JIMZON Trangia and Neil Sebastian clinched the open and kiddies titles, respectively, in the fourth APM Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament held Sunday at the Market Basket Damosa in Lanang, Davao City.
Trangia earned a total of 4.5 points in the five-round Swiss System format chessfest to claim P1,500 cash prize while national master (NM) Macala Macacuna (4.0) placed second and 3rd APM executive champion Rodrigo Catayas (4.0) finished third. Macacuna and Catayas received P800 and P500, respectively.
Trangia, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao, said he was prepared for the competition, adding, "Nagtiwala lang talaga ako sa sarili ko and hindi ako nagpa-intimidate sa mga titled masters."
He also said that National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto and Macacuna were among his stiffest rivals.
The open champion will next compete in the Mayor's Cup Non-Masters Chess Tournament 2016 on October 15 at Pigcawayan North Cotabato.
Sebastian, for his part, made 4.5 while Wesley Jovan Magbanua (4.0) of Los Amigos Elementary School was second and Queen Peralta (3.5) placed third.
Sebastian pocketed P700 and a trophy while Magbanua and Peralta took home P500 and P300, respectively.
Special awards were also given to Janes Hitfield Caingles (best female open category), Bhing Joel Gimony (best junior), Cyrus Donasco (best 1950 below) and Charlene Moulic (best female kiddies). (ABM)