By Jean Malanum
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas chess team member Chester Neil Reyes bested 80 players to claim victory in the Sta. Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge Open division Sunday night at the Immaculate Conception I-College in Bulacan.
The 19-year-old information technology sophomore defeated Rohanisah Buto, Yuri Lei Paraguya, Ricky Echala, FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, Mark Gerald Reyes and FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan. He had a draw against Sherwin Tiu in the seventh and final round.
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Bulacan and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament,” said Reyes in an interview on Monday.
“I would like to thank my coaches GM candidate Ronald Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo for supporting my participation here,” added Reyes, who hails from Rodriguez, Rizal. He also won PHP10,000 in cash plus trophy and medal.
Bacojo placed second while FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz was third. Both registered 6.0 points.
Sherwin Tiu, Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa and Johann Cedrick Gaddi scored 5.5 points each while Mark Gerald Reyes, Laylo, FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan and Lennon Hart Salgados tallied similar 5.0 points.
Meanwhile, National Master Karlycris Clarito Jr. of Pasig City garnered 6.5 points to rule the 17 years old and under division.
NM Mar Aviel Carredo, Rudmark dela Cruz and Jerick Faeldonia scored similar 6.0 points for second, third and fourth places. (PNA)
