by Marlon Bernardino
MALOLOS CITY, PHILIPPINES—Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Mandaluyong City won the National Open Championship known as the Battle of Grandmasters 1st to 6th February 2023 at Malolos City Hall. Above are, from left, FST/GM Jayson Gonzales, NCFP chairman/president Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (2nd place), GM Darwin Laylo (champion), IM Michael Concio Jr. (3rd place), Malolos City Vice-Mayor Miguel Alberto Bautista and Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre.
Laylo, a mainstay of the Philippine Army chess team playing under the baton of Special Service Center (SSC) Director Col. John Oliver F. Gabun, became the meet’s top finisher and after gaining undefeated record of 6.5 points grom four wins and five draws.
With his latest feat, Laylo whose stint here is being supported by Dasmarinas Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Atty. Nikki De Vega and Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas received the top prize of P100,000 courtesy of Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad.
“I am happy for winning the Philippine National Chess Championship Grand Finals. I wish that my luck would remain the same with my upcoming stint in PCAP for Magic Mandaluyong Tigers,” said the 42-year-old Laylo. It can be recalled that he got his first national crown in 2006.
“Congratulations to GM Darwin Laylo for winning the Philippine National Chess Championship Grand Finals today. May you keep on winning and bring more honor to the country,” said Magic Mandaluyong Tigers Team Owner Atty. Nikki De Vega.
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila finished second with 6.0 points following his draw with WGM Janelle Mae Frayna. The Ateneo de Manila University chess team program manager Garcia collected three wins and six draws and pocketed the runner-up prize of P80,000.
IM Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmarinas, Cavite came third with 5.5 points followed by fourth placer IM Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City who totes 5.0 points.
Frayna, NM Mark Jay Bacojo and Quizon each scored 4.5 points to place fifth to seventh, respectively.
GM John Paul Gomez and GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. both scored 3.5 points, but were ranked eight and ninth, respectively, based on their total tie break points.
Completing the top 10 is WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego who notch 1.5 point.-Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings:
6.5 points—GM Darwin Laylo
6.0 points—IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
5.5 points—IM Michael Concio Jr.
5.0 points—IM Paulo Bersamina
4.5 points—WGM Janelle Mae Frayna
4.5 points—NM Mark Jay Bacojo
4.5 points—IM Daniel Quizon
3.5 points—GM John Paul Gomez
3.5 points—GM Rogelio Antonio Jr.
1.5 points—WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego