Former Maynilad number one ace player Dandel Fernandez is one of the newest chess players in the country to earn a National Master (NM) title this year. The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) announced on Saturday that the Dubai-based Fernandez obtained his NM title.
Fernandez, the pride of Novelty Chess Club has come a very long way from earning his online Arena Grandmaster (AGM) title to becoming one of the newest NMs in the country’s highly competitive chess scene.
His most recent stint was the 2021 NCFP Asian Selection, where he is a semifinalist in October.
It shall be recalled that Fernandez spearheaded the Maynilad chess team into a 4 peat champion. He is also a Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) Champion and won numerous tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
"Achieving the goal is not hard , all is possible as long you did not stop catching it," said Fernandez, a member of the SCUAA National Team during his college days in Technological University of the Philippines - Manila in the mid 90's.
“Chess is ageless," he added.
At present, he work at Saudi German Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.