ILOILO – Pavia native chess players Shan Lester Lañada Jamerlan and Archie Jamotillo made their presence felt with separate chess tournament championships recently.
The nine-year-old Jamerlan ruled the 10-and-under Open Category of the 2022 Hon. Mayor Atty. Christian “Agila” D. Natividad National Age Group Chess Championships held in Malolos City, Bulacan.
Apart from being on top of a field of 10 players, the Pal-agon Amparo Elementary School standout also positioned himself for consideration for Team Philippines in international tournaments.
Aside from Jamerlan, who is a candidate for National Master rank, two more Ilonggo chessers joined the tournament in Faith Argenal, who placed fifth in the 10-and-under girls, and Iana Angela Sotaridona, who ended fourth in the 12-and-under girls event.
Jamotillo, for his part, also bagged a major chess championship in the one-day Holy Rosary Academy, Inc. Invitational Chess Tournament held at the Holy Rosary Academy, Inc. in Molo, Iloilo City.
The Pavia National High School product bested 28 other competitors in the tournament for the 13 years old and under woodpusher that used a six-round Swiss System format with 15 minutes time control.
For ruling the tournament that was organized by the Holy Rosary Academy, Inc., the 13-year-old Barangay Pal-agon, Pavia-native player took home the top prize of P700 and a medal.
Two players, meanwhile, ended up tied at second place with cash prize of P200 and a medal in Andrea Victoria Balbontin, 11 years old from Barotac Viejo, and Krentz Gabriel Albason, 12 years old from Barangay Pal-agon, Pavia.
Two more players also finished with the same score for third place with cash prize of P200 in Miguel S. Tabugo, 12 years old from Barangay Balabag, Pavia and Phil Rogan Balbontin, 10 years old from Barotac Viejo.
Rae Anne Tubungbanua, 12, of Jaro, Iloilo City was hailed as Best Female with cash prize of P300 and a medal, while John Barry Arnaiz, 7, of Jaro, Iloilo City was the Youngest Player with P300 cash and a medal./PN
