
1000GM Chess Academy Launched, 110 Kids Respond
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Feb 2024

The search for the next Philippine grandmaster went off to a blazing start with 110 kids responding to the 1000GM (grandmaster) Chess Academy inaugural tournament recently at the Robinson’s Galleria Mall in Ortigas.
The ambitious project, bankrolled by the 1000GM organization based in the USA, https://academy.1000gm.net, saw an immense talent pool compete for a slot in the national finals set next year. Danry Seth Romualdez scored a perfect seven wins to take the Under-11 years old category.
The eight-year-old Romualdez bested a girl campaigner, Amber Mariana Maravilla, 10, in the last round in a sharp Accelerated Sicilian Dragon game that saw advantages shift to both sides. Maravilla failed to nurse an extra pawn advantage and blundered last giving up the exchange.
Six-year-old Tori Ansel Mariano scored three wins and was among 55 kids who competed. Caleb Loukas Picache-David and Caleb Royce Garcia made it a 1-2-3 finish for Pasig chessers, scoring six points, apiece.
In the 14-Under category, third seed Summer Justine Oncita won with black in the seventh round, beat Almwayne Magpusao, and took the champion’s title with 6.5 points. Fourth seed Cyrus Luis Mahawan took solo second with six points among 45 age group campaigners.

Parents, some of whom traveled from faraway Infanta, Quezon (125 kilometers), supported their son’s passion and signified their intention to compete in the next leg on March 17, also at the Robinsons Galleria.
The 1000GM project aims to guide both parents and kids to achieve full potential into becoming world beaters. The website, https://academy.1000gm.net, can be accessed for a minimal fee and will lay out the groundwork for guidance.
Srikanth Bangalore of the US, disclosed that simultaneous kiddies tournaments will be held in the US, Mexico, India and Ecuador, among others. The Philippine side will also conduct tournaments and talent search in Visayas and Mindanao.
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