Anthony Makinano scored 8.5 points to rule the Nova Wellness Store and Starshots Coffee Open Chess Tournament on Sept. 24 at GMall of Cebu. Makinano started with wins over youthful players Rochenel Sarmiento and Gaya Paradero of Pasig City, then won over some of Cebu’s veteran chess players in the likes of Franklin Caylan, Alerito Somosot, Carlos Moreno III, Mario Mangubat, Allen Salientes and Joel Pacuribot – for an 8-0 streak.
He only conceded a quick draw against Ceferino Vizco, Jr., in the final round, a round he could afford to lose and still win the tournament.
Makinano went home with P5,000 and a trophy. Mangubat and Somosot won the second and third places, respectively. Pacuribot snatched the fourth place, with Ceferino Vizco, Jr. taking the fifth place.
Allan Salientes, Lemuel Montero, Rodegundo Arcilla, Niko Dioquino, and Al Michael Arasain, completed the Top Ten finishers.
Nova Wellness Center and Starshots Coffee also rewarded Vivencio Mendoza as the Top Senior performer, Aarav Kale (from India) as the Top Kiddie player, Arushi Kales as the Top Female contestant, and five-year-old Princess Jean Rabor as the Youngest Participant.
The Cebu Chess Hub has found a home in GMall, the newest and thriving mall in Cebu. In cooperation with the Cebu Sports Commission, the organization conducted a tryout last week to select the city’s delegation to Batang Pinoy chess finals in Pasig City this coming December.
