Marikina Age Group

Receiving my certificate and medal from Maestro Rudy Ibanez. A person who has the dedication to teach chess to kids like us. GM Eugene Torre graced and open the tournament. This is my second time to join the Marikina Tournament. The first is when I am still 8 years old and got the 8-year old under category.

GM Torre and Me. The Venue, Marikina Sports Complex

GM Torre watching the games. Stephen Pangilinan, my sister Dindin, Paulo Bersamina, Daryl Unix (that is me) with Tournament Director NA NM Rudy L. Ibanez and Organizing Head Mr. Johnny Gaudia.

11th 'Alay Kay Mayor' Age Group Chess Tournament
December 20, 2008 - Marikina Sports Complex
Organized by the Marikina Chess Federation

It was really like an Age-grouper competition for us 10-year old where players who joined the tournament are Carlo Caranyagan, Paolo Bersamina and Juan Carlos Presente. For the 8-year old under new kid on the block Stephen Rome Pangilinan, Heince Patrick de Leon, Dennis Gutierrez Jr. with the 3 other Gutierrez' namely, Dennis III, Michaela and Myka. For the 12 and 14-year old categories only few rated players who played are Jean Karen Enriquez, Prince Mark Aquino, Melwyn Baltazar, Mikee Suede and Anfernee Bonifacio. Lucky for them for the other strong contenders did not join this event.

Final Ranking
Rank Name Rtg Pts BH. SB. Fide vict
MAJOR CATEGORY RESIDENCY
1 BALTAZAR, Melwyn Kenneth 1575 6 25 25.00 21 6
Champion U -12 Manila
2 BERSAMINA, Paolo 1862 5 24 20.25 18½ 4
2nd Place Top U -10 Pasay City
3 BONIFACIO, Anfernee 1650 5 24 18.00 19 5
3rd Place Marikina City
4 AQUINO, Prince Mark 1858 5 20½ 15.00 18 5
4th Place Top U – 14 Pangasinan
5 SAMANTILA, Daryl Unix 1637 4½ 20 13.75 15½ 4
5th Place Malabon City
6 CARANYAGAN, Carlo 1958 4½ 21½ 11.75 18½ 4
6th Place Marikina City
7 PANGILINAN, Stephen Rome 1725 4½ 19½ 13.50 15½ 4
7th Place Bulacan

AdU Chess Team Xmas Party 2008

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY. The Men and Junior Chess Players of Adamson University with Coach Chris Rodriguez joined by ex-women chess players of AdU.

serious

wacky

The looser and the victims! = ) . Guys, thanks for being such a sport.
It`s been a celebration of thanksgiving and gift giving through exchange gifts. Syempre! para mayroong gift lahat. All of us gathered at Coach Chris house and had lunch together. Then we had the 'guess the word' game. It was so hilarious and for those who not did guess the word right had to suffer the consequences.
--->>> see more pictures at flicker.com

An Encounter with the Dinos

It`s been a very exciting day as we spent the whole afternoon of December 6, 2008 at the MOA where the World Tour of Dino`s Alive is. We got there at around 3:00pm and watch the show at the stage area before we proceeded on the Dinos very interesting and long tunnel. There is also a mystical and wacky magical show. You should see how somebody float on the air... it was funny!

1st Malabon Chess Tourney

First tournament at the city of Malabon, my mother`s hometown. Tied on 2nd place with 2 more players with a total score of 5 points each. I had 4 wins and 2 draws but settled for 4th place, been upset by Baltazar and Kristobal by number of wins when both have scored 5 wins and 1 loss. First place goes to James Dacanay of Adamson University my chess teamate.

2nd Dr. Jose P. Leviste Sr. Inter-School Chess Festival

Adamsonian bring home 2 trophies and a medal from the 2nd Dr. Jose P. Leviste Sr. Inter-School Chess Festival.

It was a Saturday and Sunday event at the Ateneo Grade School Cafeteria. It is my second time to join that tournament. I placed 6th last year and now I made it to the top five. Again, same as last year, my last game is the most crucial one. If i made it I could get the trophy for the 2nd runner up but since I settled for 5th I only got a medal. Other grade school winners are 1.Juan Carlos Presente 2. Jerome Lumacad 3. Crissa Canada 4.Malcolm Leeland Kwok. The top 3 winners for the high school are 1. James Dacanay of Adamson University 2. Nino Datu of U.E. and 3. Ali Guya of Adamson University.

