NM Montoya rules first ever Cebu Chess Society tourney

CEBU, Philippines — National Master Edsel Montoya fumbled in his final round assignment against Grandmaster candidate Kim Steven Yap but it did not matter at all as he still etched his name in stone as the first ever champion in the elite open division of the Cebu Chess Society Cup.

Montoya, a native of La Carlota, Negros Occidental but is now based in Cebu, completed the 9-round Swiss system competition with the best output of 8.0 points to lift the title that went along with a P10,000 cash prize at the end of the two-day tilt last Sunday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

Yap figured in a three-way tie with Bryle Arellano and NM Merben Roque with identical 7.5 points but Arellano went on to settle for second place courtesy of a higher tie-breaker.

Roque finished third followed by Yap.

Venancio Loyola Jr. and Diego Abraham Caparino were at joint fifth and sixth with 7.0 points apiece while Anthony Makinano and Nazario Ubanan occupied the seventh and eighth spots with 6.5 points each.

Making it to the top 15 list with 6.0 points were Jerish John Velarde, Ronald Ganzon, Jayson Salubre, NM Arnolito Cadiz, Ernie Abanco, Chris Aldritz Pondoyo, and Rommel Ganzon.

In the 16 Under category, Arje Villarin of Mandaue City pulled off a crucial victory over his younger brother Jervy in the last round to snare the crown with 8.5 points. The Villarins are both members of the CCS Young Elites.

Jave Mareck Peteros downed Adelyn Bensin to finish at solo second with 8.0 points, while Remegio Galenzoga III and Lennox Samson placed third and fourth with 7.0 and 6.5 points, respectively.

Making it to the top nine with 6.0 points were Jervy Villarin, John Lester Belano, Regina Catherine Quinanola, Mary Margarett Quinanola and Aaron John Resma.

Out-of-town players Michael Jan Stephen Inigo of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and Keith Adriane Ilar of Cagayan de Oro City caught part of the spotlight after stamping their respective classes.

Inigo lorded it over the Under 12 age group with 8.0 points, while Ilar, the only undefeated player in the tournament, dominated the Under 9 category with a perfect 9.0 points.

Completing the top 10 cast in the Under 12 were Einre Mar Abanco and Kristina Conception Belano (7.0 pts.), Glydel Janine Rodrigo and and Sean Kenneth Cogonon (6.5 pts.), and Janelle Aninon, Jude Lorenzo Aranaydo, Art Villaran, Mickaela Princess Cuizon and Matt Dinielle Cavaltera (6.0 pts.).

Wrapping up the top 10 performers in the Under 9 were Reduard Contaoi (7.5 pts.), Sebastian Marbas (7.0 pts.), Ana Nichol Gulben, Loisse Antonette Lozada, John Jacob Pane, Blair John Serbise, Nina de la Torre, Aizen Miggelk Bucog, and Adrian Aldava (6.0 pts.). (FREEMAN)