So nears title

Individual standings after round 12:

8.5 – GM Wesley So
7.5 – IM Oliver Barbosa, GM Eugene Torre
7.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Richard Bitoon

6.5 – IM Rolando Nolte
5.5 – GM Mark Paragua

5.0 – GM John Paul Gomez
4.5 –GM Rolando Barcenilla, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.5 – GM Roland Salvador
3.0 – IM Yves Ranola

 

GRANDMASTER Wesley So virtually wrapped up the title in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters Friday night at the National Press Club.

The three-time defending champion halved the point with former trainer International Master Richard Bitoon after 65 moves of Sicilian Defense to raise his total to 8.5 points and maintain a full point cushion heading into the 13^th and final round of the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

“I went for the win to clinch the title pero ‘di na kayang ipilit,” said So.

So needs only to draw his match against GM Darwin Laylo in the final round slated Saturday afternoon to emerge as solo champion for the fourth straight time in the Battle of the Grandmasters, a brainchild of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

GM Eugene Torre and IM Oliver Barbosa, So’s closest pursuers, failed to gain ground after settling for draws in the penultimate round.

Torre split the point with Laylo after 30 moves of King’s Indian Defense while Barbosa agreed to a truce with GM Joseph Sanchez.

The 59-year-old Torre will meet Sanchez while Barbosa will face GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. in the final round.

After blowing his chances to get a GM norm with consecutive defeats, Nolte rebounded with back-to-back victories. He beat GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. in the 12^th round to push his total to 6.5 points.

Also making a late push was IM Yves Ranola, who scored his second straight win following a masterful 30-move conquest of GM Mark Paragua in their Reti Opening duel.

In other matches, Antonio drew with GM John Paul Gomez after 30 moves of French while GM Roland Salvador halved the point with Ateneo junior varsity standout IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

chess release para sa maaga magsara

Individual standings after round 12:

8.5 – GM Wesley So
7.5 – IM Oliver Barbosa, GM Eugene Torre
7.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Richard Bitoon

6.5 – IM Rolando Nolte
5.5 – GM Mark Paragua

5.0 – GM John Paul Gomez
4.5 –GM Rolando Barcenilla, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.5 – GM Roland Salvador
3.0 – IM Yves Ranola

 

GRANDMASTER Wesley So virtually wrapped up the title in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters Friday night at the National Press Club.

The three-time defending champion halved the point with former trainer International Master Richard Bitoon after 65 moves of Sicilian Defense to raise his total to 8.5 points and maintain a full point cushion heading into the 13^th and final round of the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

“I went for the win to clinch the title pero ‘di na kayang ipilit,” said So.

So needs only to draw his match against GM Darwin Laylo in the final round slated Saturday afternoon to emerge as solo champion for the fourth straight time in the Battle of the Grandmasters, a brainchild of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

GM Eugene Torre and IM Oliver Barbosa, So’s closest pursuers, failed to gain ground after settling for draws in the penultimate round.

Torre split the point with Laylo after 30 moves of King’s Indian Defense while Barbosa agreed to a truce with GM Joseph Sanchez.

The 59-year-old Torre will meet Sanchez while Barbosa will face GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. in the final round.

After blowing his chances to get a GM norm with consecutive defeats, Nolte rebounded with back-to-back victories. He beat GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. in the 12^th round to push his total to 6.5 points.

Also making a late push was IM Yves Ranola, who scored his second straight win following a masterful 30-move conquest of GM Mark Paragua in their Reti Opening duel.

In other matches, Antonio drew with GM John Paul Gomez after 30 moves of French while GM Roland Salvador halved the point with Ateneo junior varsity standout IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

So keeps lead; Torre wins

Men’s individual standings after round 11:

 

8.0 – GM Wesley So
7.0 – IM Oliver Barbosa, GM Eugene Torre
6.5 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Richard Bitoon
5.5 – GM Mark Paragua, IM Rolando Nolte
4.5 – GM John Paul Gomez, GM Rolando Barcenilla
4.0 – IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.0 – GM Roland Salvador
2.0 – IM Yves Ranola

Women’s individual standings after round 9:

8.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
6.5 – WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
6.0 – WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jedara Docena, WIM Beverly Mendoza
5.0 – WIM Catherine Perena
4.0 – WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
3.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego
2.5 – Jenny Rose Palomo, Shania Mae Mendoza, Mira Mirano
1.5 – Rowelyn Acedo

GRANDMASTER Wesley So chose to play it safe against GM Mark Paragua in the 11^th round yesterday in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club.

 

“Mark is a dangerous opponent. Hindi ka p’wedeng maging sobrang agresibo against him,” said So after halving the point with Paragua in 31 moves of Catalan.

 

The 17-year-old raised his total to 8.0 points, at least a full point ahead of everyone else in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

 

But he’s not out of the woods yet specially with the way GM Eugene Torre is playing.

The living legend of Philippine chess held nothing back in his victory over International Master Richard Bitoon.

 

“I outplayed him in the opening and he was forced to give up a pawn for us to have opposite colored bishop,” said Torre.

 

Torre’s white bishop proved to be a lot more active to brush aside Bitoon’s bid for a draw, get the win after 69 moves of London System Opening, and gain a piece of second place with IM Oliver Barbosa with 7.0 points.

 

“Medyo mahirap na habulin si Wesley dahil two rounds to go na lang, but I will give it a try,” said Torre.

 

Barbosa earlier drew with GM Darwin Laylo after 31 moves of Queen’s Gambit Accepted.

Bitoon dropped into a share of fourth to seventh places with Laylo and GMs Rogelio Antonio and Joseph Sanchez at 6.5 points.

 

Antonio drew with IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 58 moves of English Opening while Sanchez agreed to a truce with GM John Paul Gomez after 45 moves of Slav Defense.

 

In other matches, IM Yves Ranola stunned Gm Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. after 22 moves of Sicilian while IM Rolando Nolte downed GM Roland Salvador after 63 moves of Caro Kann.

 

In the distaff side, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose toppled WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego in the ninth round on Thursday to pull away from the rest of the field with 8.0 points. Jose, an MBA student at FEU-Makati, is 1.5 points ahead of her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

 

Reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to climb at solo second place with 6.5 points.

In other matches, WNM Jedara Docena stunned Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza; WNM Jenny Rose Palomo topped Mira Mirano; Shania Mae Mendoza scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo; and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia split the point with WIM Catherine Perena.

 

The 10^th and penultimate round in the women’s division is set late Friday.

chess release (11th round)

Men’s individual standings after round 11:

 

8.0 – GM Wesley So
7.0 – IM Oliver Barbosa, GM Eugene Torre
6.5 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Richard Bitoon
5.5 – GM Mark Paragua, IM Rolando Nolte
4.5 – GM John Paul Gomez, GM Rolando Barcenilla
4.0 – IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.0 – GM Roland Salvador
2.0 – IM Yves Ranola

Women’s individual standings after round 9:

8.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
6.5 – WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
6.0 – WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jedara Docena, WIM Beverly Mendoza
5.0 – WIM Catherine Perena
4.0 – WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
3.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego
2.5 – Jenny Rose Palomo, Shania Mae Mendoza, Mira Mirano
1.5 – Rowelyn Acedo

GRANDMASTER Wesley So chose to play it safe against GM Mark Paragua in the 11^th round yesterday in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club.

 

“Mark is a dangerous opponent. Hindi ka p’wedeng maging sobrang agresibo against him,” said So after halving the point with Paragua in 31 moves of Catalan.

 

The 17-year-old raised his total to 8.0 points, at least a full point ahead of everyone else in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

 

But he’s not out of the woods yet specially with the way GM Eugene Torre is playing.

The living legend of Philippine chess held nothing back in his victory over International Master Richard Bitoon.

 

“I outplayed him in the opening and he was forced to give up a pawn for us to have opposite colored bishop,” said Torre.

 

Torre’s white bishop proved to be a lot more active to brush aside Bitoon’s bid for a draw, get the win after 69 moves of London System Opening, and gain a piece of second place with IM Oliver Barbosa with 7.0 points.

