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Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Balquin rules 1st Aurora Open
HE YEARNS to be called as No.1 in the local chess scene.
The 25-year-old Johnnel Balquin of the Capitol Chess Club could at least share the label now when he ruled the 1st Aurora Open chess tournament on Sunday in Zamboanga del Sur.
Playing undefeated up to the penultimate round, Balquin drew with National Master Levi Mercado of Cagayan de Oro in the 9th and final round to finish as solo champion.
Obviously exhausted by his two-month campaign in Spain, Mercado was also unbeaten in the two-day affair. But allowing four matches to end up in a draw, Mercado found himself in a tie for third place.
"Gikapoy gyod siya kay pag-abot gikan sa Spain larga dayon pagka-ugma paingon sa Aurora," fellow contestant Jaime Joshua Frias III said of Mercado.
Not only that he pocketed the P20,000 top purse plus a giant trophy, Balquin did accomplish something for becoming one of the few non-titled players who conquered a master-laden field.
"I'm just a bit amused sa comment sa organizer nga sharp daw kaayo akong mga tira. Mapilde kuno bisan si Topalov kay di daw masabtan dihang ilang gi-feed sa computer," Balquin said in half jest while celebrating his victory with foods and drinks at the Divisoria Chess Plaza, the other night.
Sharing them with the spotlight is 12-year-old Lennon Hart Salgados who scored 5.5 points to bag the Top Kiddie award.
Against two national masters, Lennon failed to capitalize a favorable endgame duel with Antonio Hernando to concede for a draw. He found his mentor, however, in experienced master Ernesto Fernandez in another interesting endgame squabble.
MisOr Governor Oscar Moreno is expected to acknowledge Balquin's feat in a flag-raising ceremony of the Provincial Capitol.
(November 30, 2005 issue)
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