PHL LADY WOODPUSHERS TO COMPETE IN US CHESS CIRCUIT
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Oct 2014
THAILAND-- A lady chesser ace Maria Ellaine Manalo Refugio is fresh from winning Chess4thai Main Event 2014 last August 31 at the Cha-Da Hotel here in Bangkok, Thailand.
She emerged overall top women player in this international chess competitions in Thailand that attracted over 150 participants from seven different countries (Philippines, Thailand, Macedonia, India, China, Japan and Korea).
This time Refugio who hails from Baco, Oriental Mindoro had a bigger dream, to pocket the top prize $7,000 and coveted United States Chess Master.
"Handang-handa na ako sa chess tournament sa Amerika sa Las Vegas sa Disyembre," said the 30-year-old Refugio, who is consistently training under the watchful eye of former 2-time olympian and Doha Asian Games bet Woman Fide Master Jedara Docena.
The 24th annual North American Open Chess Championship which offers Prizes of $120,000 based on 600 paid entries, $90,000 minimum guaranteed set on December 26 to 29 at the at Bally's Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Refugio is set to play in the Under 2300 section, also at stake is the United States Chess Master aside the top prize of $7,000.
"Malaking tulong po sa maintenance ng ama ko pong may sakit yung mapapanalunan ko po," Refugio told to this writer that his father got a mild stroke in 1983.
The Marikina-Quezon City based Refugio's local and international tournament are supported by Marikina mayor Del de Guzman and congressman Romero "Miro" Quimbo, Bulacan board member Michael Fermin and Barangay Malamig, Mandaluyong Barangay captain and former international billiard and snooker champion Marlon Manalo.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
"Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 18 Nov 2025IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 18 Nov 2025PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
Tue, 18 Nov 2025Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 18 Nov 2025Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 17 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 17 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 17 Nov 2025A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
Sun, 16 Nov 2025Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 16 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 16 Nov 2025NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 16 Nov 2025Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 15 Nov 2025