Eivanne Jacob Cruz scored a crucial win over Romnick Pillos in the sixth and final round to claim the championship of the Nova Wellness Store Standard Chess Tournament over the 25-26 January 2025 weekend at the Met Live, Metro Park, EDSA Extension corner Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. in Pasay City, Philippines.
After halving the point with Edgardo Maano Jr. in the fifth and penultimate round, Cruz bounced back with aplomb to down Pillos in his last assignment.
That was all Cruz needed to claim the title with the highest output of 5.5 points in six rounds on account of 5 wins and 1 draw. He pocketed P10,000 for his efforts in this 2-day (January 25-26, 2025) FIDE Standard chess tournament, backed up by Nova Wellness Store, Starshots Coffee, Axe Brand Universal Oil and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
Maano, on the other hand, upset top seed Emmanuel Barbosa in the last round to score a similar 5.5 points. Because of his lower tie break points, Maano settled for second place honors to receive P7,000.
Earlier, Cruz defeated Matthew Dominic Sta. Maria (Round 1), Gener Subia (Round 2), Joel Obogne (Round 3) and Jericho Winston Cu (Round 4).
Maano, meanwhile, beat Seth Raphael Lee (Round 1), Kanau Ozawa (Round 2), Israel Cohen (Round 3) and Jin Clark Myco Miranda (Round 4).
Michael Punzalan, Karlycris Clarito Jr., Andrew San Antonio, Celine Santillan, Subia and Van Opada finished the tournament with similar 5.0 points; while Barbosa, Miranda, Kirk Anthony Vidad, Stephen Zane Quinto, Pillos, Windale Tan, and Eugene Taroc have identical 4.5 points.
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Chief Arbiter Ranier Pascual, Deputy Chief Arbiter Ferdinand Reyes Sr. and Mr. Travis Vincent Chua led the closing rites.
Travis Vincent Chua (right) ponder his next moves against Aizyleen Mack Lee.
“The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie,” said IM Garcia, Chess Program Head at Ateneo de Manila University.
The 2-day FIDE Standard tournament attracted 100 woodpushers.-Marlon Bernardino-
Caption photo: