GM Barcenilla eyes Olympic stint
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Jul 2020
MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. will chase an Olympic stint on 64 square board for chess.
Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, will lead the six-player cast in this in this weekend’s two-day qualifying tournament to the first ever FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 scheduled July 22 to August 30.
The Chandler, Arizona based Barcenilla will test the mettle of New York based GM Mark Paragua (replacement of Dallas, Texas based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra), GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, International Master Paolo Bersamina and IM Haridas Pascua.
"I hope to do well in this event," said Barcenilla, the pride of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City under the leadership of International Billiards Champion Marlon Manalo.
It shall be recalled that Barcenilla won 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 November 26.
Due to the global pandemic crisis Covid 19, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) decided not to push through the actual or over the board chess competition but rather to continue the game of chess through an online chess competition.
According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, only the top four players will make the team with only two men can play per round. Each team is allowed to play six players a game with the four being two women, one junior player aged Under-20 and an U20 girl.
The tryout for boys Under-20 players is also set this weekend while those for the women and girls will have a separate schedule.
Meanwhile, Gabriel "Gab" Barcenilla newest music video “Mira” was released already.
Gabriel, a professional Singer, Song-writer, Dancer, and Model is a son of GM Barcenilla and former world chess Olympiad member Woman National Master Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
Sat, 07 Mar 2026Weights from Atlantic City
Sat, 07 Mar 2026PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 07 Mar 2026Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Mar 2026Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Mar 2026Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Mar 2026All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
Fri, 06 Mar 2026AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Mar 2026World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
Fri, 06 Mar 2026USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
Fri, 06 Mar 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
Fri, 06 Mar 2026International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
Thu, 05 Mar 2026