Kevin Arquero beat all of his six opponents before halving the point in his final match to win the GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament held at the 3rd floor Robinsons Mall, Galleria, Ortigas corner Edsa, Quezon City, Philippines last Saturday, March 23.
In photo, IM Angelo Abundo Young and NM Nika Juris Nicolas, Engr. Roger Reyes and GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez and IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad shake hands before making the ceremonial moves.
The top player of PCAP’s Cavite Spartans chess team finished the 7-Round Swiss System tournament with 6.5 points in the 1-day event backed up by Balinas family, Shimmer & Shield Car Coating President/CEO Jeff Bugayong, RDR Business Solution Inc. President/ CEO/Pambansang Business Mentor Reymond Delos Reyes, Atty. Juman Paa, Atty. Rodolfo Enrique “Rudy” Rivera, Atty. Nikki de Vega , Dr. Ariel Potot, Engr. Roger Reyes, Mr. Travis Vincent Chua, Mr. Jessie Villasin, Mr. Jojo Legaspi, Mr. Mark John Centillo, Mr. Andrew Elpedes, Mam Kathryn Ann-Hardegen, Mam Jennifer Cruz, IDIM DIY Bakery, Nova Wellness Store, Starshots Coffee, Byaherong Arbiter, and Robinsons Galleria Ortigas.
Arquero, a member of the multi-titled Philippine Army chess team defeated Yureeh Panganiban, Mark Gerald Reyes, NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Benjie Bercadez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., respectively.
Arquero’s draw with NM Oscar Joseph Cantela sealed his campaign to win the tournament organized by Bayanihan Chess Club headed by co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas in close cooperation with Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.
Arquero thanked the Balinas family for sponsoring this tournament. He pocketed P10,000 for his efforts.
Cantela, a Grade 11 – Senior High of FEU Diliman whose roots are from Masbate, on the other hand, figured in a triple tie with Antonio and 8-time US champion IM Angelo Abundo Young with similar 6.0 points but Antonio settled for the second place honors by virtue of a higher tie-breaker.
Antonio received P5,000, while Young and Cantela got P2,500 and P500 for winding up third and fourth, respectively.
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Garcia, FM Randy Segarra and Rommel Lucion finished the tournament with similar 5.5 points while Bercadez, CM Genghis Imperial, NM Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Tristan Jared Cervero, Jerich Cajeras, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Rosaupan have identical 5.0 points.
Six year old Almario Marlon I “Baby Uno” Bernardino was the youngest participant.
Category winners were Alvarez (Top IIEE), Cervero (Top Non-Master), Cajeras (Top School Coach), Bagamasbad (Top Senior 65 over category), Rodolfo Panopio Jr. (Top Senior 50 to 64 year old), Luffe Magdalaga (Top Online Chess Coach), NM Jasper Faeldonia (Top Romblon chess club), Jaime Criste (Top Novelty chess club), Robert Racasa (Top Kaizen chess club adult), Jerry Areque (Top Cubao attackers chess club), WNM Ma. Elayza Villa (Top Lady master), Natasja Jasmine Balabbo (Top Lady non-master), Princess Nicole Ballete (Top Espana chess club), Patrick Bonifacio (Top Guadalupe chess club) and Elmer Claveria (Top PWD). -Marlon Bernardino-