Kevin Arquero emerged as the champion in the 1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament held June 8, 2024, at the SM City, Santo Tomas City, Batangas, Philippines.
In photo are, from left, Dr. Fred Paez of Rotary Club of Nuvali, Evans Frivaldo of Rotary Club of Cavinti, Andi Cullano of Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, IM Michael Concio Jr (2nd place), Kevin Arquero (Champion), Sherwin Tiu (3rd place), Ching Amante of Rotary Club of San Pablo Central, DDG Jay Estrellado, and Engr. Bren Sasot of Rotary Club of Nuvali.
Arquero, who plays for the Dasma Cavite Spartans in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), pocketed the P15,000 purse and the trophy for ruling the tournament which fielded over 100 participants.
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
Arquero defeated George Agsamosam of Batangas (Round 1), AFM Albert Pasno of Tagaytay City, Cavite (Round 2), Daren Dela Cruz of Silang, Cavite (Round 3), Chester Agsamosam of Batangas (Round 4), GM Darwin Laylo of Lipa City, Batangas (Round 5) and Rafael Dionisio of Manila (Round 7).
He snapped his five-match winning streak when he had a draw against Sherwin Tiu of Manila in the sixth round.
“I am very happy with my victory. I would like to thank the Philippine Army chess team for supporting my participation in the 1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament,” said Arquero, one of the top players of the multi-titled Philippine Army chess team.
IM Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Tiu and AIM Jeffrey Romera of Tagaytay City, Cavite occupied the second to fourth spots with 6.0 points each.
The fifth to 10th placers were Laylo (5.5 points), IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (5.5 points), Manolo Puertellano (5.5 points), Dela Cruz (5.0 points), Rigor Pedernal of Lucena City, Quezon Province (5.0 points) and AGM Aaron Kimuel Lorenzo of Calamba City, Laguna (5.0 points).
1st Rotary International District (RID) 3820 Open Rapid chess tournament was supported by SM City-Sto Tomas, Chooks-to-Go, Rotary Club of Nuvali, Rotary Club of Cavinti, Rotary Club of Cabuyao Circle, Rotary Club of Atimonan Sunrise, St. Peregrine Dental Clinic, Dr. Audwin Verzosa and Dr. Herdeza Hernandez of Sydney, Australia, the proceeds of the event will be donated to the End Polio Society.-Marlon Bernardino-