by Marlon Bernardino
International Master (IM) Angelo Young (elo 2288), 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (elo 2427) and Fide Master (FM) Cesar Caturla (elo 2276) ended with fighting draw at the conclusion of the FIDE World Seniors 2019 Chess Championships at the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest, Romania on Saturday.
In the eleventh and final round, Young halving the point with Grandmaster (GM) Darcy Lima (elo 2540) of Brazil in 50 moves of Slav defense as did so Antonio opposite Sergei V. Ivanov (elo 2138) of Russia in 36 moves of Caro-Kann defense in the 50 and above category.
Caturla, on the other hand also split the point with Fide Master (FM) Lincoln Lucena (elo 2112) of Brazil in 66 moves of English Opening in the 65 over section.
Young tallied 7.5 points, shares 5th to 17th placers and overall 8th after the tie break points was applied while Antonio notch 6.5 points. He was tied at 26th to 37th placers overall 29th placers in the 50 and above category. Caturla, meantime was landed at overall 24th placers with 7.0 points. He was tied at 20th-31st placers.
The Filipinos chess campaign is by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair and CEO Andrea Domingo.-Marlon Bernardino-
by Marlon Bernardino
Second seed International Master (IM) Gilbert Tarigan and FIDE (FM) Master Tobing Lumban of Indonseia will leads Indonesian contingent to challenge defending champion and tournament top seed International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon of the Philippines when the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships gtes underway on December 9 to 16 at the Faith Academy in Malvar, Batangas.
In the girls division, Indonesian Ummi Fissabilillah is top pick ahead of defending champion Filipina (Woman International Master (WIM) Kylen Joy Mordido. Ummi will come directly from the SEA Games where she represents her country. Two other Indonesian girls are Woman Fide Master (WFM) Christine Elisabeth and Vania Vindy Chandra.
The tournament is organized by Active Chess Center for Asia, headed by Saturnino Belen Jr., under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and PAGCOR. “Holding the Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in the Philippines will give more opportunities for our talented juniors and girls to earn international chess titles,” Bong Belen said. Players will stay at his luxurious Lima Park Hotel in Malvar, Batangas.
Also expected to participate in the 9-round Swiss System tournament are players from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei and Brunei. The juniors and girls champions will receive Grandmaster and Women’s Grandmaster norms, respectively, in addition to the International Master and Women’s International Master.
Quizon, 15, earned his International Master title and a GM norm in the 2018 Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championship held last August in Gangneung, South Korea. Mordido, 17, earned her Woman International Master title and a WGM norm after winning the girls division in Korea.
Concurrent with the tournament, a FIDE Arbiters Seminar will be conducted 13-15 December 2019 at the Faith Academy in Malvar, Batangas by Asian Chess Federation Executive Director Cast Abundo.
For registration inquiries and fee to join this international event, interested players may call Chief Organizer Ricky Navalta at Nos. 0917-329-1150 and 0920-923-1150.-Marlon Bernardino-