FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus redeemed himself by dominating the Rising Chess Unlimited challenge held on October 21 at Robinson Place in General Santos City.

The 25-year-old Literatus, who placed third behind his fellow Dabawenyos in 14-year-old Christian Gian Karlo Arca and veteran National Master Macacuna Macala during the Davao City edition last October 7, could not be denied this time around.

PENULTIMATE ROUND. The go-or-bust penultimate round matches on the top-three boards which shows FM Literatus, at far left, battles the top-seed IM Hamed (wearing a cap) with resounding success. Photo courtesy of Biyaherong Arbiter

The second seed Literatus (Elo 2354) overpowered the white-wielding Arca (Elo 2286), whom he didn't face in Davao, then stunned the top-seeded International Master Hamed Nouri (Elo 2360) in the penultimate round.

He played to a safe draw with Elias Banguiran in the seventh and final round.

Literatus finished with 6.5 points to pocket the P9,000 top purse and earn an all-expense paid trip, courtesy of Biyaherong Arbiter, to the P800,000 Ozamiz Chess Festival scheduled on November 10-12 in Ozamiz City.

Nouri, Arca, and local bet Roger James Cabanyog were tied at 6 points to finish second, third, and fourth after the tiebreaker and receive P3,000, P2,000, and P500 each.

Banguiran is a solo fifth-placer at 5.5 points among 74 entries.

Sharing sixth place at 5 points are Jayson Salubre, Andre Miguel Jorgio, Charles John Fiel, Orly Ortega, Christopher Buhat, Roland Villa, Alexander Lagudas, Enoc Gillesania, and Jerome Kent Masong.

Cited for the special category awards are Andre Lei Alcantara as the top kiddy, Jasphyr Lloyd Fiel as the top junior, and Jenaica Julom as the top female participant.

RISING STAR. 14-year-old Christian Gian Karlo Arca, the champion in Davao City edition, settles for third place in Gensan Rising Chess challenge. Photo courtesy of Biyaherong Arbiter

“I congratulate our young chess players for outplaying the veterans in the Southern Mindanao episodes of the Rising Chess Unlimited development program,” said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo referring to Arca and Literatus.

The Rising Chess tourneys, serving as promotional events for the Ozamiz grand finale, will have pocket events in Pagadian, Dumaguete, and Zamboanga for the remainder of October month.

It goes big in Metro Manila on October 29 at the Robinson's Galleria Ortigas before its pre-Ozamiz dry-run on November 4 at the Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, staking P100,000 in total cash prizes plus trophies and medals.