by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines---Nakatutok si Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. sa titulo sa pagtulak ng P100,000 free registration GM/Atty. Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Online Chess Tournament (open division) sa Setyembre 26, 2021 virtually na gaganapin sa lichess.org. Platform.

Isang napakahirap na misyon na mapapasabak si Barcenilla kina 13-time Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna at International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Online Chess Rapid Championship Champion Fide Master (FM) Sander Severino.

Si Barcenilla na two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion sa Dubai at India at 1991 Bronze medalist sa World Juniors championship sa Romania ay dati ng naglaro sa GM Balinas kung saan siya ay tumapos ng second.

" It's been a while since I took part in a top level tournament and hopefully I would perform well," sabi ng Chandler, Arizona-based Barcenilla na tubong Cebu at Iligan City.

" My target this time is to get the title. It's a difficult task because I'm up against country's top woodpushers but I will just give my best shot in the tournament." dagdaga pa nia Barcenilla.
Si Barcenilla ang nagkampeon sa 2019 Philippines National Chess Championship na tinampukang Battle of the Grandmasters sa impressive fashion na ginanap sa Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE), 2nd floor, No. 56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6 isa Quezon City.

Dahil sa global pandemic na gawa ng Covid-19, nag desisyon ang World Chess Federation (FIDE) na hindi na ituloy nag actual r over the board chess competition subalit para maipagpatuloy ang laro ay pinatupad ang online chess competition.

Si Barcenilla ay naka scheduled na pangunahan ang inauguration champion Laguna Heroes sa third conference ng Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online tournament sa Setyembre 15, 2021.
Kalahok din sa event na inorganisa ng Bayanihan Chess Club sa pangunguna ng founding co chairman Dr. Joe Balinas at Engr. Antonio "Uncle Paps" Balinas na suportado ng GM Balinas Family ay sina International Masters Ricardo de Guzman, Angelo Young, Chito Garma, Barlo Nadera, Emmanuel Senador at Fide Masters Robert Suelo Jr., Alekhine Nouri, Jony Habla, Randy Segarra, Austin Jacob Literatus at Arden Reyes.

Masisilayan din sina National Masters Henry Roger Lopez, Cesar Mariano, Merben Roque, Carlos Edgardo Garma, Jake dela Cruz, Nick Nisperos, Robert Arellano, Ronald Llavanes, Noel dela Cruz, Elwin Retanal, Romeo Alcodia, Ivan Travis Cu, Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Al-Basher Buto at Oshrie Jhames "OJ" Constantino Reyes .-Marlon Bernardino-