 

“Medyo mahirap na habulin si Wesley dahil two rounds to go na lang, but I will give it a try,” said Torre.

 

Barbosa earlier drew with GM Darwin Laylo after 31 moves of Queen’s Gambit Accepted.

Bitoon dropped into a share of fourth to seventh places with Laylo and GMs Rogelio Antonio and Joseph Sanchez at 6.5 points.

 

Antonio drew with IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 58 moves of English Opening while Sanchez agreed to a truce with GM John Paul Gomez after 45 moves of Slav Defense.

 

In other matches, IM Yves Ranola stunned Gm Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. after 22 moves of Sicilian while IM Rolando Nolte downed GM Roland Salvador after 63 moves of Caro Kann.

 

In the distaff side, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose toppled WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego in the ninth round on Thursday to pull away from the rest of the field with 8.0 points. Jose, an MBA student at FEU-Makati, is 1.5 points ahead of her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

 

Reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to climb at solo second place with 6.5 points.

In other matches, WNM Jedara Docena stunned Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza; WNM Jenny Rose Palomo topped Mira Mirano; Shania Mae Mendoza scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo; and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia split the point with WIM Catherine Perena.

 

The 10^th and penultimate round in the women’s division is set late Friday.

(3rd to last graf) She is 1.5 points ahead of her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

Men’s individual standings after round 10:

 

7.5 – GM Wesley So
6.5 – IM Oliver Barbosa, IM Richard Bitoon
6.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, GM Eugene Torre
5.0 – GM Mark Paragua
4.5 – IM Rolando Nolte, GM Rogelio Barcenilla
4.0 – GM John Paul Gomez
3.5 – IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.0 – GM Roland Salvador
1.0 – IM Yves Ranola

 

 

Women’s individual standings after round 9:

8.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
6.5 – WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
6.0 – WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jedara Docena, WIM Beverly Mendoza
5.0 – WIM Catherine Perena
4.0 – WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
3.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego
2.5 – Jenny Rose Palomo, Shania Mae Mendoza, Mira Mirano
1.5 – Rowelyn Acedo

 

 

THREE-TIME defending champion Grandmaster Wesley So regained his winning touch to pad his lead entering the homestretch of the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters Thursday night at the National Press Club.

 

After five successive draws and yielding the spotlight to his pals, So put more cushion between him and the rest of the field with a victory over International Master Yves Ranola in the 10^th round.

 

He raised his total to 7.5 points, a least a full point ahead of everyone else in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

 

It was his first win since the fourth round and after relinquishing the headline to bosom buddy IM Oliver Barbosa and mentor IM Richard Bitoon.

 

The two made waves in the middle rounds and ended up with a GM norm each after nine games. They split the point in the 10^th to maintain their positions with similar 6.5 points.

 

GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Joseph Sanchez gained grounds with victories over lower rated opponents. Antonio beat IM Rolando Nolte while Sanchez downed IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

 

Antonio and Sanchez shared fourth to seventh spots with GMs Eugene Torre and Darwin Laylo at 6.0 points. Torre and Laylo halved the point with GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez, respectively.

 

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. rounded up the men’s round with a win over GM Roland Salvador.

In the distaff side, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose toppled WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego to pull away from the rest of the field with 8.0 points. She is 1.5 points ahead of her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

 

Reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to climb at solo second place with 6.5 points.

 

In other matches, WNM Jedara Docena stunned Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza; WNM Jenny Rose Palomo topped Mira Mirano; Shania Mae Mendoza scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo; and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia split the point with WIM Catherine Perena.

(3rd to last graf) She is 1.5 points ahead from her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

Men’s individual standings after round 10:

 

7.5 – GM Wesley So
6.5 – IM Oliver Barbosa, IM Richard Bitoon
6.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, GM Eugene Torre
5.0 – GM Mark Paragua
4.5 – IM Rolando Nolte, GM Rogelio Barcenilla
4.0 – GM John Paul Gomez
3.5 – IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.0 – GM Roland Salvador
1.0 – IM Yves Ranola

 

 

Women’s individual standings after round 9:

8.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
6.5 – WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
6.0 – WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jedara Docena, WIM Beverly Mendoza
5.0 – WIM Catherine Perena
4.0 – WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
3.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego
2.5 – Jenny Rose Palomo, Shania Mae Mendoza, Mira Mirano
1.5 – Rowelyn Acedo

 

 

THREE-TIME defending champion Grandmaster Wesley So regained his winning touch to pad his lead entering the homestretch of the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters Thursday night at the National Press Club.

