IM Enrique Pacencia wins 2010 Singapore International Chess Festival

Singapore based IM Enrique Pacencia who represents Singapore and plays board number one for the country in many international competition including the Chess Olympiad in Dresden recently won the 2010 Singapore International Chess Festival, a tournament usually dominated by Filipino chess players in the past editions of the event. For more of the chess festivals, please visit tournament website.

Report by NM Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino International Master (IM) Enrique Paciencia stamped his class on the opposition to bag the Ang Mo Kio Community Centre Hong Bao Rapid Chess Challenge 2010 Open title in the recently-concluded tournament in Singapore.

The Tacloban City native, the 2009 Singapore International Chess Festival champion, beat Aussie Steve O’Reily in the 7th and final round to finish with 6 points on 5 wins and 2 draws, the same output of compatriot IM Yves Ranola and Singaporean Mark Chan.

Paciencia, a former mainstay of Adamson University, clinched the title after the tie break points were applied. Ranola settled for 2nd place while Chan was the 3rd placer.

Ranola split the point with fellow RP Junior champion National Master (NM) Roberto Suelo, Jr. in the final canto while Chan beat countryman Linson Lim.

Suelo finished overall 4th with 5.5 points, a half point ahead of Filipino NM Arlan Cabe who settled for overall 5th with superior quotient in the group of 5 pointers.

Meralco chess

Philippine and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr., meanwhile, edged the Meralco Chess Club (MCC) woodpushers, 3.5-2.5, in a rare six-board simultaneous chess exhibition at the Lopez Building in the Meralco head office in Pasig City.

The former Virginia, USA Open champion Bernardino defeated Rhal Sol Cruz (LSGH student), Jonathan Rivera (Security) and Adonis Johnson Maclang (Valenzuela Meter- Leadman) on Friday.

Jonas Satiago (SCADA) and Jay Dicen (Security) scored 2 wins for MCC while Adrian Esteva (Rizal Sector-Lineman) salvaged a draw in the six board simul that launched the chess activities for the Meralco employees’ day celebration on March 20.

The simul is also part of preparation for the 1st MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) Olympics where chess is one of the events.

According to MCC President Rolly Sol Cruz, the triumvirate of Santiago, Dicen and Esteva are all champions having won a tournament one time or another.

Last month, Bernardino swept his 10 board simultaneous chess exhibition. Bernardino is a radio commentator, sports writer and member of the coaching staff of La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) under the leadership of head coach International arbiter and National Master (NM) Erwin Carag.

Araw ng Dabaw chess

Meantime, the Gaisano South Citimall along Illustre Street will be the venue for the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-Vice Mayor Sara Duterte Araw ng Dabaw Age-Group/Open chess tournament on March 14 and 21 in Davao City.

NCFP Regional Director James Infiesto, who is sanctioning the two-Sunday event for young woodpushers, said the top performers in each category will get medals and cash prizes.

The tournament will feature boys and girls in the 8 and below, 10 and below, 12 and below, 14 and below, 16 and below and 18 and below categories plus Open and non-master categories.

The competition is part of the Araw ng Dabaw sports festival presented by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Sara Duterte in coordination with the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office.

Registration is free at the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO). Interested chess players can call (082) 227-8074 or e-mail waigeeboy@yahoo.com.

Torre in Angeles

Meanwhile, Asia’s First Grandmaster (GM) Eugene Torre will grace the opening ceremony of 2010 Atty. Edgardo D. Pamintuan Chess Cup on April 3, Saturday at the Marquee Mall Center stage in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Hall of Famer Torre will give his inspirational message to the participants, according to tournament organizer Ram Genita.

Among the tournament’s early entries are John Romvi Manaloto, Justin Ty, Manuel Alvis, Jessica Icabandi, Chris Hans Balingit and Kirstine Mae Cruz.

The one-day affair which offers cash prizes to the winners of the seven rounds Swiss-system 25 minutes time Control National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) standard ratings event.

Interested participants can contact Genita at mobile numbers 0906-1172117 and 0919-3547092. – by Marlon Bernardino