Makinano wins 3rd Coleto L. Itaas active chessfest

International Master candidate Anthony Makinano capitalized on his vast experience and maturity to complete a two-game sweep over Joel Pacuribot in the final round and rule the 3rd Coleto L. Itaas Active Open Chess Tournament the other night at the Bibo Chess Club.

The 36-year-old food vendor from Brgy. Pasil advanced into the finals by eliminating the youthful but promising Kim Steven Yap, while Pacuribot had to edge out Allan Salientes in a 10-minute blitz tie-breaker before grabbing the remaining championship ticket.

In the race-to-two finale, Makinano subdued Pacuribot of a decisive Queen’s Pawn game and then employed a cunning Ruy Lopez opening to shut down his baffled foe.

Makinano, who earned an IM norm plus an outright FIDE Master title after chalking up 7.0 points in the Dato Arthur Tan 3rd Malaysian Open last year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, took home P3,000 plus a beautiful trophy donated by Andres Ruaya.

Pacuribot pocketed P2,000, while Salientes and Yap received P800 each. Losing quarterfinalists NM Rogelio Enriquez and Richard Natividad got P300 apiece.

On hand to award the cash prizes and trophies to winners of the tournament sponsored by the US-based WNM Susan Itaas was Gertrudes V. Itaas assisted by national arbiter Marvin Ruelan.

P12T At Stake In Titay’s Cup

A total of P12,000 in cash prize is at stake in the Titay’s Cup Open Chess Tournament set on March 31 to April 1 at the Panphil Frasco Memorial Sports Center in the municipality of Liloan, Cebu.

Bankrolled by Gerardo "Dodong Gamay" Frasco Jr., proprietor and general manager of the famous Titay’s Rosquillos, the two-day event is held in celebration of the Centennial (100 years) Anniversary of Titay’s Liloan Rosquillos, one of Cebu’s world-renowned delicacies.

The 7-round Swiss system competition is divided into three categories namely Open, Liloan and Kiddies for participants aged 14 years old and below.

Aside from the trophies, the champion in the open class will take home P3,000, while the second to sixth placers will get P2,000, P1,000, P500, P300 and P200, respectively. The top three winners in the Liloan division will receive P1,500, P1,000 and P500, while the top four in the kiddies bracket will pocket P1,000, P500, P300 and P200.

The registration fee in the Lilo-an division is for free, but the Open competitors will be assessed with P100 entry fee and P40 for the kiddies.

For more inquiries, one may call/text tournament arbiter Marvin Ruelan at 0916-4232335 or (032) 412-1076.

Aboitiz Chess Club Formed

The inaugural edition of the monthly Aboitiz Employees Active chess tournament will be staged this Saturday at 1 pm at the Aboitiz Corporate Center Canteen. The top two finishers will be automatically seeded to the grand finals sometime in December.

It is the first undertaking of the newly-formed Aboitiz Chess Club. It is now accepting members who are employed with the Aboitiz Group of Companies.

For registration and inquiries, interested parties may keep in touch with Maggi Dionson at (032) 234-1000 loc. 744 or call/text 0916-3340677 or contact Mandy Baria at (032) 234-1000 local. 740 or text 0915-4411344.