Dimakiling, Perena, Claro, Enriquez Rule POC-PSC Philippine National Games Blitz Chess Tournament

by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings of the Blitz chess event:

(Open Division for Mens)

Gold---IM Oliver Dimakiling (Davao City)

Silver---GM Mark Paragua (Quezon City)

Bronze---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Quezon City

(Open Division for Womens)

Gold---WIM Catherine Perena (San Jose, Bulacan)

Silver---Jon Ira dela Cruz (Adamson, Manila)

Bronze---WFM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (Manila)

(Junior Division for Boys)

Gold---Diego Abraham Claro (Cebu)

Silver---Jose Carlo Castro (Caloocan)

Bronze---Christian Nanola (San Pablo, Laguna)

(Junior Division for Girls)

Gold---Jean Karen Enriquez (Marikina)

Silver---Judith Pineda (Olangapo)

Bronze---Michelle Yaon (Calamba, Laguna)

International Master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling captured this year's Open section of the 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games Blitz chess competition held at the 3rd floor of Library area of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Main Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila Monday.

The Davao City native Dimakiling defeated NM Raymond Salcedo of the Philippine Airforce in the seventh and final round to finished with 6 points, the same output of GM Mark Paragua and GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. of Quezon City and Alcon John Datu of Caloocan City.

Dimakiling took the gold medal for having superior tie-break score against silver medallist Paragua, Bronze medallist Antonio and fourth placer Datu.

Antonio toppled former solo leader Paragua while Datu bested IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila.

In the Open Division for Womens, Woman International Master (IM) Catherine Perena of San Jose, Bulacan edged fellow six pointers Jon Ira dela Cruz of Adamson Manila in a tie-break points to enroute the coveted gold medal. WFM Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila scored 5.5 points for bronze medal.

Other notable winners are Diego Abraham Claro of Cebu (Gold), Jose Carlo Castro of Caloocan City (Silver) and Christian Nanola of San Pablo, Laguna in the Junior Division for Boys and Jean Karen Enriquez of Marikina City (Gold), Judith Pineda of Olangapo City (Silver) and Michelle Yaon of Calamba, Laguna in the Junior Division for Girls.

No less than Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Jolly Gomez and Asia's First GM Eugene Torre made the opening ceremonial moves. .Witnessing the ceremonial move are National Arbiter Alberto Julian, Asia's First IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, NCFP Deputy-Secretary General Red Dumuk, National Coach NM Edmundo Gatus, International Arbiter Elias Lao,National Sports Associations Affairs (NSA) Section Head Judith Laygo and NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales. 

"Idinaraos natin ang POC-PSC Philippine National Games para makatuklas ng bagong talento sa grass roots level. Ito din ang pagkakataon ng ating mga kababayan na makalaban ang ating mga national athletes," said PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez. 

Tournament Director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales while Chief Arbiter is International Arbiter Gene Poliarco