NAGKAMPEON sina International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia at Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy sa katatapos na 2018 National Chess Championships na tinampukang ‘Road To Batumi’ na ginanap sa Second Floor Activity Hall, Alphaland Makati Place sa Makati City.
Si Garcia, nais makasama sa country’s elite at maging pinakabagong susunod na grandmaster, ay nakipaghatian ng puntos kontra kay 13-time Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. sa kanilang Caro-kann skirmish sa 7th at final round para makisalo sa National Chess Championships' top spot na kinabibilangan nina Antonio, International Master Richeliu Salcedo III at Fide Master Mari Joseph Turqueza na pawing may 5 puntos.
Subalit si Garcia, miyembro ng coaching staff ng Ateneo de Manila University chess team, ang naging top finisher sa week-long event na suportado ni National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. matapos manaig sa tiebreak score 27 kontra kina Antonio (26.5), Salcedo ( 25) at Turqueza (22.5).
Si Salcedo ay nakipag draw naman kay Singapore-based Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr.sa 31 moves ng English Opening, habang angat naman si Turqueza kay National Master Rolando Andador sa 61 moves ng Old Indian defense.
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Habang sina Garcia, Antonio, Salcedo, Turqueza at Andador ay nakakuha ng upuan sa main draw ay nakamit naman ni Suelo ang huling tiket sa National Finals ngayong Linggo matapos makaungos kay Fide Master Roel Abelgas sa kanilang one game rapid play-off match.
Sina Andador, Suelo at Abelgas ang nanguna naman sa grupo ng 4.5 pointers kasama sina FM elect Daniel Quizon at National Master Noel dela Cruz.
Sa women’s division, panalo si Doroy kay Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily sa 48 moves ng King's Pawn Game para masikwat ang korona na may 5 puntos.
Ang 16 years-old student ng Nazareth School of National University na si Doroy ay angat ng kalahating puntos kina Jerlyn Mae San Diego at Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales.
"First of all I would like to thank God for winning this presitigious National Chess Championships. My Parents who is always beside me and my relative and friends as well," pahayag ni Doroy, Milo Junior Athlete of the Year awardee sa 2018 Philippine Sportswriters Association awards night.
Panalo si Woman Fide Master Michelle Yaon kay San Diego para makasama si Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia matapos kapwa makalikom ng tig 4 points.
