DAVAO City’s international master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling leaned on his vast experience to capture the 1st Mindanao Online Blitz Chess960 Championship title on Sunday, May 31.
The Dabawenyo ace, with username IM chargemax23, was unbeaten in 11 matches, earning 2.5 points with one draw in his last game opposite to arena grand master (AGM) Henry Roger Lopez.
Dimakiling, who hails from Sasa but is currently based in Luzon, demolished his first ten opponents Erwin Melendrez, Jezreel Lopez, Tomang_Matekid, IrwinDAton, Jandee Honraea, Cecil Cuevas, Joey Florendo, NM Alexander Lupian, Tan and Paul John Lauron.
He received P500 while the next three placers claimed P300, P200 and P100 in the meet with three-minute plus two seconds increment per match.
Lopez, 39, of Panabo City, a 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games double team gold medalist and individual silver medalist, bagged the runner-up honors by scoring 8.5 points.
Lopez bested fellow 8.5 scorer national master (NM) Jonathan Tan, also of Panabo City, via superior tiebreaks, 57.25- 52. The latter settled for the third spot instead in the 11-round Swiss System tournament held via Lichess.
IM John Marvin Miciano of Davao City was fourth after edging fellow eight-pointers), NM Lupian (48), Alfred Moulic of Davao City and Roy Abaa with better tiebreaks.
Lupian, Moulic, Abaa, Jayson Salubre (7.5), Ralph Dalauta (7.5) and Eduardo Sumergido (7.5) rounded the top 10.
Top lady woodpusher Rowelyn Joy Acedo, Top 1800 below player Felix Duterte and
Top 1900 below player Paul John Lauron also received P100 each.
The event was organized by the Brother of the Knights Square Table with tournament manager Capt. Ronald Banaag and arbiter Ely Acas.