NM Mejia tops Gov. Amado Espino Chess Cup
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Eighteen-year-old Giovanni Mejia, a student in B.S. Mathematics at De La Salle University (DLSU)-Manila halved a point in his last and final game with fellow National Master Jerad Docena of Bohol to win in the open chess tournament in the 7th Gov. Amado Espino Jr. Cup held from December 19 to 21 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center here scoring 6.5 points.
Mejia, a native of Labrador, Pangasinan and a mainstay of the Gov. Amado Espino Jr. Cup since he was at age 11, used a Sicilian Defense variation against Docena's Rossollimo opening to win the tournament and the grand prize of P25,000.
"I'd been here as a kiddie chess player since the first Gov. Amado Espino Jr. Cup," reminisced Mejia who received the grand prize from Board Member Amado Espino III, representing his governor father, and Modesto Operania, sports consultant of the provincial government.
Espino, in his message, called on all chess players to study and restudy their moves in whatever pursuits they will later embark on to avoid being checkmated.
Mejia also received the category prize of P1,000 for being the top local player who saw action in the three-day tournament held as part of the yearly Pangasinan Chess Festival.
Gil Virgen Ruaya of Lyceum University of the Philippines-Manila is in second place with six points and pocketed the first runner-up prize of P20,000
Also with six points is FIDE Master Nelson Mariano III of Mandaluyong City, bagging P15,000 with International Master Roderick Nava of Carmona, Cavite in fourth place with P10,000.
After he drew with Mejia, Docena landed in fifth place with 5.5 point, the same score earned by sixth placer International Master Barlo Nadera of Malabon who went home with P8,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Jerome Junio of San Carlos City is seventh in the ladder and grabbed P5,000, the same cash prize earned by National Master Dennis Gutierrez of San Fabian, Bryle Gever Vinluan, also of San Fabian; and Jhoemar Mendiogarin of LPU.
Three thousand pesos was each received by National Master Michael Gotel of Manilaa, Dale Bernarso Pampanga, Paul Artino Fortin of LPU, National Master Emmanuel Emperado, and Romulo Curioso of LPU.
The kiddie division was won by Israelito Rilloraza of San Fabian who scored seven points and earned the top prize of P5,000, followed by Darryl Jan Batula of Baguio City who pocketted the runner up prize of P3,000 with Gal Brien Palasigue of Makati, P2,000 and Eric Labog of Nueva Vizcaya, P2,000.
Top scorer in the five-year-old and below and also the youngest player is Mer Archeon Bautista, five-year-old, who received P500 for each category while Winifred Boquirin of Malasiqui was the oldest player and received P1,000.
A total of 124 players from various parts of the country saw action in the three-day tournament. (PNA)
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