We presented the trophies and medal to our school principal, school sports director, Ms. dela Cruz together with Coach Cris Rodriguez.
Also a photo after the event. The winners are kuya Ali, me, Crissa and kuya Dax.

World Youth Chess Champhionship 2008 Last Stretch

Tomorrow will be the last day for this year`s WYCC. Jedara Docena the Filipino player now ranked 3rd in the Girls 16 Category after round 10. She will be playing on board 2 tomorrow. Her opponent is WFM Meri Arabidze of Georgia. Let us all pray for her victory tomorrow. Also our high hopes to Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Cheradee Chardine Camacho who are veterans to this tournament.

After round 10 here is our players scores.


My parents said it is Ok that I am not able to join this time though they felt I needed to be with the team for the exposure, experience and a chance to boost my skill. They said it may also be a nerve wrecking experience for them if I will be traveling without a chaperon, and as they stand-by and wait for each games result. And to think of it, I only just turn 9 last July. Can I already manage to the do all those nitty gritty things my Mama used to do with me like preparing my milk and giving me vitamins before going to bed? Preparing my shirts and pants and actually doing some laundry. And if I dont like the food, she will walk a few kilometers to buy me good food. It will be a lot lot easier for us kids if we will be accompanied by our parents. We only have to mind our games. I still remember for two nights before the rapid game started my Mama and I reviewed some of the games of my opponents to be. Some of the parents have to call their kids coaches for advice and game reviews. Spending international calls everyday and did not mind at all. Super parents they are, they will do everything, wherever, whatever.

My First Simultaneous Exhibition Chess Game

October 18, 2008

St. Anthony School, San Andres St. cor Singalong St., Manila

Doing Simul Chess Game with me are Paulo Bersamina and Haridas Pascua. We played with over 60 students.

I played from board 1 to board 15. Paulo played against those from boards 16 to 30. And Kuya Harry took all the boards from 31 up.

It was actually a tiring event but a very very nice experience. I need to practically run from board 1 to board 15 and move pieces from board to board because we have chess clocks. Our opponent were given 25 minutes and we are given 45 minutes.

The very enthusiastic students of St.Anthony watching as I played with the last player standing. This guy actually is their last year champion and in today`s tournament he again captured the first place trophy. But did he won this game with me, he still have 20 minutes left and me with 3 minutes to go? No no no... I won the game! And practically won all other games. Astig diba?!

After the simul game they proceeded with 7-round games participated by 78 pairs but after round 5 I noticed that half of the boards already had no more players. And then I presented the award to the winners after the final scores had been announced. Photo shoot with all the winners after the awarding and with the Tournament Director a chess enthusiast by heart, Doctor Gilbert Perez. Also the organizer of the 1st Saturday Magnolia chess tournament and the Barangay Don Bosco Chess Club of Paranaque City. Thank you for supporting chess in your own way. And thank you for the invitation. Hope to do again next year! God Bless!

I say thank you to...

Thanks to Mayor Tito Oreta who have sponsored by first ever international trip. And recently gave me a computer set as a gift. Thank you for appreciating my skill and talent on playing chess and by doing good in my academic.






My Ninong Jojo Mendoza and Ninang Razel whom i saw after 5 years. They visited me last two weeks ago when I joined the QC Circle Chess tournament.


There are still many from my list. I still have to gather pictures with them. You'll definitely see them here next time.

ADAMSON CHESSERS, UAAP 71 CHESS CHAMPION

Congratulations! Celebration! Hep Hep, Hurray!!! for our Junior Chess Team for a back to back championship. Also for our men`s team for placing 2nd runner-up. Also our congratulations to the Falcons individual medalists: Vianca Camille Canada (silver), Jessie Abucejo (bronze), Ali Guya (silver) , Steven James Dacanay (gold), Romie Lord Guerra (silver), Junar Valeros(silver), and Daniel Casil Jr (silver). Thank you and congratulations for the excellent performance Coach Chris Rodriguez!

