IF the fourth-round results are any indication then the country's rising chess stars are in for a big surprise in the cash-rich 2nd Governor Henry S. Oaminal Open Chess Tournament which culminates this afternoon at the AYA and Residences Hotel in Clarin, Misamis Oriental.

The troika of International Masters Michael Concio Jr, Daniel Quizon, and Eric Labog Jr ― all are still below 20-year-old ― remain unbeaten to join Fide Master David Elorta and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo at the top with similar four points each.

Concio defeated the veteran IM Ronald Bancod on the top board as Cuizon and Labog followed suit with victories over National Master Joey Albert Florendo and Nazario Ubanan on a cloudy Wednesday morning.

BALINGOAN native Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz of Misamis Oriental takes the tiebreak lead in the 13-under category that also offers the lion's share of P60,000 to the lucky champion. Photo by Lynde Salgados

This, as Elorta crushed Tangub City pride Rodney Opada and Laylo did the same against Aklan province bet Jan Francis Mirano to keep in strong contention for the top prize that doubled from P50,000 to P100,000 upon the order of Governor Oaminal to increase the winner prizes in all categories.

Ala ‘rock star,’ Gov. Oaminal drew a standing ovation during the ceremonial kick-off after also announcing that each of the 363 participants is entitled to receive a P3,000 allowance and free lunch for two days on top of a whopping P710,000 in total cash prizes awaiting the winners.

“I was surprised, I mean everybody got surprised because we’re all clueless about his drastic announcement for the allowance and additional cash prizes,” said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.

CASH-RICH TOURNEY. Governor Henry S. Oaminal and Hall of Famer Grandmaster Eugene Torre, upfront, lead the ceremonial rites of the 2nd Ozamiz Open Chess Tournament on Tuesday at the AYA and Residences Hotel in Clarin, Misamis Occidental. Photo by Lynde Salgados

“I think, what happened here is the first ever in Philippine chess history. This will surely boost the morale of the country’s young chess players,” added the chess-playing lawyer and labor arbiter Jason Bandal.

In the Under 17 division, National Master Keith Adriane Ilar of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental shared the lead with Keirt Rolevan Rusia at perfect five points.

EL SALVADOR City pride National Master Keith Adriane Ilar of Misamis Oriental, in a blue sweatshirt, remains unbeaten in his quest for the P60,000 top purse in the 2nd Gov. Oaminal Open Chess 17 under division. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Half a point behind them at 4.5 points are NM John Cyrus Borce of Zamboanga City and Sara Dalagan of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental going into the last two rounds of the junior chess rivalry that attracted close to 100 entries.

The Balingoan, Misamis Oriental native Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz meanwhile leads a big pack of four-pointers in the Under 13 category that also stakes a P60,000 top purse being closely disputed by Cyreine Jean Borce of Zamboanga City, Xian MacGyver Caneos of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Jake Andre Aballar of Butuan City, Sebastian Marbas of Cagayan de Oro, Maria Andrea Train of Dipolog City, Arena Candidate Master Ashzkey Aya Nicole Paquinol of Cagayan de Oro and Lex Padayao of Cebu City among the best of the 157 elementary participants.