by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—FM David Elorta won the tough Lomibao-Beltran Open Rapid chess championship July 10, 2022 at the Rockwell Business Center in Mandaluyong City, Philippines among 252 players. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results. In photo, FM David Elorta (right) receives his champion’s trophy from Mimi Casas of sponsoring Open Kitchen.
GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (left) and former Olympian WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran making the ceremonial moves
Elorta collected perfect 9.0 points to win the nine-round tournament and the top purse of P10,000 plus trophy and a brand new iphone in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines sanctioned tournament sponsored by former Olympian Woman FM Sheerie Joy Lombao-Beltran and organized by Bayanihan Chess Club headed by it’s co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Tony Balinas in close cooperation with Ms. China Aurelio and Ms. Mimi Casas of Open Kitche.
“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” said Elorta, the top player of Negros Kingsmen in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
Photo shows 13-time Philippine Open Chess Champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (left) playing with FM David Elorta during the ninth and final round of the tournament.
With added P5,000 bonus under his belt because of his perfect record, Elorta scored victories over Peter Baltazar in the first round, Jeremy Marticio in the second round, Florel Cruz in the third round, Jerry Areque in the fourth round, National Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the fifth round, Fide Master Sander Severino in the sixth round, Narciso Gumila Jr. in the seventh round, Alexis Emil Maribao in the eight round and Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. in the ninth and final round.
Gumila downed IM Ronald Dableo for second while IM Daniel Quizon beat GM Darwin Laylo to finish third and take the cash purse worth P7,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Rounding up the top 10 were Alexis Emil Maribao, NM Mark Jay Bacojo, Sherwin Tiu, IM Michael Concio Jr., Laylo, FM Jeth Romy Morado and Dableo with Abimelech Dawa (media), Antonio (senior), IM Angelo Young (PWD), WNM Francois Marie Magpily (lady), Angele Tenshi Biete (junior), Mar Aviel Carredo (kiddy), Atty. Bob Jones Liwagon (executive), Chester Neil Reyes (junior), Kevin Arquero (Non-Master), Darry Seth Romualdez (U-8 Boys), Elle Castronuevo (U-8 Girls) and Atty. Rudy Rivera (special award) as category winners.
Former Olympian Woman FM Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran had something to say about the success of the rapid chess tournament. “I’m very grateful for all the organizers, open kitchenette staffs and big bosses, and of course the chess players who supported and made this tournament successful,” said the Edmonton, Canada based Lomibao-Beltran.
Chief Arbiter was IA/NM James Infiesto, Deputy Arbiter was IA/NM Elias Lao Jr. assisted by NA Byron Gabrentina Villar.