IM Concio wins Balinas Rapid Chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 Mar 2023
MANILA---International Master Michael Concio was crowned champion in the 2023 Balinas Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at the 2nd Floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, March 18.
Concio scored a total of 6.5 points after the National Chess Federation of the Philippines 7-round Swiss System competition-sanctioned tournament with 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment time control that attracted 254 entries - chess players.
Actually, Concio figured in a triple tie with International Master Daniel Quizon and National Master Mark Jay Bacojo with similar 6.5 points but Concio settled for the top honors by virtue of a higher tie-breaker.
Concio received P20,000, while Quizon and Bacojo got P10,000 and P7,000 for winding up second and third, respectively.
“Actually, I didn’t expect the outcome (results) but I decided to play it safe against NM Bob Jones Liwagon having an edge in the tie-breaks plus I saw the final game of (IM Daniel) Quizon versus (NM Mark Jay) Bacojo which seems to look drawish,” said the 17 years old Concio, a Grade 12 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School.
The last round saw Concio halving the point with National Master Bob Jones Liwagon, as did Quizon and Bacojo.
Concio, Quizon, Bacojo are members of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy of rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., mayor Jenny Barzaga and national coach FM Roel Abelgas.
Rounding up to the top 11 with 6.0 points each is International Master Rolando Nolte, International Master Paulo Bersamina, Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Sherwin Tiu, International Master Ronald Dableo, Arena International Master Cyrus Vladimir Francisco, and Liwagon.
Liwagon, who hails from Cotabato City, a Major officer ranks at the Philippine Army, Office of the Army Judge Advocate under Col. Liberato O. Ramos won the top PECA Executive award and pocketed P5,000 for his efforts.
No less than Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Bayanihan Chess Club co-founding chairman engr. Antonio Balinas, former National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Red Dumuk, Singapore-based Rosalinda Balinas, Angie Balinas, Mark Roland Navarro of Open Kitchen, Mr. Gem Zafra and Chief Arbiter NA Ranier Pascual led the closing rites.
The 1-day FIDE rated event was sponsored by Balinas Family in close cooperation with China Aurelio and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, Richard Poblete-Ramos of Eurobake, Hongkong national chess player Sunny Lo and Thailand-based NM coach Gerald Ferriol.
Zigfrido Dokino Abella and John Paul Gaffud gave his artwork – painting impression of the great late GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. to his only daughter, Nur Rose Balinas.
"Bayanihan did another historic tournament for Philippine Chess," said US based Dr. Joe Balinas.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Immanuwel Aleem Takes on Demond NIcholson in DMV Turf War on Saturday. July 26th at The Hall in Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Mon, 21 Jul 2025Barrios lucky to keep title
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Allan Cantonjos rules Dipolog FIDE Standard chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025PHI GenTri Chess Players to Wave Philippine Flag in Hong Kong
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Filipino Pride and the Art of Hero Worship
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao vs. Logic
By Mark F. Villanueva, Sun, 20 Jul 2025McTavish a proud Filipino
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025GM Antonio rules Taiwan blitz chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Jul 2025History Slips From Pacquiao's Hands as Barrios Fight Ends in Majority Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Fundora Dominates Tszyu: "Towering Inferno" Retains Title in Strategic Masterclass
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025PITBULL CRUZ DOMINATES OMAR SALCEDO TO WIN WBC 140 LB INTERIM TITLE
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Figueroa Claims Hard-Fought Decision in Grueling War Against Gonzalez
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025MAGSAYO, MARCIAL REGISTER WINS IN LAS VEGAS
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Pacquiao vs Barrios: Factors of consequence
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025How to Watch Pacquiao vs Barrios in the Philippines
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 20 Jul 2025