NM Buto wins Angeles rapid chessfest
by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—National Master Al-Basher” Basty” Buto (photo above) of Cainta, Rizal won the Angeles City FIDE-Rated Chess Festival (Junior) September 11, 2022 at the Marquel Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga. Visit chess-results.com for round by round standings and results.
After halving the point with National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the fifth round, Buto, who hails from Marawi City, defeated Andrew James Toledo in the sixth, Woman National Master Ruelle Canino in the seventh, Allan Gabriel Hilario in the eight before beating De Asas in the last round.
That was all Buto needed to nail the title with the highest output of 8.5 points to go home with the top prize of P10,000 plus the champonship trophy.
Malls benefit from crowd-drawing chess tournaments and it helps popularize chess.
“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,” added the 12 years old Buto, Grade 7 Student of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal, playing under the guidance of Mam Sarah Balce and Sir Ambet Balce of Faith Christian School.
Buto’s stint here is being supported by Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., Cainta, Rizal Mayor Ellen Nieto, MP Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and GPP Muslim Community Greenhills.
Jersey Marticio of Cabuyao City, Laguna, who lost to Buto in the fourth round bounced back winning her game against Sean Adryl S. Tolentino in the fifth, Lira M. Placer in the sixth, Arca in the seventh, Arena FM Gabriel Ryan Paradero in the eight and Canino in the final round to secure solo second place with 8.0 points and take home P7,000 plus trophy.
Allan Gabriel Hillario came third with 7.0 points for P5,000 plus trophy.
Arca, meantime settled for fourth with 6.5 points for P3,000 while Canino ended up fifth with 6.0 ponts for P2,000.
The tournament was hosted by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. in close cooperation with Angeles City Sports Officer Maeve Mendiola.
Last Saturday, International Master Daniel Quizon of Dasmarinas City, Cavite won the Open section with 8.0 points in nine outings. He pocketed the top prize of P20,000 plus trophy