TORIL-BASED Fide master (FM) Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao City emerged champion in the recently concluded first National Master Prospero Cruz Memorial Blitz Arena online chess tournament.
Literatus, a decorated UAAP National University (NU) chess varsity scholar, amassed a total of 60 points in 19 matches in the event organized by APM Mindanao Chessmates in memory of the late Dabawenyo woodpusher Cruz whose birthday was on April 7.
Literatus (AJ_Literatus) stunned international master (IM) Michael Jako Concio (Michaeljako_concio) of Cavite and Mark Baldesimo (maekovian24) of Agusan who landed second and third, respectively. Concio earned 44 points, while Baldesimo made 42 after 16 games.
The top three placers received GCash or load of P250, P150 and P100.
Literatus only lost one match opposite Roullo Rolzon in his fourth outing and he split point with Vic Ariate in his 18th match.
He, however, eked out victories over 17 players Spencer De Guzman, RJ Ian Carlo, Dear Heart, Rolzon, Noel dela Cruz, Mariko Zamora, Jay Anruel, Charles John Fiel, Hermie Cagatin, Romeo Larayos, Jr., John Ray Batucan, Harison Maamo, Perkins Bayron, Johnnel Balquin, WFM Allaney Doroy, Concio, Raf23 and Batucan.
Tournament organizer Ely Acas said the chessfesf drew a total of 286 players.