Philippines, 21 Apr 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:

  • ‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2-Division World Champion  Daniel Ponce De León Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: First Round Game 1 Recap
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu gains a total of 36 rating points, bringing his FIDE rating to 2321 by May after completing 2 chess tournaments in Spain
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde Improves to 15-0 with 10th KO
    , Mon, 20 Apr 2026
  • IBA Bare-Knuckle Director attends historic Gambian Elite National Championships
    , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Rosales stops Obedencio in RFL 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre shines in 23rd Bangkok Chess Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Apr 2026
  • Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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.