IM Garcia naghari sa Del Mundo Open Rapid chess tourney

MANILA — Pinagharian ni International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia ang Sir Herky Del Mundo Memorial Open Rapid Chess Tournament na ginanap sa 2nd floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan St., Mandaluyong City nitong Martes, 3 Enero 2023.

Nakakolekta si Ateneo de Manila University chess team program manager Garcia ng 6.5 points mula six wins at draw para magkampeon sa FIDE rapid seven-round tournament na suportado ni FIDE Master Anton Paolo Del Mundo sa pakikipagtulungan nina Mam China Aurelio, at Mam Mimi Casas ng Open Kitchen.

Ang tourney ay inorganisa ng Bayanihan Chess Club, sanctioned ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines na pinangasiwaan ng Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the talented players – Cream of the Crop of Philippine Chess. I just tried to play my best and I am satisfied with the result,” sabi ni Garcia na sariwa pa sa runner-up (2nd rank) finish sa GMG Open Rapid Chess Tournament nitong Sabado, 31 Disyembre 2022 sa nasabing lugar.

Dahil sa kanyang latest feat, naibulsa ni Garcia ang top prize  P10,000 at gold medal.

Kabilang sa mga tinalo ni Garcia sina Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Racasa sa first round; Arena Grandmaster Joselito Asi sa second round; Jerry Areque sa third round; International Master Ricardo De Guzman sa fourth round; International Master Ronald Dableo sa sixth round; at National Master Mark Jay Bacojo sa seventh at final round.

Nagtabla sina Garcia at Joseph Lawrence Rivera sa fifth round.

Tumapos sina International Master Richilieu Salcedo III, Dableo, Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr., Bacojo, at De Guzman sa 2nd hanggang 6th places na may tig 6.0 points.

Kabilang sa mga nakapasok sa top ten ay sina International Master Daniel Quizon (7th), Rivera (8th), FIDE Master Jeth Romy Morado (9th) at International Master Barlo Nadera (10th). (MARLON BERNARDINO)