NM NM/AGM/FI/NA Alvin Alcala

I'm Engr. Alvin Alcala from the Philippines. I'm a licensed Mechanical Engineer by profession and a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology. I briefly worked in the Philippines with the oil, gas, and mining industry then worked overseas in Saudi Arabia as a Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager. I'm also a certified ISO Lead Auditor from IRCA and a Six Sigma Green Belt Practitioner from ASCB(Europe).

Details of my professional career can be checked in my LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/alvinalcala/

About my chess credentials;

I hold several chess titles such as National Master in the Philippines. And from FIDE I'm an Arena Grandmaster, FIDE Instructor & FIDE National Arbiter.

I was previously a minority team owner and homegrown player in my country's first and only professional chess league - the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP). Our team called the Negros Kingsmen is considered as one of the top performing teams in the Southern Division. In the Wesley So Cup season 2, we emerged as the Champion in the Southern Division playoff match against Davao Chess Eagles. We battled out for the Grand Finals against Pasig City Pirates. However, we lost in the armageddon blitz match and the Champions trophy was decided by a single point thus our team settled for 2nd Place. Please see full details of participating teams pcapchess.org/team.

I'm the President of the Dauin Knights Chess Club. We have arranged a lot of chess activities and tournaments in our province to encourage our locals to play chess. Our flagship project currently is the ongoing tournament called "The Search for the Next Chess Master!, It's a 12-month-long grassroots chess development program which we expect to produce a chess master in our region. For our Chess Club details www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076417100836.

I'm an owner of 3 computer servers with 72 cores total computing power available at ChessBase Cloud Engine server for rent 24/7. I also helped numerous grandmaster in their opening preparation by providing computer evaluation of the latest opening theory. My approach is usually to build a huge database collection of human games, correspondence chess games, computer engine games, and freestyle chess games. Then I put this together to become an opening tree of analysis similar to the method used by Alexander Kotov in Think Like a Grandmaster only difference is that it's an automated one using Aquarium 2021 software. A powerful computer is required to run this process.

At one point in my chess career, I was one of the top Freestyle Chess (man + machine) players in the world winning the 1st Ultimate Chess Championship 2015 in Internet Chess Club (ICC) and Infinity Chess Freestyle Chess Battle 2014 in Infinity Chess server by placing 1st Runner-up. You may read further about freestyle chess from wiki en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_chess.

I'm a book tester of Yusupov’s excellent Build, Boost Evolve series @ chesstempo.com/chess-books/.

Check my fide profile at ratings.fide.com/profile/5218020.

To book a coaching session or tune-up games please visit tidycal.com/alvinalcala.

I won multiple times amateur and international chess tournament both over-the-board and online. Some of my most notable tournaments are listed below:

Champion: Chess for a Cause 2022 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/antoniomartin.olendo/posts/pfbid0GKhEDHQs4TKAaz2dKQTdCj7xFxHsrjyyTWpiyXKqL1czMYoe5GhszM2cn9JWDsJfl

2nd Runner-up: Buglasan Open Chess Tournament 2022 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/antoniomartin.olendo/posts/pfbid02HAjDd4PWU4KfmNSk7nZTcnSTPBxGY6mN2BSUnVv833AWoj4FJau64ZuHBhDmd4Hml

Champion: 2nd Bayawan Fiesta Rapid Chess Tournament 2022 (Philippines)

Champion: 1st Mayor Galic “Matic” Truita Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2022 (Philippines)

Champion: 1st Sta. Catalina Open Rapid Chess Team Tournament 2022 (Philippines)

1st Runner-up: 1st NCFP-rated Online Chess Tournament, Category - A (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/groups/ONCFP/permalink/1175029142878757/

1st Runner-up: 2nd NCFP-rated Online Chess Tournament, Category - A (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/groups/ONCFP/permalink/1181571585557846/

Champion: 3rd NCFP-rated Online Chess Tournament, Category - A (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/groups/ONCFP/permalink/1190055174709487/

Champion: 4th NCFP-rated Online Chess Tournament, Category - A (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/groups/ONCFP/permalink/1195837414131263/

