Some of the best chess players in the Philippines, led by Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Rogelio “Banjo” Barenilla Jr. and the country’s first WGM Janelle Mae Frayna have confirmed their participation in the Grandmaster (GM) and Attorney (Atty) Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Free Registration Online Chess Tournament (Open division) on December 27, 2020, Sunday, 11 a.m. at the lichess.org.
The New York-based Paragua, who won all Balinas online chess event in this time of global pandemic crisis, the Arizona based Barcenilla, twice runner-up in Balinas online chess and Frayna, will banner a star-studded field in the event held in honor of GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr., who is best remembered for winning the 1976 Odessa (Ukraine) International Tournament
Also expected to see action in the prestigious event which offers a total cash prize of P75,000 are GMs Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Darwin Laylo, Oliver Barbosa and Roland Salvador.
Frayna will be the highest-rated female player in the tournament with a guaranteed top prize of P10,000 in the event backed up by the Balinas family in cooperation with Fernan Donguines of Hybreed Apparel Collections.
Also set to fight for their place are International Masters Deniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Oliver Dimakiling, Joel Pimentel Jr., Kim Steven Yap, Ronald Dableo, Rolando Nolte, Ricardo de Guzman, Chito Garma, Angelo Young, Barlo Nadera, John Marvin Miciano, Ronald Bancod, Richelieu Salcedo, Woman International Masters Catherine Perena-Secopito and Bernadette Galas.
Also playing are Fide Masters Sander Severino, Jesse Noel Sales, Randy Segarra, Narquingden Reyes, Roel Abelgas, Christopher Castellano, Deniel Causo and Jony Habla.
The total pot prize of year-ender tournament is P75,000. It is hosted by US-based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas, both founding honorary chairman of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club.