 

After five successive draws and yielding the spotlight to his pals, So put more cushion between him and the rest of the field with a victory over International Master Yves Ranola in the 10^th round.

 

He raised his total to 7.5 points, a least a full point ahead of everyone else in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

It was his first win since the fourth round and after relinquishing the headline to bosom buddy IM Oliver Barbosa and mentor IM Richard Bitoon.

 

The two made waves in the middle rounds and ended up with a GM norm each after nine games. They split the point in the 10^th to maintain their positions with similar 6.5 points.

GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Joseph Sanchez gained grounds with victories over lower rated opponents. Antonio beat IM Rolando Nolte while Sanchez downed IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

Antonio and Sanchez shared fourth to seventh spots with GMs Eugene Torre and Darwin Laylo at 6.0 points. Torre and Laylo halved the point with GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez, respectively.

 

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. rounded up the men’s round with a win over GM Roland Salvador.

In the distaff side, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose toppled WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego to pull away from the rest of the field with 8.0 points. She is 1.5 points ahead from her closest pursuer with two rounds to go.

 

Reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to climb at solo second place with 6.5 points.

In other matches, WNM Jedara Docena stunned Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza; WNM Jenny Rose Palomo topped Mira Mirano; Shania Mae Mendoza scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo; and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia split the point with WIM Catherine Perena.

So, Jose pad lead in Battle of GMs (para sa maaga magasara)

Men’s individual standings after round 10:

 

7.5 – GM Wesley So
6.5 – IM Oliver Barbosa, IM Richard Bitoon
6.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, GM Joseph Sanchez, GM Eugene Torre
5.0 – GM Mark Paragua
4.5 – IM Rolando Nolte, GM Rogelio Barcenilla
4.0 – GM John Paul Gomez
3.5 – IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.0 – GM Roland Salvador
1.0 – IM Yves Ranola

Women’s individual standings after round 9:

8.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
6.5 – WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
6.0 – WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jedara Docena, WIM Beverly Mendoza
5.0 – WIM Catherine Perena
4.0 – WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
3.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego
2.5 – Jenny Rose Palomo, Shania Mae Mendoza, Mira Mirano
1.5 – Rowelyn Acedo

THREE-TIME defending champion Grandmaster Wesley So regained his winning touch to pad his lead entering the homestretch of the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters Thursday night at the National Press Club.

 

After five successive draws and yielding the spotlight to his pals, So put more cushion between him and the rest of the field with a victory over International Master Yves Ranola in the 10^th round.

 

He raised his total to 7.5 points, a least a full point ahead of everyone else in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

It was his first win since the fourth round and after relinquishing the headline to bosom buddy IM Oliver Barbosa and mentor IM Richard Bitoon.

 

The two made waves in the middle rounds and ended up with a GM norm each after nine games. They split the point in the 10^th to maintain their positions with similar 6.5 points.

GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Joseph Sanchez gained grounds with victories over lower rated opponents. Antonio beat IM Rolando Nolte while Sanchez downed IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

Antonio and Sanchez shared fourth to seventh spots with GMs Eugene Torre and Darwin Laylo at 6.0 points. Torre and Laylo halved the point with GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez, respectively.

 

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. rounded up the men’s round with a win over GM Roland Salvador.

In the distaff side, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose toppled WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego to pull away from the rest of the field with 8.0 points. She is 1.5 points ahead from her closest pursuer with three rounds to go.

 

Reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to climb at solo second place with 6.5 points.
In other matches, WNM Jedara Docena stunned Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza; WNM Jenny Rose Palomo topped Mira Mirano; Shania Mae Mendoza scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo; and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia split the point with WIM Catherine Perena.

