by Marlon Bernardino
FILIPINO Conrado Diaz, a certified United States Chess Federation (USCF) chess master ruled the 18th Bob Burger Open Chess Championships on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club in San Francisco, California, USA.

The General Trias, Cavite native Diaz tied for first place along with another Filipino entry Romulo Fuentes. The duo tallying 4.5 points in five outings. However, after the tie break points was applied, Diaz went home the coveted title in the event which aims  to recognize the well known Master, author and problem composer, USCF chess master Bob Burger.

 Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) founding president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe lauded Diaz latest feat.
"USCF chess master Conrado Diaz open his quest for the year 2018 with a big bang as he finished first overall in the 18th Bob Burger Open Chess Championships in United States. You made country proud."said Atty. Orbe, also the Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

Ezra Pau Chambers, Maxim Gre Elisman and Anthony Acosta ended in a three-way tie for third with 4.0 points each. Chambers bagged the third place honor by virtue of superior tiebreak points against fourth place Elisman and fifth place Acosta. Lucas Jiang, meantime tallied 3.5 points and took solo six place.

It shall be recalled that Diaz finished in a tie for third place in the 2017 William Lombardy Memorial Tuesday Night Marathon at the Mechanics Institute Chess Club in San Francisco, California, USA last December.

Diaz, former top player of Adamson University chess team under the guidance of coach Christopher Rodriguez, held into a draw against American Derek O'Connor in the final round to finish with a nine-round total of seven points on account of six wins, a loss and two draws, the same output of Natalya Tsodikova, another US bet.
Diaz, finished third overall with a superior quotient against Tsodikova who landed at fourth place.
Josiah Stearman took the title after edging fellow 7.5 pointers and eventual second placer Aleksandr Ivanov in a tie break.-Marlon Bernardino-