PATRICK Miguel Aquino of the Stella Maris Academy emerged the surprise champion in the 2nd Bamboo Store Rapid U-12 Chess Tournament Sunday at the Bamboo Store of Victoria Plaza.
The third-ranked Aquino bested top favorites John Ray Batucan of Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elementary School of Toril and Rowelyn Acedo of Jose Marcia College in claiming the crown. Batucan finished second, while Acedo placed third.
Batucan holds an 1834 rating while Acedo has 1764 and were installed pre-tournament favorites because of their high ratings, but Aquino had other things in mind.
Patrick Miguel Aquino had a rating of 1758 while his brother Josev Omar Aquino holds a rating of 1694.
The tournament drew a total of 80 participants in the seven-round event using the Swiss system of scoring.
Other seeded players who saw action were are Toril bet Dhona Yngayo (1500), San Isidro Elementary School's Alfred Zamora (1427), Junelle Frank Calunia (1387), Toril's Eric Yngayo, Jr. (1315), Precious' Val Paolo Bertulfo (1300), Osmeña's Jayson Engay (1300), San Isidro's James Kenny Calunia (1298) and Bryan Jay Cahilog (1197), Sped Bangkal's Cloyd John Oria (1172), Magallanes' Denzyl John Amar (1142) and Kapitan Tomas' Zsuzsa Grace Tabudlong (1099).
The champion received P500 worth of gift certificates with gold medal while the silver medallist got P300 worth of gift certificates, and the bronze medal winner went home with P200 worth of gift certificates.
The event was sponsored by The Bamboo Store in coordination with the Davao City Sports Council, Inc. and Blue Knight Chess Club. (CRAM)
