Kevin Arquero wins GM Balinas chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Mar 2024
Final Standings:
6.5 points---Kevin Arquero
6.0 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., IM Angelo Young, NM Oscar Joseph Cantela
5.5 points---IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Randy Segarra, Rommel Lucion
5.0 points---Benjie Bercadez, CM Genghis Imperial, NM Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Tristan Jared Cervero, Jerich Cajeras, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan
Manila---Kevin Arquero beat all of his six opponents before halving the point in his final match to win the GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament held at the 3rd floor Robinsons Mall, Galleria, Ortigas corner Edsa, Quezon City last Saturday, March 23.
His draw with NM Oscar Joseph Cantela in the final round allowed him to win the tournament organized by Bayanihan Chess Club headed by co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio "Uncle Paps" Balinas in close cooperation with Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.
The top player of PCAP's Cavite Spartans chess team finished the 7-Round Swiss System tournament with 6.5 points in the 1-day event backed up by Balinas family, Shimmer & Shield Car Coating President/CEO Jeff Bugayong, RDR Business Solution Inc. President/ CEO/Pambansang Business Mentor Reymond Delos Reyes, Atty. Juman Paa, Atty. Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera, Atty. Nikki de Vega , Dr. Ariel Potot, Engr. Roger Reyes, Mr. Travis Vincent Chua, Mr. Jessie Villasin, Mr. Jojo Legaspi, Mr. Mark John Centillo, Mr. Andrew Elpedes, Mam Kathryn Ann-Hardegen, Mam Jennifer Cruz, IDIM DIY Bakery, Nova Wellness Store, Starshots Coffee, Byaherong Arbiter, and Robinsons Galleria Ortigas.
Arquero, a member of the multi-titled Philippine Army chess team defeated Yureeh Panganiban, Mark Gerald Reyes, NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Benjie Bercadez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., respectively.
"Winning this tournament means a lot to me. It will inspire me and motivate me to strive more in my future chess tournament," said Arquero, who thanked the Balinas family for sponsoring this tournament. He pocketed P10,000 for his efforts.
Cantela, a Grade 11 - Senior High of FEU Diliman whose roots are from Masbate, on the other hand, figured in a triple tie with Antonio and 8-time US champion IM Angelo Abundo Young with similar 6.0 points but Antonio settled for second place honors by virtue of a higher tie-breaker.
Antonio received P5,000, while Young and Cantela got P2,500 and P500 for winding up third and fourth, respectively.
“I am very happy with my performance because almost all of the top players in Metro Manila and nearby provinces joined the tournament," the 16-year-old resident of Barangay San Juan uno, City of General Trias Cavite.
"I would like to Hon. Luis Chavit Singson, Cong. Bryan Revilla & Revilla family in City of Bacoor for supporting my participation in the GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament ,” he added.
Garcia, FM Randy Segarra, Rommel Lucion finished the tournament with similar 5.5 points; while Bercadez, CM Genghis Imperial, NM Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Tristan Jared Cervero, Jerich Cajeras, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Rosaupan have identical 5.0 points.
Six year old Almario Marlon I "Baby Uno" Bernardino was the youngest participant.
Adjudge category winners were Alvarez (Top IIEE), Cervero (Top Non-Master), Cajeras (Top School Coach), Bagamasbad (Top Senior 65 over category), Rodolfo Panopio Jr. (Top Senior 50 to 64 year old), Luffe Magdalaga (Top Online Chess Coach), NM Jasper Faeldonia (Top Romblon chess club), Jaime Criste (Top Novelty chess club), Robert Racasa (Top Kaizen chess club adult), Jerry Areque (Top Cubao attackers chess club), WNM Ma. Elayza Villa (Top Lady master), Natasja Jasmine Balabbo (Top Lady non-master), Princess Nicole Ballete (Top Espana chess club), Patrick Bonifacio (Top Guadalupe chess club) and Elmer Claveria (Top PWD). -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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