Lucban, Quezon—National Master Carlo Lorena finished first in the 9th leg National Executive Chess Championship dubbed as 2019 Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas Sr. Chess Cup here at the Zurea Hotel, La Purisima Concepcion Street, Lucban, Quezon last weekend.
The former Colegio San Juan De Letran standout scored 6 points to claim the champion’s purse of P7,000 and a trophy.
Lorena’s trip was backed up by Albay governor Al Francis Bichara and Daraga, Albay mayor Victor Perete.
Fide Master (FM) Randy Segarra came in second with 5 points and received P5,000 and a medal in this event supported by Antonio “Tony” Balinas, Cayabu, Tanay Rizal Barangay Chairman Antonio Bolanos, Zurea Hotel and Chito’s Restaurant.
Dandel Fernandez of Maynilad scored 4.5 points to share the third to fifth spots with Philippine Executive Chess Association president Dr. Jenny Mayor of Sibuyan Island, Romblon and Dr. Alfred Paez of Cabuyao, Laguna.
IT expert Joselito Cada (4 points) of Lucban won the Top Under 2200 award while National Master Efren Bagamasbad (3 points) of Quezon City took the Top Senior plum.
Henry Boroc of Bicol outlasted Andrew Sorima of Makati City in a tiebreak to walk away with the challenger’s division title. Both players finished with five points after seven rounds, thus the tiebreak.
Frederick Isip of Lucena settled for third with 4.5 points followed by Edwin Caballero of Muntinlupa City and Vital C Health Products, Inc. IT Manager Edwin Sison of Quezon City, both tallied 4 points apiece.
Adjudged category winners were Felicito Gaela (Top Unrated), Rober Aram Gendrano (Top 1800) and Gerardo Villa (Top Quezon).
National Master Rudy Ibanez is the Chief Arbiter in the said rapid chessfest.
The next leg goes to 24/7 Balikbayan Resort Bariis, Tiwi, Albay scheduled on August 3 and 4. Call or text Alexis Orlain at 0908-4834-310 and 0916-4220-406 for complete details.
