Genghis Imperial Wins 3rd Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup

Genghis Imperial pocketed the top honors in the 3rd edition of Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup (2200 FIDE rapid rating limit) held at the SM Dagupan City on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Photo shows from left Mr. Allen Garcia, Engr. Cayetano Garcia, Atty. Reddy Ceralde Balarbar, Candidate Master Genghis Imperial (Champion) and National Arbiter Glenn Hullana Garcia.
The Pureza, Sta. Mesa, Manila native Imperial collected 6.5 points in seven outings to take home the P10,000 top purse.
Imperial, one of the top players of Manila Indios Bravos, scored victories over Romy Cendana of Dagupan in the first round, Peter Mc Gerald Penullar of Urdaneta in the second round, Fidel Labuanan of Binalonan in the third round, Stephen Manzanero of Caloocan in the fourth round, Candidate Master Romy Fagon of Urdaneta in the fifth round and Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. of Quezon City in the sixth and penultimate round.
He split the points with Joel Obogne of Manila in the seventh and final round.

Photo shows from left Candidate Master Genghis Imperial (Champion) and Atty. Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera (Top Senior).
“I am very happy with my victory tonight because almost all top Pangasinan players are here and not to mention nearby provinces as well from Metro Manila. I would like to thank Atty. Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera for giving me and supporting my stint here.” said the 39 years old Imperial, an active member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
“The event aims to develop 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 Atty. Reddy Ceralde Balarbar, legal counsel of Hermano Chess Club and the president of the San Fabian Chess Club.
Rounding up the top 12 are Joel Obogne (2nd), CM Romy Fagon (3rd), IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (4th), FM Robert Suelo Jr. (5th), Luigi James Laking (6th), Jonathan Bayron (7th), Cris Dispo (8th), Edgar Tuliao (9th), Emmanuel Lomibao (10th), Stephen Manzanero (11th) and Mark Donald Castillo (12th).
Adjudged category winners are Atty. Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera (Top Senior), Luigi James Laking, Jonathan Bayron and Cris Dispo (Top Executive) and Edgar Tullao, Mark Donald Castillo and Gerard Lalas (Top Government employee).
Supporting the one-day event were Pozorrubio Vice Mayor Ernesto Salcedo, Engr. Cayetano Garcia, Mr. Allen Garcia, SM Prime Holdings Inc. ,  Pangasinan Association of Chess Executives and Retirees (PACER) and National Arbiter Glenn Hullana Garcia.-Marlon Bernardino-