Pinoy Master tops Northern Virginia Open

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FIDE MASTER Anton Paolo Del Mundo (in photo) of the Philippines defeated International Master Adu Oladapo of Nigeria in the speed playoff to snare the crown in the just concluded 15th Annual Northern Virginia Open Chess Championships last November 6 to 7 at the Brand New Hotel-Double Tree Dules in Sterling, Virginia, USA.

Actually, Del Mundo and Oladapo, both finished perfect five points after the five round Swiss-System format to forged a speed play off for the coveted title.

Del Mundo won his last round against US Master Shawn Hoshall of the United States in 25 moves of a Modern Defense using the disadvanatgeous black pieces. Del Mundo sacrificed his knight for two pawns, but created a positional hold on the center with his pawns.

Both Del Mundo and Hoshall are Ashburn Chess Club members, which is emerging as one of the strongest clubs in Virginia. The club is organized by Paolo's father, Herky del Mundo, who also joined the tournament with Paolo and Carlo del Mundo.

Del Mundo works as a software engineer in Virginia, was a member of a twice champion University of Maryland Baltimore College (UMBC) team before he transferred to University of Maryland College Park. Due to his work, he rceorganized over a year ago, and recently its member FM Dov Gorman won the title of Virginia State Champion. With del mundo's accomplishment, the club now has two major Virginia titles for 2010.

Here's one of FM Del Mundo's games in that event:
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