by Marlon Bernardino
GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla will begin his bid to retain his title when the 8th Annual Phoenix Open Chess Championship gets underway on Friday at the Unity Chess Club in Mesa, Arizona.
Fondly called Banjo in the chess world, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, will defend his crown against top player from Arizona, USA in this three-day (November 29 to December 1, 2019) event.
" I hope to do well in this event and gain some elo rating points," said Banjo, a 6th straight Phoenix Open champion.
The Iloilo born Banjo who had also roots in Cebu and Iligan City is fresh from winning 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 last Tuesday, November 26.
The Arizona, USA based Banjo, the pride of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City thrilled the audience with a queen sacrifice that forced mate last year's champion International Master (IM) Haridas Pascua en route to capturing another national title since winning the 1996 Far East Bank National Chess Championships.
Banjo prevailed after 44 pushes of an English Opening game to finish undefeated in the 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.
Thus, Banjo took 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).
Banjo who is also slated to play in the 29th Annual North American Open will be held at Bally's Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on December 26-30, 2019 according to his very supportive wife 1994 Moscow Olympiad member Woman National Master (WNM) Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla.-Marlon Bernardino-
A file photo shows three US based Pinoy grandmaster-Julio Catalino "Ino" Sadorra, Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla and Wesley So.
