PAOLO Prado of Compostela Valley garnered 6.5 points to win the title and pocket the champion's purse of P10,000 and a in the 2008 1st Mati Open Chess Tournament at the Emmmanuel Pelaez Gym, City of Mati, Davao Oriental Sunday.
University of Mindanao's Brene Parreño edged two other 6.0 scorers via tiebreaks to grab the runner-up honors while National Master (NM) Elwin Retanal of Malita and Gerald Cavan of Mati placed third and fourth, respectively.
UM's Reynaldo Gempero Jr. was fifth and Jay Bulicatin sixth with identical 5.5 points followed by another UM bet, Adrian Dimakiling, Zamboanga NM Abdullah Bin Rawahah Unding, Tagum's Gil Rodis, Davao City NM Prospero "Bebot" Cruz occupied the next four spots.
A total of 80 participants competed in the three-day Swiss System format competition presented by Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat as part of the city's charter anniversary celebration.
The event was organized by the Mati Chess Club with Alexander Singco as tournament director and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. (MLSA)
