International Master Michael Concio Jr. scored a crucial win over FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri in the seventh and final round to claim the championship of the Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament (Season 2) on Sunday, April 27, 2024, at the 10th floor Ballroom, Victoria Sports Tower, 799 EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City.
After losing to Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa in the fourth round, Concio bounced back with aplomb to down his last three opponents: International Master Ricardo De Guzman (round 5), Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido (round 6), and Nouri (round 7).
Concio, one of the top players of the famous Dasmariñas Chess Academy of Mayor Jenny Barzaga and Coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, opened his bid on a bright note, beating Terra Brielle Abad (Round 1), Zedric Silva (Round 2), and International Master Barlo Nadera (Round 3), respectively.
"It was a tough match. I had to win in the last round against FM Alekhine Nouri," said Concio, who is fresh from winning the blitz competition of the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club last April 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nadera defeated Ochoa in the last round to finish with 6.0 points in seven outings, the same output as Concio and Nouri.
After the tie-breaks were applied, Concio took the title, Nouri finished second, while Nadera finished third.
Concio pocketed P10,000, a championship trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel, and one month of premiere membership. Nouri settled for P3,000, a runner-up trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel, and one month of premiere membership, while Nadera received P2,500, a third-place trophy, accommodation at Victoria Sports Hotel, and one month of premiere membership.
Rounding out the top 10 were fourth-place Tristan Jared Cervero, fifth-place Ochoa, sixth-place Jerome Villanueva, seventh-place Cedric Daniel Macato, eighth-place Davin Sean Romualdez, ninth-place International Master Rolando Nolte, and tenth-place Zedric Silva.
Adjudged category winners were Mordido (top lady), Mark Christian Evangelista (top non-master), De Guzman (top senior), IM Angelo Young (top PWD), Jericho Winston Cu (top junior), and John Randall Peralta (top kiddie). -Marlon Bernardino-
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Marlon Bernardino.