NATIONAL Master (NM) David Elorta edged fellow seven-pointers Grand Master (GM) Darwin Laylo and Davao City's Fide Master (FM) Austin Jacob Literatus via superior tiebreaks to clinch the open division title of the just-concluded 6th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup Mindanao Chess Festival at the Gaisano Mall of Toril Food Hall, Davao City.
Elorta received P15,000 while Laylo and Literatus took home P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Rounding up the top 10 were Sherwin Tiu (6.5), NM Ernesto Absin (6.5), Jayson Salubre (6.0), NM Julius Sinangote (6.0), Jhonnel Balquin (6.0), NM Macacuna Macala (6.0) and John Michael Silvederio (6.0).
Davao City's Wesley Jovan Magbanua of Jose Maria College (JMC), meanwhile, lorded over his rivals in kiddies under-14 division. The diminutive 13-year-old player of Los Amigos, Tugbok District, tallied a total of 5.5 points in the six-round Swiss System Format chessfest organized by lawyer Jong Guevarra Jr. in celebration of the "Fiesta Saya" activity of Toril District.
He outclassed five pointers Marj Manguilimotan and Aliyah Rae Lumangtad who grabbed the next two spots.
Magbanua received P2,500 while Manguilimotan earned P1,500 and Lumangtad got P1,000.
Top kiddies under 14 player Vneshdyl Bureros recorded 4.0 points to also claim P1,000.
Team Dumadag, however, romped away with the biggest purse after winning the tatluhan event.
Nazario Ubanan, Allan Cantonjos and Dennis Bernas bagged P65,000 by beating fellow 16-pointers Super London's Don Tyrone Delos Santos, Samson Lim Jr. and Don Hamilton Arias, and Pacman Chess Team of Elias Banguiran, John Christian Lesaca and Diovic Nalam. Super London settled for P35,000 while Pacman Chess Team pocketed P20,000.
The event was co-presented by Toril Poblacion Barangay Council headed by Lilibeth Al-ag in celebration of the Sto. Rosario Parochial Fiesta of Toril District and supported by Davao City third district Rep. Alberto Ungab.