Christian Mendoza Wins GMG Youth Chess Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 May 2023
Final Standings: (Seven Rounds Swiss System, 124 participants, 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment rapid time control format)
6.5 points---Christian Mendoza
6.0 points---Jian Carlo Rivera, NM Al-Basher "Basty" Buto, Allan Gabriel Hilario, Jeanne Marie Arcinue, NM Oshrie James Reyes
5.5 points---FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca, AIM Gabriel Ryan Paradero
Mandaluyong City---Christian Mendoza, who hails from Antipolo City, emerged champion in the recently-concluded GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament (15 years old and below) at 2nd floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Mendoza finished with 6.5 points in the 7-round Swiss System format competition to pocket the champion's prize of P 5,000 plus medal.
"I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy," said Mendoza.
The 15-year-old Mendoza, a Grade 10 student of Antipolo National Highschool, bested Jian Carlo Rivera of Rodriguez, Rizal, National Master Al-Basher "Basty" Buto of Cainta, Rizal, Allan Gabriel Hilario of Manila, Jeanne Marie Arcinue of Legaspi, Albay and National Master Oshrie James Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga who settled for second to sixth placers, respectively, who all finished with 6.0 points apiece.
Top seed Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Dasmariñas , Cavite, seventh, leading other 5.5 pointers Arena International Master Gabriel Ryan Paradero of Pasig City via superior tiebreaks.
The third seed Mendoza posted sixth straight wins against Xian Aiken Cuartero (Round 1), Delia Marie Penaverde (Round 2), Lira M. Placer (Round 3), Jude Angelo Dableo (Round 4), Allan Gabriel Hilario (Round 5) and Woman National Master Jersey Marticio (Round 6). He split the points with National Master Oshrie James Reyes in the seventh and final round.
Backed up by Thailand based coach National Master Gerald Ferriol, GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament (15 years old and below) was organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and was sanctioned by National Chess Federation of the Philippines in close cooperation, rated by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in close cooperation with Balinas Family, Ms. China Aurelio and Ms. Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen and Mr. Richard Poblete-Ramos of Eurobake Restaurant - Bakeshop and supervised by the Backed up by Thailand based coach National Master Gerald Ferriol, GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament (15 years old and below) was organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and was sanctioned by National Chess Federation of the Philippines in close cooperation, rated by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in close cooperation with Balinas Family, Ms. China Aurelio and Ms. Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen and Mr. Richard Poblete-Ramos of Eurobake Restaurant - Bakeshop and supervised by the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation (PACC).
The event aimed to develop good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie.
Earlier, Atty. Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera and Mr. Jessie Villasin made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament also graced by Ms. Mimi Casas, Marco Polo Sanido and Alisangco siblings Novenik William and Nikonov Samuel.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming
Fri, 14 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT
Fri, 14 Nov 2025DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
Fri, 14 Nov 2025Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22
Fri, 14 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 14 Nov 2025ROUND 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Gathering Of Legends
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 13 Nov 2025Antonio draws with England's Arkell in Spain chess tiff
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 13 Nov 2025NBA announces the new format to All Star Game
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 13 Nov 2025Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Thu, 13 Nov 2025Historic Turnout at the 1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament in Laos
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 13 Nov 2025The Hammer Returns to the Fray With a Bang
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Monzón and Coggi are new Argentina Boxing Hall of Fame members
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 12 Nov 2025GM Antonio moves to 2nd in Spain chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Teflon Promotion to host Re:Play Volume 1 on November 22nd at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center
Wed, 12 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 NOVEMBER 2025
By Eric Armit, Wed, 12 Nov 2025