SUMMER RAPID CHESS FESTIVAL WINNERS

BY: BOYET TARDECILLA

Allan Cantonjos of Philippine Air Force showed his supremacy in Chess by winning the just concluded SUMMER RAPID CHESS FESTIVAL that coincided the inaugural opening of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) held last March 26-27 at PACE headquarters, #56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City.

This maiden chess tournament of PACE was attended by National Chess Federation of the Phils. (NCFP) President Prospero A. Pichay, Jr., Bro. Rolly Dizon of De La Salle University, Lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Businessman Reggie Tee, a well-known supporter of GM Wesley So, Asia's first GM Eugene Torre and PACE founder GM Jayson Gonzales.

Some of the cash prizes were donated by Agnes Page and Esther Phillips from United Kingdom, who are also the directors of PACE and sisters of GM Jayson Gonzales and Michael John Vargas, president of Spem Barley Essential donated gift pack of his product raffled 60 out of 85 participants.

Also present during the activity were the officers and directors of Philippine Chess Knights (PhilCheck) League who were inducted into office by NCFP Director Bro. Rolly Dizon.

Cantonjos scored 7.5 points out of Nine Rounds Swiss System and took the championship trophy plus a solo richer P 7,000 while FEU’s Vince Angelo Medina and Rulp Ylem Jose grabbed the Top Kiddy and Women category, respectively. Other winners in Master 2150 Category are Christian Arroyo, Ivan Gil Biag, Lyndon Sombilon, NM Alex Milagrosa and Sheider Nebato. Cash prizes, trophies and medals were awarded to the top ten finishers.

Other winners who received cash prizes and medals were TOP WOMAN CATEGORY: Akiko Charmaine Suede, Ronna Reigner Senora and Mikee Charmaine Suede, and TOP KIDDIES CATEGORY; Jerad Docena, Felipe Magdalaga and Paulo Bersamina ; TOP COLLEGIATE PLAYER - Brian Chester Guerrero – TOP HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER - McDominique Lagula, TOP JUNIOR PLAYER- Jeremiah Alfonso, TOP SENIOR PLAYER - NM Eduardo Agagon, TOP 2000 & BELOW PLAYER- James Bulicatin, TOP 1900 & BELOW PLAYER - Robert Cacho, TOP 8 YEAR OLD UNDER BOY - Andrew Sopungco and TOP 8 YEAR OLD UNDER GIRL - Jesca Docena, TOP 10 YEAR OLD UNDER BOY - Danrev Garcia and TOP 10 YEAR OLD UNDER GIRL - Alexis Charlotte Suede, TOP 12 YEAR OLD GIRL - Marie Antoinette San Diego. Chief Arbiter IA Gene Poliarco assisted by NA Boyet Tardecilla, Rolly Suarez, FA Meinard Pulido, Hermie Medina and Mario Perez supervised the event.