FINAL RANKINGS (Seven Round Swiss System)
6.0 points---IM Joel Banawa
5.5 points---FM Christopher Castellano
4.5 points---Lordwin Espiritu, USNM Rodolfo Panopio Jr.
4.0 points---IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, IM Barlo Nadera, Anwar Cabugatan
3.5 points---IM Chito Garma, FM Robert Suelo Jr., Servillano Obana
3.0 points--- Jirah Floravie Cutiyog
2.5 points---Lionel Cerezo, Alvin Aguinaldo, Nicanor Marinduque
2.0 points---Genghis Katipunan Imperial
0.5 point---Roma Asea Simplina
MANILA---International Master Joel "Cholo" Banawa of Alicia, Isabela turned back International Master Barlo Nadera of Malabon in the 7th and final round on Tuesday (January 10) to win the Isabela Chess Club Inc. 1st FIDE Rated Chess Tournament at the 4th Floor Municipal Building Magsaysay in Alicia, Isabela.
The victory pushed Banawa’s tally to 6.0 points good for the winner’s trophy and the champion’s prize worth P15,000 awarded by Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro.
“We (Isabela Chess Club Inc.) extend our congratulations to our local woodpushers for once again proving that we Ilocanos are capable of competing against the best and the brightest in the Philippines,” said Philippine Correspondence Chess Association President Engr. Arthur Simplina of Dublin, Ohio.
Meanwhile, overnight solo leader Fide Master Christopher Castellano of Cainta, Rizal was beaten by Lordwin Espiritu of Santiago, Isabela.
Castellano, who inflicted the only loss of Banawa in the second round, settled for second place with 5.5 points and received runner-up trophy plus P7,000 for his efforts.
It was a sorry loss to Castellano who just needed a draw in the last round to secure the title.
United States chess master Rodolfo "Jun" Panopio Jr. for his part, routed 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr. to finish tied for third to fourth spots with fellow 4.5 pointers Espiritu.
Espiritu took third overall with a superior tie break points against fourth placer Panopio. Espiritu went home with P5,000 while Panopio pocketed P3,000.
In other last round results, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad toppled International Master Chito Garma; Anwar Cabugatan dismantled Lionel Cerezo; Servillano Obana outpointed Alvin Aguinaldo; Nicanor Marinduque upset Candidate Master Genghis Katipunan Imperial; and Jirah Floravie Cutiyog of General Trias, Cavite dealt Roma Asea Simplina in the event backed up by Mr. Eduardo Aradanas of Las Vegas, Nevada, Engr. Pepito Castellanes of Denver Colorado and Engr. Amor Simplina of Managua, Nicaragua.-Marlon Bernardino-
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