by Marlon Bernardino
Olongapo City---Neymark Digno, a first year college taking up BS IHM cruise line operation culinary arts student at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila Campus ruled the MRP Jr. Fide rated standard chess championship Sunday here at the Gordon College.
Handling the white pieces, the 26th seed Digno defeated former solo leader 46th seed Joshua Marquez to notch 5.5 points and bag the top purse of P1,000 plus trophy and medal, brand new shoes courtesy of China based Joel Pineda and the title of Olongapo chess king.
"Masaya ako sa pagkapanalo kong ito," said the 20 years old Digno, a native of Iloilo playing under the guidance of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila Campus head coach engineer Christopher Cunanan.
Despite the setback, the Caloocan City bet Marquez take home the runner-up prize of P800 plus trophy and medal and a brand new shoes. The 18-years-old Marquez, first year college BS Information Technology student at Lyceum of the
Philippines University-Manila had a better tie break points against fellow five pointers that includes Icon Keith Ceprado and Joshua Navarro.
The 18-years-old Ceprado who hails from Dipolog City, a grade 12 student at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila settled third to receive P500 plus trophy and medal and a brand new shoes while Navarro pocketed fourth prize of P500 plus trophy and medal.
Jasmine Zyrelle Navarez, a Polytechnic University of the Philippines varsity player under the tutelage of National Master Rudy Ibanez won fifth place with 4.5 points to went home P500 plus trophy and medal.
Also with 4.5 points are Joshua Michael Yongco, Edimar Joshua Friala and Lanz Vincent Vencer.
The two-day Fide rated standard event hosted by Gordon College and backed up by mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino Jr. in close cooperation with Olongapo City councilor Kaye Ann Legaspi, City Sports and Youth Development Office, Olongapo City , OIC, David B.Bayarong, CSWDO Jhun Pascua and China based Joel Pineda and supervised by Fide arbiter Reden Cruz and national arbiter Joel Villanueva of the Chess Arbiter Union of the Philippines.-Marlon Bernardino-