by Marlon Bernardino

THE Philippine's chess wizard Jerome Angelo Aragones outclassed FIDE Master (FM) Alekhine "Bbking" Fabiosa Nouri in the 20th and final round to capture the second leg of the 1st Philippine National Bullet Championship held recently at the famous chess website chess.com.

The 16 year old Aragones, one of the top players of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA chess team of national coach International Master (IM) Roel Abelgas finished with 15.5 points for the crown, earning as well a semifinal berth for this month.

The online chess tournament was held to continue the National Chess Federation of the Philippines’ program for athletes in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, backed up by NCFP chairman/president Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and organized by NCFP executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.
It was his third title since winning the Ederwin Estavillo birthday chess cup in General Trias City, Cavite and the BATCH-CEFAG Youth U-16 1950 Rapid Chess Championship in Waltermart, Taytay, Rizal last month.
It shall be recalled that Aragones won a gold and silver in the blitz event of the Eastern Asia Age Group Championship last year in Thailand.
Aragones’ victory came out of nowhere after International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon, who was leading after 19 rounds, yielded to Datuali Sinsuat in the last round to settle for runner-up honors with 15 points.
It was Quizon’s second straight runner-up finish after also winding up second to opening leg winner Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla.
New York, United States-based Grandmaster (GM) Mark Callano Paragua, meanwhile,  split the point with Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Rosales Laylo to end up third with 14.5 points.
Rounding up the Top 10 were Sinsaut, Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Henry Roger Lopez, Jerome Villanueva, Fide Master (FM) Sander Severino, Fide Master (FM) Arden Reyes and Nouri.-Marlon Bernardino-