Filipino IM Concio shocks Uzbek Super GM Gareyev
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Nov 2024
Oroquieta City---International Master Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines dug deep into his endgame bag of tricks as he carved out a nerve-wracking victory on the Armageddon tie-break against top seed and Super Grandmaster Timur Gareyev of Uzbekistan to rule the just concluded 3rd Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Festival at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center (AMOSACC), Capitol Complex in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental last Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Playing white, the 19-year-old Dasmariñas City, Cavite pride won in 41 moves of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.
Concio walked away with a hefty P100,000 prize, courtesy of the governor doubling the original P50,000 pot, along with a unique trophy.
"I am extremely satisfied with the outcome. The results exceeded my expectations," said Concio.
Gareyev, for his part said, “I pushed myself to my limits, as I kept on attacking him but he defended well."
“We both gave a good fight, but I was time-pressured. In Armageddon, you have to play fast and precise,” added Gareyev who took the runner-up prize of P60,000.
According to Arena Grandmaster Engr. Rey Urbiztondo, in chess, the Armageddon is a variation of the blitz event where a drawn game is counted as a win for the black pieces. By nature, an Armageddon game cannot end in a draw and black also starts with less time on the clock than white.
In Gareyev’s proposal, an Armageddon blitz showdown must be held to break the tie.
Initially, the former US Open champion Gareyev won the favor via the tossed coin wherein the once tormentor of super GM Alireza Firouzja (2804) who used to be in the elite level with 2682 elo rating, chose to have the black pieces with five minutes against Concio’s white with six minutes and no increment.
Needing just a draw, Gareyev countered Concio’s d4 with Nf6 leading the Armageddon blitz duel to the main line of the Nimzo Indian defense.
Concio earlier strung up six-straight wins over against Rogelio Andoy, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, IDE Master Roel Abelgas, International Master Angelo Young, Jayson Salubre and International Master Joel Pimentel, and so Gareyev against Hezziel Alcebar, Janmyl Dilan Tisado, Aljie Cantonjos, Sherwin Tiu, National Master Raymond Salcedo and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo before their drawn match in the pivotal 7th round.
Concio defeated Grandmaster Daniel Quizon and FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus in Round 8 and Round 9, respectively while Gareyev toppled Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and FIDE Master Ellan Asuela.
Failing to cross paths with the foreign visitor in the entire tournament regulation, GM Quizon edged out fellow 7.5 pointers Tiu, IM Rolando Nolte, and local boy Rodney Opada in the Bucholz tiebreaker to bag the third place worth 40,000.
Tiu, Nolte, and Asuela occupied fourth to 6th place with P20,000, P10,000 and P6,000 take-home, respectively.
Completing the top-10 finishers with P4,000 each are Pimentel, Laylo, Literatus, and Antonio.
In the 17 & Under category, FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte emerged as champion with 8.5 points securing P60,000 and a trophy. In the 13 & Under category, top-seeded National Master Mar Aviel Carredo of Dasmariñas City, Cavite took the championship title with a score of 6.5 points, winning P60,000 in cash and a trophy for his strong performance.
No less than Hall of Famer and Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre led the closing rites of this FIDE rated rapid event and National Chess Federation of the Philippines sanctioned tournament.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026