UAAP Season 71 Chess Tournament Results

Juniors Champion - AdU
1st runnerup - UE
2nd runnerup - ADMU

Seniors Champion - FEU
1st runnerup - UST
2nd runnerup - AdU

Women's Champion - DLSU
1st runnerup - FEU
2nd runnerup - UST

MVPsSeniors - IM John Paul Gomez (DLSU)
Womens - Aices Salvador (DLSU)
Juniors - Gabriel Layugan (ADMU)

Back to school`s track

Our cards were distributed last friday and I finally saw how well i am in my new school. I ranked 3rd in our first grading period with an average score of 91.40. I need to give more time to my schooling now since i am not picked as a representative in the upcoming World Youth Chess Championship. I performed well on the Asean Age Group but why am I not selected? There was even no representative from our age group (boys 10 under) when other age groups have 2 representatives. What have happened to Paulo? A little feeling of sadness here.

Even there were plenty of things to do in school I still have time for my chess training, every weekend. And sometimes during Saturdays and Sundays I can be seen playing with other UAAP chess players at UST. You will see me there, that little boy in Falcon uniform. I am not an official player but I am only there for morale support for our Team Adamson. For our men and junior team, hope they bring home the bacon again.

Field Trip Day

Grade Four students of Adamson University during the field trip visit at the Lucky Me Noodle Factory. Strike a pose... Lucky Me!

(Me standing sixth from top row and my sister Dindin third from right at the middle row)
Last Friday August 22, 2008 we went on a field trip. My classmates and I were so excited to go to Villamor Airbase, Lost Eden at Bio-Reasearch in Paranaque, Lucky Me Noodle Factory in Sta. Rosa Laguna and Lights and Sounds in Luneta Park. I am going to place here a video of our trip but my mama still have to create it, so watch out for it. But for the meantime, i will share this photo taken at my favorite noodle factory. No picture taking was allowed inside its vicinity but a photo shoot was given to each visitors and they share it through their multiply Lucky Me's website.

Congratulations! Philippine Team

Congratulations to Grandmaster Wesley So for bringing home the Gold (individual) and to the other team members National Master Haridas Pascua, Jan Emmanuel Garcia and John Alcon Datu for making it the the top 3 (team standing). I hope to join again another international event. Actually after I joined the chess event in Danang Vietnam my games have improved a lot. That experience really helped a lot in the improvement of my skill. Playing consecutively and with different players who showcases different level of skills stretched my thinking to the max. But unluckily I did not received any invite though I perform well on the international age group championship. I still hope that I can join the next international youth championship and on the coming international events.

World Youth Olympiad starts in Turkey

lifted from Chess.com

'Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun, 08/17/2008 at 7:02am.'

Before the Chess Olympiad in Dresden in November, there is an equivalent 'Youth' event taking place in Mersin, Turkey from 16-25 August. The World Youth Chess Olympiad is a national team championship for players aged under 16 and the format is a 10-round Swiss, with teams of 4 players competing in each round.

Whilst the youth championship is nowhere near as big an occassion as the Olympiad itself, it should produce some interesting games. The Russian team have the highest average rating of 2374, but the top rated player is Wesley So from the Phillipines at 2577 Elo.

The official website is here.

DARYL CHAMPIONS KIDDIE DIVISION- BRGY. 752 INVITATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT

BRGY. 752 INVITATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT - JULY 20 TO AUGUST 10,2008

This event becomes a weekly ritual. A game or two every Saturday and Sunday at the hour where most of the people are having their siesta. There were weekends where they have to cancel the games because of heavy rains due to storm. But then after the eliminations been made and during the championship day I finally got it during our round-robin game... 4 out of 4. Kuya Bernard Tenorio also made it to the top 2 in the senior category.

The chess tournament was organized by Hon. Barangay Captain of Brgy. 752 Singalong Manila, Mr. Francis V. Villegas.

UAAP 71st Season CHESS TOURNAMENT

TAKE A PEEK! ADAMSON CHESSERS AND PICTURES FROM THE OPENING DAY.

