by Marlon Bernardino
Final Standings:
7.0 points---GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr.
6.0 points---IM Paulo Bersamina, GM John Paul Gomez
5.5 points---IM Haridas Pascua, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, GM Darwin Laylo, NM Jerad Docena
4.5 points---IM Daniel Quizon
4.0 points---FM Sander Severino
3.0 points---IM Ricardo de Guzman
2.5 points---WGM Janelle Mae Frayna
Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. won the 2019 Philippines National Chess Championship dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters in an impressive fashion held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE), 2nd floor, No. 56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6 in Quezon City on Tuesday, November 26.
The Arizona, USA based Barcenilla, the pride of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City make more exciting his game with queen sacrifice that forced mate last year champion International Master (IM) Haridas Pascua enroute for his another national title since winning the 1996 Far East Bank National Chess Championships.
The Iloilo born Barcenilla who is also had roots from Cebu and Iligan City prevailed after 44 moves of an English Opening skirmish to finished undefeated in this 11 round tournament with a total output of 7 points on account of 4 wins, 6 draws , 0 loss, one point ahead International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina and Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez.
Pascua, who finished with 5.5 points was tied from third to fifth with International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo and National Master (NM) Jerad Docena.
This year event is not just about being declared as the National Champion but at the same time clinching one of the two slots allotted to the top 2 winners to represent the country in the 2020 World Chess Olympiad to be held in Moscow, Russia as member of the Philippine National Chess Team (Open/Men).
"It was a great feeling, beating defending champion IM Haridas Pascua in the final," said Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania.
Woman National Master (WNM) Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla had something to say to her husband:
"Congratulations honeypotpot ..you proved them wrong that you are not a “ has been “ yet! Victory is sweeter when you proved to yourself that you can still do it! You made us proud! You made Iligan, Cebu, Mandaluyong, Arizona Super Proud! Both of our dads (Papa Tony Lee and Daddy Rogelio, Sr.) really proud.I am sure both of them helped you win this championship from Heaven! I love you Honey!" she said.
Gabriel "Gab" Barcenilla, a professional Singer, Song-writer, Dancer, and Model added to his dad:
"My father (Rogelio Barcenilla Jr.) won 1st place with a no loss record for the 2019’s National Chess Championship in the Philippines. So he and 2nd place will be representing the Filipino chess team in Moscow, Russia for the Chess Olympics. They said you’re a has-been and you proved all your haters wrong. Me and Mom and your family & close friends couldn’t be more proud. You and Mom are my biggest inspirations and I come from a family of hard workers and both Olympic chess players."
It shall be recalled that Rogelio and Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla, both represent the country in the 1994 World Chess Olympiad in Moscow, Russia. -Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Arizona, USA based Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. won the 2019 Philippines National Chess Championship dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters in an impressive fashion. Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, clinched one of the two slots allotted to the top 2 winners to represent the country in the 2020 World Chess Olympiad to be held in Moscow, Russia as member of the Philippine National Chess Team (Open/Men).