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:
THE 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 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025