Sibalom Chess Association - Solong 2008

The Sibalom Chess Association, headed by Mr. Agaton Grasparil, President, recently held its 12th yearly Edition of the Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom. Here are the details:

SIBALOM CHESS ASSOCIATION
Helping develop and harness the municipality’s intellectual capital
c/o SK Chairperson Benjamen B. Evardone Jr., Cubay Napultan, Sibalom, Antique http://profiles.friendster.com/sichessasso
sibalom_chess_association@yahoo.com 09196922379
8:12 p.m., December 29, 2008
REPORT

12th Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom held
SIBALOM, Antique – The twelfth yearly edition of the Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom, a tournament which is open to all Sibalomnon chess players, culminated a few hours ago with a long and tension-filled deciding game for first place between a veteran player in his fifties and a girl in her teens. The veteran eventually won.
The event, named Solong 2008 – Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom, began on December 27, 2008 at the Alex & Al Café and Snack House in District II, and continued today at the at the Solong Barangay Plaza..

Here are the results:

First Place – Edwin S. Leabriz of District II
Second Place – April Joyce S. Osunero of Esperanza III
Third Place – Rex A. Cordero of Iglanot
Fourth Place – Rodhel D. Trocio of Iglanot
Fifth Place – Lou Vincent B. Baculna of District I
Sixth Place – Eugenio A. Pasaquian of Solong
Seventh Place – Andrew N. Abagon of Biga-a
Eighth Place – Quin C. Cordon of Iglanot
Ninth Place – Rex Allan P. Galicia of Solong
Tenth Place – Jessie C. Balen Jr. of Cubay Sermon

Solong 2008 – Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom was a project of the Sibalom Chess Association, and was supported by the following: the Barangay Council of Solong under the leadership of Delicia A. Espares, the Sangguniang Kabataan of Solong under the leadership of Lorie Mae P. Otañes, and the Sibalom Tree-Planting Movement. The project manager was Mark Raymond M. Combong, and the assistant project manager was Jeffrey P. Mendavia.
The Sibalom Chess Association is a voluntary organization that was formed in 1997, and has been led since then by Agaton R. Grasparil III.

MARK RAYMOND M. COMBONG
Project Manager
Solong 2008 – Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom

January 2009 Chess Open and Youth Tournaments

The Open Chess Tournament, January 2009 Edition, is scheduled on January 10-11, 2009. The tournament is open to all interested. This will be played on a 5 -round Swiss system format, 1 hour play to finish. Tournament venue will still be the Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom, Antique. Play starts at 9:30 a.m. of January 10.

The first bi-monthly youth tournament for 2009 will be on January 24-25, 2009. This will be open to all chess players below 18 years old. This will also be played on a 5-round Swiss system, 1 hour play to finish format. For more details, please contact the Antique Chess Society at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse or this blog.

more pictures from the Dec 14 De Gracia Cup

December 14 De Gracia Cup in pictures

Leo Magbanua tops first Antique Masters Chess Tournament!

18 year old Leo Magbanua of San Jose tops the first Antique Masters Chess Tournament(De Gracia Memorial Cup) with 5.5 points after 7 rounds. Solo second place goes to Arnel Amar of Tibiao with 5 points. Four players shared third with 4.5 points apiece. They were Top seed Miguel Descalzo, John Mark Grasparil, Nick Contreras, and Von Steven Aquino.

Leo Magbanua received the Champion's trophy and P2,000.00 cash. Second placer Arnel Amar received P1,000.00. The four players tied for third place shared the cash prizes for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places. A special cash prize was also awarded to 12 year old Lou Vincent Baculna who finished with a respectable 3 points.

The cash prizes were donated by the De Gracia family in honor of the birthday of the late Mrs. Juanita Grasparil De Gracia. The trophy was donated by Mr. Deonato Petinglay.

In the awarding ceremony, the Antique Chess Society, for the first time, recognized and awarded certificate of Titles to its worthy chess players. The Antique Chess Society has deviced its own rating system using the ELO formula to seed and rank its players. Those who surpassed an ELO rating of 2400 by December 1, 2008 were awarded the Senior Master title. Those who surpassed the ELO rating of 2200 were awarded the title of Provincial Master. And those who surpassed an ELO rating of 2000 were awarded Municipal Master titles. The following players were awarded these respective titles.

