Ibanez, Lozano shine in National Chess Championships

Final Standings:

(Men's Division)

7.5 points---Piokit Ibanez

7.0 points---Franz Barretto, Jayson Visca, Daryl Unix Samantila, Andrew Casiano

6.5 points---Efren Arguelles, Bryan Barcelon, Jeazzir Kline Surposa, Lennon Hart Salgados, Robert Cacho

6.0 points---Marc Christian Nazario, Antonio Chavez Jr., Rolly Parondo Jr., Jay Marc Gutierrez, Alfredo Rapanot, Marc Paraguya, Haince Patrick de Leon, Renato Cruz Jr., Ricky Echala, Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar, Vincent Balena, Joseph Galindo, Antonio Zorilla, Jose Carlo Castro

(Women's Division)

7.0 points---Arvie Lozano

6.5 points---Luzelle Bermundo, Quinna Louise Soler

6.0 points---Crissa Canada, Janena Marie Regencia, Judith Pineda

5.5 points---Jean Karen Enriquez, Michella Concio, Nikki Erica Yngayo, Venice Vicente

5.0 points---Mariel Batulan, Ynna Sophia Canape, Krizza Lyn Abasolo, Joribene Bonifacio, Giane April Perez, Alexis Anne Osena, Ma. Clark Encar Pernites,  Gladys Hazelle Romero

Piokit Ibanez toppled Antonio Chavez Jr. in the ninth and final round to rule the Men's division of the 2013 National Chess Championships held at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) canteen in Vito Cruz, Manila on Wednesday.

Ibanez finished with 7.5 points to receive the top prize of P7,000 plus trophy in the Nine Round Swiss-System Tournament organized by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and supported by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Ricardo “Ritchie” Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr.

Franz Barretto, Jayson Visca, Daryl Unix Samantila and Andrew Casiano, meantime finished in a four-way tie for second with 7.0 points each.

In the women's play, former Rizal Technological University (RTU) Mandaluyong standout Arvie Lozano edged ertswhile co-leader Crissa Canada in the final canto to enroute the coveted title. Lozano, playing under the banner of University of the Philippines (UP) finished with 7.0 points in nine outings. Luzelle Bermundo and Quinna Louise Soler finished in a tie for second to third place with 6.5 points apiece. Canada, on the other hand remains at 6.0 points and finished in a tie for  tie 4th to 6th place with Janena Marie Regencia and Judith Pineda.

Tournament director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales while International Arbiter Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter in the said chessfest.  -Marlon Bernardino-