THE two-year domination of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro chess players in the younger side of the Governor Henry Oaminal-backed tourney ended on Tuesday, November 5 in Oroquieta City, Misamis Oriental.

With the surprise entry of world blitz champion Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca from Panabo City, Davao Oriental, and the arrival of top-notch acts from Luzon and the Visayas, the used-to-be powerhouse from Northern Mindanao has been reduced to mere mortals hardly being recognized during the awards rites.

Foregoing the tough rivalry in the Open division ruled by International Master Michael Concio Jr and Uzbekistani-American Grandmaster Timur Gareyev, the 15-year-old Arca easily dominated the Under 17 category to bring home the P60,000 top purse.

“Lisod sa Open, daghan kaayo gahi plus naay upat ka GMs. Dire na lang sa ‘mi sa junior kay mas dako ang chance,” Arca's ever supportive father Armand told Gold Star Daily earlier.

In the absence of reigning champion Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz from Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Mar Aviel Carredo from Dasmariñas City held his ground in the Under 13 to also go home P60,000-richer, also with the championship trophy.

APPEALS COMMITTEE. Tournament officials having a crucial discussion behind the giant led live streaming the chess matches in Oroquieta City. Photo by Lynde Salgados

At least three players from Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, however, made it to the top-10 list in the junior division.

Just half a point behind Arca at eight points, Gabriel Siano from Pangil, Laguna bagged the runner-up honor worth P30,000.

Last year’s champion National Master Keith Adriane Ilar of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, and Jess Raphael Aballar of Agusan del Norte were tied at seven points and occupied third and fourth after the Bucholz tiebreaker to receive P20,000 and P10,000 each.

Rounding up the top 10 are Car Jasphyr Lloyd Fiel of Digos, Davao Oriental, Kassandra Day Tadeo of Maramag, Bukidnon, Keirt Rolevan Russia of Cebu City, Karl Augusto Xander of Gingoog City, Yohan Ryce Sy of Surigao City and Jeshua Lagunay of Cagayan de Oro.

FRIENDLY MATCH. At break time, Uzbekistani-American Grandmaster Timur Gareyev accedes to play a game or two with a female fan during the MisOcc chessfest. Photo by Lynde Salgados

The Maramag pride Tadeo got P6,000 as the junior’s top lady.

In the Under 13, Carredo’s second placer Bince Rafael Operiano from Busacoas, Albay took home P30,000.

The Partosa siblings, Markjhel and Markley, from Negros Oriental were given P20,000 and P10,000 apiece for placing third and fourth.

Jessej Eujan Gestopa of Cebu City and Khana Kathrine Ventolero of Zamboanga City emerged as fifth and sixth finishers to get P6,000 and P2,000 each.