International Master Paulo Bersamina primed up for his upcoming stint as one of the country’s top bets in this year’s Manila Southeast Asian Games by ruling the qualifying round of the Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas Jr. Memorial Chess Tournament held at the Activity Hall of Alphaland Makati Place in Malugay Street, Makati City on Saturday.
Bersamina actually tied for first and second places with fellow IM Master Daniel Quizon with six points apiece, but emerged with a better tiebreak score to rule the Open category of the event sponsored by Engr. Antonio “Tony” Carreon Balinas and organized by Philippine Executive Chess Association president Dr. Jenny Mayor, NCFP Director Cliburn Anthony Orbe and Dr. Alfred Paez in coordination with Alphaland Mall.
Quizon settled for second place.
Rounding up the Top 11 winners were IM Angelo Young (3rd); Fide Master Nelson Villanueva (4th); National Master Nick Nisperos (5th); IM Ricardo de Guzman (6th); IM Chris Ramayrat (7th); NM
Carlo Magno Rosaupan (8th) NM Master Julius Sinangote (9th); Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (10th) and IM Barlo Nadera (11th).
Bersamina turned back Nadera after 56 moves of a Nimzo-Indian defense, while Quizon beat De Guzman after a marathon 107 moves of the Ruy Lopez.
Sherwin Tiu beat Alfred Rapanot after 89 moves of Nimzo-Indian defense to top the non-master division. He had 6.5 points in seven rounds.
Kevin Mirano and Christian Arroyo shared second to third places with six points each, while Rolly Parodo finished fourth with 5.5.
International Arbiter Gene J. Poliarco served as chief arbiter of the tournament.