International Master Ronald Dableo topped the second JCI Senate Lipa Open Rapid Chess Tournament with 6.5 points last Saturday in Lipa, Batangas.
Dableo (Elo 2303) beat all of six opponents before halving the point in his final match to win the annual tournament.
At second place is fellow IM and top seed Michael Concio, Jr. (Elo 2415), also with 6.5 points.
Dableo, however, had superior tiebreak points to clinch the crown plus P35,000 cash prize.
The tournament was organized by JCI Senate Lipa headed by its president Gary Malabanan and supported by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa in close cooperation with former Vice-Mayor Kuya Boy Manguerra, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers – PSME past president Engr. Roger Reyes, and Engr. Danny Reyes.
Former senatorial candidate and chess enthusiast Luke Espiritu of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino graced the event.
Concio, Jr. received the runner-up prize of P25,000 for his efforts in this one-day rapid event being held in celebration of Lipa City Foundation Day.
Dableo’s stellar campaign included wins over decorated grandmasters Joey Antonio (Elo 2325) and Darwin Laylo (Elo 2258).
Twenty-year-old Chester Neil Reyes (Elo 2139), the only player who drew Dableo, wounds up the podium with six points alongside Jhulo Goloran (Elo 1987) and Lee Roi Palma (Elo 2027).
Meanwhile, Clyde Jared Torena (ELO 1645) topped the Under-14 division via tiebreak over Justin Jed Ortillo (Elo 1682).
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