ARENA Grandmaster Julius Dan Augustine Ablin of Iligan City dominated the Araw Ng Lakewood 2023 Chess Tournament held November 4-5 at the Poblacion Covered Court in Lakewood, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.
The 29-year Ablin, a former Palarong Pambansa qualifier, yielded just a draw in his 6.5-point output in seven rounds to bring home the P10,000 top purse of the two-day event dubbed “1st Mayor Doming Mirrar Chess Tournament 2023” that attracted close to a hundred participants.
“Dako kaayo akong kalipay kay ang Lakewood lugar sa akong asawa maong ganado kaayo ko nidula,” Ablin told Gold Star Daily.
“I hope that my victory in Lakewood will further inspire me to give my best this coming weekend in Ozamiz City,” added Ablin, who will team up with Manila-based International Master Ronald Bancod and Cagayan de Oro’s Rodney Opada in the P1-million Ozamiz Chess Festival set on November 10-12 at the City Auditorium in Ozamiz City.
Enlisted PNP personnel Jones Maghuyop of Pagadian City scored six points to claim the solo P7,000 second prize. While Ozamiz pride Johnny Wellem Carzano got the highest tiebreak results among five-pointers to receive the P5,000 purse for third place also with a medal.
Rounding up the top-10 finishers of the two-day rapid chessfest are Antonio Hernando, Sherwin Cabrera, Rodel Dimaano, Jevie delos Reyes, Romeo Balucan, Cecil Cuevas and Jezreel Lopez, DepEd Admin Officer IV and President of the organizing PAGZAMSUR Professional Chess Players Association.