Young Adamsonian Whiz Shines in Chess

Daryl Unix Samantila, an Adamsonian 4th Grader, recently created a buzz in the 9th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship last June 9 to 18 in Danang, Vietnam. He won the Silver Medal in the Rapid Chess and Blitz Chess events and the Bronze in the Standard Chess category, besting other contenders his age and even older. Upon returning home, he garnered more honors. He was ranked 28th out of 285 participants in the 16th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship held last June 21 and 28, 2008 at SM Manila. In the Magnolia Chess Tournament last July 5 at the Don Bosco Chess Club, he was Top Kiddie in the 14 years old Category.
Young Samantila’s first venture into chess tourneys began in April 2007 in the Milo Checkmate where he battled experienced challengers.

Amazingly, young Daryl is aware and capable of annotating his own plays. Still, he credits his coach, Christopher Rodriguez, for rigorously training and keeping an eye on him. When asked who his influences and favorite chess players are, he said that “I look up to Wesley So and G.M. Paragua.” Both are Filipino chess masters.

Daryl is the son of Reynaldo, an electronics technician, and Dina, an I.T. analyst from ABS-CBN. They are both supportive of his exceptional gift. “I tried to divert his attention to playing chess instead of letting him burn time in front of PS2 and his computer. Children nowadays get distracted with all of these virtual games, and they sometimes fail to see the importance of getting into the real games,” the father explained.

Despite his demanding training and game schedules, Daryl still manages to be on the honors list of his class. “He was an honor student from Nursery to Grade 3,” proudly avers Reynaldo. He transferred his son from Republic Institute to Adamson University (after 3rd Grade) as his family knew that the University, particularly its Basic Education Department, would support and trust gifted children like Daryl. JCM
lifted from Adamson University news

Daryl and Dindin Birthday!

My sister and I have the same birthday!!! My sister turned 7 and I turned 9 last july 15, 2008.

Small gathering of old friends. Us and former officemates of my mama Dina and kids shared a simple dinner at Kenny Rogers (la-salle, taft). Talking and laughing as they reminisce their CIBI days and how small i am during that time when my papa and mama would bring me to their office outings and christmas party.

IN PHOTOS 1) tres marias of Tita Cecille, tita Cecille, mama Dina, me, my sister Dindin, papa Rey, Tita Rose, Ninong Joey and Ninang Volet 2) Ninong Joey, Ninang Volet, Me and my birthday girl sister Dindin. 3) my mama Dina, me, sister DinDin and papa Rey.

BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

IT IS MY 9TH BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!

SO NOW, I HAVE TO OFFICIALLY LEAVE BEHIND MY 8-YEAR OLD UNDER DIVISION. AND OFFICIALLY I MIGHT SAY MY WINNING IN SHELL 8-UNDER KIDDIE SAYS IT ALL, THAT I SOMEHOW CONQUER THAT DIVISION (BOASTING A LITTLE) . Who shall be my predecessor? Hmmm... Ochoa, De Leon or Lemi. Better be good little guys!

Press Release from Shell Philippines

Link to this site:
Shell National Youth Active Chess Honors NCR Leg’s Top Youngest Player (8 Under)

A Courtesy Call to our Beloved Malabon City Mayor Tito Oreta

Daryl Unix R. Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon City paid a courtesy call on Malabon City Mayor Tito Oreta. Silvers and bronze medalist (silver medals- Rapid and Blitz chess and bronze medal - Standard chess for Boys 10 years old under Division) in the 9th Asean Age Group Chess Championship held at Danang ,Vietnam from June 9 to 18, 2008 toppled all 8 year old under kiddie contenders in the opening of the eight-leg tournament series of the 2008 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship (SNYACC) held on June 21 and 28, 2008 at SM City, Manila. He also won the top kiddie 14 years old under category of the 1st Saturday Magnolia Chess Tournament open to Non-Master 1950 Below Rapid Rating held last July 5, 2008 sponsored by Magnolia Health Tea and organized by Don Bosco Chess Club in Better Living, Paranaque City. He is currently a grade four student of the Adamson University.

A warm welcome from Adamson University

Pep Squad Rally. I felt the warm welcome of Adamson University as I was introduced to the large number of AdU students.
We also have our own Dance number.