Chess action at its best in Ozamiz.
Salcedo captures Oaminal blitz crown
OZAMIZ – IM Richelieu Salcedo emerged as the undisputed champion.in the first Gov. Henry S. Oaminal blitz chess tournament at the Ozamiz City Stadium here Saturday.
Salcedo, ever so eager to make his mark even as the 13th seed, outduelled erstwhile solo leader Jayson Salubre.in the eighth and final round to clinch the title and the top prize of P10,000 with 7.5 points on seven wins and one draw.
A mainstay of Philippine Air Force chess team, Salcedo fiinished half a point ahead of Salubre, Diego Abraham Caperino and IM Ronald Bancod and a full point clear of Joel Pimentel, Joey Albert Florendo, Nelson Villanueva, GM Darwin Laylo, Vince Angelo Medina, NM Rommel Ganzon and Jonathan Docot.
Salcedo swept his first five assignments against Janin Dhrey Querequere in the first round, Remegio Galenzoga in the second round, Mardonio Fuentes in the third round, Cassey Miguel Tabamo in the fourth round and FM Alekhine Nouri in the fifth round.
He settled for a draw with NM Rommel Ganzon in the sixth round before winning again over Alji Cantonjos in the seventh round and Salubre.
Caperino toppled Nouri, while Bancod outplayed FM Ellan Asuela in other festured encounters to forge a three-way tie for second to fourth places with seven points.
GM Darwin Laylo bested IM Rolando Nolte, while IM Joel Pimentel drew with NM Rommel Ganzon to lead five other players with 6.5 points.
Top favorite GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. crushed Basilio Pandan, Asian Games Para Games medalist Henry Lopez downed Abdul Daggung and IM Roderick Nava overwhelmed Patrick Florendo to lead a big group of players with six points.
IM Angelo Young whipped Gilbert Baba to fonish with 5.5 points.
Tournament director AGM Rey Urbiztondo said a total of 201 players participated in the blitz competition, which served as part of the Gov. Oaminal 8-in-1 Chess Festival.
Rapid chess and age-group chess tournaments are also being played.
James Infiesto was the chief arbiter, assisted by Michael Joseph Pagaran and Kevin Yap.
Final standings:
7.5 points — R. Salcedo
7 — J. Salubre, D. Caparino, R. Bancod
6.5 — J. Pimentel, J. Florendo, N. Villanueva, D.Laylo, V. Medina, R. Ganzon, J. Docot
6 — D. Elorta, A. Nouri, E. Asuela, L. Salgados, C.Tabamo, R. Ganzon, R. Antonio, H. Lopez, J.Mirano, A. Cantonjos, R. Nava, A. Singson, J. Rivera, R. Jimenez, C. Mendoza.
