PH places second overall in Asean Age Group Chess
A VICTORIOUS Philippine delegation brought home 57 medals and awards and finished second overall in the recent 13th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Hue, Vietnam.
Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and delegation head, said the Philippines won 12 golds, 36 silvers and 9 bronze medals in the Standard, Rapid and Blitz competitions.
The harvest broke the country’s 2011 haul of 23 medals including 8 golds.
Host Vietnam topped the event with 121 medals including 73 golds, 31 silvers, 17 bronzes followed by Indonesia with 30 medals (12-7-9).
The country’s gold medalists are Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City (U-20 boys) with 2 golds in Standard and Rapid. He also earned an International Master title and a GM norm; FM Paolo Bersamina of Pasay City (U-14 boys) 2 golds- Standard and Rapid; FM Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao City (U-16 boys 2 golds) Standard and Rapid; Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Manila (U-10 boys gold in rapid); FM Mari Joseph Turqueza of Quezon City (U-20 girls) gold in Blitz; WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila (U-20 girls) gold in Blitz and Mark James Marcellana of Sta. Rosa-Laguna (U-12 boys) gold in Blitz.
The country’s campaign is supported by POC President Peping Cojuangco, PSC Chairman Ritchie Garcia, NCFP President Prospero Pichay Jr., NCFP secretary General and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino Jr. and Atty. Ruel Canobas. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino
