DABAWENYO Fide master (FM) Austin Jacob Literatus captured the Kadayawan Chess Festival 2019 Open title at the Damosa Market Basket in Lanang, Davao City.

Literatus, who hails from Toril in Davao City, edged three other 6.5-scorers Corsino Maquiling, Jr., University of Mindanao's John Ray Batucan and John Christian Lesaca via superior tiebreaks.

The top seeded champion, a former National University (NU) chess varsity scholar and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) gold medalist, was unbeaten in the Swiss System format tournament.

He defeated Anthony Mosqueda, Johnnel Balquin, Melchor Arcenas, Jr., Luis Nator, Bienvenido Tipay and Bernie Padilla in the first six rounds then he split point with Batucan, who is also from Toril.

Third-placer Batucan also swept six matches before the draw with Literatus. The former outclassed his rivals Reynaldo Quiñonez, AGM Henry Roger Lopez, Jayson Salubre, Roger Omadle, Michael Cuamag and Alwin Jericho Uy.

Rounding up the top 10 were Quiñonez, Mosqueda, Jeriel Manlimbana, Leopoldo Ordiz, Gino Angelo Asuncion and John Gerard Acedo.

A total of 145 players from different parts of Mindanao joined the chessfest, presented by the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO), that gave away cash prizes, trophies and medals to the winners.

The event was organized by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto.