Cebuano journalist Jobanie Tabada pocketed top honors in the second leg of the 2020 National Executive Online Chess Championship last Sunday, October 18, 2020, at lichess.org.
The United Arabe Emirates-based Tabada, a former Sports Editor of Sunstar Cebu, collected eight points on eight wins and one loss to win the nine-round tournament, backed by Engineer Roderick Argel and Engineer Richard Sison of Ontario, Canada, organized by the Philippine Executive Chess Association.
Tabada scored victories over AIM Rey Urbiztondo in the first round, Jezreel Lopez in the second round, Freddie Talaboc in the fourth round, Dr. Jenny Mayor in the fifth round, Rey Reyes in the sixth round, AGM Irwin Aton in the seventh round, Eduard Sumergido in the eighth round and Llyod Lanciola in the ninth and final round. His only loss was against Dr. Gefer Imbuido in the third round. With the win, Tabada went home with P10,000 for his effort.
Imbuido, former member of Far Eastern University chess team Batch 94 under the tutelage of GM Jayson Gonzales, placed second overall after a superior tie break against fellow seven pointers Sumergido (3rd) and National Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (4th).
Rounding up to the top ten (10) were Llyod Lanciola (fifth), Reymond Baon (sixth), AGM Irwin Aton (seventh), AGM Dr. Fred Paez (eighth), Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal (ninth) and Deoferio Jr. Vehemente (tenth).
Adjudged category winners were Joselito Dormitorio, Restaurateur of EBON Restaurant from Koronadal City, South Cotabato (top 65 years old & up), Engr. Deoferio Vehemente of DPWH-Isabela (top 65 years old & up), Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal of Public Attorney’s Office (top 2000 & below), Parochial Vicar Fr. Emil Valeza of Archdiocese of Caceres (top 1900 and below) , Vincent Bryan Paragas, Finance Manager of First Global Transit, Inc. (top 1800 and below), Capt. Doroteo Whigan, Ship Captain of Zeaborn Ship Management (top Unrated) and Rida Jane Young, Licensed Teacher from Andres Bonifacio Elementary School.
Meanwhile, Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo expect rough sailing in the 2nd Marinduque Online Chess Tournament where they meet tough competitors on October 30, 2020, Friday at 7pm at lichess.org.
The one-day blitz event (5 minute time control format), backed by Marcopper High School Batch 86 headed by Rico Paras of Michigan, USA and Engineer Macario Pelaez of Medina, Misamis, Oriental, offers P3,000 to the champion while the next four chessers will pocket P2,000, P1,000, P700 and P500, respectively. The sixth to tenth-placer will settle for P300 each.
