2 GM norms at Battle of the GMs

2 Pinoys secure GM norms in Battle of GMs
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/21/2011 5:30 PM | Updated as of 07/21/2011 5:30 PM

MANILA, Philippines – International Masters (IM) Richard Bitoon and Oliver Barbosa earned their grandmaster (GM) norms in the 9th round of the National Chess Championship: 4th Battle of the Grandmasters.

Bitoon defeated GM John Paul Gomez after 38 moves of Sicilian while Barbosa halved the point with GM Mark Paragua after 31 moves of Slav to collect their respective norms.

Bitoon and Barbosa now each have two GM norms under their belt.

Bitoon got his first during the 2008 Singapore International Open while Barbosa earned his during the 10th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships last May.

“Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag, at least nakuha na natin ang 2nd GM Norm,” said Barbosa.

“Masayang-masaya ako sa pagkopo ng 2nd GM norm,” said Bitoon.

Bitoon and Barbosa tallied a total of 6 points each after 9 rounds of play.

So draws with Torre

So halved the point with Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre after 35 moves of London System Opening.

He now has a total of 6.5 points.

It was So’s fifth straight draw after clustering 4 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). – By Marlon Bernardino

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Aiming for another title

So shoots for 4th Battle of GMs title
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/14/2011 7:44 PM | Updated as of 07/14/2011 7:44 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So will begin his title retention bid in the Battle of the Grandmasters National Championship on Saturday (July 16) at the National Press Club (NPC), in Intramuros, Manila.

So will be gunning for his 4th straight title in the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

He will have his hands full this time as 8 other GMs and a mixture of established and upcoming stars gang up on him in the Category 11 tournament (average ELO rating of 2508).

The 5 international masters (IM) participating this year need to score at least 8.5 points to get a GM norm.

The event was declared a “closed tournament," which means that the competition will be limited to local players only.

“This is a huge step forward in our bid to produce more grandmasters in our country,” said NCFP President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

Seeing action in the tournament are GMs Darwin Laylo, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Roland Salvador, Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla, Eugene Torre, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, and Mark Paragua.

“Anything can happen in a round-robin competition,” said Torre, the most successful local player in closed tournaments.

IMs Oliver Barbosa, Richard Bitoon, Rolando Nolte, Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Yves Ranola are also competing.

In the distaff side, Woman National Master (WNM) Rulp Ylem Jose will try to defend her title against a strong field that includes Woman International Masters (WIMs) Catherine Perena and Beverly Mendoza.

The event is sponsored by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), NPC, Remate and Hataw. – By Marlon Bernardino

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open

Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open
5-12 July 2011 in Yangon, Myanmar - Report by Peter Long

Myanmar is a beautiful country that is at the start of a transition from a long Military dictatorship and so there are naturally some limitations in terms of infrastructure but it is surprisingly modern with all the conveniences the world is used to. It is one of the safest places in the world, with the largely Buddhist population courteous, kind and helpful to foreigners who they consider their guests.

The organisers led by Maung Maung Lwin, President of the Maynmar Chess Federation and Member of the Central Executive Sports Committee of the Myanmar National Sports Committee left no stone unturned to make the event a success.

Serving also as Chief Arbiter, Maung who is also an active and hands-on International Arbiter and so did the pairings while first entertaining the FIDE General Secretary who wanted to enjoy the nightlife before also hosting the later arriving FIDE President who managed to get in some sightseeing in between having quick meetings with the Minister of Sports after the Prize Giving & Closing Ceremony and then a senior representative of the Minister of Education.

Central Hotel in downtown Yangon at the very heart of the city, a stone's throw from many major attractions proved to be an wonderful venue, and the rest day saw the participants all going on a tour which highlight was of course the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the Wonders of the World and sufficient reason alone to visit Yangon!

The tournament saw a total of 72 players, the bulk of which were from the host nation, but with the Philippines, China, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the USA also represented.

Philippine's IM Oliver Barbosa, 2514 emerged at the end of 9 days of hard competition as a popular and convincing winner with 7.5 points. Unfancied Li Hanbing of China benefited from the pecularities of the swiss system in managing to avoid all the contenders while coming through the field to take a surprise sole second place finish on the strength of a last round win!

IM Nguyen Van Huy from Vietnam led Indian's IM Atanu Lahiri, Filipino IM Richard Bitoon, Veteran Myanmar's IM Myo Naing (who was arguably the best of the locals), IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma (also India), Mount Mount Latt (another unfancied Myanmar surprise package) and Mari Joseph Turqueza (Philippine junior Champion) to equal 3-9th places.

10th-12th places were all Myanmar, IM Wynn Zaw Htun who was expected to be leading contender, Myint Han and Zayar, all on 6 points.

Young players also participated, the impressive Cyrus Low from Singapore winning the U-10 prize, Malaysia's Dilwen Ding edging his compatriot William Lee for the U-14 prize, and Elgin Lee Kah Meng, also from Malaysia doing very well with 5 points and winning the top junior prize.

Of the 6 women playing including the charming Myanmar twins May Hsu Lwin and May Hsett Lwin, it was a determined WIM Wang Xaohui who took the special top woman award.

But the centre of attraction was perhaps 75 year old Srivatanakul Pricha from Thailand whose energy put many players to shame!

Barbosa captures Campomanes Memorial

Barbosa captures Campomanes chess tourney
Philippine Daily Inquirer
8:57 pm | Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Filipino international Master Oliver Barbosa ruled the Florencio Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open Chess 2011 at the Central Hotel Bogyoke in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday.

Barbosa, the 2011 Moscow Open runner-up, finished with 7.5 points to pocket the top purse of $3,000 in the nine-round, 11-nation competition held in honor of the late Fide honorary president Florencio Campomanes.

Chinese Li Hanbing finished second with 7 points and went home with $1,600.

IM Richard Bitoon and Fide Master Mari Joseph Turqueza also did the country proud as they shared third to ninth places with IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, IM Atanu Lahiri and IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma of India, IM Myo Naing and Moun Moun Latt of Myanmar with 6.5 points.

The event drew players from the United States, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay said Barbosa’s victory is “proof that Filipinos can really excel internationally in chess.”

Last July 3, Barbosa also topped the 2011 Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) “Chess for a Cause” national rapid chess championships.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net

Barbosa rules in rapid chess

Barbosa captures rapid chess crown
July 4, 2011, 10:57pm

MANILA, Philippines — International master Oliver Barbosa captured the 2011 AFPI National Rapid chess championship Sunday despite losing his final round match against Grandmaster Mark Paragua.

Barbosa clinched the title as early as the penultimate round of the competition organized and sponsored by Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) by winning eight straight games before dropping his final assignment against Paragua.

Barbosa collected P20,000 while Paragua finished in a three-way tie with fellow Grandmaster Darrwin Laylo and IM Chito Garma with 7.5 points. All three received P10,665 apiece.

Barbosa also earned a spot to the Philippines’ rapid chess team competing in the 2011 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia in November.

AFPI officials, led by chairman Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, vice-president Gen. Romeo Fajardo and executive director Col. Pedro Biasbas, awarded the trophies and prizes to the winners with Grandmaster Eugene Torre.

Rounding up the top ten winners in the open division were GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., FIDE Master Deniel Causo with seven points, IMs Rolando Nolte, Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Barlo Nadera with 6.5 points, FIDE Master Fernie Donguines and IM Oliver Dimakiling with 6 points.

In the women’s division, Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia won her final round game against current junior champion WNM Janelle Mae Frayna to tie Woman International Master Catherine Perena for first place.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph