GM aspirant Velarde rules Philippine amateur chess tourney

MANILA, Philippines – John Jerish Velarde isn’t giving up on his dream of becoming a Grandmaster like Daniel Quizon.

And the 18-year-old Far Eastern University stalwart from Lapu Lapu, Cebu made a significant step toward it after topping the Philippine Amateur Chess Championship at the Robinson’s East in Pasig over the weekend.

Velarde, who earned the National Master title when he was just 12 years old in the 19th ASEAN Age Group tilt in Davao, bested Ricardo Batcho in the seventh and final round to rule the three-day event with 6.5 points.

For his feat, Velarde pocketed the top purse worth P25,000 courtesy of fellow NM Srihaan Poddar and earned 91.6 rating points to leapfrog from 1902 before to 1993.6.

While he still has mountains to climb before becoming a GM like Quizon, Velarde, with more hard work and sacrifices, vowed to be relentless in pursuit of it.

Christian Marcelo Olaybal waylaid Johnny Wellem Carzano and then edged John Lee Antonio and Jones Maghuyop with the highest tiebreaker to claim second place with six points.

Antonio, who trounced Narciso Gumila, Jr., took third spot while Maghuyop, who bested Carlo Magno Rosaupan, ended up fourth also with six points apiece.

Rounding out the top 10 were Batcho, Tristan Cervero, Edwin Tendencia, Mar Aviel Carredom, Carzano and Lance Nathaniel Orlina with April Joy Claros of Far Eastern U and Alwin Sopungco taking the top woman and senior plums, respectively.

The tournament is part of the country’s bid to allow Filipino players FIDE rating points for a chance at earning international title norms.