GM "Banjo" Barcenilla defends Phoenix Open Chess title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 29 Nov 2019
GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla will begin his bid to retain his title when the 8th Annual Phoenix Open Chess Championship gets underway on Friday at the Unity Chess Club in Mesa, Arizona.
Fondly called Banjo in the chess world, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, will defend his crown against top player from Arizona, USA in this three-day (November 29 to December 1, 2019) event.
"I hope to do well in this event and gain some elo rating points," said Banjo, a 6th straight Phoenix Open champion.
The Iloilo born Banjo who had also roots in Cebu and Iligan City is fresh from winning the 2019 Philippines National Chess Championship dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters in an impressive fashion held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE), 2nd floor, No. 56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6 in Quezon City last Tuesday, November 26.
The Arizona, USA based Banjo, the pride of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City thrilled the audience with a queen sacrifice that forced mate last year's champion International Master (IM) Haridas Pascua en route to capturing another national title since winning the 1996 Far East Bank National Chess Championships.
Banjo prevailed after 44 pushes of an English Opening game to finish undefeated in the 11 round tournament with a total output of 7 points on account of 4 wins, 6 draws, 0 loss, one point ahead International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina and Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez.
Thus, Banjo took one of the two slots allotted to the top 2 winners to represent the country in the 2020 World Chess Olympiad to be held in Moscow, Russia as member of the Philippine National Chess Team (Open/Men).
Banjo who is also slated to play in the 29th Annual North American Open will be held at Bally's Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on December 26-30, 2019 according to his very supportive wife 1994 Moscow Olympiad member Woman National Master (WNM) Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025