Maraat, Velarde stamp classes in CEPCA 23rd anniversary chess tilt

CEBU, Philippines - Carlo Maraat and the young but promising Jerish John Velarde stamped their respective classes in the  Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association's 23rd Anniversary Chess Open the other day at The Event Centre of  SM City-Cebu.

Maraat, who bested Shaira Monsalud in his final match, emerged as the top performer in the special category exclusive for CEPCA members with 6.0 points. Peterson Sia, who also completed the 9-round Swiss system competition with 6.0 points, placed second followed by Jimmy Ty, Jr with 5.5 points.

Velarde, on the other hand, topped the 10-under age group with 5.0 points followed by Alphecca Gonzales and Vic Gyles Derotas with 4.0 points each.

The seven-year-old Velarde is one of the qualifiers in the 10-under division of the National Youth Active Chess Championship grand finals on December 13 in Manila.  The champion will be the country’s official delegate to the World  Youth Chess Championship next year in Dubai.

The other top finishers in the CEPCA joust were the 14-year-old Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano (11-15 age bracket), Leonardo Alidani (seniors), Christian Yves Fiel (juniors) and Laila Camel Nadera (ladies).

Sevillano also placed second overall behind grand champion NM Merbqen Roque. They both posted 8.0 points at the end of the two-day tilt presented by CEPCA under the leadership of  its president Jojo Moralla in partnership with longtime Cebuano chess patron Boojie Lim of  Rose Pharmacy, Inc.

A total of 156 pawnpushers took part in the event that was also made possible through the support of Engr. Jemar Maratas of Jemar Engineering Services, Lite Shipping, Atty. Jennoh Tequillo, Andrew Aznar, Kelly Uy, Model Rent A Car, and a host of charitable Cepcans.

The games were supervised by tournament director Jun Olis assisted by chief arbiter FA Felix C. Poloyapoy, Jr., FA Marvin Y. Ruelan and CA Edwino Parilla III. (FREEMAN)