Chess Simultaneous Exhibition
SGF CO-SPONSORS “CHESS SIMULTANEOUS EXHIBITION” IN SULU GARDEN MIAG-AO, ILOILO
July 25, 2022
NM Fritz Bryan Porras with IKK Head Coach, Mr. Hubert Canto.
Last Sunday, July 24, 2022, the Sulu Garden Foundation (SGF) hosted and sponsored a Chess Simultaneous Exhibition at Sulu Garden, Miag-ao. The original plan was to have 20 slots available for chess players of all ages to compete against National Master (NM) Fritz Bryan P. Porras of the Iloilo Kisela Knights (IKK) Team. However, since there were a lot of players who wants to register, the slot was adjusted to 25.
“I call chess as a sport that requires strategic thinking and concentration. For the players, especially the young ones just entering the sport, the play can be intense, challenging and constant rethinking of the moves. SGF is pleased to co-sponsor this event as part of our Arts and Exhibition program,” says Jonathan R. Matias, Chairman, SGF.
IKK is an Iloilo-based professional chess team founded by its owner, Mr. Leo Sotaridona on October 8, 2020. The team went through a drafting process with Grand Master Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr., Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia and Ilonggo and National Master Cesar Mariano and Karl Victor Ochoa.
Their professional chess player, NM Porras started playing chess at the young age of 8. He is a resident of Brgy. Salvacion, Buenavista, Guimaras and became the Champion of the 2013 National Age Group under 20 Visayas Leg, the 2014 National PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association of the Philippines), and the 2016 National Open Visayas Leg. He became a Chess Coach of all levels from May and Ateneo de Iloilo Chess Arbiter of Iloilo Private Schools Association from 2017-2019. At the age of 27, he acquired his National Master title last 2020 and he was awarded as the Best Homegrown Player in the Open Conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
NM Porras going around the 25 competing chess players.
(Standing left to right) SGF Chair, Dr. Jonathan Matias, Board Member, Atty. Carmelo Nochete, NM Porras; (sitting left to right) former Miag-ao SB Member, Mr. John Renand Fermindoza and SB Member Aaron Noble.
NM Porras came with Mr. Hubert Canto, Head Coach; Mr. Mark Mariano, Homegrown; and another National Master, Mr. Cesar Mariano, Senior/Homegrown of IKK.
The registration started at around 1:30 P.M. and the program started at 2:30 in the afternoon. The Senior Science Officer of SGF, Ms. Norielle Diamante, hosted the event with IKK Head Coach, Mr. Canto. Ms. Araceli Adrias, the Vice-Chair of SGF, gave her welcome remarks to the 25 players, IKK and guests who came to witness and support the exhibition. She also announced that the prize at stake was US $50 for each of the players that can beat NM Porras. If no one beats him, he will be able to take all $150 for himself. After Mr. Canto gave the Rules and introduced NM Porras, he announced the start of the game proper.
NM Porras shook hands with each of the players before making his first moves. The game lasted for 3 hours where he simultaneously moved his chess pieces against 25 players. 20 out of the 25
SGF Vice Chair, Ms. Araceli Adrias giving her welcome speech.
The participants’ registration.
players all came from Miag-ao, 1 from Alimodian, and 1 from San Joaquin, Iloilo. 1 each of the remaining 3 players came from Sibalom, San Pedro and San Jose, Antique. The players’ age ranged from 10 to 37. NM Porras was able to beat 22 players and got 3 draws. The last 3 players were TJ Misola (Miag-ao), Von Steven Aquino (Sibalom), and Nelson Lo Trayfalgar (San Jose). Mr. Misola, Trayfalgar and Mr. Julius Selibio were able to draw NM Porras.
After the game, the giving of Certificates of Appreciation were given to the players. They were also given IKK merchandise, and 3 lucky players won raffle prizes of chess magazines and a chess book. The youngest player, Ed Zaki Reyno, 10 years old from San Pedro, Antique was given a special award for participating.
This event is a great opportunity for IKK to look for potential scholars for chess players.
Everyone posed for a group picture after the awarding and giving of certificates.
Our warmest thanks to Ms. Chelsea Nagaynay, Miag-ao SK President and Chair of Youth and Sports Development and Mr. John Renand Fermindoza, former Miag-ao SB Member, who helped IKK to locate chess players within the Municipality of Miag-ao. Also to SB Member Aaron Noble and Board Member Atty. Carmelo Nochete for gracing us with their presence and support during the event. And lastly, to Mr. Elyrose Naorbe of Iloilo Metropolitan Times for covering the event and providing their photo documentation.
Written by: Senior Science Officer, Norielle Diamante (See profile)