Champion: Julius V. Legaspi I Memorial Chess Tournament 2020 (Philippines)
lichess.org/tournament/vB0ytJA1

1st Runner-up: 30th Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Series 2020 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/MobileChessClubPhilippines/photos/a.110826243606445/267886344567100/

1st Runner-up: 20th Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Series 2020 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/MobileChessClubPhilippines/photos/a.110826243606445/260992171923184/

2nd Runner-up: 11th Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Series 2020 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/MobileChessClubPhilippines/photos/a.110826243606445/254771579211910/

Champion: 4th Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Series 2020 (Philippines)
www.facebook.com/MobileChessClubPhilippines/photos/a.110826243606445/249877543034647/

1st Runner-up: PMU First Rapid Chess Tournament 2019
chess-results.com/tnr484329.aspx?lan=34

5th Runner-up: Jeddah Open International Chess Tournament 2018 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr370379.aspx?lan=1&art=4&turdet=YES&flag=30

Champion: Camanjac Fiesta Rapid Chess Master Category 2018 (Philippines)

1st Runner-up: Camanjac Fiesta Blitz Chess Master Category 2018 (Philippines)

1st Runner-up: Argan Village Rapid Chess Tournament 2018 (Bahrain)
http://chess-results.com/tnr338358.aspx?lan=1&art=1

3rd Runner-up: CEFAG Grand Finals Blitz Chess 2018 (Philippines)
philippineblitzchess.blogspot.com/2018/05/grand-finals-cefag-pbca-blitz-chess.html

Champion: The Bahrain Chess Club Rapid Tournament 2017
http://chess-results.com/tnr307598.aspx?lan=1&art=1&flag=30

1st Runner-up: Al Riyadh Rapid Chess Championship 2017 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr294176.aspx?lan=1&art=4

1st Runner-up: 9th FIDE Online Grand Prix Chess 2017 (Internet)
arena.myfide.net/news/8th-fide-online-gp-final-standings-and-prizes

1st Runner-up: 8th FIDE Online Grand Prix Chess 2017 (Internet)
arena.myfide.net/news/8th-fide-online-gp-final-standings-and-prizes

1st Runner-up: Camanjac Fiesta Rapid Chess Master Category 2017 (Philippines)

4th Runner-up: Alshareef Corner Open Chess Tournament 2017 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/Test/tnr287553.aspx?lan=1

Champion: Al Kifah Electronics International Rapid Chess 2016 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr201249.aspx?lan=25&art=1

2nd Runner-up: FCPL Blitz Chess King 2016 (United Arab Emirates)

4th Runner-up: Centaur Grand Prix Chess Tourney 2016 (Internet)
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=266

5th Runner-up: NCB Bank International Open Chess Championship 2016 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr210288.aspx?lan=1&art=4&turdet=YES&flag=30

7th Runner-up: Ebrahin Khalil Kanoo Chess Tournament 2016 (Bahrain)
http://chess-results.com/tnr224760.aspx?lan=6&art=4

Champion: Al Khobar Rapid Chess Championship 2015 (Saudi Arabia)
ratings.fide.com/individual_calculations.phtml?idnumber=5218020&rating_period=2015-07-01&t=1

1st Runner-up: Al Riyadh Rapid Chess Championship 2015 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr183713.aspx?lan=1&art=1

Champion: 1st Ultimate Chess Championship 2015 (Internet)
www.pressreader.com/philippines/business-world/20160204/281968901721348
www.chessclub.com/ucc

4th Runner-up: Eastern Region International Classic 2015 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr183052.aspx?lan=1&art=4

Champion: Bahrain Blitz Chess Championship 2015

Champion: 1st Centaur Weekend Tourney (CWT) 2015 (Internet)
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=215

1st Runner-up: 2nd Centaur Weekend Tourney (CWT) 2015 (Internet)

1st Runner-up: Bahrain Rapid Chess Championship 2015

1st Runner-up: Fakeieh Group International Chess Championship 2015 (Saudi Arabia)
ratings.fide.com/individual_calculations.phtml?idnumber=5218020&rating_period=2015-10-01&t=1

