Close Confidante of the late legendary Robert James "Bobby"Fischer shines in MPCL’s Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Dec 2022
Final Standings: (9 Rounds Swiss System, 68 participants)
7.0 points---Konstantin Sek (Russia), GM Lucas Van Foreest (Netherlands), IM Rolando Nolte (Philippines)
6.5 points---IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), GM Pier Luigi Basso (Italy)
6.0 points---IM Dragos Ceres (Moldova), GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Armenia), IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), IM John Daniel Bryant (USA), GM Darwin Laylo (Philippines), IM Eric Labog Jr. (Philippines), GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines)
MANILA---International Master Rolando Nolte made the country proud by finishing third overall behind winner Russian born Konstantin Sek of FIDE at the end of the Maharlika Pilipinas Chess League's Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival at the Family Country Hotel in General Santos City on Saturday, Dec. 17.
The 50-year-old Nolte, a close confidante of the late legendary Robert James "Bobby" Fischer, defeated third seed GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden in the ninth and final round to catch Sek and second pick GM Lucas Van Foreest of the Netherlands, who halved the point with IM Daniel Quizon, at the helm with seven points each.
The Russian-born Sek, who split the point with second seed GM Pier Luigi Basso of Italy, eventually took first, Van Foreest second and Nolte third after tiebreaks were applied.
The three, however, will split the total prizes for first to third places amounting to $40,000 or a cool P2.2 million--$20,000 for first, $12,000 for second and $8,000 for third—courtesy of boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao.
Nolte still made the country proud regardless as he emerged the best Filipino finisher in the event organized by the MCPL headed by IM Hamed Nouri and Alex Dinoy and backed by President Bong Bong Marcos, the NCFP, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Sek got the help from Nolte, whose win prevented a two-way tie for first between the former and Van Foreest and the winner-over-the-rule would have been applied.
If it had happened, Van Foreest would have seized first since he vanquished Sek in the third round.
Overall, Sek racked up six wins including ones over IM Ronald Bancod, Quizon and GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and two draws.
It was Sek’s win over Antonio in the penultimate round Friday that proved critical as he was on the losing end of that one before he found a way to squeeze himself out of trouble and snatch the win.
The 18-year-old Quizon wound up in a three-way logjam for No. 4 with GM John Paul Gomez, who downed IM Kim Steven Yap, Basso, but the reigning Asian Junior blitz champion emerged with the best tiebreak to claim fourth spot.
IM Dragos Ceres of Moldova, who turned back FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, finished in a seven-man group with six points apiece but took seventh spot with the best tiebreak.
Also in the same group were top seed GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia, IM Michael Concio, Jr., IM John Daniel Bryant of the United States, GM Darwin Laylo, IM Eric Labog, Jr. and GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.
Gabuzyan trounced Mark Jay Bacojo; Antonio and Bryant fought to a standoff; Concio outlasted Danmaersk Mangao and Labog subdued Sherwin Tiu.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025