By Marlon Bernardino
Cyrus James Damiray topped the just concluded first Lee-Ann Fidaire Inter School Rapid Chess Championship kiddies 12 years old and below. Registration for this chess tournament was free and it was held at the 2nd Floor Open Kitchen Restaurant Airconditioned food hall , Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan, Greenfields District in Mandaluyong City last Sunday December 15, 2019 .
Damiray finished the tournament with 6 wins and 1 loss for a total 6.0 points in seven outings, the same output as Stephen Johnel Extra and Karlycris Clarito Jr.
However, after the tie break points was applied, the 11 year old Damiray, a grade 6 pupil of Felipe Calderon Elementary School in Tanza, Cavite took the title plus the top prize of P5,000 sponsored by two-time World Chess Olympiad member Woman National Master Cristina Santos Fidaire, mother of Lee-Ann.
Extra came 2nd and received P3,000 followed by the 3rd placer Clarito who pocketed P2,000 in this event hosted by China Aurelio and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen in close cooperation with Dr. Alfred Paez, Joel Pineda, Ryan Lopez Sauz and Byron Gabrentina Villar.
Austin Klhoe Roan, Franiel Angela Magpily and Allan Gabriel Gabriel were tied at 4th to 6th with 5.5 points each while Francine Elaine Magpily, Julie Gelua Jr., Rainer Monteclaro, Juzeia Marielle Agne, John Matthew Alvarado, Launce Keyon Ty, Elijah Gabriel Santiago, Elaine Grace Antonio, Davin Sean Romualdez and Jace Oliver Fortin settled for 7th to 16th placers with 5.0 points each.
Meanwhile, Cyrus Vladimir Francisco, a grade 9 student of Adamson University dominated the boards once more by winning the Open side event, 13 years old and above division. Francisco is fresh from winning the 11th Gov. Amado Espino Cup Chess Championships 2019 (Under 14) last December 6 to 8 in Lingayen, Pangasinan and the 1st Woman Fide Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran (Under 14) Inter-School rapid chess championships last December 14 at the same venue. The chief arbiter is NA/NM Rudy Ibanez, deputy arbiter is IA Rolly Yutuc while tournament manager is Genghis Imperial.
Photo shows from left China Aurelio, Woman Fide Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran, GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and WIM Catherine Perena Secopito lead the traditional ceremonial moves signaling the start of the first Woman Fide Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran Women's Open and Kiddies chess championship at the second floor Open Kitchen airconditioned food hall (infront of UNILAB), Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan, Greenfields District in Mandaluyong City last Saturday, December 14, 2019.