4th Battle of the Grandmasters
Philippines National Chess Championship on 16-23rd July in Intramuros, Manila
The Philippines National Chess Championship – 4th Battle of the Grandmasters is starting today at the historic National Press Club (NPC) in Intramuros, Manila, and continues until 23rd July. 14 players compete in the Men’s Division and 12 in the Women’s Division. Both tournament will be conducted as round-robins.
GM Wesley So is top seeded player and winner of the previous three editions of the Battle of the Grandmasters. GM John Paul Gomez, who finished second to So last year, considers the youngster to be the main favourite once again – “My chance of winning is good against anybody not named Wesley,” he said for Cebu Daily News.
Former two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. makes his much-anticipated comeback in the local chess scene. Barcenilla is resident in the USA, where he also completed requirements for the Grandmaster title in 2009.
GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., 12-time national champion and second seed in the tournament, also insisted that “So is definitely the favorite to rule this tournament.”
4th Battle of the Grandmasters:
GM So Wesley 2658
GM Antonio Rogelio Jr 2565
GM Paragua Mark 2545
GM Sanchez Joseph 2534
GM Gomez John Paul 2529
GM Laylo Darwin 2528
GM Salvador Roland 2527
GM Barcenilla Rogelio 2518
IM Barbosa Oliver 2514
IM Bitoon Richard 2491
GM Torre Eugenio 2491
IM Nolte Rolando 2433
IM Garcia Jan Emmanuel 2404
IM Ranola Yves 2377
4th Battle of the Grandmasters (Women’s division):
WIM Perena Catherine 2104
Fronda Jan Jodilyn 2076
WIM Mendoza Beverly 2054
Docena Jedara 2049
WFM Jose Rulp Ylem 2024
WFM Mejia Cherry Ann 1949
Frayna Janelle Mae 1875
Palomo Jenny Rose 1875
Acedo Rowelyn Joy 0
Mendoza Shania Mae 0
Revita Samantha Glo 0
San Diego Marie Antoinette 0
So will dominate.