by Marlon Bernardino.
PH chess prodigy Michael Jan Stephen R. Inigo of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental captured the 4th United Queens Chess Club – UQCC Kiddies Cup 2021 on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Lichess.org.
The 13 year old Inigo, a grade seven student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City,Negros Oriental, collected six points on six wins and one loss to win the seven-round tournament.
Inigo scored victories over Franiel Angela Magpily in the first round, Wrizzia in the second round, Francheska Patricio in the third round, Jian Carlo Rivera in the fifth round, Yaneah Sofia T. Morada in the sixth round and Tyrhone James Tabernilla in the seventh and final round.
His only loss to Sahib Knight in the fourth round.
Actually, Inigo and Knight, both tallied 6 points apiece, however the former (Inigo) took the title with a superior 26 tie break points than the latter’s 25 tie break points.
In solo third place is Franiel Angela Magpily who notch 5.5 points.
Inigo captivated the chess world by winning the gold in the 2019 Davao City Palarong Pambansa Elementary Boys Team Blitz event teaming up with Jerish John Velarde representing Region VII (CVIRAA).
Inigo and Velarde also won the Bronze Medal in the Elementary Boys Team Standard. He also took the Bronze Medal in the Elementary Boys Individual Blitz category.
Inigo also ended up 2nd in the National Age Group Under 16 Boys division Northern Luzon Leg and overall 7th place in the National Age Group Southern Luzon Leg Under 15 Boys division recently held in Tornelo Online Chess Platform