North Cotabato bet Ronald Nonles tops Bangkok Standard chess competition

North Cotabato bet Ronald Nonles tops Bangkok Standard chess competition

North Cotabato bet Ronald Nonles tops Bangkok Standard chess competition

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by Marlon Bernardino
Kidapawan City, North Cotabato bet Ronald Nonles, a former Colegio de San Juan de Letran standout, ruled the just-concluded Big Rook Chess Festival 2019 Under 2200 section, Standard competition held at the Assumption Association, Rama IV in Phra Khanong, Bangkok, Thailand last Sunday.

Nonles collected 5.5 points on four wins and three draws in seven outings, the same output of compatriot Fide Master (FM) Jony Habla of Novaliches, Quezon City, Nonles took first place by virtue of superior tiebreak points.

Nonles brought home an elegant trophy and the 7,000 Thai Baht cash prize in the seven-round Under 2200 section, Standard competition tournament which attracted 38 players. Habla, on the other hand who also scored 5.5 points took home 6,000 Thai Baht cash prize and an elegant runner-up trophy.

“Again I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Nonles who also won the Eastern Rapid Chess Championship Tournament (Blitz competition) last June 2 in Pattaya, Thailand.

With the victory, Nonles performance boosted the nation’s morale, said National Master (NM) and Fide Instructor (FI) Winston Joseph Silva, a close confidante of Nonles, who is also Operations and Marketing Coordinator at Jirapak Chess Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Kababayan... Ronald Nonles got another chess title again in Thailand,” he said.

Nonles scored victories over Michael Culasing of the Philippines in the first round, Nathaniel Loyaga of the Philippines in the second round, Kankawee Maneesorn of Thailand in the third round and Prin Laohawirapap of Thaiand in the seventh and final round.

He split the point with Mohamad Sacar of the Philippines in the fourth round, Woman National Master (WNM) Arvie Lozano of the Philippines in the fifth round and Pasawon Wattanarat of Thailand in the sixth round.

Mohamad Sacar of Cotabato City placed third overall with 5.0 points on three wins and four draws to receive 5,000 Thai Baht.

Also with 5.0 points are 4th placer Woman National Master (WNM) Arvie Lozano of Dasmarinas City, Cavite and 5th placer National Master (NM) Ric Portugalera of General Santos City. Lozano got 4,000 Thai Baht while Portugalera went home 3,000 Thai Baht for his effort.-Marlon Bernardino-