DRAWING strong back-up from Cagayan de Oro’s 12-year-old chess whiz Sebastian Marbas, International Master Joel Pimentel emerged as the winningest player in the series-ending episode of the nationwide Rising Chess Unlimited hosted by Cagayan de Oro, over the weekend, at the Limketkai Center.
The 30-year-old Pimentel, who snared the P5,000 top purse in the Individual Open, also led his team Chessables in winning the team championship worth P30,000 of the day-long tourney using the rapid time control of 12 minutes plus six seconds increment.
“I just played here with no serious expectation as my final warm-up for the big battle ahead in Ozamiz City. The twin victories came us a big surprise,” said the Bacolod native Pimentel who scored 25 points, along with 15 contributed by kiddies sensation Marbas and 16 by journeyman Rey Uy for the triumphant team Chessables’ combined 56 markers under the Sofia rules.
The Pimentel-powered Chessables figured in a three-way tie with fellow 56-pointers Team Marawi comprised of Faisal Amanggay (19 pts), Janalan Marohomsalic (19), and Nasser Ramos (18) and NJCO Master Builders made up of Nazario Ubanan (21) Saipuding Ambol (18), and Kinmapil Virtudazo (17). But the Chessables came up with the better tiebreak results at 159.5 points for the crowning glory.
Team Marawi with a Bucholz tiebreak of 146 points brought home P20,000 for taking the second place as the NJCO Master Builders (Bucholz 140.5 points) settled for the P10,000 third prize honor.
“Pimentel is not only a legitimate master but also a venerable coach for trusting his 12-year-old ward Marbas to be with him in the fight against the region’s elite veterans,” said Arena Fide Master Benoni Wabe, founding head of the Golden Chess Friends, who fully-supported Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, in organizing the finale of the nationwide Rising Chess Unlimited series in the City of Gold.
“We’re also quite amazed by the performance of our Muslim brothers from Marawi City. They’re all veterans with one or two senior players on their team but Marawi came up big to almost win the championship,” added Wabe.
Rounding up the top-10 are the Danrene Agri Trading (Rhenz Rheann Auza, Jeff Russell Rivera, Danilo Obeso Jr) at 55 points, the Golden Chess Friends (Johnnel Balquin, Ashlanie Pandi and 10-year-old Miykael Jerahn Lapad) at 53 points, League of Legends (Abdul Halil Abdullah, AGM Lyndon Lumancas, Roberto Pablito Salomon Jr), RCM Viper (Allan Cantonjos, Ronnel Cantonjos, LJ Getubig) and Damasing-MSG (Joseph Maestrado, Roland Sajetarios, Paciano Gulle) at 52 points each; and Arabian Int’l Steel Company (Aljie Cantonjos, NM Adriane Keith Ilar, Joe Art Capatan), and Gaza Attack (FM Victor Bruce Lluch, June Mabaylan, Kharl Manliguez) at 51 points apiece.
The majority of them are expected to try their luck in the P1-million First Governor Henry S. Oaminal 8-in-1 Grand Chess Festival slated on November 10-12 at the City Auditorium in Ozamiz City.
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