Haridas Pascua retains National Chess Crown, earns ticket to Batumi Chess Olympiad
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Jun 2018
Final Ranking (Men's division, Single Round Robin Format, 12 player's field)
8.0 points---IM Haridas Pascua, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza
7.5 points---IM Paulo Bersamina
7.0 points---GM John Paul Gomez
6.5 points--- GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.
6.0 points---IM Richelieu Salcedo III
4.5 points---Jeth Romy Morado
3.5 points---IM Chito Garma, NM Rolando Andador
2.5 points---Jonathan Maca Jota
1.0 point---FM Roberto Suelo Jr.
MAKATI CITY, Philippines---International Master Haridas Pascua of Baguio City has retained his National Chess Cup title after winning the tie break points over runner-up International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila and third placer Fide Master Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza of Quezon City at the just concluded 2018 National Chess Championship dubbed as Trip To Batumi Grand Finals being held at the Second Floor, Activity Hall, Alphaland Makati Place in Malugay Street, Makati City on Saturday.
The triumvirate (Pascua, Garcia and Turqueza) tallied 8.0 points in eleven outings to receive trophies and recommendation to the NCFP board to be included at Philippine Sports Commission National Training Pool Allowance according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) treasurer and finance committee head Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe and executive director Red Dumuk.
But more important, Pascua and Garcia, were both assured of slots in the five man Philippine Team bound for 43rd Chess Olympiad scheduled on September 23 to October 7, 2018.
"I am so thankful for this victory and I want to humbly offer this triumph to our Lord. It's an honor to represent the Philippines in the upcoming 43rd World Chess Olympiad," said Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia based Pascua who hails from Mangatarem, Pangasinan.
The last three remaining slots will be discussed on June 19, 2018 when the NCFP board meeting resumes in Davao City to coincide with the start of 19th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships, organized by Chess Events International led by International Arbiter James Infiesto and Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.
The country's top player US based Grandmaster Julio Catalino "Ino" Sadorra (Elo 2546) is expected to man the Board 1 for the Philippine Team.
Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre, the long-time vanguard of Philippine chess will play a vital role for the Philippine Team who in the past is the head coach of the mens team.
It was a sweet victory for Pascua who retains his coveted chess title after halving the point with Grandmaster John Paul Gomez in the eleventh and final round after 27 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening.
Garcia, on the other hand ended his game into a fighting draw against Jeth Romy Morado after 60 moves of Giuco Piano Opening while Turqueza beat International Master Chito Garma after 35 moves of Double Fianchetto Opening.
Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza of Santa Rosa City, Laguna topped the women's division with 7.0 points while University of the Philippines-Diliman chess coach Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito of Bulacan took runner-up place with 6.5 points.
Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, the pride of Dasmarinas Chess Academy put up by Dasmarinas mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., congresswoman Jenny Barzaga and national coach International Master Roel Abelgas came third place with 5.5 points.
Mendoza, Perena-Secopito and San Diego already assured slots in the Philippine Womens Team bound for 43rd Chess Olympiad with no less than country's first Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna of Albay province will be the womens team top board player. They also got a recommendation to the NCFP board to be included at Philippine Sports Commission National Training Pool Allowance.
Mendoza, one of the top players of GM Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University chess team settled for a truce with San Diego after 31 moves of London System Opening in the final canto while Perena-Secopito outplayed Woman Fide Master Michelle Yaon of Los Banos, Laguna after 35 moves of Scandinavian defense.
Dasmarinas mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., the God Father of Philippine Chess in Southern Tagalog Region congratulate Marie Antoinette for her latest feat and a ticket to Batumi Chess Olympiad.
Meralco top player Fide Master Leonardo "Leo" Carlos also congratulated his fellow University of the Philippines-Diliman chess coach Perena-Secopito for the victory. (Marlon Bernardino)
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