NATIONAL master (NM) Elwin Herbias Retanal of Malita, Davao del Sur bounced back from a third place finish in a past tournament by clinching the 2nd Resident Riyadh Rapid Chess Tournament title held at Mena Hotel Olaya, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently.
He earned 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss System format competition to receive a Cup, a gold medal and 300 riyals.
Retanal, who works as a captain waiter at King Salman Royal Palace, bested Ahmed Khariat and Filipino Ronald Salvador Pujeda who placed second and third, respectively. Khariat made six points while Pujeda garnered 5.5 points.
The 41-year-old Retanal, however, settled for a bronze in the 1st Resident Riyadh Rapid Chess Tournament held at Golden Tulip Hotel Alseneria, Riyadh, KSA on November 8. Thus, the recent victory was a welcome respite from his third finish.
He has been working in Saudi Arabia for the past six years and seven months but he continues to play the sport he loves.
“Daghang chess tournament diri sa Saudi pero diri lang ko sa duol Riyadh lang moapil chess tournament,” he said in a Facebook chat with Sun.Star Davao yesterday.
He added that he competes in chess meets whenever he has the time.
Retanal has three kids but the eldest King Andrian passed away in 2005. The other two King Vincent and King Nathaniel are with his wife Nerly in their Barangay Talisay home in Malita.