International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. ruled the 64th San Carlos Charter Day Open rapid chess tournament at Marina Park in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental over the weekend.
The 18-year-old Concio pocketed P54,000 in cash and a trophy after scoring 8.5 points in the nine-round Swiss system event.
Concio also topped the 1st Marinduque National Chess Championship last March and the 8th Kamatyas Invitational last year.
Concio beat Nina Dela Torre in the first round, Trine Olmedo (2nd), Edsel Vosotros (3rd), Melito Ocsan Jr. (4th), NM Edsel Montoya (5th), Kevin Arquero (6th) GM Darwin Laylo (7th), and FM Alekhine Nouri (8th), and settled for a draw with Michel Jacson Ambuang in the ninth round.
IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia got P20,000 as runner-up while Nouri placed third and received P15,000.
Laylo finished fourth followed by Chin Lim, Ambuang, Arquero, Montoya, FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca and NM Rommel Ganzon.
“I would like to dedicate this victory to the late (Cavite 4th District) Cong. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Mayor Jenny Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas,” Concio, an information systems freshman at Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas in Cavite province, said in a statement.*PNA
