IN her upset conquest, non-titled Nathalie Liscano of North Cotabato topped the Mindanao Ladies Open 2022 Online Chess Tournament held, over the weekend, in time of the National Women’s Month Celebration.

Liscano scored 9.5 points in eleven rounds on nine wins, a draw, and a loss to bag the P1,500 top prize.

Trina Mhariz of Glan, Sarangani secured solo second place at nine points worth P1,000.

Four players garnered identical 7.5 points, but after the Bucholz tiebreaker, Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy Acedo of Davao City, Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy of Agusan del Sur, Kristensen Banguiran of General Santos City, and Mary Israel Segarra of Davao City occupied third to sixth places.

They received P700, P500, P300, and P200 each.

Lara Dalagan of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and Daisery Macasinag of Davao City had seven points apiece to land at seventh and eighth spots, respectively.

They got P100 each along with 9th-placer Lynn Jael Maureal of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (6.5 pts), and National Master Irish Yngayo of Davao City (six pts).

“I believe in women’s empowerment. In the country’s acknowledgment of the extraordinary roles of ordinary Juanas in the society as trailblazers and harbingers of change,” said tournament sponsor Ronaldo Banaag.

An international cargo ship captain and maritime consultant, Banaag said the domination of female chessers Sara Dalagan and Mary Angela Bagongon in the just-concluded 70th Araw ng Balingoan Chess Tournament had also inspired him to come up with the Ladies Open for Mindanao players.

“I think it’s also logical nga ato sab hatagan pagtagad atong mga chess talents in the distaff side aron daghan mokugi sa ila pagtuon sa dulang ahedres nga dakong tabang sa ilang future puhon,” Banaag told Gold Star Daily.

Five more lady chessers got P200 each for being cited in the special category prizes.

They are Rose Aien Gay Mondares of Lanao del Norte (Top 1900 rating), Lyn Getubig of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental (Top Lucky 16th), Ma. Arlene Ablin (Top Iligan City), Dalagan (Top CDO-MisOr) and Maureal as Top Bukidnon bet.