GM Barbosa rules 3rd Gov. Espino Chess Cup
LINGAYEN—Newly-minted International Grandmaster (GM) Oliver Barbosa ruled the 3rd Gov. Amado T. Espino Cup Chess Tournament held on December 17 and 18 at the Provincial Training and Development Center here.
Barbosa earned a total of 6.5 points, conceding only a draw with fellow GM Mark Paragua in the fifth round, to secure the title.
International Master Emmanuel Senador, who gained prominence in late 1980s by ranking second in the Philippines behind GM Eugenio Torre, also scored 6.5 but had to settle for second place as Barbosa had the superior tiebreak score. Nonetheless, Barbosa and Senador received P12,500 each.
With 6 points each, Paragua and National Master (NM) Raymond Salcedo tied for third to fourth place and each received P6,000.
Tied for fifth to twelfth place, with 5.5 points each, were FIDE Master Haridas Pascua, Dick Gicain, NM Roberto Suelo Jr., NM Mari Joseph Turqueza, IM Oliver Dimakiling, IM Ronaldo Nolte, NM John Alcon Datu, and Jeffrey Ravago.
UPSET
One notable game in the tournament was played by local veteran master Bonifacio Natavio of Dagupan City who overpowered NM Roland Llavanes with a stunning upset.
Other Pangasinan players who scored an upset included Prince Aquino and Fidel Labuana against IM Barlo Nadera, Manuel Margajay against NM Gary Villanueva, and Winnie Boquiren against NM Rudy Ibañez.
In the kiddie category, Kyz Llantada of Manila made a total of 6 points, tied with Ynna Sophia Canape, but the former kept the title based on higher tiebreak score. Each received P2,500.
Category prizes winners were Bonifacio Natavio for Top Senior Prize; Haridas Pascua, Top Junior; Kristine Mae Mariano, Cristine Paragua and Ernali Bayot, Top Female Players; and Pascua, Gicain and Labuanan, Top Pangasinan Players.
The seven-round tournament, organized by the Pangasinan Chess Club and the provincial government, was the last of the four events in the annual Pangasinan Chess Festival that began in September this year. (PIA-Pangasinan)
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