Laylo takes over Sadorra's slot in Chess Olympiad
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Feb 2020
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines has tapped Grandmaster Darwin Laylo to replace Grandmaster Julio Catalino "Ino" Sadorra in the national team competing in the 44th World Chess Olympiad set August 5 to 18 in Moscow, Russia.
"Grandmaster Julio Catalino "Ino" Sadorra will be replaced by Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, who placed second to International Master Haridas Pascua in the 4-man elimination tournament held recently, in the Olympic team," said Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, newly-appointed executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. and secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Ng Tolentino Jr.
Thus, the final line-up according to Orbe, are Laylo, reigning Philippine National Chess Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr., Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, International Master Paulo Bersamina and International Master Haridas Pascua.
Laylo is one of the top players of multi-titled Philippine Army chess team playing under the banner of Usec Lieutenant General, AFP (Ret.) Arthur Tabaquero (AFP Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs) and Col. Dexter Macasaet (Director, SSC, IMCOM, PA), expressed readiness to take part in his Olympiad quest, saying that he’ll begin intensive training Saturday.
"Special thanks to our NCFP Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Executive Director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe for this given opportunity. I will truly give my best to play and help our (PH) Olympic team.
Coming off a winning performance at the Hong Bao Rating Tournament 2020 (Open division), at the Singapore Chess Federation Conference Room in Bishan, Singapore last January 25 to 27, 2020, the San Roque, Marikina City based Laylo is looking to follow-up that victory when he resumes play in the Singapore Chess Federation High Performance Enrichment (HPE) in Bishan, Singapore.
He also won the January edition of Asean Chess Academy (ACA) Rapid Chess Tournament last January 5, 2020 at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre in Singapore.
Laylo is scheduled to leave the country on Friday via Jetstar Airways bound for Singapore. A match looms between Laylo and Singapore's hopeful GM elect Kevin Goh Weiming in the process according to Laylo's handler and wife Singapore based Arah Rustia Laylo.
Laylo and 13 times Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. received invitations from Mr. Blair Rutter, President, Manitoba Chess Association, which organized the upcoming chess event dubbed as Manitoba meets Manila chess tournament to be held on June 26 to 28, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.-Marlon Bernardino-
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