FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz emerged as the champion in the 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament held June 22, 2025 at the Level 3 BodySenses, Robinsons Metro East, Pasig City, Philippines.
FM Daluz, who plays for the University of Santo Tomas under the guidance of coaches IM Ronald Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), pocketed the P10,000 purse and the trophy for winning the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) sanctioned tournament with over 130 participants..
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
FM Daluz defeated Ioan Samuel De Guzman, Josemier Jene Panol and Francis Talaboc in the first to third rounds, respectively.
He snapped his three-game winning streak when he had a draw against National Master Jasper Faeldonia in the fourth round.
However, FM Daluz went on to win the last three rounds against Yuri Lei Paraguya, Asher Judd Sy and Chester Neil Reyes, respectively.
FM Daluz is set to compete in the Asian Amateur Chess Championships slated August 1 to 9, 2025 in Hongkong and backed up by AQ Prime.
Ariel Santander went on to place second overall with 6.5 points.
Santander’s second place finish earned him P7,000, while the third place went to Faeldonia with 6.0 points for P5,000.
The fourth to tenth placers were Gabriel Ryan Paradero (6.0), Johann Cedrick Gaddi (5.5), Reyes (5.5), Michael Punzalan (5.5), Wayne Ruiz (5.5 points), Sy (5.0) and Jonathan Jota (5.0), respectively.
Tournament Director International Arbiter Rudy Ibanez led the closing rites.
The organizer of the tournament, AQ Prime CEO Atty. Aldwin Alegre said that this is their seventh time to host a chess tournament featuring pro and amateur players.
He also revealed that AQ Prime will hold an International Chess Tournament later this year to give the opportunity to the Filipinos player to achieve International Master and Grandmaster titles.-Marlon Bernardino-