Stunning upset

Adhiban stuns Wesley So in Asian Individual Chess
PTI | May 6, 2011, 10.23am IST

MASHHAD (IRAN): Grandmaster B Adhiban of India crashed through the defenses of ace Filipino Wesley So in the fourth round to occupy the joint third position in the Asian Individual Chess championship.

After a sedate start, Adhiban rose in contention for a place in the next World Cup with a masterly display that left his higher ranked opponent shocked.

The victory meant Adhiban is just half a point behind the leaders.

At the top of the tables, Grandmaster P Harikrishna played out a draw with Bu Xiangzhi of China to also inch to three points.

With 3.5 points, Xiangzhi was joined at the top by compatriot Yu Yangyi. The two Chinese will now clash against each other in the next round.

Another Indian in fray, Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi put aside his previous round loss against Xiangzhi and bounced back to beat Wen Yang of China.

Negi and Krishnan Sasikiran, who was held to a draw by Rinat Zumabayev of Kazakhstan, are also amongst those who have three points in their kitty.

The Indian challenge, however, suffered a serious setback in the women's section when top seed D Harika went down to Munguntuul Batkhuyag of Mongolia.

More here.

So remains top PH player

So, Antonio still top PH chess players

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 05/03/2011 4:24 PM | Updated as of 05/03/2011 6:44 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmasters (GM) Wesley So and Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. remains the country’s top chess players, according to the World Chess Federation’s (FIDE) Rating List as of May.

So, a chess prodigy from Cavite, remained among the Top 100 chess players of the world with an ELO rating of 2667.

The 12-time national open champion Antonio who hails from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, on the other hand, accumulated ELO rating of 2589.

"Nais kong sundan ang yapak nina Wesley at Mark na mabuwag ang 2600 ELO-barrier," he said.

So shared places with GM Luke Mc Shane of England for world's No.74 and 75 in the latest World ranking list, while Antonio was ranked world's no.253.

So also ranked no. 4 in the World’s Top Junior chess players.

“Target kong maabot ang 2700 ELO-mark,” said So, before his departure for Masshad, Iran to compete in the 10th Asian Individual chess championships at the Hotel Pardisan.

Joining them in the list of top-ranked Philippine players are:

• No.3 GM Mark Paragua (2542);
• No.4 GM Joseph Sanchez (2539);
• No.5 and No.6 GM Roland Salvador (2538) and GM John Paul Gomez (2538);
• No.7 GM Darwin Laylo (2516);
• No.8 IM Oliver Barbosa (2506);
• No.9 IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2498); and
• No.10 GM Eugene Torre (2495).

Meantime, Indian Super GM Viswanathan Anand occupied no.1 spot in the World’s Top 100 accumulating 2817 points.

Hungarian Super GM Judit Polgar dominated the distaff side with 2699.

Italian Super GM Fabiano Caruana (2714) and Chinese Super GM Yifan You (2612) both led the World’s Top Junior and Top 20 Girls list, respectively. – Report by Marlon Bernardino

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoys make bid in Asian Individual Championship

Grandmaster So, 5 other Pinoys make bid in Asian Individual chessfest

05/01/2011 | 11:40 PM

Grandmaster Wesley So faces another major test when he opens his bid in the 10 th Asian Individual chess championships at the Hotel Pardisan in Masshad, Iran, on May 2-10.

So, the country’s highest-rated player in history with an ELO of 2667, will be one of six Filipino players seeing action in the prestigious competition being held to determine the region’s four representatives to the 2011 World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia later this year.

The 16-year-old Filipino champion is seeded fourth in the men’s tournament behind GMs Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan (ELO 2687), Krishnan Sasikiran of India (ELO 2682) and Bu Xiangzhi of China (ELO 2677).

The other Filipino players vying for the title and the US$6,000 prize are GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. (ELO 2589), Mark Paragua (ELO 2547), John Paul Gomez (ELO 2538), and Darwin Laylo (ELO 2516), and International Master Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2506).

Except for Paragua and Barbosa, the four other Filipino players are fresh from competing in the Asian Cities chess championship in Jakarta, Indonesia where they finished in a tie for fourth place.

More here.

Slow start for Tagaytay

Slow start for Tagaytay

Published : Sunday, April 24, 2011 00:00

Article Views : 20

JAKARTA, Indonesia-- Win some, lose some for Tagaytay.

Led by GM Wesley So and Rogelio Antonio Jr., second seed Tagaytay whipped Tarakan (Indonesia), 4-0, in the first round but dropped a shocking 1.5-2.5 decision to Palembang (Indonesia) the following round at the start of the 17th Asian Cities chess team championship at the Kartika Chandra Hotel here Saturday.

So typified the Filipinos’ rollercoaster start in the prestigious, week-long competition which attracted 24 teams from 15 countries. winning over WGM Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Tarakan in the first round Friday but losing to little-known FM Rudin Hamdani of Palembang in the second round Saturday.

So, the highest-rated player here with an ELO of 2667, had an easy win over Sukandar (ELO 2354) but surprisingly struggled against Hamdani (ELO 2368) in the second round.

Antonio swept his first two assignments over WFM Aulia Medina of Tarakan and IM Taufik Halay of Palembang to lead the Filipinos’ bid to win the title which they last won during the 14th edition in Manila in 2002.

GM John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo also failed to get going in the second round despite winning their opening-day assignments against the all-female team from Tarakan.

Gomez demolished WFM Monica Sihite of Tarakan in the first round but was held to a draw by IM Tirto of Palembang, while Laylo crushed WFM Citra Dewi of Tarakan but lost to untitled Hakiki Kaisar of Palembang.

Full article here.

So-led Team Tagaytay wins

So-led Team Tagaytay wins in Asian Cities Chess

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 04/23/2011 9:45 PM | Updated as of 04/23/2011 9:45 PM

MANILA, Philippines -- The Tagaytay Team started strong in the 17th Asian Cities Chess Championship, pulling off a 4-0 victory against the 13th seeded, all-women Tarakan team at the Kartika Chandra Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia on Good Friday.

The Tagaytay Team, composed of Grandmasters (GMs) Wesley So, Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo, swept their Indonesian rivals on the opening day.

This put the 2nd-seeded Filipinos among the early leaders in the event organized by Asian Chess Federation in cooperation with the Indonesia Youth and Sports Ministry.

The 17-year-old So dumped Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Irine Kharisma Sukandar on Board 1 to usher in the Filipinos’ rampage.

Antonio, the 12-time National Open champion, trounced Woman Fide Master (WFM) Warda Aulia Medina on Board 2.

The Biñan, Laguna ace Gomez nipped WFM Chelsie Monica Sihite on Board 3, while Laylo crushed WFM Aa Dewi Citra on Board 4.

"So far, so good, we are looking forward to another banner year for the Philippine chess team," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

"Let's hope and pray that Tagaytay can bring home again the coveted title they first won in 2002," he said.

Full article here.

Moving up

GMs So, Antonio, Salvador hike FIDE rating points
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 10:25:00 01/01/2011

GRANDMASTERS Wesley So, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Roland Salvador are the biggest gainers in the latest Philippine-World Chess Federation (RP-FIDE) rankings, which will be officially released today.

So, the Bacoor-based whiz kid collected 4 more points to tally 2673 Elo rating points from his previous 2669 total.

So’s rating was boosted by the 4 points he garnered in the 2010 Spice Cup Fall Double Round Robin in Lubbock, Texas last October.

“I would like to break the 2700 Elo barrier and step into the 2800,” said So in an interview at the opening of the Young Knights Chess League in Ortigas. His highest rating was 2674 in July 2010.

Antonio, of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and a 12-time national open champion, climbed to 2589 from his previous 2573 rating to come closer to his quest of barging the elite circle of Super GMs or those with Elo ratings of 2600 and up.

Salvador, the former Rizal Technological University (RTU) standout, moved to solo third place among PH chessers with a new Elo rating of 2533 from 2527, thanks mainly to his magnificent performance last November where he won a tough tournament in Italy.

“My aim is to increase my Elo rating to 2550 next year,” said Salvador, who decided to return to Manila after a six-year campaign in Europe. “I would like to thank Chairman (Prospero) Pichay for his undying support to Philippine chess,” he added.

Salvador paid a courtesy call to Pichay last Tuesday at the LWUA office where the latter gave him a laptop computer plus pocket money, hotel accommodation and round trip tickets for Vietnam for a top chess meet there next month.

Other Pinoy chessers with top rankings include GM Darwwin Laylo (2527 minus 11.5), GM John Paul Gomez (2522 plus 5), GM Joseph Sanchez (2517 minus 1.5), GM Mark Paragua (2509 plus 11.7), GM Eugene Torre (2484 plus 10.7), IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2473 plus 10.4), IM Richard Bitoon (2461) and IM Oliver Barbosa (2451 plus 10).

Because the Elo rating points is set to change on January 1, 2011, the the final rankings will be No.4 is Gomez (2527), No.5 is Paragua (2521), No.6 and 7 are Laylo and Sanchez (2515), No.8 Torre (2495), No.9 Sadorra (2483), No.10 and 11 are Bitoon and Barbosa (2461).

Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net

So finished with a perfect score of 6 points

So captures Young Knights chess title
January 1, 2011, 4:23pm

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Wesley So beat FIDE Master Julius Joseph de Ramos in the sixth and final round to rule the just-ended Young Knights League at Eton Cyberpod Corinthian, EDSA corner Ortigas Ave., Pasig City.