Nolte needs to score four points in as many games to get GM norm

INTERNATIONAL Masters Richard Bitoon and Oliver Barbosa became the first pair of players to get a grandmaster norm in the same round of a national championship yesterday at the National Press Club.

Bitoon stunned GM John Paul Gomez after 38 moves of Sicilian while Barbosa halved the point with GM Mark Paragua after 31 moves of Slav to pull off the unprecedented feat in the ninth round of the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters.

 

Both players now have two GM norms under their belt. Bitoon got his first during the 2008 Singapore International Open while Barbosa got his during the 10^th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Mashhad, Iran last May.

 

They also kept solo leader GM Wesley So within reach with 6.0 points.

 

So drew with GM Eugene Torre after 35 moves of London System Opening to push his total to 6.5 points.

It was So’s fifth straight after a cluster of four wins in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate at Hataw (JSY Publication).

 

GMs Darwin Laylo and Rogelio Antonio, Jr. remained in the hunt for the P150,000 top prize after splitting the point with their respective rivals.

 

Laylo agreed to a truce against IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 35 moves of Neo Gruenfeld to join Torre at fourth spot with 5.5 points while Antonio drew with GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. to notch his fifth point.

 

GM Roland Salvador topped IM Yves Ranola after 53 moves of Queen’s Indian Defense.

 

GM Joseph Sanchez spoiled what could have been a triple celebration by beating IM Rolando Nolte in 42 moves of Center Counter. Sanchez joined Antonio at sixth place.

 

Nolte could have secured a GM norm with a victory. Instead, he’s now facing a tall order of scoring four points in as many games to get it done.

 

Nonetheless, National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay is thrilled with the latest development in local chess.

 

“This is what I envisioned when we start staging Battle of the Grandmasters a few years ago,” he said. “A tournament like this gives our players better chances of getting GM norms.”

 

Pichay is hoping to have at least 20 Filipino GMs by 2013 for the Philippines to have its own Zonal competition.

 

He also wants to produce the country’s first Woman Grandmaster.

 

Defending champion Rulp Ylem Jose beat Jan Jodilyn Fronda after 58 moves of Reti Opening to maintain solo leadership after eight rounds in the women’s division.

 

In other matches, reigning national junior GU-20 champion Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Woman International Master Catherine Perena after 68 moves of English Opening; Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia downed Mira Mirano after 36 moves of Sicilian; WIM Beverly Mendoza toppled Shania Mae Mendoza after 40 moves of Sicilian; Jedara Docena drew with WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego; and Woman National Master Jenny Rose Palomo scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo after 58 moves of London System.

Barbosa, Bitoon secure GM norm

INTERNATIONAL Masters Richard Bitoon and Oliver Barbosa became the first pair of players to get a grandmaster norm in the same round of a national championship yesterday at the National Press Club.

Bitoon stunned GM John Paul Gomez after 38 moves of Sicilian while Barbosa halved the point with GM Mark Paragua after 31 moves of Slav to pull off the unprecedented feat in the ninth round of the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters.

 

Both players now have two GM norms under their belt. Bitoon got his first during the 2008 Singapore International Open while Barbosa got his during the 10^th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Mashhad, Iran last May.

 

They also kept solo leader GM Wesley So within reach with 6.0 points.

 

So drew with GM Eugene Torre after 35 moves of London System Opening to push his total to 6.5 points.

It was So’s fifth straight after a cluster of four wins in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate at Hataw (JSY Publication).

 

GMs Darwin Laylo and Rogelio Antonio, Jr. remained in the hunt for the P150,000 top prize after splitting the point with their respective rivals.

 

Laylo agreed to a truce against IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 35 moves of Neo Gruenfeld to join Torre at fourth spot with 5.5 points while Antonio drew with GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. to notch his fifth point.

GM Roland Salvador topped IM Yves Ranola after 53 moves of Queen’s Indian Defense.

 

GM Joseph Sanchez spoiled what could have been a triple celebration by beating IM Rolando Nolte in 42 moves of Center Counter. Sanchez joined Antonio at sixth place.