SENIOR MASTER
1. Nelson L. Trayfalgar jr.
2. Miguel Descalzo

PROVINCIAL MASTER
1. Leo Magbanua
2. John Mark Grasparil
3. Von Steven Aquino
4. Joselito Castro
5. Edwin Leabriz

MUNICIPAL MASTER
1. Rex Daguinotan
2. Nick Contreras
3. Apolonio Fadrigo

The next tournament of the Antique Chess Society will be on January where the regular monthly open chess tournament and the bi-monthly youth chess tournament will begin for 2009. all interested players are invited to join!

Antique chess rejoice over Pacquiao's victory

The whole nation stopped for a while to watch pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao maul Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya into submission. The Antique Chess Society intentionally made sure that its ongoing tournament schedule would not be in conflict with this historic event. The streets were relatively empty as people cheered for our National Hero won convincingly over de la Hoya.

What is humbling about Manny Pacquiao is that every start and finish of the fight, he never forgets to kneel down and pray. His declaration after each victory is that he is very grateful to God and dedicates his victory to the Filipino people. He is the only person today who can unite all of us in whatever persuasions of life we might be.

CONGRATULATIONS MANNY PACQUIAO!!!!!!

Seeded players take early lead

Top seeded Miguel Descalzo, second seed Leo Magbanua, Edwin leabriz, and Nick Contreras takes the early lead with 2 points apiece after two rounds of the ongoing Antique Masters Chess Tournament.

Miguel Descalzo ----- 2
Leo Magbanua ------ 2
Edwin Leabriz ------ 2
Nick Contreras ----- 2
John Mark grasparil - 1
Von Steven Aquino --1
Rex Daguinotan ---- 1
JR Magbanua ------- 1
Deonato Petinglay --- 1
Lou vincent Baculna - 1
Raymund Cepeda --- 1
Jevie Go ------------- 1

18 players joined this 7 round event. The next 5 rounds will be on December 13 and 14, 2008. A Christams party and awarding program will be the culminating activities.

The Antique version of a masters' tournament will be held on December 6, 13 and 14, 2008 at Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse. This tournament will pit the best players in the province of Antique. Registration fee will be P100.00. Regular playing members are free from registration. For more details, please contact the Antique Chess Society at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse.

Prizes will be:

Champion ------- P2,000.00 plus trophy
second ---------- 1,000.00 plus certificate
third ------------ 500.00 plus certificate
fourth ----------- 300.00 plus certificate
fifth ------------- 200.00 plus certificate

other consolation prizes


"Don't take drugs, play chess"

12 Year olds rule Under 18 Youth Chess

12 Year olds Lou Vincent Baculna and Mon Aldrin Farren ruled the recent Under 18 Youth chess tournament held at the Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse last November 22-23, 2008. Baculna, Antique's version of Wesley So, played confidently and easily defeated all his opponents to finish with 5 points in this 5 round swiss system event. Mon Aldrin Farren finished second with 4 points losing only to Baculna in the third round. four players finished tied for 3rd place. Among them is 13 year old Jesse Queen Villaflor.

Baculna and Villaflor will be representing their Districts (Sibalom and Patnongon respectively) in the upcoming provincial meet.

Cubay Sermon - Sibalom Youth Chess Tournament

Last November 15, the Sibalom Chess Association, through its President Agaton Grasparil, opened its yearly youth chess tournament. It was graced by local artist and composer Mr. Romeo Amerila. While the opening day was held at Alex and Al cafe and snackhouse, the final stage of the tournament will be held at Brgy. Cubay Sermon, Sibalom, on November 29, 2008. Here are some of the pictures.

November Edition Open Tournament pictures

John Mark Grasparil wins November Edition Open Tournament

After an exciting and thrilling fifth round, John Mark Grasparil edged out Von Stenven Aquino and Miguel Descalzo in the tie break to win the November 2008 Edition Open Chess Tournament held at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse last November 5-9.

Grasparil, Aquino and Descalzo finished tied with 4 points after 5 rounds but Grasparil finisihed first via a higher tie-break followed by Aquino and Descalzo for second and third places respectively. 21 players participated.

Thank You Ronnie!

The Antique Chess Society is very grateful for the financial assistance given by a good friend whom I have never met personally yet. Mr. Ronnie Manubay, whom I met at the chess forum of the Pinoychess.informe.com, was so kind and trusting to send his contribution to this chess club. Ron, we are very grateful for your much needed support. God bless you always and thank you very much! In the photo is our October Edition champion Von Steven Aquino, former varsity chess player of Central Philippine Univerysity, and (wearing the red jacket) John Mark Grasparil, former West Visayan meet player representing Antique.

Jonathan

Cubay Sermon 2008 - Pangmatan-un nga Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom

The Sibalom Chess Association will be hosting the Cubay Sermon 2008 - Pangmatan-un nga Torneyo kang Chess sa Sibalom (Cubay Sermon 2008 - Youth Chess Tournament in Sibalom). This tournament is open to all youth players in Sibalom. The tournament is scheduled on November 15, 2008 at Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse and on November 29, 2008 at Brgy. Cubay Sermon, Sibalom Antique.

The Sibalom Chess Association is an award winning organization who brings and promote chess in Sibalom by bringing the tournament to the barangays. They host this yearly tournament and assigns different barangays every year as their championship venues. They list hundreds of members. They also undergo activities on environment concerns through tree planting etc. The Antique Chess Society is very much supportive of such organizations. The Antique Chess Society would love to see the activities of the Sibalom Chess Association duplicated in other municipalities.

The president of the Sibalom Chess Association is Mr. Agaton R. Grasparil. For this year's tournament, the Project Manager is Rex Daguinotan and the Asst. Project Manager is Von Steven Aquino.

4th Bi-monthly Youth Chess Tourney on November 22-23, 2008

The 4th Bi-monthly Youth chess tournament will be held on November 22-23,2008 at the Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom Antique. This will be open to all players under 18 years of age. This will also be played on a 5-round Swiss system, one-hour play-to-finish format. No registration fees. Play start at 9:30 am of November 22. 20 minutes defaulting time.

November 2008 Open Chess Tourney Set

The November 2008 Edition of the monthly open chess tournament is set on November 8-9, 2008 at the Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom, Antique. This tournament is open to all interested and will be a 5-round Swiss system, one hour play-to-finish format. No registration fees. Play start at 9:30 am of November 8.

Interested chess players are also invited for blitz games especially on saturdays!

October 2008 Editon Tournament in pictures

Von Steven Aquino wins October 2008 Open Chess Tournaments

22 year old Von Steven Aquino edged Miguel Descalzo and Leo Magbanua in the tie break to win the 2008 October Edition of the Monthly Open Chess Tournament held at the Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom, Antique. The three players tied with four points after 5 rounds but Von Aquino prevailed with a higher tie break points to finished first followed by Miguel Descalzo and Leo Magbanua for Second and Third respectively. Four players are bunched at 3 points apiece to share the fourth and fifth prizes. They were John Mark Grasparil, Deonato Petinglay, Edwin Leabriz, and Joselito Castro. The November 2008 Edition is scheduled on November 8-9, 2008.

October 2008 Edition of the monthly open chess tournament set on October 11 - 12, 2008

The October 2008 Edition of the Monthly Open Chess Tournament will be held this October 11-12, 2008 at the Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom, Antique. This tournament will be open to all interested. The tournament will be on a one-hour play to finish format, touch move, 5-round Swiss system and 20 minutes defaulting time. No registration fees. Play start at 9:30 a.m. of October 11.

3rd Under 18 Youth Chess Tournament in Pictures

Baculna wins 3rd Youth Chess Tournament

Typhoon Nina couldn't stop the holding of the 3rd Under 18 Youth Chess Tournament held at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse last September 20-21, 2008.

12 Year old Lou Vincent Baculna stomped his class in this tournament by defeating all his opponents. Second place went to Raymund Marlo Cepeda. John Paul Salon was in third place followed by 9 year old John Dominic Gille for fourth place.

Under 18 Youth Chess Tournament on September 20-21, 2008

The 3rd Under 18 Youth Chess Tournament will be held on September 20-21, 2008 at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom Antique. This tournament will be a five-round, Swiss system, one-hour play to finish format. Play starts at 9:30 am of September 20. This is open to all chess players under 18 years of age.

September 6-7, 2008 Tournament Pictures

Nelson Trayfalgar wins September 2008 Edition!

Top seeded Nelson 'Jun' Trayfalgar Jr. proved once again why he is the dominant chess player in Antique by winning the September 2008 Edition of the monthly chess tournament sponsored by the Antique Chess Society. Trayfalgar, who is from San Jose Antique, scored a perfect 5 points out of five rounds, a clear point away from second placer Miguel Descalzo who has 4 points.

Five players are bunched at 3 points apiece for joint Third Place. They are John Mark Grasparil, Apolonio Fadrigo, Deonato Petinglay, Joselito Castro and Von Steven Aquino. 15 players have participated in the tournament held at Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse, Sibalom Antique. The October Edition of the monthly chess tournament will be on October 4-5, 2008.

Queenie Villaflor wins St. Augustine Academy chess tournament

Our congratulations to 13 year old Queenie Villaflor for winning the just concluded cchool chess tournament of the St. Augustine Academy in Patnongon Antique. She scored a perfect 8 points out of 8 games.

