VINCE Angelo Medina of Laguna province emerged champion in the 2nd Mayor Jojo Palma and Atty. Titing Albano Rapid Open Chess Tournament concluded on Sunday at AIMCOOP Building in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.
Medina claimed the title and the lion’s share of P30,000 plus trophy after prevailing over Cagayan de Oro City’s Jaime Joshua A. Frias II in a Trompovsky Opening encounter in the final ninth round.
He finished solo first with eight points on seven wins and two draws and led half a point against two closest pursuers in National Masters David Elorta of Manila and Henry Roger Lopez of Panabo City with 7.5 points each.
But, Elorta settled for second place worth P20,000 cash by virtue of superior tie-break points against Lopez, who landed at third and settled for P10,000.
In the final round, Elorta halved the point with NM Rustum Tolentino, while Lopez defeated Panabo compatriot Jason Salubre.
Grand Master Darwin Laylo, a member of the Philippine men’s chess team, shared joint fourth to eighth places in the company of Tolentino, NM Levi Mercado, NM Joey Albert Florendo and Alfredo Rapanot with seven points apiece.
Using the tie-break, Laylo landed at solo fourth while Tolentino, Mercado, Florendo and Rapanot occupied fifth to eight places, in that order.
Christopher Randolph Dalauta and Frias made it to the top 10 circle with 6.5 points each.
The tournament was organized by Wilhelm Joey Ardiente and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
“Akong dakong pasalamat sa akong suod nga higala ug pinalanggang Mayor Jojo for holding another big tournament in Aurora,” said Ardiente during the awarding ceremony.