 

Nolte could have secured a GM norm with a victory. Instead, he’s now facing a tall order of scoring four more points in the last five rounds to get it done.

 

Nonetheless, National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay is thrilled with the latest development in local chess.

 

“This is what I envisioned when we start staging Battle of the Grandmasters a few years ago,” he said. “A tournament like this gives our players better chances of getting GM norms.”

 

Pichay is hoping to have at least 20 Filipino GMs by 2013 for the Philippines to have its own Zonal competition.

 

He also wants to produce the country’s first Woman Grandmaster.

 

Defending champion Rulp Ylem Jose beat Jan Jodilyn Fronda after 58 moves of Reti Opening to maintain solo leadership after eight rounds in the women’s division.

 

In other matches, reigning national junior GU-20 champion Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Woman International Master Catherine Perena after 68 moves of English Opening; Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia downed Mira Mirano after 36 moves of Sicilian; WIM Beverly Mendoza toppled Shania Mae Mendoza after 40 moves of Sicilian; Jedara Docena drew with WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego; and Woman National Master Jenny Rose Palomo scalped Rowelyn Joy Acedo after 58 moves of London System.

 

3 IMs inch closer to GM norm

INTERNATIONAL Masters Oliver Barbosa, Richard Bitoon and Rolando Nolte put themselves in position to corral a GM norm each in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club.

Barbosa was in the best shape among the three, needing only a draw against GM Mark Paragua in the ninth round to collect his second GM norm in a span of two months. He got his first norm last May in the 10^th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Mashhad, Iran

He drew with solo leader GM Wesley So in the eighth round Wednesday night.

Bitoon and Nolte need a victory in the ninth to get similar result. Bitoon, winner over IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia in the eighth, is set to face GM John Paul Gomez while Nolte, who split the point with GM Darwin Laylo in the previous round, will go up against GM Joseph Sanchez.

According to International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, Barbosa and Bitoon could get a GM norm with 6/9 performance while Nolte could get the same result with a 5.5/9 effort given the strength of their respective opponents in the first nine rounds.

It will be the first time in the history of national championship that three different players get a chance to nail a GM norm in the same round.

“This is what I envisioned when we start staging Battle of the Grandmasters a few years ago,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

So remained on top with 6.0 points despite failing to score a win in the last four rounds of the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate at Hataw (JSY Publication).

GMs Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Joseph Sanchez also scored needed victories to stay in contention.

Torre beat IM Yves Ranola to join Laylo and Bitoon in third to fifth places with 5.0 points; Antonio defeated GM Roland Salvador to join Nolte in sixth to seventh places with 4.5 points; and Sanchez downed Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla, Jr. to join in eighth to ninth places with 4.0 points.

Paragua halved the point with Gomez in the eighth.

In the women’s division, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose solidified her hold of the top spot with a victory over Woman International Master Catherine Perena.

Jose had five wins and two draws in seven rounds for 6.0 points.

Here comes Barbosa

Men’s individual standings after round 7:

5.5 – GM Wesley So


5.0 – IM Oliver Barbosa


4.5 – GM Darwin Laylo


4.0 – GM Eugene Torre, IM Rolando Nolte, IM Richard Bitoon


3.5 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua


3.0 – GM John Paul Gomez, GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia


2.0 – GM Roland Salvador


1.0 – IM Yves Ranola


Women’s individual standings after round 6:


5.0 – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose


4.5 – WIM Catherine Perena


4.0 – WIM Beverly Mendoza, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Janelle Mae Frayna, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda


3.5 – WNM Jedara Docena


2.5 – WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego


1.5 – Mira Mirano, Rowelyn Joy Acedo


1.0 – Shania Mae Mendoza


0.5 – WNM Jenny Rose Palomo

IN-FORM International Master Oliver Barbosa had more than just a GM norm in sight in the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters.

Barbosa outplayed Grandmaster Eugene Torre in 32 moves of Bogo Indian Defense in the seventh round to raise his total to 5.0 points Tuesday night at the National Press Club.

Torre, who won his previous two, was stuck at 4.0 points in the company of IMs Richard Bitoon and Rolando Nolte.

