LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pangasinenses dominated the recently-held 6th Pangasinan Chess Championship (PCC) which saw the strong participation of chess players from La Union, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Benguet.
Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ I. Espino, III along with Sports Director Modesto Operania and Pangasinan Chess League President Juan Vicente Sison on November 20 has awarded trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winners of the PCC, which is branded as the chess tournament for ‘the greater Pangasinan.’
Topping the open division, Artrino Paul Fortin of Zambales who bagged home P7,000 cash prize and a trophy was the sole non-Pangasinan player who placed on top of the three PCC contest categories.
Fortin edged out Norm Master Giovanni Mejia of San Jacinto by a slim margin in the championship round.
Runners-up in the open category were: Mejia; Brylle Gever Vinluan (San Fabian), Walt Allen Talan (Mangatarem) and Women Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia (San Jacinto), who also received the top female player award.
For the junior category (18-years-old and below), Villasis woodpusher Antonio Almodal III secured the championship over his nemesis players to receive P5,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Runners-up were: Marvin Limocon (Manaoag), Dennis Gutierrez, Sr. (San Fabian), Jerome Junio (San Carlos) and John Marx Anastacio (Mangaldan).
Securing the top spot in the kiddies category (12-years-old and below), Francis Noel Versoza of Malasiqui received P3,000 cash and a trophy.
Versoza was followed by: Christian Rilloraza (San Fabian), Fritz Gerald Caasi (Alaminos City) and Juan Carlos del Prado (Urdaneta City). Benguet chess player Cliff Daniel Apilado ranked fifth.
Isagani Fernandez of Dagupan City was named the top senior player.
Governor Espino, who vowed all-out support to the Pangasinan Chess Festival (PCF) which was started by his father and predecessor, former Pangasinan Governor and now 5th District Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., expressed gratitude to the chess players from northern and central Luzon and their parents for patronizing the PCF which has already gained momentum in producing competitive local chess players.
“The chess clinics and tournaments of the chess festival serve as training ground for promising woodpushers,” Governor Espino said.
It was learned during the PCC, the second tournament of PCF gathered about 207 delegates from 26 towns/cities in the province.
The last tournament of the PCF which shall see the participation of rated and non-rated chess players, including chess grand masters is the Amado Espino Open Chess Tournament scheduled on December 16-18, here.
By Dexter A. See
