Philippines, 09 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PH chessers off to strong start in Montesilvano


PhilBoxing.com




Montesilvano, Italy---The Philippine age-group chess team opened its campaign in the FIDE World Youth Championship on a promising note Monday as FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca and FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo won their respective matches in the first round of the standard events.

Competing at the Pala Dean Martin centro congressi, Arca led the way by beating India's Wadhawan Daaevik in the Boys under-14 section while Bacojo beat Albania's Kelvin Kosta in the Boys under-18 section.

“The first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said Arca.

"We hope to perform well in this event and gain some ElO rating points as well as the coveted IM Norms," Bacojo said for his part.

Arca and Bacojo, both playing under the guidance of Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, earned their first of three IM Norms during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September.

With the win, Arca will face FM Gustas Morkunas of Lithuania in the second round on Tuesday while Bacojo faces Tymon Ochedzan of Poland.

However, Mark Gabriel Usman and National Master Oscar Joseph Cantela dropped their opening matches against Leo Lin of Canada and John Heinrich of Germany in the Boys under-14 section and Boys under-16 section, respectively.

Backed up by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Mayor Luis "Jon Jon" Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Porto Labuguen and Vice Governor Athena Bryana Delgado Tolentino, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog bannered the girl's squad as she outplayed Veronika Lorenz of Germany in the Girls under-14 section.

"It was a tough match," said Cutiyog, who used her vast experience in the end game to prevail after 42 pushes of Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo Variation.

Cutiyog's next opponent is Poland's Zuzanna Gaszka.

Woman National Master Kaye Lalaine Regidor (Girls under-16 section) and Woman National Master Franchesca Largo (Girls under-18 section) also opened with wins while Anica Shey Dimatangihan (Girls under-14 section) split her games.

Regidor subdued Emilia Deak-Sala of Austria, Largo trounced Anna Voriskova of Czech Republic while Dimatangihan drew with Mahri Gamyradova of Turkmenistan.

In the second round, Regidor will test the mettle of Erdenebayar Khuslen of Mongolia, Largo will trade her skills against Jana Sosovickova of Slovakia and Dimatangihan opposite Ani Avetisyan of Armenia.

Also joining the PH chess team backed up by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) are Woman National Master Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (Girls under-14 section) , Maureiin Lepaopao (Girls under-14 section) , Charly Jhon Yamson (Boys under-14 section) who lost their first round matches.

Suyamin yielded to Woman International Master Iris Moe of the USA, Lepaopao lost to Bayarsaikhan Khulan of Mongolia while Yamson bowed to Candidate Master Kendrick Botong Zhang of New Zealand.

Completing the PH age group chess team who also backed up by NCFP Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP CEO GM Jayson Gonzales and POC President and Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino are Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Head of Delegation and Coach), Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza (Coach) and Ederwin Estavillo (Coach).-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo caption:

Photo (L-R): FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Head of Delegation and Coach) and FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.