Chester Neil Reyes ruled via tiebreak the Atty. GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Youth Rapid Chess Tournament (18 below ) on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Level 1 Digiworld, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, Philippines.
In photo, Chess Champion Chester Neil Reyes (left) receives P5,000 cash prize from Bayanihan Chess Club co-founding chairman Engr. Antonio Carreon Balinas.
Reyes, tied for first and second places with FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo at 6.5 points apiece in the 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment time control event organized by Bayanihan Chess Club. With the higher tiebreak points, Reyes took the title while Bacojo finished second.
Reyes defeated Jaeden Urbina in the first round, Ayesha Janelle Guanzon (2nd round), NM Tyrhone James Tabernilla (3rd round), Jeremy Marticio (4th round), Arnel Mahawan Jr. (5th round) and International Master Michael Concio Jr. (6th round) and split the points with Bacojo (7th round).
Rounding up the top 10 winners were FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri (3rd); International Master Michael Concio Jr. (4th); Arnel Mahawan Jr. (5th); Wenlan Temple (6th); Cyrus Vladimir Francisco (7th); NM Mar Aviel Carredo (8th) NM Al Basher “Basty” Buto (9th); and NM Oshrie James Constantino Reyes (10th).
Six years old Shane J. Patropez of Calbayog City, Samar and 6 years old Almario Marlon I “Baby Uno” Bernardino of Quezon City made the ceremonial moves kicking off the Bayanihan Chess Club one-day rapid tournament also graced by International Master Angelo Abundo Young , reigning back-to-back Asian Seniors Champion International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony P. Alvarez, Coach AFM Ederwin Estavillo and UAE based Danilo Reyes, among others.
Youngest participants were six years old Shane J. Patropez of Calbayog City, Samar and 6 years old Almario Marlon I “Baby Uno” Bernardino of Quezon City while best coach is AFM Ederwin Estavillo.
“The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie,” Bayanihan Chess Club co-founding chairman Antonio Carreon Balinas said.
The Bayanihan Chess Club 1-day rapid chess tournament was supported by GM Balinas family, Robinsons Galleria, AIM Mark John Centillo, Biyaherong Arbiter, Coach NM Gerald Ferriol, GMG, WFM Kathryn Ann Cruz-Hardegen, Mam Jennifer Cruz, Mam Rosalyn Cruz, Sir Jonas Cruz, Chess Lovers and Kaizen Knights Chess Club.
The next Bayanihan Chess Club 1-day rapid chess tournament on March 23 at the same venue dubbed as GMG chess cup backed up by Coach NM Gerald Ferriol.-