National Master Julius Sinangote of Tacloban City had every reason to keep his head high at the start of the year.
Showing a big heart and enthusiasm, the former mainstay of Rizal Technological University Mandaluyong City Chess Team bagged the Championship crown of the 22nd Espana Chess Club competition.
Sinangote finished with 52 points in 19 games for a win rate of 84 percent and performance rating of 2448 to win the event that drew 83 players last January 1, 2021 at lichess.org.
“This was the first Championship crown of NM Julius Sinangote since joining España Chess Club Tournaments. But his contribution to the team in International Competition cannot be ignored. Sinangote led the team into Championship versus Turkey Chess Team and other European Teams last August 16, in the 4YL Online Satranc Ligi Team Battle. He was also the tournament leader in 2YL Super League last August 30, where the team got 2nd place behind powerhouse Chesslandia of Russia.” said España Chess Club top honcho engineer Ernie Fetisan Faledonia.
The online bullet tournament had time control of one minute and players must win as many games in 45 minutes of play explained by engineer Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia, who is also the national secretary-general of the World Kickboxing Association – Philippines.
Sinangote won 16 games, drew two and lost one game for his aggregate score.
Thailand-based Fide Master Jony Habla took the second spot with 42 points on 20 games and a win rate of 70 percent on 14 wins for a performance rating of 2356.
In third place is Nephtali Bantang of Corcuera, Romblon who had 38 points, three points ahead with fourth placer Ralph Jordan Floro of Caloocan City.
Judemund Ramirez of Quezon City and Jordaine Tupaz of Talisay City, Negros Occidental finished fifth and 6th with 32 points apiece.
Rounding up to the top 10 winners are Allan Gabriel Hilario of Manila (7th), Allen Gandia of Imus City, Cavite (8th), Jiggy Miguel Vicente of Batangas City (9th) and Julian Rogello Labaja of Iligan City (10th).
Category winners are engineer Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia (top 2000 and below), Herson Magpayo (top 1800 and below), Jonas Labaja (top kiddy) and Mikhaila Labaja (top Lady).
Meanwhile, Allan Gabriel Hilario captured the last of España Chess Club Bullet Online Tournament for the year 2020 which was held at lichess.com last December 31.
With a time control of one minute and zero increments. Hilario got the highest score of 51 points and also got the highest Berserk rate of 95 percent.
The young Hilario was a representative of the Philippines in the 19th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) Age Group Chess Championship. He was also the teammate of Jasper Faeldonia who bagged the Championship crown in Manila Meet for two consecutive years 2018 and 2019.