FRESH from a silver finish in Oroquieta Regional Meet, David Rey Ancheta of Corpus Christi School topped the elementary rivalry of the just-held EMC Xmas Handog Pamasko Rapid chess tournament at the Capitol Park in Cagayan de Oro.
Ancheta actually finished in a tie with Cebu bet Philgymn Villajuan and Rafael Louis Delgado at 5 points, but nailed the championship crown and the P1,500 top purse with his superior tiebreak results.
“Bisan kapoy kay bag-o lang sa Palarong Pampook, naningkamot gihapon among palangga,” Dave’s ever supportive mother, Jeanny Ancheta told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Villajuan and Delgado occupied second and third places, while John Michael Labis and Rafael John Calingin of West City Central School settled for fourth and fifth with similar 4.5 points. Making it to the prize circle with 4 points each are Euneil Grant Capilitan, Althea Necole Borres and Lorebina Carrasco.
Engineer Abdul Halil Abdullah played through undefeated (6 of 6) to rule the Class B level and pocketed P2,000 in the day-long chessfest bankrolled by Explore MisOr Chess Cooperative and supervised by Eagles Kuya Glenn Escarda as the tournament director. Ralph Greval Dalauta and Elias Balase shared second to third spots with identical 5 points as Fr. Vic Arellano landed at solo fourth with 4.5 points. Rounding up the top-11 with 4 points each are Aldin Ronulfo Ranario, Renan Cantilado, Emmanuel Crisologo, Loloy Duman-ag, Cresente Cubero, Arbie Jims Calido and Audie Abrea.
Meanwhile, in the side event (bullet chess) for Class A players sponsored by chess-playing seaman Ronald `El Kap’ Banaag, National Master Rustum Tolentino overcame the QAB 2015 blitz champion Lennon Hart Salgados in the final round to receive P800 and a shirt.
Barely making it to the top-four round, Tolentino survived in the semis against fellow NM and former mentor Levi Mercado before facing the youthful Salgados, the elimination round winner with a perfect 5 of 5 record.
Salgados trounced semis opponent Lyndon Lumancas, 2-0 but was held to a draw by the black-wielding Tolentino in their first match in the finals.
“Naluyahan ko. Kontra-pilo gyod `mi ni kuya Tumtum,” Salgados later told Banaag.
Among the early favorites who failed to qualify in the semifinals were
Nazario Ubanan, Jokorn Maestrado and veteran National Masters Roger Verganio and Jerry Nodado.