Barcenilla tops Olympiad team qualifier

MANILA, Philippines — For the second time, Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla ruled the qualifying tournament for a Philippine chess Olympiad team.

In a tremendous show of strength, the Arizona-based Barcenilla topped the six-player qualifier and will thus lead the country’s team to the first FIDE Online Olympiad slated July 22 to Aug. 30.

Barcenilla finished undefeated with six points on two wins and eight draws, displaying the same form in ruling the Olympiad qualifier late last year.

Also making the team were GMs Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo and Joey Antonio for the men’s, Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Catherine Secopito and Bernadette Galas for the women, IM Daniel Quizon and Michael Concio for the boys Under-20 and WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido and Jerlyn San Diego for girls U20.

Antonio turned back IM Paolo Bersamina in two sets of blitz playoff games to clinch the fourth and final slot.