MVP Invitational Chess Cup

by Marlon Bernardino

Meralco Chess Club recently hosted the MVP Invitational Chess Cup, a 4-team

10-board round robin tournament, for the visiting Philippine Military

Academy Chess Team at the historic Lopez Bldg, once the tallest skyscraper

in the Ortigas area. The first "makabayan" team tournament the club hosted

was for the Philippine Paralympics Chess Team in 2009 that had Grandmasters

Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio giving out autographed chess books.

With a rate of play of 60 minutes per player, the powerhouse University of

the Philippines Chess Team, led by Candidate Master Marc Nazario, swept all

three matches and took home the gold medals to add to their war cache in

Camp Diliman.

The surprise of the tournament was the Meralco Jrs. composed mostly of

biblical David-like youth led by Jonathan Jota of General Mariano Alvarez

Technical HS (2013 One Meralco Foundation Jr. Champion), Jayson Tapia of

Antipolo National HS (2012 Shell National Youth NCR Boys Kiddies 4th

Placer), and Rhal Sol Cruz of La Salle Green Hills (2012 Shell National

Youth Southern Tagalog Boys Kiddies 5th Placer and 2010 ASEAN Primary

Olympiad Bronze Medalist). Jota forced a draw with CM Nazario, Sol Cruz got

his draw with Shell National Youth NCR Gilrs Jr 2013 Champion Arvie Lozano,

and Tapia earned a draw with Meralco 2013 Champion Jay Dicen.  These draws

allowed the juniors to edge their senior counter-parts for 2nd Place.

Thus, 3rd Place went to Meralco Srs. led by National Master Gerry Cabellon,

former San Beda Joseph Navarro and former Adamson Daniel Casil. The PMAers,

carried by 2nd Class Hackmone Acab and 2nd Class Leonard Pena, watched the

backs of the other three teams at 4th spot.

"We are very very thankful for Meralco and UP for giving us this much

needed training and warm welcome. Sana maulit at kayo naman ang dumayo sa

amin sa Baguio.", said 1 Lt Hazel Romero.

"To be good in chess, you must have a training plan and follow it

regularly. Kahit 30 minutes lang - solving chess problems, analyzing your

games, updating your openings.", added FIDE Master Leo Carlos, UP's Head

Coach.

Coming up on July 27 Saturday is the MVP Chess Workshop for public high

schools to be held in Meralco from 9:00 am to 12:00 nn. Register at Meralco

Chess Club fb page.