TAGAYTAY CITY – Naglabas agad ng pangil sina International Masters John Marvin Miciano at Paulo Bersamina at Fide Master elect Michael Concio Jr. matapos manalo sa kani-kanilang katunggali sa pagbubukas ng 2018 Asian Universities Chess Championships Linggo ng gabi sa Tagaytay International Convention Center.

Ginapi ni Miciano, mainstay ng multi-titled Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales-coached Far Eastern University chess team, si Gal Brian Palasigue ng San Beda University.

Nagwagi si Bersamina, isa sa top players ng three-peat UAAP champion National University chess team, kay Tze Hong Law ng Malaysia.

Hindi naman nagpahuli si Concio na produkto ng Dasmariñas Chess Academy na itinatag nina Dasmariñas City Mayor Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Congresswoman Jenny Barzaga at national coach International Master Roel Abelgas, nang pasukuiin ang kababayan na si Kurt Kenly Ong ng MGC New Life Christian Academy.

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Nangibabaw din si top seed International Master Xu Yi (Elo 2526) ng China kontra kay Earl Rhay Mantilla ng Davao City.

Pinangunahan ni National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) executive director Red Dumuk ang pagbubukas ng nasabing event at hinamon ang mga kalahok na ibigay lahat ng kanilang makakaya.

“Always strive hard,” sabi ni Dumuk kasama sina NCFP director Judge Gonzalo Mapili, International Arbiters Patrick Lee and Lito Abril, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre at GM Jayson Gonzales na nag deklara ng pagbubukas ng nasabing chess competition.

Ang week-long competition ay proyekto ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) sa pakikipagtulungan ng FIDE, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at ng Tagaytay City government.

Ang iba pang notable first round winners ay sina Daniel Quizon ng Dasmariñas City, Fide Master Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza ng San Beda University, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, National Master John Merill Jacutina at Istraelito Rilloroza ng Far Eastern University.

Sa distaff side, malakas ang sinimula ni Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza ng Far Eastern University nang padapain si Najihah Mohd Saufi ng Malaysia.