Far Eastern University Chessers 94’ tamed Edmonton Canada Chess Team anew at Lichess Team Battle last weekend.
FEU was bannered by Gilo Estrella – who was the leading scorer for the Tamarraws, US-based Rainier Labay, Ritchie Evangelista, Leo Penaredondo and Christopher Megino. They outplayed the Canadian woodpushers.
Team Captain Alvin “Babin Smith” Guevarra, also a former member of FEU Chess Team ’94, fielded a stronger line up this time led by 2020 Edmonton Champion Butch Villavieja, FM Belsar Valencia, Venezuelan Rafael Arruebarena and former Edmonton Kiddie champion Mark Ivanescu.
Other members of the Edmonton chess team are Dante Briones, Joseph Young and Mark Tuvera. It was a struggling opening salvo for both teams as they tried to outperform each other.
For a time the Canadian squad led by nine points, until Gilo Estrella, an employee of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), stepped up to carry the team to victory.
This event was organized by FEU Chess Team and Edmonton Filipino chess players to promote online chess tournament and camaraderie among players from different parts of the globe.
Meanwhile, International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia struck again in online chess.
Fresh from winning the 1st Red Cedar National Online Blitz chess championships last August 20 Garcia topped the just concluded Arena International Master Rey Urbiztondo Anniversary Arena online chess tournament last Wednesday at lichess.org.
Garcia, a program manager and head coach of Ateneo de Manila University chess team tallied 50 points to capture the title and the top prize of P5,000 in the event organized by Arena Grandmaster Henry Roger Lopez.
International Master Lucas Liascovich settled for runner up honor to bring home P4,000 while International Master Alexander Ulanov won P3,000 for third place.
Rounding up the top six are Grandmaster Mark Paragua (4th), Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (5th) and World IPCA champion Fide Master Sander Severino (6th).
Finally, IM Angelo Young, founder of Till I Met You-TIMY group said the 2nd Red Cedar National Online Blitz chess championships gets underway on September 24.
The free registration online chess tournament is sponsored by Captain Elmer Cruz, CE Ben Piramide, 4/0 Richard Belarmino, Angel Nikko Nieves , US master Florentino Inumerable, AGM Anji Camer, Falco Family, Mr. Rajacatur, Mr.Johnny Teves, Dr. Fred Paez, Dr. Jenny Mayor and Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.