Palmdale Chess photos, results and impressions

It may not be a perfect day to play chess. Scorching hot during mid day and heavy downpour during early afternoon. Nevertheless, it was a very exciting day for everyone. The tournament was held on the covered court of Ramon Magsaysay high school in Cubao, Quezon City. The one day event saw the participation of 175 very energetic and lively non master chess participants. Majority from this number were no more than 20 years old. Kids as young as 4 years old could be seen completely ignoring their parents standing on the sidelines in sheer determination to win. After the opening rites, all our GMs who graced the event were very courteous and accommodating to the fans. GM Eugene Torre and GM Rogelio looks younger than ever. GM Jayson Gonzales were always to be seen with his players from FEU. GM Mark Paragua likewise drift from board to board to kibitz. Also woman's world 10 ball champion Rubilen Amit showed up to received his medal of recognition from the city. It is also interesting to see Asia's first IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso supporting the event. But hey, I wasn't aware that UP tenor, Christopher Castellano who sings the national anthem beautifully is a FIDE master himself!

Camaraderie before hostilities. Notice each others faces. They convey different expressions.

These two were spotted playing a rare one on one simul game! Actually there were no shortage of chess boards and clocks but chairs! But eventually somebody gave them chairs moments later.

These two players actually had to stand up to breath some fresh air. The two are the only moving element in this animated blitz exchanges. The rest were frozen, holding their breath.

The boy on the right is just four years old, so said his mom. Unfortunately, he was checkmated by his more experienced opponents a couple of moves later. It's not easy to play chess in worm's-eye view, right? The closest thing to blindfold chess.



When it rains, comes heavy wind. But some players, like this two kids came up with brilliant ideas of placing rocks on their Eureka to hold them in place.

Below is the full report of tournament organizer and sports journalist, NM Marlon Bernardino

VISCA, CANTONJOS, GARCIA, YOUNG POST WINS IN PALMDALE CHESS
BY: NATIONAL MASTER MARLON BERNARDINO
+63 (919) 849-3648
email address: marlon.bernardino2008@gmail.com

QUEZON CITY, Philippines---STA. FE, Romblon native Jayson Visca, Philippine Airforce bet Allan Cantonjos, Ateneo de Manila University stand-out Jan Emmanuel Garcia and University of the Philippines (UP) top women player Rida Jane Young led over the weekend winners in the just concluded 1st Palmdale Import and Export Co. Rapid Chess Tournament at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) along Edsa, Cubao, on Sunday.

Visca toppled fellow Romblonian and RP executive champion Dr. Jenny Mayor while Cantonjos, playing under the wing of Philippine Airforce commanding general Lt. General Oscar H. Rabena crushed top seed Raymon Salcedo in the seventh and final round to share the top honors in the non-master class after tallying identical 6.5 points apiece in the one-day affair,sponsored by sportsman/ businessman Fernando “Kuya Nanding” Reyes, FDR International, XT2000 Orange Oil and Diana Secret for anti aging treatment in close cooperation with Filway Marketings Inc.CEO/President Hector Tagaysay and Dickies vice president Dody T. Arcaya.

Aside from Trophies, the duo (Visca and Cantonjos) received P3,000 each after split the combined prized of P6,000 for the 1st and 2nd placers, in the event organized by RP and US Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., which is aims to promote chess in the grassroots level and discover future world class chess players.

Dasmarinas, Cavite pride Ivan Gil Biag and College of St. Benilde ace Narquindel Reyes notch 6.0 points to received P750 each for 3rd and 4th placers after split the combined prizes of P1,500.

Biag, on the other hand took the third place trophy after the bucholz tie break was applied in the event supervised by International Arbiter NM Erwin Carag, NM Rudy Ibanez, local arbiters Gatz Luz and Raul Cruz.

Atene de Manila University whiz kid Jan Emmanuel Garcia took the trophy plus the top prize of P2,000 as clear first place winner in the kiddies division 14 year old and below class while University of the Philippines star player Rida Jane Young bring home P2,000 champions purse plus trophy as she dominated the Womens class.

Over-all, the three division tournament was attracted a total of 175 woodpushers on account of 100 non-master players, 29 Womens pawnpushers and 46 kiddies players.

Highlight of the event prior to the tournament proper, honoring Quezon City long-time resident grandmasters Eugene Torre, Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Mark Paragua and Jayson Gonzales as well Womens World Billiards Champion Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit after bringing honor and glory for the country enroute receiving their medals and a give pack from Timelife Books and Dickies as being role model in the field of sports. Quezon City councilors Bayani Hipol and Bong Suntay, Nerie Dela Fuente of Palmdale Import and Export Co., and Asia's First IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso graced the opening rites. UP Musician Tenor and Fide Master Christopher Castellano sings tremendous the national anthem.

Other awardees that includes Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao City, Cherry Ann Mejia of Taguig City, Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City and Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan, who won the coveted gold medal in the 2009 ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships in Vietnam. Harold "Henrysky" Mariano (Coach of the Year), Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP), Ramon Magsaysay Chess Club.

The one-day event also supported by RMCHS Cubao Principal IV Dr. Josefina Perlado, GM Mark Monera Magadan of MPC Aluminum and Glass Trading, Barangay Alabang chairman Victor Ulanday, Dr. Alfredo Paez, Dr. Bong Perez, Marikina Chess Federation headed by Johnny Gaudia, g4 chess club led by Joel Pineda, Mr. Jun Balgan, Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP), Hi-tec shoes, Jubilant Advertising and local officials from Quezon City. NATIONAL MASTEER MARLON BERNARDINO.