by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---Jan Clifford Labog made sure the winning streak of King's Gambit Online Chess School Team of Coach Richard Villaseran continues as he ruled the prestigious Philippine Amateur Chess Championships with a perfect 7 wins in 7 games to lead those who will advance to the grandfinals.
The 2-day (Saturday and Sunday) online chess tournament held thru Tornelo platform, sponsored by NCFP Legal Counsel Atty. Norieva “Nikki” de Vega.
Among those who will likely advance to the grand finals (pending announcement of how many will qualify) are fellow King's Gambit Online Chess School players Michael Jan Inigo, Chester Acuyong , Gab Paradero and National Master Keith Adriane Ilar who all scored 5 pts in 7 games.
Over at the Juniors Division U20 of the Angeles Chess Festival, the wards of Coach Villaseran dominated the major awards. Stephen Quinto and Jeremy Marticio placed 3rd and 4th respectively while Tiv Omangay tied for 6th place. Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa and John Kristoff Bautista won top prize for Girls U16 and Boys U8, respectively. Gian Mandagan and Marco Sanido was 2nd and 3rd in Boys U14 and Boys U8, respectively.
In Davao, 7 year old Art Joe Capatan impressed by tying for 1st in a U14 tournament scoring 6 out of 7 games.
Even Coach Villaseran shone in an open tournament tying for 3rd place in a tournament featuring 3 international masters, 1 FIDE Master, and 10 National masters dubbed as Grandfathers Day held at Araneta Center, Farmers Plaza, Cubao last Saturday. Villaseran was undefeated with 5 wins and 2 draws against top seed FM David Elorta and NM Jojo Aquino.
"I'm so happy the winning streak of the team continues. Talent abounds in our program and we're all about improving and dveloping. We will not stop training until we reach our goals". said Coach Villaseran, founder of King's Gambiit Online Chess School.
Coach Villaseran aims to produce national age group and ASEAN age group champions in the next 2 years and the national master, FIDE Master and woman chess titles that go with them.
Aside from Labog, Quinto, Marticio, Inigo, Acuyong, NM Ilar, Omangay, Paradero, WNM Racasa Mandagan, U8 prodigies Bautista Sanido and Capatan, Coach Villaseran is banking on National Masters Al-Basher Buto, Tenshi Biete, Karlycris Clarito and John Cyrus Borce, Woman National Master Jersey Marticio, Christian Mendoza, Pat Ferdolf Macabulos, Vincent Ryu Dimayuga, Lord Yofiel Young, Summer.Oncita, Muellene Babao, Aron and Andrew Toledo, Joriel Yap, Lester Jones Paruli and Marcus Paruli, Mark Benson Sollano, Zed Silva, Alexandro Desepeda, Anne Gwyneth Villaseran, Cielo Beatriz Villaseran, Enzo Hernandez, Jayden Tibig, Ynigo Baydo, Nathan Laggui, Joseph Morillo, Gabby Fomosdoro, Albert Omangay, John Luis Rivera, U10 Year old prodigies John Kristoff Bautista, Art Joe Capatan, Elijah Loyola, Axel Buenaventura, Juancho Joaquin Ferrer, Siegneu Juancho Ferrer, Magnus Bragais as well as U12 year old girls Charlee Manjanares, Caylee Reyes, Janina Rivera, Janine Rivera and Ferna Macabulos to make his vision of making Philippines dominate the ASEAN age group level a reality.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows
Jan Clifford Labog