WINNER: Candidate Master Genghis Imperial (second from right) wins the Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup at the SM Dagupan City on May 21, 2023. Also in photo are (from left) Allen Garcia, Engr. Cayetano Garcia, Atty. Reddy Ceralde Balarbar and national arbiter Glenn Hullana Garcia after the awarding ceremony. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Candidate Master Genghis Imperial displayed his brilliant form to claim victory in the 3rd Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup (2200 FIDE rapid rating limit) at the SM Dagupan City on May 21.
Imperial, a member of the Manila Indios Bravos chess club, scored 6.5 points to bring home a PHP10,000 cash prize.
He defeated Romy Cendana of Dagupan in the first round, Peter Mc Gerald Penullar of Urdaneta (2nd round), Fidel Labuanan of Binalonan (3rd round), Stephen Manzanero of Caloocan (4th round), Candidate Master Romy Fagon of Urdaneta (5th round), Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. of Quezon City (6th round) and split the points with Joel Obogne of Manila (7th round).
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Pangasinan and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament," the 39-year-old resident of Pureza in Sta. Mesa, Manila said in an interview on Tuesday.
"I would like to thank Atty. Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera for supporting my participation in the Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup,” he added.
Obogne, Fagon and IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad finished the tournament with similar 5.5 points; Suelo Jr. scored 5 points while Manzanero, Luigi James Laking, Jonathan Bayron, Cris Dispo, Edgar Tuliao, Emmanuel Lomibao, Manzanero and Mark Donald Castillo have identical 4.5 points.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie," San Fabian Chess Club president lawyer Reddy Ceralde Balarbar said.
The Pangasinan Invitational Chess Cup was supported by Pozorrubio Vice Mayor Ernesto Salcedo, Engr. Cayetano Garcia, Allen Garcia, SM Prime Holdings Inc.,Pangasinan Association of Chess Executives and Retirees (PACER), and national arbiter Glenn Hullana Garcia. (PNA)
