Filipino Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Rogelio “Banjo” Barenilla Jr. and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia finished first, second and third in the just concluded Baby Uno Chess Challenge dubbed as Grandmaster and Attorney Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Championship last weekend at the lichess.org.
The 36-year-old Paragua went undefeated as he scored 18 points out of a possible 21 on 15 victories and six draws to rule the P51,000 total prize tournament celebrating 79th birthday of the late legendary Balinas.
The New York, USA based Paragua received the top prize of P10,000 plus PH Agila T-Shirt in this one-day event, hosted by Bethesda, Maryland USA based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas in close cooperation with engineer Antonio Carreon Balinas and Fernan Donguines of Hybreed Apparel Collection. The tourney was organized by Bayanihan Chess Club which attracted 654 All Pinoy participants, composed of 100 Filipino chess master all over the world.
On the other hand, the 48-year-old Barcenilla, a two-time Asian Junior champion (1989 and 1990), who is now based in Arizona in the United States, collected 17 points on 15 wins, four draws and two loses to bring home the runner-up purse of P5,000 plus PH Agila T-Shirt.
The 25-years-old Garcia, a program manager and head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University chess team, tallied 16 points on 12 wins, eight draws and 1 losses to receive P3,000 plus PH Agila T-Shirt for his effort.
All games were aired live thru Youtube channel of Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya as well Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe’s Official National Chess Federation of the Philippines Facebook channel.
Meanwhile, Bethesda, Maryland USA based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and his older brother engineer Antonio Carreon Balinas will put up another total pot prize of P50,000 for the upcoming Grandmaster and Attorney Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Death Anniversary to be held on September 27, 2020.
For registration message, AGM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. and Genghis Katipunan Imperial.