Concio tops IIEE SLRC open chess tournament

Cabuyao Vice Mayor Leif Opiña and GM Joey Antonio (foreground) lead the ceremonial opening moves of the IIEE SLRC Open Chess Tournament on June 27 at Centromall in Pulo, Cabuyao City, Laguna. Standing in the background are PSME Foundation president Roger Reyes, FM Noel Dela Cruz and IIEE 2021 National President Allan Anthony Alvarez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CABUYAO City, Laguna — In the strongest field of participants in a chess tournament held in the city, International Master Michael Concio topped the IIEE SLRC open chess tournament on June 27 here at Centromall.

Concio scored 6.0 points to rule over the field of 15 masters, including Grandmaster Joey Antonio who placed 14th overall but claimed the Top Senior award of the tournament.

Also with 6.0 points but with inferior tie-break points were runner-up FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, third placer Jonathan Jota and fourth placer International Master Eric Labog Jr.

FIDE Master Noel Dela Cruz finished with 5.5 points to claim fifth place followed by National Master Angele Tenshi Biete, Kevin Arquero, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Apollo Agapay at sixth to 10 places, respectively.

The tournament, that drew 80 participants, was part of the activities for the Southern Luzon Regional Conference (SLRC) of the Institute of Ingtegrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE).

"Playing chess is like governing people, leading and directing the community on the right path," said Cabuyao Vice Mayor Leif Opiña, the key guest speaker for the opening of the event.

In the team event, the Cabuyao City team of Jonathan Jota, NM Vince Angelo Medina, Arena GM Apollo Agapay won first place with 16 points.

The PECA team of International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Bren Sasot and Samivin de los Santos placed second and NU Manila of Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy, Alan Doroy and Kyla Lorraine Aurelio placed third.

Muntinlupa (Noel Trines, Edwin Caballero, Angelo Cuizon) is fourth and San Pedro (Joshua Manire, Tom Saluba, Marianne Manire) is fifth in the team event.