Bantayan open chess tourney a huge success

CEBU, Philippines - Bhell Ortiz bested a bunch of equally-tough contenders to win the championship of the Bantayan Town Fiesta Open Chess Tournament last week.

Ortiz, who hails from Brgy. Putian but is now residing in Cebu City, actually finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with 6.0 points in a tie with Michael Tinga of Brgy. Sulangan and the 11-year-old Jeremy Pepito of Daanbantayan.

Ortiz, however, pocketed the top prize of P5,000 for having the highest tie-break output applying the Bucholz system.

Tinga received P3,000 for placing second, while Pepito took home P1,000 for winding up third.

Dindon Masong and Ahmad Morsalim of Bogo City had identical scores of 5.5 points to finish at joint fourth and fifth.

“It was the most arranged, cognitive, well-organized and accommodating chess tournament ever held in the Fourth District of Cebu,” said Masong of the Bogo City Chess Club.

Shaira Mae Monsalud of Bantayan emerged as the top high school player with 5.0 points followed by Jasper Doldea of Bogo with 4.5 points and John Winston Velasco of Bantayan NHS with 4.0 points.

Jethro Pacifico of Madridejos Central School was the top performing player from the elementary division.

The event, which attracted 70 pawnpushers from the different chess clubs within the Fourth District of Cebu composed of the towns of Madridejos, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, San Remigio, Daanbantayan Medellin,Tabogon and Tabuelan and the city of Bogo, was spearheaded by the Bantayan Fiesta Sports Committee led by Mayor Ian Christopher G. Escario.  

It was officiated by the Jail Officers of Bantayan District Jail in line with its Community Relation Service Program.

Ms. Nicanora Sendon served as the tournament manager assisted by BSHS/BNHS teachers, while JO2 Edwin T. Monsalud acted as the chief arbiter assisted by the Bantayan District jail personnel.

The participants were provided t-shirts and free dinner by some event sponsors that include the US-based Lawisanon chess patron Josito Clamor Dondon Glen Cecilio Lepiten, Maria Estrellite Yamamoto and Reynaldo Despi.—Contributed article by JO2 Edwin T. Monsalud of Bantayan District Jail