So finished with a perfect score of 6 points to bring home the P20,000 top prize in the event organized by Metropolitan Chess Club (MCC) for past and present students of the Milo Checkmate program.

GM Ronald Dableo and National Master Leo Carlos tied for second place with 5 points while FM Emmanuel Garcia, Mari Joseph Turqueza and NM Jake dela Cruz shared fourth 4 points each.

Bunched in seventh spot were Samson Lim and NM Emmanuel Emperado with 3.5 points while the 3-pointers were FM Julius de Ramos; Vic Neil Villanueva; Timothy John So Kua; Miguel Lahoz; Kristain Paulo Cristobal; Claudio Olar Jr; Angelo Ray Macaraig; Jan Nigel Galan; Christian Flores; Mark Nazario; Gabriel Layugan; Alfonso Ramos and Eugene de Ramos.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph

Young Knights Chess League

Wesley heads MCC cast
December 25, 2010, 8:11pm

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Wesley So has confirmed his participation in the premier section of the Young Knights Chess League slated Dec. 29-30 at Eton Cyberpod Corinthian, Bldg. 2, located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Ave. across Robinson Galeria in Pasig City.

The tournament, which is exclusively for Milo Checkmate students who have attended the program since it was offered last 1990, is divided into three divisions, namely: Open/Advance (for titled players and untitled players), Intermediate/Beginner (for players whose ratings are below 1800) and the Preparatory (for Preps 1, 2 and 3).

It also offers two choices of schedule: two-day competition from Dec. 29-30 and the one-day affair set on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m.

At stake is a total pot of P90,000 with the champion in the Open getting P20,000, P4,500 in the Intermediate/Beginner and P2,500 in the Preparatory.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph

So, Gomez head Inter-Cities bidders

So, Gomez head Inter-Cities bidders
Wednesday, 08 December 2010 20:30

THREE members of the Philippine team which bagged the silver medal in the recent Asian Games chess team competitions in Guangzhou, China led the list of players in the coming National Inter-Cities and Municipalities chess team championship scheduled Dec. 18-19 at the People’s Astrodome in Dagupan City.

GMs Wesley So, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo will play top board for their respective teams during the two-day team competition organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Dagupan City government.

So will carry the banner of Makati, which will be supported by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Gomez will play for Quezon City, which will carry the banner of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)-A., while Laylo will carry the fight for Mandaluyong City.

“The entry of the three national players, who made the country proud in the recent Asian Games, will add luster to the season-ending tournament,” said NCFP president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay. “It will be a good weekend for chess in Dagupan City.”

The two other national team members -- GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Eugene Torre -- have not made themselves available yet.

Aside from Makati, Quezon City and Mandaluyong, more than 30 other cities and municipalities from various parts of the country have already confirmed their participation in the tournament, which offers a guaranteed cash prize of P70,000 to the champion.

Among the early registrants are Angeles City, Bacolod, Bataan, Binangonan, Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Camarines Sur, Cavite City-1, Cavite City-2, Davao, Laoag, Quezon City-B, Quezon City-C, Quezon City-PNP, La Union-1, La Union-2, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Naga, Nueva Ecija, Pasay, Pasig, Palawan, Tagaytay, Tuguegarao, Valenzuela and Vigan.

The team managers meeting is set at 10 a.m. on Dec. 18, while the opening ceremony is scheduled at 1 p.m. on the same day.

The champion in the prestigious, season-ending tournament will bring home the top prize of of P70,000 and trophy.

The runner-up and the third placer will receive P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.

The fourth up to the 10th placers will get P25,000, P20,000, P10,000, P8,000, P7,000, P6,000 and P5,000, respectively.

For inquiries, call NCFP secretariat at tel. 02-3817224 or call or text NCFP executive/event director Willie Abalos at cell. 0929-2266210 or Ilann Perez at cell. 0905-3269576 or Ms. Ana Mendoza of Dagupan City Mayor’s Office at cell . 0923-5127886 or 0939-3617282.

Special thanks to Ed Andaya for the information.

http://www.journal.com.ph

Earning Silver

Chess silver provides Pinoys final day luster
By Gerry Carpio
(The Philippine Star)
Updated November 27, 2010 12:00 AM

GUANGZHOU – The national chess players provided the last medal of the Philippine contingent – a silver – following a .5-3.5 loss to world No. 3 China but the medal was not enough to keep the Philippines at 17th place at the close of the XVI Asian Games.

GM Wesley So drew with GM Wang Yue on the top board to provide the half-point for Team Phl as GM John Paul Gomez took the board 2 assignment and bowed to Wang Hao and GMs Darwin Laylo and Eugene Torre lost to Zhou Jianchao and Ni Hua, respectively.

China’s gold medal win in the team event was its 182nd, one short of the 183 mustered by the Chinese contingent when Beijing hosted the quadrennial event 20 years ago.

Here is the full article.