1st Runner-up: Infinity Chess Team Cup 2015 (Internet)
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=208
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=205

Champion: 10th Engine Master Chess Tournament 2015 (Internet)
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=231

1st Runner-up: 6th Engine Master Chess Tournament 2015 (Internet)
http://infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=191

Champion: Kalayaan Sports Fest Chess Tournament 2014 (Saudi Arabia)

1st Runner-up: Infinity Chess Freestyle Chess Battle 2014 (Internet)
http://www.infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=156
http://www.infinitychess.com/Page/Public/Article/DefaultArticle.aspx?id=118

1st Runner-up: Filipino Chess League Chess Tournament 2014 (United Arab Emirates)

Champion: 5th FICGS Freestyle Chess Cup 2013 (Internet)
http://www.ficgs.com/category__ficgs__chess__freestyle_cup.html

3rd Runner-up: NGiT Chess Championship 2013 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr103820.aspx?lan=1&art=1&turdet=yes&flag=30&wi=984

2nd Runner-up: Al Baha International Chess Tournament 2013 (Saudi Arabia)
chess-results.com/tnr111175.aspx?lan=1&art=1&turdet=YES&flag=30

2nd Runner-up: 3rd Al Riyad Chess Tournament 2013 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr114917.aspx?lan=6&art=4&turdet=YES&flag=30

4th Place: Al Riyadh International Chess Tournament 2013 (Saudi Arabia)
http://chess-results.com/tnr102515.aspx?lan=10&art=1&turdet=YES&flag=30

1st Runner-up: 5th King Alfonzo Blitz Grand Finals 2012 (Philippines)

Champion: 4th FICGS Freestyle Chess Cup 2011 (Internet)
http://www.ficgs.com/category__ficgs__chess__freestyle_cup.html

Champion: Kosmodrom's Swiss System, Freestyle Chess 2011 (Internet)

Champion: 1st CITAA Invitational Active Chess Tournament 2009 (Saudi Arabia)

Champion: Dhahran Invitational Chess Tournament 2008 (Saudi Arabia)

Champion: Eastern Region Friendship Games 2008 (Saudi Arabia)

Champion: 3rd CISTA Invitational Chess Tournament 2007 (Saudi Arabia)

Champion: Dhahran Invitational Chess Tournament 2007 (Saudi Arabia)

Champion: Glutaphos Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Tournament, NCR Leg 1995 (Philippines)

Champion (Team) & Board 2 Gold Medalist: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Senior Chess Team Tournament 1995 (Philippines)

Champion (Team) & Board 3 Gold Medalist: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Senior Chess Team Tournament 1994 (Philippines)

Champion (Team) & Board 4 Gold Medalist: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Senior Chess Team Tournament 1993 (Philippines)

5th Place: Metropolitan Chess Club Youth Chess Tournament 1992 (Philippines)

Champion: San Sebastian College-Recoletos (Cavite City) Chess Intramural High School Chess Championship 1989, 1990, 1991 & 1992 (Philippines)

Champion: District Meet (Palarong Pambansa Qualifying) STRAA Elementary School Chess 1988 (Philippines)

I'm a certified FIDE Instructor and have 16 years of chess teaching experience with beginners, intermediate players and advanced players either through over-the-board or online class.

I'm a certified FIDE National Arbiter and can manage chess tournament as a role of an Organizer, Tournament Director, Chief Arbiter, Deputy Arbiter or Arbiter, Pairing Manager.

I have an ability to multi-task in most of my arranged tournaments I can act at the same time the organizer, chief arbiter & pairing manager and can run smoothly the tournament without issues.

I own around 50+ chess matts, pieces and digital clocks available for rent which is good for 100+ participants.

I'm well versed in strategic motifs, have high level of tactical awareness and a good command of basic chess endgame theory. I'm expert in the utilization of Chessbase 16 and Aquarium 2021 softwares.

Every chess player has room for improvement! I see to it that I identify the student's level of chess knowledge. Then I focus the training on his weakness so that he will able to improve his practical play. For highly ambitious chess players I offer structured learning.