Rowell Roque won the 4th edition of Warm Up ni IM Roca Online Bullet Chess Championships late Thursday at lichess platform.
The Valenzuela City bet Roque put on a strong start and a stronger finish to run away with the Open crown with Arena 76 points.
“I didn’t look to defend my title, just to play my best,” said Roque.
“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy," he added.
A total of 145 woodpushers took part in the one minute plus one second increment time control format, organized by Bayanihan Chess Club, backed up by former World Chess Olympiad member International Master Petronio Roca and Mam Elvira Roca in close cooperation with Skin Magical Dist4 ,CARSIGMA Cavite and Pers Solutions, Inc company.
Former Asian Junior Champion International Master Ricardo de Guzman of Antipolo City took solo second place with 57 Arena points.
Nelson Busa and National Master Gerardo Cabellon of Bulacan finished third and fourth placers with 56 and 50 Arena points, respectively.
Earlier, Roque topped the 3rd edition, Thursday afternoon session, followed by second placer National Master Carlos Edgardo Garma of Manila and Nazario Ubanan of Cagayan de Oro City.
Other notable winners are Fide Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmarinas City, Cavite (1st edition) and Basari Daud of Parang, Maguindanao (2nd edition).
The online tournament had time control of one minute with an increment of one second and players must win as many games in one hour and forty minutes of play according to Jolina Icao of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club, headed by founding honorary chairman US based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and Engr. Antonio "Uncle Paps" Balinas.-Marlon Bernardino-
Rowell Roque (left), the pride of Valenzuela City ponder his moves