Fil-Am Michael Ocido wins big in U.S. chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Jul 2023
MANILA---Filipino-American Michael Ocido bested 165 other players in a 7-Round Swiss format to share first place for the 2023 Las Vegas International Chess Festival Under -2300 category recently held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Ocido, who is from Queens, New York, took home the cash prize of $4,500 after scoring 6.5 points in seven rounds.
Isaac Martinez also got similar 6.5 points to receive $4,500.
Anton Barash wound up third with 6.0 points for S1,500 for his efforts.
The tournament was organized by the Las Vegas Chess Festival under the direction of FIDE Trainer and International Arbiter Allan Lossof.
The 32-year old Ocido said that the opponents he faced were extremely competitive, especially with the entry of many young and unheralded players.
“But with some luck, my experience still prevailed in the games I [played],” said Ocido, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management Graduate Student at West Negros in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Ocido, who hails from Victorias City, Negros Occidental scored victories over Nicholas Chrysanthou (Round 1), Kevin Fong (Round 2), Armen Andranigian (Round 3), Cole A Rice (Round 4), Ali Mirafzali (Round 5), and Woman Fide Master Sophie Morris-Suzuki (Round 6). He drew with Barash in the last round.
National Master Tony Aguirre said that Ocido will most likely join the National Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November and the North American Open in Las Vegas, Nevada in December.
Ocido is known in Filipino chess circles in the tri-state area for his aggressive style of play in chess, which he complements with great sacrificial instincts.
Other chess achievements of Ocido whose International chess campaign supported by NM Aguirre, Fide Instructor Dari Castro and US based GM Richard Bitoon of StarWizard Chess are 2015 Johor Challengers Champion in Malaysia, 2015 Negros Closed Champion, Champion of Several Open tournaments in Negros, 2018 HD Bank Challengers Champion in Vietnam, 2019 Under 2200 category Marshall Chess Club Champion in New York and 2019 Under 2200 category Washington International Champion.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SMITH VS. GERMAIN + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 18 Apr 2025There Are No Miracles— Just Nora Aunor
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 18 Apr 2025Heavyweight Contender Lenier Pero Set to Shine on April 18 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
Fri, 18 Apr 2025New Champion, New Era: Lightweight King Keyshawn Davis Defends Throne Against Edwin De Los Santos in Homecoming June 7 at Norfolk’s Scope Arena LIVE on ESPN
Fri, 18 Apr 2025Rising Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran draws undefeated Isaiah Johnson for Friday's opening round of the inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Fri, 18 Apr 2025FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION KELLY “THE GHOST” PAVLIK TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 18 Apr 2025Beltran faces Crenz in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Into to fight Jones in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025USA Boxing International Concludes Day Two Competition
Thu, 17 Apr 2025Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Beltran ready to fight in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Arca stuns English GM, maintains share of top spot in Bangkok Chess Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Melvin’s target is Collazo
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 17 Apr 2025Piala fights Choki in WBC Grand Prix
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Apr 2025There will be NO DRAWS at the World Boxing Council Grand Prix in Riyadh
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 17 Apr 2025