THE changing of the guards is seemingly apparent as can be gleaned from the memorial “Mawi Acierto Open Chess Tournament” slated last Wednesday, March 29, at the Inilog Grill, Cagayan de Oro City.

With no less than the top-seeded Johnnel Balquin leading the “imminent fall” of the veterans, newly-minted Golden Chess Friends mixed high school-college champion Christian James Aquino dominated the memorial tourney to complete a back-to-back title runs in just a one-week span.

“Di na gyod malikayan basta magka tigulang na. Dawaton na lang gyod ang tanan,” said the so-called ‘Alamid Ng Mindanao’ Joseph Maestrado Jr, who after making an impressive 2-0 start, failed to make any progress the rest of the seven-round Rapid chessfest held in memory of former MOGCHS varsity player Emmanuel ‘Mawi’ Acierto who died from lungs infection.

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMP. Youthful Christian James Aquino (in red jacket) refers to “eat and sleep” as his secret winning formula. Photo by Lynde Salgados

“Bawi na lang, wala koy focus karon daghan ko gi-atiman,” explained the 40-something Balquin of his four-of-seven performance good for 15th place.

The 20-year-old Aquino, who eventually lost a worthy rival after the title-favorite Balquin fell in the hands of 80-year-old Oscar Arroyo and youthful Engr. Paul Omongos actually finished in a tie with journeymen Basilio Pandan Jr and Clement Valledor at six points each.

But the big boy Aquino had superior tiebreak points to notch the P3,000 top purse and the championship trophy.

“Kaon tulog ra gyod akong sekreto,” said Aquino when prodded for comments about his winning formula.

Pandan and Valledor received P2,000 and P1,000 each for occupying the second and third places.

AT HIS WORSE. The top-seeded Johnnel Balquin (in blue polo) wins in this match with Judge Renato Arroyo but falters against Renato’s 80-year-old brother Oscar Arroyo. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Rounding up the top-10 prize circle are Omongos and Paciano Gulle Jr, who both tallied 5.5 points, and fellow five-pointers Kinmapil Virtudazo, Lyndon Lumancas, Arian Belly Calido, Oscar Arroyo, Judge Renato Arroyo, and Benoni Wabe.

“To keep the happy chess memories of our beloved son, I hope that we can hold this memorial tourney every year,” said Mawi’s father Rolando Acierto during the awards rites.

Emerging as the top-10 elementary are Jaden Cedric Abesamis, Jan Calvin Abesamis, Jasper Nash Jayme, Clint Borres, Prince Austin Sabunod, Richmond Ebo Echem, Ashton John Alisna, Jay Francis Jayme, and Niño Zamora.

The top 10 high schoolers were Ralph Lawrence Labradores, Jeshua Lagunay, Nash Andrew Bondoc, Janrick Lagunay, Samantha Balquin, Chargaets Andres, Harvey Tampus, Rowella Mariel Regatuna, Jeanel Fabela, Roland Capistrano Jr.

They also got cash prizes plus medals from the tournament organizers in full cooperation with the Golden Chess Friends.