by Marlon Bernardino
THE Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines chess team is hopeful of a successful stint when the  
"Boyi Cup"China Youth Chess International Open Tournament 2018 gets underway on January 23 to 28, 2018 in Harbin, China.

National Coach and International Master Roel Abelgas said his youth squad have been consistent and in a rigid training at the famous Chess Academy in Dasmarinas, Cavite put up by Dasmarinas mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga.
“Our team has been in a rigid training at the Chess Academy in Dasmarinas, Cavite. I hope we do well especially our youth chess squad who came from a successful stint in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia last November." said national coach Abelgas, who worked also a consultant and head chess coach in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

The Philippine age group chess team took the overall championships and ends the supremacy of Vietnam in the Asean region during the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship held at the Grand Darul Makmur Hotel in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia last November 26 to December 3, 2017. Team Philippines went home a total of 83 Golds, 37 Silver and 29 bronze medals.

Among members of the Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines chess team who is vying for Boyi Cup"China Youth Chess International Open Tournament 2018 are Daniel Quizon, Michael Concio, Jerlyn Mae Moralde San Diego and Kylen Joy Mordido who already got the outright Fide Master (FM) title according to national coach Abelgas during the 18th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. sent the Philippines chess team in "Boyi Cup"China Youth Chess International Open Tournament with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey.-Marlon Bernardino-