LINGAYEN–International Master Richard Bitoon copped the 2nd Gov. Amado T. Espino Cup Chess Tournament open category held last week as part of the Agew na Pangasinan celebration.

Bitoon, who hails from Cebu, entered the seventh and final round with a perfect score then halved the point with last year’s champion IM Oliver Barbosa to win this year’s title and a cash prize of P15, 000.

The runners-up from 2nd to 5th place were: IM Oliver Barbosa, Prince Mark Aquino, FIDE Master Haridas Pascua, and IM Chito Garma who each had six points won P6, 250; in 6th to 8^th place: Jan Emmanuel Garcia, IM Oliver Dimakiling and NM John Alcon Datu with 5.5 points and P1, 333 each.

In the Kidde category, Giovanni Mejia of La Salle Greenhills kept his crown last year as champion, earning him his second Espino Cup title and P4, 000 cash.

John Jasper Laxamana and Ramil Rabanera were close runners-up with 5.5 points and received P1,000 each.

PANGASINAN’S TOP 3

The ‘Top 3’ Pangasinan players, Prince Mark Aquino, FM Haridas Pascua and Dick Gicain were given special recognition and each received P1,000.

Special Prizes were also awarded to Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales who won the Top Lady prize, and NM Alexander Milagrosa for the Top Senior prize.

A highlight of the tournament were games played by local players against notable masters like IM Oliver Dimakiling who was held to a draw by Marc Donald Castillo in the second round while Ely John Estabillo halved the point with NM Barlo Nadera. In the final round, Haridas Pascua and Leonardo Abalos Jr. defeated NMs Milagrosa and Efren Bagasmad, respectively.

Gracing the tournament was Asia’s first International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso of Alaminos City who served as tournament consultant.

The 2nd Amado T. Espino Jr. Cup Chess Tournament was one of the series of tournaments conducted by the provincial government in coordination with the Pangasinan Chess Federation. (PIA/Pangasinan)

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