MARY Joy Tan of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental became the inaugural Group B champion of the FIDE-rated Masters Class Chess School Invitational Chess Tournament concluded Saturday, April 20 at the 3rd Floor ACT bldg. along Luna-Velez sts., Cagayan de Oro City.
The bemedalled Tan, among the pioneering students of Masters Class Chess School, was so impressive in dominating the field as she played through undefeated with 7 wins and 2 draws in 10 rounds Swiss system tourney with standard time control of over one hour.
In taking the P5,000 top purse, Tan's 8-point total was a clear 1.5 points ahead of second-running Lorebina Carrasco II of Corpus Christi School (6.5 points) who went home P3,000 richer.
Bryx Ryzyl Facurib and Charles Klent Gabing were tied at 6 points each and equally divided the combined P3,000 cash prize for sharing third to fourth places.
Solo fifth placer Aaron Noblijas received P1,000.
“Ang quality sa chess school makita sa produkto and we're both proud and happy nga na-apply gyod ni Mary Joy (Tan) iyang natun-an,” said Masters Class Chess School instructor, National Master Rustum Tolentino, who skipped the separate Individual Open for Group A players to help in running the five-day tournament.
Among the lucky 10 who responded to the event's invitation include Ashlanie Pandi (3.5 pts), Khent Lourence Canas (3 pts), Lance Rafael Magloyuan (2.5 pts), Janiella Maeren Garcia (2.5 pts) and Edvel Lauren Libago (2 pts).
Their parents thanked Cagayan de Oro chess godfather, NM Roly Tan and tournament director Ronald Rufin of Radyo Natin for giving their children the opportunity to partake in a Fide-rated event.
“To be honest, the entry fees of the participants are not enough for the needed amount nga ma Fide-rated kini nga chess event nga naka live stream pa. So, pasalamat kita'g dako kang NM Tan and Mr. Rufin for bankrolling the first ever Fide-rated tourney in Cagayan de Oro,” said the Tacurong City-based FA Margie Narcilla, the only female Fide chess arbiter in Mindanao, who was assisted by FNA Lorenzo ‘Jun’ Cuizon for the successful conduct of the round-robin chess festival.