Concio rules Tanauan chess, earns GM norm

MANILA, Philippines — The strong Dasmarinas, Cavite chess program has produced another Grandmaster candidate in Michael Concio.

Concio, 14, drew with Indonesian FIDE Master Daniel Hermawan Lumban Tobing yesterday to rule the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships at the Lima Hotel in Tanauan, Batangas while clinching the International Master title and a GM norm as well.

Concio finished undefeated with seven points on five wins including one over IM Gilbert Elroy Tanigan of Indonesia and four draws, two of which came against top seed IM John Marvin Miciano and Southeast Asian Games veteran IM Daniel Quizon.

Concio thus joined the 15-year-old Quizon as a product of the program of Dasmarinas Congressman Pidi Barzaga and training under FM Roel Ablegas vying for the GM title with a GM norm apiece.

Another strong player who is a product of the same program is WIM Kylen Joy Mordido, a Woman GM candidate.

It was another strong performance for Concio, who was the youngest qualifier in the final phase of the World Chess Olympiad tournament dubbed as the Battle of GMs last month.

Concio actually started seven years ago as a protégée of the late IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.