NAKALUSOT sa losing position si Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez kontra kay eight-year-old Al Basher “Basty” Buto para mapagpatuloy ang kanyang pananalasa sa 5th round The Search for the next Wesley So na ginanap sa Activity Hall ng Alphaland Makati Place, Ayala Avenue sa Makati City nitong weekend.

Nakalikom ang dating De La Salle University ng total 5 points at manatili sa liderato at sa top prize P20,000 active chess tournament na suportado ni National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Surigao del Sur. Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., na inorganisa ni NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe sa pakikipagtulungan ng Alphaland Makati Place.

Ang iba pang tinalo ni Gomez ay sina Daniel Quizon sa first round, International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia sa second round,Michael Concio Jr. sa third round at Jerlyn Mae San Diego sa fourth round.

MVP Olympics PLDT team manager Martin “Binky” Gaticales who watched the game between Gomez and Buto along with fellow NCFP board of directors Red Dumuk and Louie Ramos had something to say to Al Basher, the Philippine chess prodigy.

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“Advantage si Al Basher (Buto) at pawn up sa two bishop pawn endgame kaso natalo ni GM (John Paul) Gomez sa experience.” said Gaticales.

Namayani si 13-timesPhilippine open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. kontra kay Jerlyn Mae San Diego tungo sa total 4.0 points mula sa three wins at two draws,kagaya ng iskor na naitala ni GM Darwin Laylo na tabla kay IM Roderick Nava.

Si Nava ang local at international chess tournament ay sinuportado nina Carmona mayor Dahlia Loyola at Rep. Roy Loyola ay kasalo si IM Joel Pimentel Jr. na may tig 3.5 points.

Pinuri naman ni tournament director NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe ang walang humpay na pag suporta sa Philippine Chess ni Cong. Pichay.

“We are ushering a new era in Philippine chess! Your NCFP now has the capability to broadcast tournaments live on YouTube and Facebook with multiple DGT boards, interactive chat rooms and real-time computer analysis and commentators who can guide the casual player to understand our royal game! I would like to thank our beloved NCFP Chairman/President Cong. Prospero Pichay (Prospero Arreza Pichay Jr.) for making all this happen! I still remember our conversation where you said that the future is in internet broadcasting. Thank you Sir for your vision to promote chess through internet broadcasting and for supplying the financial wherewithal to make the vision reality!” sabi ni Atty. Orbe, presidente din ng Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA).

“The 12-man round robin active chess tournament featuring 6 of the strongest filipino chess masters and 6 of the brightest filipino chess talents with the aim of developing the country’s youth stars and helping sharpen their skills. “ ani Atty. Orbe.

“All games was broadcast live worldwide through the Youtube channel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.” huling pananalita ni Atty. Orbe.