Paulo Bersamina, one of the country’s youngest international masters, kicked off the country’s campaign with an impressive win over a higher-rated opponent in the opening round of the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships-2nd Manny Pacquiao Cup-Monday night at the Tiara Oriental Hotel in Makati.
Bersamina, who boasts of an Elo rating of 2444, upended Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem (Elo 2714) after 36 tension-filled pushes of a Giuco Piano Opening, as he kicked start his own bid for a GM norm in the nine-round Swiss System tournament jointly sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, fellow IM Haridas Pascua (Elo 2442) forced a standoff against pre-tournament favorite Grandmaster Vidit Santosh Gujrathi of India (2701) after 36 moves of a Neo-Gruenfeld.
“Medyo magulo ‘yung laro namin ni GM Le Quang Liem, pero buti na lang sanay ako sa ganitong system ng Giuco Piano,” said Bersamina, the board 1 player of National University.
Pascua, who is eyeing a GM norm in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines said: “Okey na rin ako sa draw kahit quality up ako kasi hindi ko alam na after 40 moves.
“Puwede pa kasing pilitin na manalo, pero okey na rin sa draw.”
Pascua needs to raise his Elo rating to 2442 to 2500 to complete his GM title status.
Other top Filipino contenders, however, were not as lucky.
Grandmasters John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. all dropped their matches, while IMs Oliver Dimakiling, Angelo Young, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Roderick Nava, John Marvin Miciano, Chito Garma and Ricardo de Guzman also failed to score a point against their respective opponents.
Gomez bowed to GM Wei Yi of China, Laylo lost to GM Baskaran Adhiban of India, while Antonio surrendered to GM S. Sethuraman of India.
Dimakiling dropped his match against GM Ni Hua of China, Young lost to another Chinese GM in GM Zhongyi Tan of China, Garcia was defeated by GM Lu Shanglei, also of China, Nava bowed to Alireza Firouzja of Iran.
Also losing their opening-round matches were Fide Masters Alekhine Nouri and Stephen Rome Pangilinan, NM Jacutina John Merill, Jerad Docena, Daniel Quizon, Edsel Montoya, Michael Concio Jr. and Rogelio Orio.
In women’s play, the country’s lone Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna settled for a truce with Sivanesa Nithyalakshmi of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, US chess master Jose “Jojo” Aquino beat Woman Fide Master Antonella Berthe Racasa for the early lead in the Challenger Section.
The tournament opened with the traditional ceremonial moves led by National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Deputy Speaker Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and top seed Grandmaster Wang Hao of China.
They were joined by Asian Chess Federation Executive Director Casto Abundo, former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre, tournament director GM Jayson Gonzales, chief arbiter IA James Infiesto, Judge Gonzalo “Boyet” Mapili and Martin “Binky” Gaticales.
An outright GM title and norms will be given to the champion on top of the cash prize of $10,000 for men, and $6,000 for women.