by Marlon Bernardino
Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn "Kajoy" Joy Acedo topped the All Women's Invitational Elimination Round Blitz Chess Arena online chess tournament held via lichess.org on Sunday, February 7, 2021.
Acedo, who helped De La Salle University (DLSU) capture the women's chess team gold medal on top of her bagging the board 3 gold in the 2015-2016 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 chess competition, leaned on her vast experience to nail the title of the chessfest sponsored by Euro Gaming Consultant/Sportsman Kim Zafra, board of director of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club.
Acedo, the pride of Davao City, the hometown of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, amassed a total of 13 points after 16 matches in the 17-player field, earning a P2,000 cash prize in the 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format in this one-day event, supported by Palawan Queen's Gambit, MedPublika PCR Testing Machines, in coordination with United Queens Chess Club, Deorico De Paz youtube channel, Cabuyao City Chess Club and Jolina Icao youtube channel.
For winning the elimination round, Acedo will play in a one-on-one match, P25,000 winner take all tournament on Valentines day, either Mr. Kim Zafra, Candidate Master Genghis Imperial or Asean Master Al Basher "Basty" Buto.
Acedo's big wins were against Lexie Grace Hernandez (round 1), WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales (round 2), WIM Kylene Joy Mordido (round 3), Jerlyn Mae San Diego (round 4), WFM Allaney Jia Doroy (round 5), WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito (round 10), WCM Mira Mirano (round 11), WFM Cherry Ann Mejia (round 12), AIM Alexandra Sydney Paez (round 14), WFM elect Antonella Berthe Racasa (round 15) and Rohanisah Buto (round 16).
Acedo halving the point with April Joy Claros (round 6), WNM Francois Magpily (round 7), WIM Bernadette Galas (round 8) and WNM Jean Karen Enriquez (round 13). She tasted her lone defeats at the hands of WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (round 9).-Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings: (17 player field, 16 Round Swiss-System)
Champion: AGM Rowelyn Joy Acedo, 13 points
2nd: WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales, 12 points
3rd: WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, 11.5 points
4th: WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, 10.5 points
5th: Lexie Grace Hernandez, 10 points
6th: WFM Allaney Jia Doroy, 10 points
7th: WNM Francois Magpily, 9.5 points
8th: WIM Kylene Joy Mordido, 9 points
9th: WIM Bernadette Galas, 9 points
10th: WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, 9 points
11th:WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, 8.5 points
12th: WCM Mira Mirano, 7.5 points
13th: April Joy Claros, 7 points
14th: AIM Alexandra Sydney Paez, 7 points
15th: WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, 5.5 points
16th: WFM elect Antonella Berthe Racasa, 3 points
17th: Rohanisah Buto, 2 points