Bitoon and Nolte agreed to a truce after 32 moves of Philidor’s Defense. Both players are seeking their second GM norm.

It’s something Barbosa could realize with a pair of draws in the next two rounds.

According to International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, Barbosa could get a GM norm with 6/9 performance given the strength of his first nine opponents in the 13-round tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

But it’s not on top of Barbosa’s priorities now.

“The goal is to win the championship every time na sumali ako sa competition,” said Barbosa. “The rewards like the norms will come along the way as long as you’re winning.”

He’s been wining lately. The pride of Taytay, Rizal recently topped the AFPI Rapid Championship and the 2011 Campomanes Yangon International Open Chess Championship in Myanmar.

Barbosa collected his first GM norm during the 10^th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Mashhad, Iran last May.

Standing in his way is eighth round opponent Grandmaster Wesley So, who kept the solo lead despite a third straight draw. The country’s top player split the point with GM John Paul Gomez in 37 moves of Sicilian Defense to improve his total to 5.5 points.

“It will be a tight finish. Oliver (Barbosa) is in peak form right now,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. “Even Wesley will have a hard time holding him off.”

GM Darwin Laylo remained in striking distance with 4.5 points after a 32-move draw against Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla, Jr. in their Caro Kann Defense duel.

Another full point back at 3.5 were GMs Mark Paragua and Rogelio Antonio, Jr. Paragua halved the point with IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 40 moves of Neo Gruenfeld Defense while Antonio settled for a draw against IM Yves Ranola after 30 moves of Alekhine Defense.

GM Joseph Sanchez joined Gomez, Barcenilla and Garcia in ninth to 12 places after halving the point with

GM Roland Salvador in 31 moves of Slav Defense.

In the women’s division, defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose edged reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna after 36 moves of Alekhine defense to grab the solo lead after six rounds with 5.0 points.

Erstwhile solo leader Woman International Master Catherine Perena fell to second spot at 4.5 points after bowing to WNM Jedara Docena after 54 moves of Center Counter Defense.

WIM Beverly Mendoza, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia joined Frayna in a share of third to sixth places with 4.0 points.

Mendoza defeated Mira Mirano after 33 moves of King's Indian Attack; Fronda toppled Shania Mae Mendoza after 52 moves of Sicilian Defense; and Mejia drew with Rowelyn Acedo after 45 moves of Sicilian Defense.

WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego’s win over WNM Jenny Rose Palomo after 45 moves of Slav defense capped the day’s round.

  

Photo credit: http://www.filamnation.com/2011/07/im-barbosa-rules-campomanes-memorial/

para sa maaga magsara (women's results included)

(Men’s)

Individual standings after Round 5:

4.5 points – GM Wesley So
3.5 points – GM Darwin Laylo, IM Richard Bitoon
3.0 points – GM Eugene Torre, IM Rolando Nolte, IM Oliver Barbosa
2.5 points – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua, GM John Paul Gomez
2.0 points – GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
1.5 points – GM Rogelio Barcenilla
1 point – GM Roland Salvador0.5 point – IM Yves Ranola


(Women’s)

Individual standings after Round 4:

3.5 points – WIM Catherine Perena, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
3.0 points – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
2.0 points – WIM Beverly Mendoza, WNM Jedara Docena, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
1.5 points – Mira Mirano
1.0 point – Shania Mae Mendoza, Rowelyn Joy Acedo
0.5 point---WFM Marie Antoinnette San Diego, WNM Jenny Rose Palomo

 

 

INTERNATIONAL Master Richard Bitoon made his move Monday night in his bid to collect a GM norm in the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the historic National Press Club.

The pride of Medellin, Cebu manhandled Grandmaster Roland Salvador in 44 moves of Sicilian Skirmish to gain a share of second place in the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

More importantly, he pushed his total to 3.5 points after five rounds. He needs just five more points in the last eight games to get his second GM norm.

GM Darwin Laylo held on for a share of second by salvaging a draw against GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio after 77 moves of Caro Kann Defense.

