Anthony Makinano (in green shirt) poses with other winning woodpushers in the Nova Wellness and Starshots Coffee Open Chess tournament awarding ceremony. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran woodpusher Anthony Makinano grabbed another title in a local chess tournament after topping the Nova Wellness and Starshots Coffee Open Chess tilt on Sunday, September 24, 2023.
Makinano, who ruled the Pisay Alumni Open Chess last August, flexed his winning form anew by scoring a near perfect 8.5 points in the nine-round Swiss format tournament.
The veteran woodpusher kicked off his campaign with an incredible 8-0 winning streak.
He defeated youthful players Rochenel Sarmiento and Gaya Paradero of Pasig City, then won over some of Cebu’s veteran chess players like Franklin Caylan, Alerito Somosot, Carlos Moreno III, Mario Mangubat, Allen Salientes and Joel Pacuribot – for an 8-0 streak.
Makinano’s winning streak was snapped after absorbing a draw against Ceferino Vizco Jr., in the final round, a round that he could afford to lose and still win the tournament that was held at the Gmall of Cebu.
He pocketed the P5,000 purse and a trophy.
Mangubat and Somosot won the second and third places, respectively. Pacuribot snatched the fourth place, with 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 tournament was organized by Cebu Chess Hub in cooperation with the Cebu Sports Commission. / dcb
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