(608) JANUARY 2004 LIST OF TOP 50 CHESS PLAYERS OF PHILIPPINES

NINE years and nine months ago, the Philippines had only 4 Grandmasters and their top player is IM Mark Paragua (2529) followed by GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio, Jr. (2523) and the vintage Asia's first GM Eugene Torre (2521).

At 4th is IM Rogelio Barcenilla (2502) and another GM at 5th --Buenaventura 'Bong' Villamayor (2469).

At no. 18 is IM Jayson Gonzales (2403), who became the Team Captain of Philippine Team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

GM Jayson Gonzales and NM/NA Roberto Hernandez of Palau with the Philippine Women Team before the start of their games at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

No. 29 Darwin Laylo (2328)is not even a FIDE Master then as well as no. 31 Oliver Barbosa, who did very well in 2012 Olympiad beating GM Gawain Jones of England in 103 moves.  

A pictorial with GM Oliver Barbosa at the bleachers of Wow Convention Center, the venue of 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

GM Oliver Barbosa, left, at the bleachers with Palau teammates and couple Menandro Manuel and wife Elizabeth the day after Barbosa defeated England's Board 2 player GM Gawain Jones.
                                                              (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Wesley So vs. Michael Adams (draw), Oliver Barbosa vs. Gawain Jones (1-0), Eugene Torre vs. Nigel Short (1-0).                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



At no. 37 is Woman International Master Arianne Caoili. She said, "I'm tired of begging for sponsorship just to play abroad. It's time to change colors."

Now she is representing Australia, where I met her there in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. She was the champion then and 2nd seed.

I met her again in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Board 1 Arianne Caoili at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
                                                           (Photo by Shaun Press)   

Australian Men's Team -- GM David Smerdon, Moulthun Ly, Stephen Solomon and Max Illingworth.
                                                                             (Photo by Shaun Press)

At no. 53 is WM Christine Rose Mariano, who applied to Roberto Hernandez as Team Captain of Palau Team to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia. 

The position was given to Australia's Jamie Kenmure as an appreciation for him being the Rating Officer of Palau.
He is also the Team Captain of Palau in Istanbul.

Roberto Hernandez, left, and next to him Mr. Gary Bekker, met in 2006 at Palau Invitational Chess Championship. They meet again in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and in the 2012 Olympiad.
                                                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


The most surprising is this list is no. 36 Julio Catalino Sadorra, just became a GM a few months ago and now Phil. no. 2 at 2585.

Wesley So is just 9 years old at this time but he's now the no. 1 chess player of the Philippines with 2710 rating, the best rating that a Filipino player have gotten this high and world's no. 34.

The top 11 players of the Philippines are all GMs with Torre now at no. 10 and Roland Salvador at 11th.

No. 3 is Mark Paragua, 4. Oliver Barbosa 5. Joseph Sanchez 6. Rogelio Antonio, Jr. 7. John Paul Gomez 8. Darwin Laylo 9. Rogelio Barcenilla  
   


Source: History Of Chess In Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            September 2013
            To Be Published As A Book In The Future