THIRD-SEED Juan Ryu Bagonoc of Central Mindanao University may have been half-point shy of scoring perfect six points but he still emerged champion in the recently-concluded UM Open U-16 and Below Inter-School Invitational Chess Tournament held at the University of Mindanao Student Hub in Matina, Davao City.

Bagonoc drew with his sixth round opponent Arlton Lance Diaz of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) after outclassing UM bet James Rhie Leigh Sullano, Catalunan Grande Elementary School’s Beatrice Aton, CMU’s Jethro Renz Bagonoc, Angliongto Sr. Elementary School’s James Bryant Kent Diabakid and Ford Academy School of Davao’s Adrian Nigel Aton.

The visiting champion bested Sullano, who edged two other five-pointers Nathalie Suter of PNJKIS and Caerel Shane Mantilla of UM, grabbed the runner-up honors. Suter and Mantilla placed third and fourth, respectively, in the chessfest that drew 51 participants.

Second-seed Sullano only lost to Bagonog in their fifth round clash while he eked out wins over Namael Naetan Tapere of Doña Pilar Learning Center, Edmar Llanto of Davao City National High School, Airon Fred Varian of Child of God Learning Center, Charlz Illescas of Antonio Pichon Jr. Elementary School and Zach Nathaniel Ty of Davao Christian High School.

Suter, seeded fifth, bowed to Davao Wisdom Academy’s Verby Jay Quiachon in the fourth round but she demolished Jethro Renz Bagonoc of CMU, Ronald Brock Mojillo of Doña Asuncion Hizon Elementary School, Lance Andrei Lao of Mintal Elementary School, Cirell Ross Barcelo of San Pedro College and Diabakid.

Meanwhile, special awards went to Llanto (U16 best performer), Mantilla (U12 best performer), Beatrice Aton (U10 best performer) and Aaron Aton (U8) best performer.