Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Feb 2026
Upsets rocked the opening round of the Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 Open section as the unheralded campaigners waxed hot early in pursuit of greatness at stake in this weeklong chess competition at the Family Country Hotel in General Santos City on Monday.
First to lay the upset axe was the 41st seed Alexis Emil Maribao, playing the black pieces. With an Elo rating of 2133 Maribao brought down 10th seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, who totes an Elo rating of 2476 in a Sicilian Defense skirmish.
"What a great start," said Maribao, who will face countryman International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca in Tuesday's second round.
The 17th seed Arca, who possessed an Elo rating of 2395 blasted 47th seed Jaroslaw Shanel of the Czech Republic (Elo 2039).
It shall be recalled that Maribao is a former standout of San Sebastian College-Recoletos during his College days under the watchful eye of multi-titled coach NM Homer Cunanan.
Also impressive was 44th seed Jhonnel Balquin (Elo 2081) who beat compatriot 14th seed International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia (Elo 2429).
In other first round results, No.33 IM Chito Garma (Elo 2214) split the points with No.3 GM Jingyao Tin of Singapore (Elo 2584), No.37 Lennon Hart Salgados (Elo 2171) drew with No.7 Li Min Peng of Switzerland, No.39 Jeriel Malambana (Elo 2137) halved the point with No. 9 GM Platon Galperin of Sweden (Elo 2502), and 42 No. Rodolfo "Jun" Panopio Jr. (Elo 2122) settled for a truce with No.12 GM VS Raahul of India (Elo 2436).
Other opening day winners were No.1 GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen of Norway (Elo 2659), No.2 GM Pa Iniyan of India (Elo 2590), No.4 GM Arkadij Naiditsch of Bulgaria (Elo 2574), No.5 GM Timur Gareyev the USA (Elo 2558), and No.8 GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden (Elo 2521).
Meanwhile, No.13 GM Daniel Quizon (Elo 2432), No. 21 GM John Paul Gomez (Elo 2365) and No. 22 GM Darwin Laylo (Elo 2358) won their respective first round assignments.
Organized by Pacman Chess Association, the five-day Standard (90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control format) backed up by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, offers 20,000 US dollars to the champion.
The Tournament Director is Orly Ortega while Chief Arbiter IA James Infiesto is assisted by Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Michael Joseph Pagaran and FA Margie Narcilla.-Marlon Bernardino-
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