CAPITOL NEWS

LINGAYEN – Two local chess players who are regular participants of the yearly Pangasinan Chess Festival bagged the championship in the open and kiddie divisions of the 7th GATE Cup Open Chess Tournament held on December 19-20 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center which attracted local and rated chess players from many parts of the Luzon.

Giovanni Mejia, 18, a National Master (NM) who hails from Labrador town, outsmarted opponents as he captured the championship and pocketed Php25,000 pot prize in open division while 14-year-old Israelito Rilloraza of San Fabian secured the top post with Php5,000 prize in kiddie division.

Mejia, a varsity player of the chess club of De La Salle University (DLSU), was also awarded as top local player; his sibling Cherry Ann Mejia, Women FIDE Master (WFM) also a varsitarian of DLSU, was the top female contender. Rilloraza, on the other hand, is a varsity player of Far Eastern University (FEU).

Other category prize winners were: Archeon Mer Bautista of Lingayen (youngest player and top scorer and Winifred Boquiren of Malasiqui (top senior player).

Top 10 winners in open division were: Virgen Gil Ruaya (LPU – Manila), NM Nelson Mariano III (Mandaluyong), International Master (IM) Roderick Nava (Carmona, Cavite), NM Jerad Docena (Bohol), IM Barlo Nadera (Malabon), Jerome Junio (San Carlos City), NM Dennis Gutierrez, Sr. (San Fabian), Brylle Gever Vinluan (San Fabian) and Jhoemar Mendiogarin (LPU – Manila).

In kiddie division, other winners include: Jan Darryl Batula (Baguio City), Gal Brien Palasigue (Makati), Eric Labog (Nueva Vizcaya), John Rhuiz Bravo (Lingayen), Mark Vincent Limocon (Manaoag), Charles Darwin Ablang (San Fabian), Eivane Jacob Cruz (Lingayen), Dennis Gutierrez III (San Fabian) and Chester Neil Reyes (Bugallon).

Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, on behalf of Governor Espino, along with Provincial Sports Director and some officials of Pangasinan Chess League (PCL) awarded cash prizes and trophies to top contenders of the chess tournament.

In his speech, BM Espino asked the local chessers and their parents to spread awareness that Pangasinan has been hosting chess clinics and tournaments that are intended to further hone the potentials of young Pangasinenses and others coming from various provinces.

Owing much to the Pangasinan Chess Festival (PCF) sponsored annually by the present provincial administration, BM Espino said that the local government unit (LGU) Pangasinan is proud to have produced a roster of internationally-acclaimed chess sensations. /Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca

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