CAGAYAN de Oro City’s National Master (NM) Rustum Tolentino finished second place in the 1st Kadayawan Fide rated rapid open chess tournament on Sunday, August 12, at Lanang Business Park in Davao City.
The 36-year-old Tolentino sealed the spot after defeating Davao NM Macacuna “Aki” Macala in the eighth and final round.
He finished 6.5 points along with fellow NMs Henry Lopez of Panabo City and David Elorta of Manila.
But, Tolentino claimed solo second after prevailing in the tiebreaker over Lopez, who settled for third, and fourth-running Elorta.
Grandmaster Joey Antonio, a many-time RP Olympiad, dominated the tournament with seven points, a half point ahead of his closest pursuer.
Antonio had safe draw with Lopez in the last round to secure olo first place.
Tolentino’s mentor, NM Levi Mercado, nearly joined the pack of 6.5 pointers but couldn’t convert a comfortable four-pawn advantage against Fide Master Randy Segarra in the last round.
Facing time trouble, Mercado blew all his chances as he settled for a draw with Segarra.
Both Mercado and Segarra shared fifth to 13th places with six points each.