“Mahaba pa ang laban pero malaking bagay sa kumpiyansa ko ‘yung manalo sa early rounds,” said Bitoon, who overwhelmed IM Yves Ranola in the first round and drew his next three matches.

IM Rolando Nolte also boosted his chances to get a second GM norm by ending Grandmaster Wesley So’s perfect start in the round robin event supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, 

Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

So countered Nolte’s King’s Pawn Opening with Caro Kann Defense, leading to a heated battle for center pawn. They eventually settled for a draw in their queen and pawn endgame after 49 moves.

The 17-year-old remained firmly on top with 4.5 points while Nolte shared fourth to sixth places with GM Eugene Torre and IM Oliver Barbosa.

Torre handed Ateneo junior standout IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia his first loss after 62 moves of English Opening while Barbosa, who is also eyeing his second GM norm, halved the point with GM John Paul Gomez after 30 moves of Slav Defense.

GM Mark Paragua notched his first win in the tournament at the expense of GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla, Jr. after 52 moves of Caro Kann Defense to gain a piece of seventh to ninth places with Antonio and Gomez.

GM Joseph Sanchez also got going with a 33-move victory over Ranola in their Modern Defense duel.

In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena and reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna beat their respective rivals to gain a share of the lead after four rounds.

Perena downed Jenny Rose Palomo while Frayna toppled Shania Mae Mendoza to push their total to 3.5 points, the same output of erstwhile solo leader Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia.

Mejia’s winning run came to a halt against WIM Beverly Mendoza.

In other matches, defending champion WFM Rulp Ylem Jose drew with Jedara Docena; Mira Mirano scalped Jan Jodilyn Fronda; and Rowelyn Joy Acedo topped WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego.

Torre stays in the hunt

(Men’s)

Individual standings after Round 5:

5.0 – GM Wesley So
4.0 – GM Darwin Laylo, GM Eugene Torre, IM Oliver Barbosa
3.5 – IM Richard Bitoon, IM Rolando Nolte

3.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua
2.5 – GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Jan Emmanuel
1.5 – GM Roland Salvador
0.5 point – IM Yves Ranola

GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre flashed the form made him the country’s most decorated chess player to stay in the hunt in the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the historic National Press Club.

Torre, who turns 60 late this year, defeated one of the sport’s rising stars in GM John Paul Gomez after 32 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening yesterday to gain a share of second place with International Master Oliver Barbosa and GM Darwin Laylo.

Gomez resigned after Torre cornered his knight. Torre earlier made a couple of sacrifices to gain a positional advantage before launching a sustained attack.

Barbosa enhanced his chances to get a GM norm with a 78-move victory over IM Yves Ranola in their Reti encounter while Laylo halved the point with GM Roland Salvador after 31 moves of French.

The three tote similar 4.0 points after six games in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

Grandmaster Wesley So missed a winning line against fellow teenager IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia to settle for another draw – his second straight after four straight wins – but remained a full point ahead of his closest pursuers with 5.0 points.

“Hindi pa nakakasiguro si Wesley,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. 

IMs Rolando Nolte and Richard Bitoon shared fifth to sixth places at 3.5 points.

Nolte survived the relentless attack of GM Mark Paragua to salvage a draw after 46 moves of Sicilian while Bitoon dropped a match for the first time in the round robin event, losing to GM Rolando Barcenilla, Jr. after 38 moves of Queen’s Pawn London System.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and GM Joseph Sanchez had an uneventful draw after 30 moves of Caro Kann to complete the men’s results.

 In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena topped Shania Mendoza to grab the solo lead after five rounds.

Defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose and reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna shared second to third places. Jose won over erstwhile co-leader WFM Cherry Ann Mejia while Frayna, graduating high school student at FERN-FEU, halved the point with Jedara Docena.

WIM Beverly Mendoza kept the frontrunners in sight with another victory, this time claiming the scalp of Rowelyn Acedo for her third point.

In other matches, WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego finally scored a victory in her debut in the national championship by taking down Mira Mirano while Jan Jodilyn Fronda nipped Jenny Palomo.

Photo credit: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173830/vintage-torre-goes-to-work-in-pichay-chessfest