IM OLIVER BARBOSA RULES KIDAPAWAN CHESS OPEN

INTERNATIONAL MASTER  Oliver Barbosa  added another feather on his cap by winning the 2nd Kidapawan Chess Open Championship was held recently in Kidapawan City.

The Taytay, Rizal resident IM Barbosa garnered six points on five wins and two draws in the seven round Swiss system tournament. Three other players scored 6 points, including National Masters Levi Mercado and Rustum Tolentino of Cagayan de Oro City and Maamo Harrison of Davao City, but IM Barbosa topped the event due to a higher tie-break in the three-day event organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc. in cooperation with the City Government of Kidapawan and Batch 85 – Notre Dame of Kidapawan Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association, Inc.

NM Mercado, the 2009 Mayor Jaraula Cup Champion, emerged as 1st Runner Up, NM Tolentino as 2nd Runner Up and Harrison as 3rd Runner Up. Cotabato City pride NM Sarip Roger gained 4th Runner Up honor with 5 1/2 points, while ten (10) woodpushers, including defending champion NM Edgar Reggie Olay, scored 5 points to share 5th Runner Up to 14th Runner Up places. Cagayan de Oro’s Jhonnel Balquin, Davao City’s Peter Tidoy, Koronadal City’s Cesar Apalla, Digos City’s Lito Laput, General Santos City’s Ric Portogalera, Panabo City’s National Master Cedric Magno and Henry Lopez, Surallah’s Ferdinand Leysa, and Kidapawan City’s Bob Salanga all scored 5 points.

Dr. Ted P. Calica, Kidapawan City Chess Club, Inc. President, and City Sports Coordinator Ramil Deldo led the awarding of trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners with the Champion getting P15,000.00, 1st Runner Up P10,000.00, 2nd Runner Up P5,000.00, 3rd Runner Up P3,000.00 and the 4th Runner Up to 9th Runner Up receiving P1,000.00 each.

Kidapawan City’s Philip John Leyson, Jr., 2009 Shell Active Chess national finalist, was awarded the Best Junior Player of the tournament by scoring 4.5 points. Special awards were also given to Davao City’s John Ray Batucan as Best Kiddie Player with 4.5 points and Nikki Erica Yngayo as Best Female Player with 4 points. They also received medals and cash prizes.

The major cities in Mindanao were well-represented in the Kidapawan Open Chess Championship as rated and non-rated players from Davao City, Cotabato City, Digos City, Malita City, Panabo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Koronadal City, General Santos City and the host, Kidapawan City, participated in the tourney, which ushered the City’s celebration of its Founding Anniversary. About half of the 74 participants came from Kidapawan City. Aside from Olay, Salanga and Leyson, Garry Carcalas, Felipe Leyson, Eddie Resurrecion, Jr., Edwin Dua and Roy Calica from Kidapawan City fared well in the tournament by scoring 4 points.

Dr. Calica extended his gratitude to all the participants and sponsors of the Kidapawan Open Chess Championship, which is expected to become an annual event. It has been included in this year’s calendar of events in the website of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines through the efforts of Region 11 NCFP Director James Infiesto. Chief Arbiter was Prospero Cruz and pairing was done by Alfred Moulic, both of whom efficiently handled the technical side of the tournament. This year’s event was also spearheaded by Club Vice President Pedrito Abuan, Natalia Olay, Damian Albete, Ronald and Ruel Olay, Emmanuel Ibea, and Engr. Oscar Khio.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO