HS 3 0 23½ 4.50 9 2
173 SAQUING Janine Krishna A. UE 3 0 23½ 3.50 8 3
174 DELA CRUZ Clarissa GUAGUA 3 0 23 6.25 7½ 2
175 SONGCUYA Emmanuel Eumir Ii DLSU 2½ 0 34 8.75 17 2
176 VILLANUEVA Joyce DLSDASMA 2½ 0 33 8.25 16½ 2
177 MADRID Adrian D. ARELLANO 2½ 0 30½ 7.25 16 2
178 NUESTRO Angelo Ezekiel H. LSGH 2½ 0 30 7.50 16½ 2
179 SALVADOR Louie E. SSC 2½ 0 28½ 5.75 16 2
180 MANALAD Rogieford B. SSC 2½ 0 28 7.25 13½ 2
181 BOTTOMLEY Mary Ann FG CALDERON 2½ 0 28 5.75 9 2
182 SALTORIO Joannah Marie M. NU 2½ 0 27½ 5.50 12 2
183 FERRER John Paul Aloveel C. LSGH 2½ 0 26 7.75 12 2
184 ALGABA JR, Pedro Rogelio FAITH 2½ 0 24 3.00 5 2
185 VELASQUEZ Ralph Lester C. FIAT LUX ACADEMY 2½ 0 24 2.75 9½ 1
186 BARBA Paulink C. PERPETUAL 2½ 0 22½ 2.75 6½ 2
187 SARCO Jake D. NU 2 0 35 9.50 15 2
188 TANAMOR Mark Anthony PUP 2 0 34½ 8.50 14 2
189 ANDAL Mary Kay Camille P. DLSLIPA 2 0 30½ 7.00 13½ 1
190 ALAWI Jaycar B PCU 2 0 30½ 6.50 13 2
191 SABINIAN Rachelle T. HOLY ANGEL 2 0 30 4.00 9 2
192 FUERTE Claire Floreli P. ADMU 2 0 30 2.00 8 2
193 ALFONSO Justine Claire S. ST PAUL COLLEGE 2 0 28½ 4.25 7½ 1
194 SORIANO Delfin Jaime st. marys 2 0 28 6.75 13½ 1
195 DATU Nino D. LETRAN 2 0 27 6.00 15 2
196 SALTORIO Jolina Mae M. NU 2 0 27 5.00 9 2
197 VALENZUELA Ranella Augistina V. FLORENTINO TORRES HS 2 0 25 6.50 11 2
198 OGUAN Jherson C. GOV. FERRER MHS 2 0 25 6.00 11 2
199 QUE Ernest Joseph P. PERPETUAL 2 0 24½ 4.50 11 2
200 YAP Vincent Aldrin A. NU 1½ 0 32 5.75 11 1
201 APOSTOL Emil S. ADMU 1½ 0 32 1.75 7½ 1
202 DONGUINES Peter Lev G PASIG SCIENCE HS 1½ 0 31 3.75 10½ 1
203 RUIZ Arlene NU 1½ 0 28½ 6.00 10 1
204 REYES III Abelardo F. MALABON NHS 1½ 0 28½ 3.75 4½ 1
205 SALTORIO Jerome M. PLM 1½ 0 27½ 4.75 9½ 1
206 BERNARDEZ Aron Nathaniel E. SAN BEDA 1½ 0 27½ 2.25 8½ 1
207 SAN ANTONIO Paula Angeline P. NU 1½ 0 24½ 3.75 7½ 1
208 CAOILE Mira Corinne B. ADMU 1½ 0 21½ 1.50 6 1
209 BOLIVAR Jess Tony PLM 1 0 33½ 0.00 5 1
210 MENDONEZ Alexander Jude B. LSGH 1 0 29 3.00 7 1
211 CARBON Aldrin E. PCU 1 0 27 2.00 7 1
212 DATU Ma. Perla D. SAN JUAN NHS 1 0 27 0.00 6 1
213 SALAZAR John Emil M. SAN BEDA 1 0 26 1.50 7 1
214 DOMINGO JR. Ernesto Javier BSU ½ ½ 29½ 0.25 4 0
215 DELOS SANTOS Tyrone M. ADAMSON U ½ ½ 22½ 0.25 4 0
216 GERALDINO Reyandlee G. TUP 0 0 32 0.00 0 0
217 SOSUAN Franco A. SHSC 0 0 31 0.00 0 0
218 LAXAMANA Camille P. HOLY ANGEL 0 0 29½ 0.00 0 0
219 ABALOS Ronnipher R. PMI 0 0 29 0.00 0 0
ESTANDIAN Y. Dustin James RTU 0 0 29 0.00 0 0
MARARAC Marivic M. SAN ISIDRO NHS 0 0 29 0.00 0 0
222 ILAO Patrick SAN BEDA 0 0 27½ 0.00 0 0
223 FERNANDEZ Alyssa Marie F. CHILDREN OF MARY IMM 0 0 26 0.00 0 0

GM So is world's No.60

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FILIPINO teenage chess sensation Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So continues to climb the world chess rankings.

The Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid, the seventh youngest in the world to obtain the GM title, gained 9 points in the 3rd Phoenix Battle of the Grandmaster in Tagaytay City and 9th Asian Continental Men's Championship in Subic to climb up from his previous 64th world placing last May to 60th this month with a total 2674 Elo rating points.

The 16-year old So is now No. 7 in the world in the U-20 (active players) category and No. 2 in Asia in the same category. Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem tote 2681.
"I would like to break the 2700 Elo barrier and step into the 2800," said So in an interview.

"I’m sure he would have a chance to break into the world 2700 barrier," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines president/ chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
Twelve-time national open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.,GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, IM Roland Salvador, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre, GM Joseph Sanchez,GM Mark Paragua, IM Julio Catalino Sadorra and IM Oliver Barbosa are the next top RP players with ratings of 2575, 2527, 2522, 2498, 2489, 2479, 2476, 2473 and 2458 respectively.

Former Asian Junior champion and Arizona, USA-based Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla not listed in the "active player chart" remains International Master (IM) despite he completed already his third and final GM norm.

The Philippines, meantime, No. 35 in the FIDE Country Top chess players list, with an average rating of 2517 points. The country listed 10 GMs, 25 IMs, and 61 titled players. Russia remains on top with 2734 average rating points as it listed 203 GMs, 467 IMs, and 1,953 titled players.

Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen remains world's no.1 player with 2826 points followed by Bulgarian GM Veselin Topalov, Indian GM Viswanathan Anand, Russian GM Vladimir Kramnik and Armenian GM Levon Aronian with 2803, 2800,2790 and 2783, in order.
Hungarian Judith Polgar is still No.1 in the distaff side with 2682.

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.

Magnificent Magnus

BY: BOBBY ANG

(Abridged version of Chess Piece, BusinessWorld, 02 July 2010)

4th Kings Tournament
Medias, Romania
June 14-25, 2010

Final Standings
1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2813, 7.5/10
2-3 GM Teimour Radjabov AZE 2740, GM Boris Gelfand ISR 2741, 5.5/10
4 GM Ruslan Ponomariov UKR 2733, 4.5/10
5 GM Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu ROU 2672, 4.0/10
6 GM Wang Yue CHN 2752, 3.0/10

Average ELO 2742
Category 20 Tournament

Time Control: 120 minutes for first 40 moves, 60 minutes for next 20 moves, 15 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 second increment to start on the 61st move.

Top 10 Standings in the world after this tournament:
1 GM Magnus Carlsen NOR 2826.4
2 GM Veselin Topalov BUL 2803.4
3 GM Viswanathan Anand IND 2799.8
4 GM Vladimir Kramnik RUS 2790.0
5 GM Lev Aronian ARM 2783.0
6 GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov AZE 2761.4
7 GM Alexander Grischuk RUS 2760.0
8 GM Pavel Eljanov UKR 2754.9
9 GM Alexei Shirov ESP 2748.6
10 GM Teimour Radjabov AZE 2748.3

Magnus Carlsen distanced himself further from his rating pursuers with a great victory in the Kings Tournament in Romania and pushed his ELO rating to 2826.4, the second highest ever in history. The record is held by Garry Kasparov, 2851 in 1999 (he was 36 years old at that time). Garry started off that year in Wijk aan Zee winning the so-called Game of the Millennium against Topalov and carried on with his inspired play, winning every tournament he had participated in, often with huge margins.

The Kings Tournament was Magnus’ first serious tournament after winning the 2010 Corus Wijk aan Zee event and his appearance was much awaited. He cruised along with draws in the early rounds but then started a 4-game win streak by surprising Wang Yue with a Kings Gambit in round 3 followed by victories over Nisipeanu, Ponomariov and Radjabov. He capped off the event by once again destroying Wang Yue in the last round. Carlsen is only 19 and still getting stronger by the tournament. It is not that far-fetched that he will continue this level of performance and hit 2900 within the next 2 years.

Kasparov and Carlsen went about their climb up the ELO rating ladder in different ways.

In 1999 the information age had not quite caught up with the chess world yet and Kasparov with his very strong analytical team and appreciation of the wonders of chess databases had a big advantage over everybody. He would hit them with theoretical novelties and emerge from the opening with some sort of advantage, even if only a tiny one like more mobility. His magnificent skills would take over and take care of the rest.

Nowadays everybody has a laptop and gigantic four-million games databases with everything classified per opening, so you would be on equal footing come the start of play. Magnus Carlsen is theoretically well-prepared, but getting a plus or minus from the opening is irrelevant for him. Magnus will refuse to take a draw and proceed to outplay you in the middlegame or endgame.

Of course, he will once in a while win ala Kasparov:

Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter (2672) -- Carlsen,Magnus (2813) [B76]
Kings’ Tournament Medias Bazna/Romania (5), 19.06.2010
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Nisipeanu resigned because of 31...Rd1+ 32.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33.Ka2 Re1 his king is going to get it.