MENDOZA NAGHARI SA GMG YOUTH CHALLENGE RAPID CHESS TOURNEY

PINAGHARIAN ni Christian Mendoza, tubong Antipolo City, ang GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament na idinaos sa Rockwell Business Center, Mandaluyong City nitong weekend.

Tumapos si Mendoza na may 6.5 puntos sa 7-round Swiss System format competition para maibulsa ang premyong P 5,000 at medalya.

“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” sabi ni Mendoza.

Naungusan ng 15-anyos na si Mendoza, Grade 10 student ng Antipolo National High School, sina Jian Carlo Rivera ng Rodriguez, Rizal; National Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto ng Cainta, Rizal; Allan Gabriel Hilario ng Manila; Jeanne Marie Arcinue ng Legaspi, Albay at National Master Oshrie James Reyes ng Santa Rita, Pampanga na pumangalawa hanggang ikaanim na puwesto, ayon sa pag- kakasunod-sunod, tangan ang tig-6.0 puntos.

Ang third seed na si Mendoza ay nagposte ng anim na sunod na panalo laban kina Xian Aiken Cuartero (Round 1), Delia Marie Penaverde (Round 2), Lira M. Placer (Round 3), Jude Angelo Dableo (Round 4), Allan Gabriel Hilario (Round 5) at Woman  National Master Master Jersey Marticio (Round 6).

Hinati niya ang puntos kay National Master Oshrie James Reyes sa ikapito at huling round.

Sinuportahan ni Thailand-based coach National Master Gerald Ferriol ang torneo na inorganisa ng Bayanihan Chess Club at may basbas ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

-MARLON BERNARDINO