Arnel Mahawan Jr. emerged as the champion in the Merry Chessmas! Jingle Belle Kiddies (14U) Rapid Chess Tournament December 8, 2024, at the Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
The 14-year-old Mahawan, who plays for the San Sebastian College – Recoletos Manila under the guidance of coach National Master Homer Cunanan in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), pocketed the P5,000 purse and the trophy for ruling the tournament with over 70 participants.
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
The San Rafael, Bulacan native Mahawan defeated Willard Elijah Baylon, ACM Adrian Alarcon, Marco Piolo Sanido, Karl Ashton Fratkin, AFM Caleb Loukas Picache-David, AFM Lorenzo Portugal in the first and sixth rounds, respectively. He snapped his six-match winning streak when he had a draw with John Randall Peralta in the seventh and final round.
Sumer Justine Oncita, a Grade 8 student of University of Santo Tomas (UST) under the wings of coaches GM candidate Ronald Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo went on placing second overall with 6.5 points.
The pride of Pasig City, Oncita ended up in second place losing to Mahawan in the bucholz tie break points.
The 10-year-old Peralta, a Grade 4 student of St. John’s Wort Montessori under the tutelage of coaches Froilan Bolico and Jojo Aquino Jr., settled for third place with six points, the same output of fourth placer Josh Borsigue.
Meanwhile, International Baptist College will host a tatluhan blitz chess team tournament on December 15, 2024 at the same venue.
Tournament director Alejandro “Doods” Segales said that the tatluhan blitz chess team champion will earn P15,000 plus trophy. For inquiry, call or text mobile number: 09338664924 for complete details.-Marlon Bernardino