Cebu based IM Pimentel rules Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament; pockets P60,000
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 10 Jul 2023
CLARIN, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL---International Master Joel Pimentel won the Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament, which was held recently at the Aya Hotel & Residences in Clarin, Misamis Occidental.
Th 30-year-old Cebu based Pimentel, a chess teacher at BRD Chess Academy, ruled the Open category of the two-day (July 8 and 9) chess competition with 8.0 points on account of seven wins and two draws in nine outings to bring home a PHP30,000 cash prize.
"I would like to thank the provincial government headed by Misamis Occidental Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., in cooperation with Ozamis City Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal Jr., Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal and the newly created Asenso Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association who increases and double the prizes from original P130,000 to P260,000," said Pimentel, a former top player of College of St. Benilde chess team.
This FIDE rapid rated event is part of the province’s youth development program, and one of the biggest chess tournaments in Mindanao, hosted by the provincial government headed by Misamis Occidental Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., in cooperation with City Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal Jr., Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal and the newly created Asenso Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association in celebration of the 75th Charter Anniversary of Ozamiz City. This is in line with the sports program of Asenso Misamis Occidental Team.
Pimentel scored victories over Danilo Esik in the first round, Rianne Joyce Branzuela in the second round, Gilbert Baba in the third round, National Master Keith Adriane Ilar in the fourth round, Jhonnel Balquin in the fifth round, National Master Levi Mercado in the sixth round and International Master Angelo Abundo Young in the seventh round.
He split the point with Nazario Ubanan in the eight round and Fide Master Victor Lluch in the ninth and final round.
Balquin, Young, Mercado, Ubanan and Lluch finished the tournament with similar 7.5 points while Ilar, Arena Grandmaster Lyndon Lumancas, Gilbert Baba, Joven Berondo, Jezreel Lopez, Johnny Wellem Carzano and Lexis Bruce Portacion have identical 7.0 points.
Ashzley Aya Nicole Paquinol of Cagayan de Oro City, on the other hand, won the Elementary Division while Sean Kenneth Cogonon of Cebu City topped the High School Divison category.
Meanwhile, those who received special awards from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines sanctioned tournament were National Master Mardonio Fuentes (Top Senior 60 year old and above) , Jessen Bolando (Top Unrated) and Anna Marie Saldo (Top Lady), Baba, Carzano, Portacion, Archalaus Turno, Alger Palanas, Richard Tuquib, Shoje Navarro, Noel Arabia, Jesus Babat and Roy Ronald Roa for the Top 10 Misamis Occidental winners.
Earlier, Misamis Occidental Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., an avid chess player himself, and Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre essay the ceremonial moves surrounded by the some of the country's top players which also graced by Ozamis City Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal Jr.
In a rare simultaneous chess exhibition, Gov. Oaminal Sr. held GM Torre in a fighting draw.
Tournament director was NCFP board of Director AGM/NM/ Engr. Rey Urbiztondo while Chief Arbiter is former NCFP Executive Director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.-Marlon Bernardino-
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