SINGAPORE -- Nagpakitang gilas sina Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, International Master Emmanuel Senador, Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. at Woman International Master elect Kylen Joy Mordido sa kani-kanilang dibisyon sa katatapos Malaysian Chess Festival 2018 nitong Linggo sa CitiTel Hotel, CitiTel, Midvallley sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Giniba ni Laylo, isa sa miyembro ng multi-titled Philippine Army chess team at bahagi ng coaching staff ng Ateneo de Manila University chess team, si Vietnamese International Master Le Tuan Minh sa ninth at final round para tumapos ng undefeated na may pitong puntos -- 5 wins at 4 draws.

“I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” sabi ni Laylo na tumapos ng 3rd place matapos ipatupad ang tie-break points.

Namayani si Top seed Chinese Grandmaster Wang Hao (elo rating 2711) kontra kay Filipino International Master Oliver Dimakiling tungo sa coveted title na may eight points sa nine-round Swiss System tournament sanctioned ng World Chess Federation (FIDE).

Napako naman si Dimakiling sa 6.5 points at mahulog sa 4th hanggang 13th placer na kinabibilangan nina Taher at kababayang si Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina.

Nagbigay naman ng pagbati si National Chess Federation of the Philippines director at delegation head Martin “Binky” Gaticales sa tagumpay ng mga Filipino woodpushers.

“This proves once again that Filipinos can be at par with the world’s best woodpusher athletes. With ample training and preparation, we can even become world champions,” sabi ni Gaticales na MVP Olympics PLDT team manager din.

“Congratulations to the Filipino woodpushers in Malaysian Chess Festival for their outstanding performance. We hope for the continuous sucess of Philippine Chess,” sabi naman ni Arena Grandmaster at Fide Master elect Robert Suelo Jr., certified FIDE chess instructor at trainer dito sa Singapore.

Sa 9th IGB Seniors Open Chess Championship 201,napuwersa sina IM Emmanuel Senador at GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. ng Pilipinas at Uzbek Grandmaster Alexei Barsov sa three-way tie para sa first place na may tig 7 points.

Naibulsa ni Senador ang titulo dahil sa mataas na tie break points na sumunod sina 2nd placer Barsov at 3rd placer Antonio.

Sa 13th IGB Berhad Malaysia Chess Challenge, nasikwat ni WIM elect Kylen Joy Mordido ang korona na may natipong with 8 points matapos ang siyam na laro. Tumapos naman sina Eri Purnomo ng Indonesia, John Jasper Laxaman ng Pilipinas at Satrio Gayuh ng Indonesia na tig 7.5 points para magsalo sa 2nd hanggang 4th placers, ayon sa pagkakasunod.