International Master Michael Concio Jr. scored a crucial win over National Master Jonathan Tan in the final round to claim the championship of the Basta BBM-Sara Uniteam Bullet 3 Arena online chess tournament virtually held at lichess platform.
That was all Concio needed to nail the title with the highest output of Arena 75 points. He pocketed P1,000 for his efforts.
National Master Mark Jay Bacojo settled for the second place honors with Arena 68 points followed by third placer Fide Master Roel Abelgas with Arena 67 points.
The triumvirate are members of the highly touted Dasmarinas Chess Academy headed by Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr.
Rounding up to the top 10 winners were Jan Clifford Labog (fourth), Kevin Mirano (fifth), National Master Henry Roger Lopez (sixth), National Master Rommel Ganzon (seventh), Jonathan Jota (eight), Grandmaster Darwin Laylo (ninth) and Ariel Aton (tenth).
Adjudged category winners were Vince Duane Pascual (Top Luzon), Fide Master Sander Severino (Top Visayas), National Master Jonathan Tan (Top Mindanao) and National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. (Top Media).
“We do this to promote chess in the grassroots level and discover new sports talents,” said Basta BBM-Sara UniTeam Tournament Director Arena Grandmaster and National Master Rey Urbiztondo.
"Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, once compared chess to life and talked about the three morals of chess: foresight, circumspection and caution, which are all necessary to succeed in life," added Basta BBM-Sara UniTeam National Chairman Wilfredo Martinez.