Pestaño: Guinness confirms record for Cebu City

MAKING a Guinness record is like climbing Mt. Everest. It is attempted only by super-achievers like our very own Edward Hayco, the chairman of Cebu City Sports Commission.

It’s now official! Guinness confirmed last Wednesday that Cebu City now holds the world record for the largest chess tournament.

There were 43,157 participants, mostly students of Cebu City, and the attempt covered a period of over six months up, sending in January this year. The champion was Allan Pason.

There were more than 1,000 volunteer coaches and teachers.

Sponsors were the Cebu City Government, Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission, International Pharmaceuticals, Julies Bakeshop, Virginia Foods, Rose Pharmacy, University of Cebu and the Cebu Chess Federation and its head, Bogie Lim.

Chessmoso and Cepca president Jojo Muralla also had key roles as we were officially listed as “expert witnesses”--a requirement of Guinness.

STREAK. Wesley So is now on a roll. After placing a respectable third place finish at the World Open in Philadelphia, he won the Toronto Invitational winning $4,000 for first place followed by another win at the Quebec Open and another $4,000.

After remaining at the same rating for several years now, it looks like he has improved a lot.

He showed this by demolishing up and coming Ray Robson of the US in their “Death Match” last July 31 by a score of 23-9. They played online for three hours, starting with five minutes time control diminishing to one minute each.

Cepca vs Deep Blue. Here are the results of the match between Cepca vs. Deep Blue Chess Club held at SM City last July 29. The format was rapid over 12 boards and two games per player against the same opponent.

The results were Ben Dimaano (Cepca) and Jongjong Melendez (Deep Blue), 1-1; Arnold Cadiz and Maggi Dionson, 1-1; Jojo Muralla and Jojo Canque, 1-1; Mike Banebane and Romeo Lumanog, 2-0; Jun Kidlat and Manny Abucay, 0-2; Norman Olayvar and Jun Pasion, 2-0; Felix Poloyapoy and Allan Cinco, 2-0; Ramon Pangilinan and Ben Rodriguez, 0-2; Ruel Hortelano and Felix Balbona, 2-0; Fabio Abucejo and Al Alesna 2-0; Gabby Misterio and Joe Sabandeja, 1-1; Jun Olis andNestor Encallado, 2-0.

Cepca won 15-9!

Scheduled on Aug. 19 is the sixth meeting between arch-rivals Cepca and Lapu-Lapu Chess Club at either the Kawayan Grill in Mabolo or Deep Blue in SM. Format is 15-20 boards and two games per player against the same opponent.

The Lapu-Lapu Chess Club will be holding tomorrow its monthly tournament for August at 1 p.m. at the Church of God Missions Ministry campus in Gun-ob. The format is seven rounds Swiss with rapid time control and the tournament is only for members.

The sponsors are Cepca president Jojo Muralla, Norman Olayvar, Jun Olis and Wynard Labastida.

Color-Coded. The First Invitational Color-Coded Chess Tournament and Skills Training Workshop under the Project Strive was held last Aug. 4 at the Bunzel Lobby of the University of San Carlos–Talamban Campus.

There were 32 players, which included students, teachers and Cepca members and it was as single elimination event with 30 minutes time control.

The champion was Allan Pason, who at 15 was the youngest participant. Pason is a third year high school student of Lapu-Lapu City and he won P 2,000, plus medal and a certificate.

The first runner-up was Yves Christian Fiel, a college student of USC, earning P1,000, a medal and a certificate.

The semifinalists, who got P500 each, were Nino Avelino Bautista and Michael Rey Rabino.

(boypestano@gmail.com,www.chessmoso.blogspot.com)