FIDE Master David Alorta, dubbed the ‘Speed King’ of Philippine chess, won all the marbles in the Araw ng Kagitingan 2022 Iligan Open Chess Tournament concluded on Sunday at Lai-lai Garden, Pala-o in Iligan City.
Alorta, the battle-scarred visitor from Manila, disposed of local bet Janalan Marohomsalic in the penultimate, then drew with Allan Cantonjos of Gingoog City in the ninth and final round to emerge as solo champion with a total of eight points worth P30,000 plus the championship trophy.
Cagayan de Oro compatriots Romeo Canino and Lennon Hart Salgados finished with similar 7.5 points. But the win-over-the-other tiebreaker rule propelled the much younger Canino to second place.
Canino got P20,000 while the third-running Salgados received P12,000 also with trophies.
“Thank you kaayo for the support doc Aye Potot (Dr. Ariel Potot). Grabe ka kapoy ang dula at least worth it. Thank you God sa another blessing,” wrote Canino on his Facebook wall.
Just half a point behind at six points, Canino upsets Salgados (6.5 points) in the penultimate eight-round, using the well-hatched Colle System attack with the white pieces that paved the way to Alorta’s trouble-free finish for the crowning glory.
“Kami unta ni David sa last round. Na-preparasyonan, peldi gyod ako,” acknowledged Salgados of the Philippine Air Force, who defeated Eduardo Tare II in the final round to remain in the top three.
Cantonjos and Johnnel Balquin of Cagayan de Oro led five players at seven points including AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Manila and Julius Dan Augustine Ablin and Aldwin Daculan of Iligan.
With better tiebreak results, fourth-placer Cantonjos and fifth-finisher Balquin went on to pocket P7,000 and P4,000, respectively.
Another Oro chesser, Nazario Ubanan occupied solo ninth place with his 6.5-point output.
Sharing 10th to 19th spots with identical six points are Tare, Ruel Valenzuela, Faisal Amanggay, Marohomsalic, FM Victor Bruce Lluch, Jerry Areque, Jayson Salubre, Cecil Cuevas, Wilmor Actub and Joseph Alexis Dela Rama.
