by Marlon Bernardino.
Ivan Travis Cu of San Juan City emerged champion in the 1st Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held at the lichess platform on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
Cu scored 6.5 points in seven games of play to edge Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao Oriental who finished second and third, respectively, in the 21-player field, elementary division of the rapid five minutes plus five seconds increment time control format.
Buto earned six points while Arca got five points in this event, organized by Mobile Chess Club Philippines Libangan Team.
Cu scored victories over Joash Alton Gumiran in the first round, Aeiona Lou Mendoza in the second round, Oshrie Jhames Reyes in the third round, Candidate Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto in the fourth round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the sixth round and Christian Tolosa in the seventh and final round.
He split the point with Arena Grandmaster Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the fifth round.
It shall be recalled that the 12-year-old Cu, a grade six pupil of Xavier School under the guidance of coach Rolly Yutuc, defeated Oscar Gao (elo 1595) of Australia in the eight and final round to finish second place in the Boys 10 and under of the 36th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships held at the Expo MAX Atria last Dec. 27–30, 2019. Cu who amassed seven wins and one loss got a total performance of 1622 for his effort.
(Final Standings: 7 Round Swiss System, 5 minutes plus 5 minutes increment time control format, 21-player field, )
6.5 points-Ivan Travis Cu
6 points-Al-Basher “Basty” Buto
5 points-AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca
4 points—Christian Tolosa, Jian Carlo Rivera, John Curt Valencia, Quarl Vera Cruz, Oshrie Jhames Reyes, Gabriel Ryan Paradero, Aeiona Lou Mendoza