By Rhenzkie Ligan
National chess campaigner and top seed Ricardo Ocoy of Booy District lived up to his top billing when he outclassed OFW Tito Murcia of Cabilao, Loon in 29 moves of Petroff Defense in the final round to secure 71/2 points in nine games and came out solo champion in the 2000 and Under Chess Tournament held at the Blatz N' Bolitz Chess Clubhouse located inside Mcjac Foodcenter, J.S. Torralba corner C. Gallares Sts., this city.
Murcia was so outclassed right from the opening stage as he could barely mustered enough counterplay against the queen, rook and knight attack unleashed by Ocoy at the black's kingside in the middle game.
Unheralded Daniel Martinez of Habitat Village, Bool District this city gained a pawn up in the endgame and offered veteran Jose Macute of Poblacion Dos a truce after 42 moves which the latter accepted. Macute placed solo second with seven points.
Maribojoc's pride George Vencilao escaped from a sure defeat in a very complicated middle game against junior standout Wilfredo Besinga of Poblacion Uno this city after finding the right combination to counter Besinga's march of two connected b-c passed pawns by exchanging his rook to the latter's white bishop and knight. Vencilao placed third overall with 61/2 points.
Comelec's top player Siegfried 'Jing' Saniel demolished Dauis' Pat Cabillada's pet defense, the Sicilian's Najdorf variation and surrendered after 31 moves. Saniel, Dauis' Agustin Penales and Murcia scored 51/2 points each.
Ocoy received one thousand five hundred pesos cash while Macute got seven hundred pesos. Vencilao went home with P400.00 while Saniel, Penales and Murcia received P300.00, P200.00 and P100.00 respectively.
The cash prizes were donated by chess patrons, Brig General Alejandro H. Estomo, Deputy Commander, CENTCOM, Camp Lapu-Lapu, Lahug, Cebu City and Engr. Oliver Samonte, COA, Region 12, Cotabato City.
Meanwhile, BNBCC's next chess activity will be the Open Category tournament slated on February 19-26 this year. A total guaranteed cash prize of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) will be at stake for the top ten winners. For more details please visit the chess venue and look for Brgy Kagawad Robin B. Torralba, Club Manager.
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