An open chess tournament facilitated by San Carlos Negros Chess Club in cooperation with San Carlos City government through the City Sports Office and City Tourism Office was successfully conducted from June 18-19 at Park Marina Function Hall.
City Mayor Renato Gustilo added P10,000 to the prize pool and started the tournament with a ceremonial move with International Master Joel Pimentel from Bacolod City.
Pimentel, a two-time champion in San Carlos City’s chess tournament, thanked the association and the city for inviting him in the competition and encouraged other participants to keep harnessing their skills.
Henry Silva, the organizer of the tournament, said that San Carlos City is among the best venues when it comes to chess tournaments because international and national masters are always invited to play.
At least 103 participants, including international and national chess masters, competed at the event with cash prizes at P15,000 for champion, second place – P10,000, third place – P5,000, fourth place – P3,500 and P2,000 for the fifth place, while the sixth up to the 25th places will all receive P500 each.
Special awardees also received cash prizes worth P1,000 each.
Winners of the competition were IM Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City – champion, second place – NM Edsel Montoya (La Carlota City), third place – Byle Arellano (Bago City), fourth place – Sonny Pasco (Iloilo City), and at fifth place was Jerich Cajeras of Escalante City.
The top female player was Aera Kerl Charm Shinning of Escalante City, while the top winner in the 13 years old and below was Ryien Bahita from the municipality of Valencia in Negros Oriental.
In the Seniors category, Mangubat Mario of Cebu City won the first place while Edgar Dela Pena of Bacolod City second.
Participants of the event hailed from different cities and municipalities in the country including Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental areas.*
