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Rogelio Barcenilla and Gabby concepcion
FILIPINO International Master (IM) Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. won over Georgian GM Zviad Izoria to earn his third and final GM norm in the just recently concluded Copper State International Chess Championship last May 29 to June 3 in Mesa, Arizona, USA.
The former San Sebastian College stand-out prevailed after 31 moves of a King's Indian Defense using the white pieces according to the report of the United States Chess Federation website. The Mandaluyong City native Barcenilla who also a former resident in Iligan City, finished with sevent points after ten games of play in this prestigious event which won by Uzbek GM Timur Gareev who tote eight points. The University of Maryland Baltimore Country student dashed IM Daniel Fernandez's own hopes for a GM norm with this final round victory after 29 moves of a Queen's Pawn Game.
Sharing the limelight is the 19 year-old IM Alex Lenderman who brought downed IM Levon Altounian to earn a ten-round GM norm, his first norm after 41 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense to finished 7.5 points.
Barcenilla's best friend, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., commented: -I am very very happy...he deserve it the accolade beating Zviad Izoria (HB Global Champion) is not easy...Banjo is like my brother...welcome to the club,- said the Many-time RP open champion Antonio, the lone Filipino who make it to this year's FIDE World Chess Championships (World Chess Cup) in Khanty Mansiyk, Russia.
Barcenilla will thus join the elite circle of RP chess players, including Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio, Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez and the late Rosendo Balinas Jr.
Prospero Pichay Jr., the president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) also congratulate Barcenilla's feat: ''I’m proud and happy to announce that we have a new grandmaster in Banjo (Rogelio) Barcenilla,'' said Pichay, a former congressman in Surigao del Sur.
In a recent interview of this writer, Barcenilla told to this reporter '' Bihira na ako sumasali ng chess tournament ngayon. Pinipili ko na lamang kasi mahirap kunin pag Swiss event. Mas gusto ko ang round-robin o invitational (closed) event,'' said the Chandler, Arizona resident Barcenilla, also a first degree Black belt in Taekwondo. / by NATIONAL MASTER MARLON BERNARDINO
