by Marlon Bernardino
Mariveles, Bataan---Ferdinand Aviles shocked rivals as he emerged champion in the League of Locators 2019 Chess Tournament dubbed as Chairman's Cup at the lobby of AFAB (Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan) in Mariveles, Bataan last Friday here.
Aviles tallied 5.0 points in the Swiss System format competition to pocket the top cash prize of P4,000 in the one-day event organized by tournament director Ebennezer "Venz" Batul and hosted by Chairman/Administrator Emmanuel Pineda and assisted by Corporate Affairs Department Head Eliza Calimag, Ms. Aileen Grace Pizarro, Ms. Kate Maya Saliva and Mr. Jephoi Clemente.
"This is my best performance so far. I played solidly and tactically." said Aviles, a former stalwart of Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University Chess Team.
He bested Joselle Moreno in the tie break points who earned similar five points. Moreno received P3,000 for settling runner-up place.
Jimson Linda (4.0 points) came third and pocketed P2,000 while Ryan Christian Galang (4.0 points) settled for fourth and earned him P1,000 for his effort.
Also with 4.0 points are 5th place Victor Gonzalvo, 6th place Rogelio Aguilar and 7th place Emar Mauricio.
Rounding up to the top 10-circle with 3.5 markers are 8th place Ryan Linda, 9th place Eladio Cruz and 10th place Tristan Garado.
Special awardees were Nonoy Velasco (Top Worker), Romy Malinana (Top Senior), Rojan Kristian Aguilar (Top Kiddie)and Reinna Forio (Top Lady).
Meanwhile, 13-times National Open Champion Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. tallied 33 wins, two draws and one loss in a rare 36 simultaneous chess exhibition before the start of the Chairman's Cup rapid chess competition.
Engineer Luisito Ramos and Rojan Kristian Aguilar of Balon Elementary School halved the point with GM Antonio while Joselle Moreno inflicted the only loses of Antonio.
National Arbiters Alfredo Chay, Miel Bautista, Antonio Laureano and Jenison Pama of the Chess Arbiter Union of the Philippines supervised the said affair.-Marlon Bernardino-