CHESS CHAMPION. International Master Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmariñas City speaks during the awarding ceremony of the 8th Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Invitational tournament at a mall in Las Piñas City on May 13, 2023. Concio scored 8.5 points to win the nine-round Swiss system competition. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – International Master Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmariñas City displayed his brilliant form again to rule the 8th Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Invitational tournament at a mall in Las Piñas City on Saturday.
It was the second straight title for Concio after topping the 6th edition in December last year.
“I just persisted in training and study,” the 17-year-old said in an interview on Sunday.
He received the PHP30,000 top prize from Kamatyas Chess Club founders IM Roderick Nava and NM David Almirol.
Concio finished the nine-round Swiss system competition with 8.5 points, winning over Enrico Deadio, Clefzon Limfo, Emir Gamis, Remark Bartolome, FM Narquingden Reyes, IM Ronald Dableo, and Kevin Arquero.
After his match in the eighth round against FM Sander Severino, the reigning International Physically Disabled Chess Association World Online Chess Rapid champion, ended in a draw, Concio bounced back in the final round, beating NM Darry Bernardo.
Concio, a Grade 12 student at the Dasmariñas Integrated High School, earned his IM title after winning the Eastern Asia Juniors Championships in 2019. He represents the Laguna-Dasmariñas team in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, the country’s first pro chess league.
Meanwhile, IM Daniel Quizon, FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Severino, and National Master Henry Roger Lopez finished with identical 7.5 points but Quizon clinched second place for having a higher tie-breaker.
They were awarded PHP10,000, PHP7,000, PHP5,000, and PHP2,000 in cash, respectively.
Rounding out the Top 10 finishers were Bernardo, Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, Enrique David, Phil Martin Casiguran, and Apollo Agapay. They all received PHP2,000.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines board of director Rey Urbiztondo won the Top Senior award while Ariel Potot received the Top Non-Master award.
The 9th edition Kamatyas of the FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Invitational tournament, co-organized by Joselito Dormitorio, will be held at the Ace Center Point in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on June 17. (PNA)
