Laylo wins GM Balinas Chess Challenge

MANILA--- Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Pasig City capped another memorable campaign with a final-round win against Andrew Casiano of Samar to capture the title in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Chess Challenge Dubbed as Four Years Old Birthday Celebration of Baby Uno Free Registration Online Chess Tournament virtually held at Lichess.org Platform on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

Laylo, a mainstay of the Philippine Army chess team, became the meet's top finisher after gaining a score of 11 points on account of 10 wins and 2 draws in 12 outings to receive the top prize of P1,000 in this 271 player's field 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment blitz tournament.

Reigning International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Online Chess Rapid Championship Ruler Fide Master Sander Severino of Silay City drew with International Master Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmarinas City, Cavite in the twelve round to finish with 9.5 points and tied Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. of Quezon City for 2nd to 3rd placers and pocketed P500 each.

Adjudged category winners who got P500 each were NM Jonathan Tan of Davao City (Top Senior 50 and above), WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas City, Cavite (Top Lady), NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte (Top Kiddy 12 years old and below) , NM Marlon Bernardino of Quezon City (Top Media), NM Henry Roger Lopez of Panabo City, Davao del Norte (Top PWD) and CM Genghis Imperial of Manila (Top Kaunlaran).

Celebration of Birthday of Baby Uno would be possible with the undying support of Dr. Joe Balinas, Engr. Antonio Balinas, Mam Tiffany Purdy Gutz, Mr. Jimmy Reyes, Atty. Rudy Rivera, Coun. Janet "Babes" Malaya, Mr. Teddy Cu, Ms. Jennifer Cruz, Canadian Chess Master Mayo Fuentebella and IM Petronio Roca.

The said chessfest was aired live at Bayanihan Chess Club and Chess Lovers streaming headed by blogger Richard Cornell Manzano.-Marlon Bernardino-

Final pay outs:

GM Darwin Laylo (Champion) P1,000

FM Sander Severino (2nd Place) P500

GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (3rd Place) P500

NM Jonathan Tan (Top Senior 50 and above) P500

WNM Jerlyn Mae San diego (Top Lady) P500

NM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Top Kiddy 12 years old and below) P500

NM Marlon Bernardino (Top Media) P500

NM Henry Roger Lopez (Top PWD) P500

CM Genghis Imperial (Top Kaunlaran) P500