September Edition of Monthly Tournament set on September 6-7, 2008

The September Edition of the monthly chess tournament is set on September 6 -7, 2008 at Alex and Al cafe and Snackhouse. This will be open to all chess players. Play starts at 9:30 a.m. of September 6. The tournament will be played on a five-round Swiss system, one-hour play to finish.

Good news to all chess club members, there are now acknowledged sponsors for the December grand tournament. Bigger cash prizes will be at stake. This will be exclusive to chess club members only.

August 9-10, 2008 Tournament Pictures

Upcoming September Tournaments

September 6-7, 2008 - Monthly Open Chess Tournament September Edition. Open to all chess players. 5 - round Swiss System, one-hour play to finish format. Play start at 9:30 a.m. of September 6.

September 20-21, 2008 - Third Bi-monthly Youth Chess Tournament. Open to all players below 18 years old. 5- round Swiss system, one hour play to finish. Play start at 9:30 a.m. 0f September 20.

July 26, 2008 Youth Tournament Pictures

Trayfalgar wins August 2008 Edition

Top seeded Nelson Trayfalgar Jr. wins the August 2008 Chess Tournament held last August 9-10, 2008 at the Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse. Trayfalgar scored 4.5 points out of a possible 5.

Miguel Descalzo came in solo second with 4 points. Descalzo defeated erstwhile leader Leo Magbanua in the final round. Leo Magbanua tied for 3rd to 5th place with Edwin Leabriz and John Mark Grasparil with 3.5 points apiece.

Open Chess Tournament - August Edition on August 9-10, 2008

The August Edition of the Monthly Open Chess Tournament will be on August 9-10, 2008 at the Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse, headquarters of the Antique Chess Society.

Tournament format will still be a 5-round Swiss System, 1-hour to play. This is open to all interested chess players. No registration fee. For more details contact 09183700353.

12 yr old Lou Baculna, 13 yr old Queenie Villaflor rules 18 under Youth Tournament

12 year old Lou Vincent Baculna topped the recent under-18 Youth Chess Tournament with a perfect score of 5 points in this 5-round Swiss System event. 13 year old Queenie Villaflor came solo Second Place with four points.

Four players came in tied for Third Place with 3 points apiece. This Quarterly Youth Tournament attracted 18 participants. A number of very young promising players (age 9) made the organizers decide to hold this tournament every two months instead of every quarter. Chess is really coming back to life in this province after a very long hiatus.

RP Chess Team

Congratulations to those who made it to the Philippine Chess Team for the coming international chess tournaments. We, in Antique, are proud of you! You have our prayers and support in our hearts.

MEMBERS OF PHILIPPINE TEAMS

CHESS OLYMPIAD - DRESDEN 2008

GM WESLEY SO
GM BUENAVENTURA VILLAMAYOR
GM DARWIN LAYLO
GM JAYSON GONZALES
IM JOHN PAUL GOMEZ

WNM CATHERINE PERENA
WNM SHERCILA CUA
WNM DAISY RIVERA
WNM CHARDINE CHERADEE
WNM CRISTY LAMIEL BERNALES


1st WORLD MIND GAMES

GM MARK PARAGUA
IM ROLANDO NOLTE
IM JULIO CATALINO SADORRA
IM CHITO GARMA
NM LEONARDO CARLOS

SHERILY CUA
CRISTINE ROSE MARIANO
KIMBERLY JANE CUNANAN
JAN JODILYN FRONDA
RIDA JANE YOUNG


2008 WORLD JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

GM WESLEY SO
NM HARIDAS PASCUA

WORLD YOUTH U-16 CHESS OLYMPIAD 2008

GM WESLEY SO
NM HARIDAS PASCUA
JAN EMMANUEL GARCIA
ALCON JOHN DATU

GOD bless all of you.

2nd Quarterly Youth Tournament set July 26-27, 2008

The 2nd Quarterly Youth Tournament is set on July 26-27, 2008 at Alex and Al Cafe and Snackhouse. This tournament is open to all players below 18 years old.

Cash and other prizes await the winners. No registration fee. For more information visit Alex and Al Cafe and Restaurant, Sibalom Antique or see Engr. Jonathan G. De Gracia, President of the Antique Chess Society. Or you may visit him at his office at:

Engr. Jonathan G. De Gracia
General Manager
Sibalom Water District
Sibalom, Antique

more tournament pictures

July 12-13, 2008 tournament pictures