Dimakiling tops Kidapawan Open chess

DAVAO CITY pride international master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling edged fellow 7.5 scorer Jayson Salubre of Bohol via superior tiebreak to clinch the title of the just-concluded 2013 Kidapawan Open Chess Championship held at Kidapawan Convention Center in Kidapawan City.

Both chessers, however, received P12,500 each as organizers split the combined total cash prize of P25,000 (P15,000 first, P10,000 second) at stake for the first two placers.

Panabo City's Henry Roger Lopez led two other seven-pointers Jimmy Dano of Digos City and Adrian Dimakiling of Davao City, but they each took home P3,000 in the two-day tournament organized by the city government of Kidapawan under City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco, along with the Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc. and Batch 1985 of Notre Dame of Kidapawan Boys and Girls High School Alumni Association, Inc.

Davao City's national master (NM) Macacana Macala shared the sixth to ninth place with Kidapawan IM Edgar Reggie Olay, Koronadal City's Cesar Apalla and Davao City's Henry Fajardo who each tallied 6.5 points.

Six-pointers Jerwel Andoy, Cirilo Enobio and Reynaldo Gempero of Davao City as well as Philip John Leyson of Kidapawan City wounded up in the next four spots while 5.5 scorers Vincent Umayan, Vic Michael Artieda, Nephtali Batucan III, James Infiesto, NM Alexander Lupian, Arace Quinonez and Marvin Miciano rounded up the top 20 of the 67-player field.

Batucan was named best junior player while Holy Cross of Davao College's Ella Grace Moulic (5.0) was best female player and Ateneo de Davao University's Miciano took the best kiddie player. Each received P1,000 and a medal. (MLSA)