King's Gambit Online Chess School Bet Inigo Clinches National Master Title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Oct 2023
MANILA---King's Gambit Online Chess School bet Michael Jan Stephen Inigo is the country's newly minted National Master after securing his last National Master norm by placing 2nd in the 2023 Philippine National Amateur Championships-Grand finals Juniors Division held at the Tagaytay Combat Sports Center in Tagaytay City from October 6-8.
He earned his first 2 National Master Norms in the National Age Groups U16 and National Youth Chess Championships U17.
The 15-year-old Bayawan, Negros Oriental pride Inigo collected 6.0 points to settle at solo second place behind eventual champion Cyrus James Damiray of Tanza, Cavite who tallied 7.0 points in eight outings, in the weeklong event sponsored by National Master Srihaan Poddar, hosted by NCFP Vice President/ Hon. Vice Governor Athena Bryana D. Tolentino and POC President, Hon. Mayor Abraham N. Tolentino in close cooperation with Hon. NCFP chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., and Hon. PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann.
Meanwhile, fellow King's Gambit Online Chess Team mainstay Chester Acuyong of Roxas City claimed 3rd place despite being just seeded 14th in the same tournament to earn his 2nd National Master norm as well as the Candidate National Master title.
On the other hand, Woman National Master Antonella Berthe "Tonelle" Racasa of Mandaluyong City performed beyond her rating, clinching 3rd place after stunning top seed and eventual champion WNM Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro City in the penultimate round of the National Amateurs Women's Division.
Racasa finished with 5.5 points, behind champion Canino and 2nd placer April Joy Claros of Angeles City, Pampanga who got 6.5 points and 6.0 points, respectively.
In other tournaments nationwide, the other wards of Coach Richard Villaseran stamped their class.
13-year-old NM Keith Adriane Ilar of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental scored back-to-back championships, ruling the U13 rapid and open blitz tournaments of the Barosso Chess Cup beating masters in the open section.
NM Tenshi Biete of Alabang, meanwhile, ruled the Little Scouts 2000 and below rapid tournament in Imus City, Cavite.
Jeremy Marticio of Cabuyao City, Laguna settled for tie for 4th place with an unbeaten 4 wins and 3 draws output in the very strong Mayor Valentino "Ben" R. Patron Non Master FIDE Rapid Chess tournament in San Jose, Batangas.
" I am thrilled with the accomplishments of our players. Inigo, Ilar, Racasa, Biete, Acuyong and Marticio are some of our top prospects for an FM title and WFM/WIM titles within the next 2 years and next year is already even possible. They are all strong players and very coachable and disciplined,” said Coach Richard Vilaseran.
Showing the depth of talent of King's Gambit Online School were the young guns.
12-year-old Jaycol Sodela led going to the last day of the National Amateurs U12 but had to settle for a strong 3rd place finish while 8 year-old John Kristoff Bautista stunned other rivals in claiming the U16 rapid tournament.
Joriel James Yap booked a Batang Pinoy U16 slot for himself while 8-year-old Darren Corro upstaged older opponents in placing 3rd against Highschool competitors. 7-year-old Elijah Loyola placed 10th in an U9 tournament while Magnus Braggais and Marco Sanido claimed top U8 and top U7 categories.
Romer Ceron Jr. and Ian Dave Mercurio settled for 4th and 5th places in their respective divisions of Batang Pinoy Qualifiers, missing securing Batang Pinoy spots by a mere half a point.
Coach Villaseran's Chess training program in King's Gambit Online Chess School is on track on its vision to produce a minimum of 5 FIDE Masters and 2 Woman International Masters by 2025.
"At the rate we're going, 10 FIDE Masters is even attainable by 2025 while I'm very confident with WNM Tonelle Racasa and Jersey Marticio reaching Woman International level within the next 2 years.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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