Chess team ‘Pinoy of Chicago’ conquers all

International Master Angelo Young led Pinoy of Chicago chess team. NORCAL HOUSE OF CHESS PHOTO

SCHAUMBURG, Illinois –“Pinoy of Chicago” chess team led by IM (International  Chess Master) Angelo Young strategically played its way to victory at the US Amateur Team North Tournament last February 20-22, competing against more than 73 teams with 300 players across the country at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here.

Pinoy of Chicago (revamp 2015) won with 5 points out of 5 matches. Team leader Young, originally from the Philippines, clinched the championship in the final game of his team amid a heated conversation in a fierce rivalry with his opponent.

His opponent missed a clear win in severe time trouble due to the game swinging back and forth like a pendulum.

The time control for the first two rounds was Game 60 with a 5 second delay for each player, which means after every move 5 seconds was added to each player’s chess timer. Rounds 3-5 time control was Game 90 with an increment of 30 seconds. Several times each player looked at the chess clock to see how much time was left to make a move without losing on time, forfeiting the game.

In the past, Pinoy of Chicago has won clear first twice in this event and twice clear second after tie-breaks.
Several chess players from universities such as the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and Webster University competed.

Organizers provided the teams with chess sets and clocks, a rarity in American tournaments. Chess players are usually required to bring their own equipment.

Pinoy of Chicago’s Team comprised of Board 1 Team Captain Young who won the top board 1 prize scoring 4.5 points out of a possible 5. NM Eden Diano Board  played board 2. Prash Amarasinghe contributed solid performances and played board 3.  Phillip Parker played Board 4.

Although all the players were essential to the  team winning, special mention should go to Phillip Parker who doesn’t normally receive the attention and respect  GMs and IM’s  do. Without Phillip Parker on Board 4 it is doubtful the team would have won.

Young is an eight-time Illinois State Champion and one of the renowned chess trainers, coaches and players throughout the USA.
Jojo Erispe prepared the players’ team strategy throughout the matches.

Player Ethelbert Gazmen, aka “chess Godfather in Illinois,” managed the team. He is also the man behind the creation of the team. He has a high rating of 2197. Gazmen gives considerable financial support to many Filipino chess players here and abroad.

Tournament re-cap for Pinoy of Chicago revamp 2015 (round by round):

1.  Cooklev fanboys .5 – Pinoy of Chicago – 3.5  beats Cooklev
2. Pinoy of Chicago   4- Chess IQ  -0; blanks Chess IQ
3. Fathers and Knights 1- Pinoy of Chicago  3 points; wins 2 games and two draws.
4. Pinoy of Chicago  3.5- Hands up don’t checkmate  .5;  wins against 3GM’s from Webster University.
5. Kate Perry 1.5 – Pinoy of chicago  2.5  ( beats team from Normal-Bloomington Illinois).

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