INTERNATIONAL master Cris Ramayrat, Jr. of the Manila Indios Bravos emerged as the top performer after the first part of the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships.
Ramayrat, who rose to prominence as one of the country’s strongest IMs in the 80s, leads all players with 34 points on 21 wins, two draws and three losses while playing in the senior board for Manila.

The 63-year-old Ramayrat, who earned the reputation as the “Fastest Man Alive” in local chess during his prime, is slightly ahead of Christian Mark Daluz of PCAP All-Filipino runner-up Camarines Soaring Eagles and GM Oliver Barbosa of San Juan Predators in the individual standings.

“He (Ramayrat) is one of our top players in the 80s. He did very well in the Laoag Zonal in 1985. There’s no time increment during his time, so he had to be very accurate,” said veteran chess analyst Ignacio Dee.

“(PCAP President) Atty. Paul Elauria and I are discussing who is the better player: Ramayrat or David Elorta. Record can now speak for itself,” added Dee.

Daluz has 21 wins, one draw and four losses, while Barbosa has 20 wins, five draws and one loss.

Another senioor player,NM Cesar Marianoof the Iloilo Kisela Knights, is fourth with 22 wins, one draw and three losses.

Reigning national women’s champion WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda of San Juan Predators is fifth overall with 20 wins, two draws and four losses.

Also making it to the Top 10 list are IM Ricky de Guzman of San Juan Predators, sixth with 19-5-2 win-draw-loss record; Vince Angelo Medina of PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, seventh with 19-2-5; Allan Pason of Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, eighth with 18-3-5; USNM Rodolfo Panopio, Jr. of Antipolo Cobras, ninth with17-5-4; and IM Bernadette Galas of Cordova,10th with 17-4-5.

Camarines’ import — WGM Marie Sebag of France — is the top-performing foreign player with 28 points on 18 wins and two losses.

Sebag is tied with CM Christy Bernales of Antipolo Cobras, NM Joey Florendo of Zamboanga Sultans, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Caloocan Load Manna Knights and GM Darwin Laylo of Pasig Pirates, all with 28 points.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya