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:
Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
Fri, 05 Jun 2026