25/09/2023
The 2nd Joe B. Maturan Memorial Rapid Chess Tournament has come to an end, and we can’t wait for more tournaments like this! It was a marvelous event allowing chess players from all over Negros island and even from Dipolog and Cebu to unite and play in this competition; it was a chance to engage with other players, and surely lots of great games were played. The chessboards could light up with the extreme intensity of the battle as the Open category featured NM Roulzon Roullo from Tanjay, Bacolod City-based Engr. Adrian Dela Cruz carrying a 2043 FIDE rating, Siquijor’s SCUAA Coach Joven Jalbona, Escalante City’s Spencer De Guzman, Cebu City’s Yves Christian Fiel, and visiting from Cebu is former FEU varsity Vincent Baleña. One could not also look down on the 13 & Under category as we should watch out for the seeded wonderkids; leading the banner is the champion of the recently concluded National Youth and Schools Chess Championships U11 Category - Noel Bernil Jr., followed by Markley Partosa the budding chess prodigy of Dauin Knights Chess Club, and Jimalalud’s pride James Tuanda.
After 7 rounds of intense battles by calculative masterminds, here are the results of this tournament:
OPEN CATEGORY
Proving his mastery of the board game, NM Rolzon Roullo 🥇 emerged as the victor of the 2nd Joe B. Maturan Memorial Rapid Chess Tournament, garnering 6.5 points out of 7 rounds. Following close with 6 points are coming from far away places, with Michel Jackson Ambuang 🥈of Dipolog in second place and former NORSU chess varsity Engr. Adrian Dela Cruz 🥉of Sta. Catalina is in third place.
And showing that despite their age, they can compete well in the Open Category, we have the 18 & Unders. Hailing from Bayawan City and represented the Philippines last year at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships in Thailand, he is the 1st Placer of the 18 & Under Category - Michael Jan Stephen Iñigo 🥇. Meanwhile, in 2nd place with 5 points is the Sibulan prodigy, Lance Nathaniel’ Butchok’ Orlina 🥈. And in 3rd place is the representative of Negros Oriental in last year’s CVIRAA, Von Isiah Maraña 🥉.
Raising the banner of Chada Valencia, we have COSCA’s Dream Lance Cabebe 🥇- 1st placer of the Top Valencianon Award. Followed by Jeanmar Tenador 🥈with 4 points. Last but not least, Knights of Valencia veteran player Jaime ‘Chago’ Mariño 🥉 in third place.
The roses among the thorns, the Queens of the chessboard, the 1st top female award of this tournament goes to Dauin Knights Chess Club’s Sophia Khaila Sanchez, 2nd top female award is given to former regional player of Negros Oriental, Little Kingsmen’s Mary Ai Sitti Otod, and coming in 3rd is Silliman University’s Mizpah Fundador.
And in honor of Lolo Joe’s and all other elderly players’ undying love for chess, the Top Senior awards are given to Sibulan’s one-of-a-kind veteran Gemon Tolentino and Negros Chess Club 64’s Florencio Nuñez.
4th Place - Geffrey Alcantara, Tanjay City
5th Place - Yves Christian Fiel, Cebu City
6th Place - Atty. Jason Bandal, Dumaguete City
7th Place - Edgar Conjuico, Dumaguete City
8th Place - Joselito Villaflores, Tanjay City
9th Place - Wyndell Paulin, Dumaguete
10th Place - Bernabe Tagulo Jr., Dumaguete City
13 & Under Category
In the spirit of nurturing the budding talent in Negros Oriental, allow the kiddies division to amaze you as they display a high level of skill and maturity in their games despite their age. Indeed, your passion and love for chess will lead you to further places with perseverance and focus. Good job, kiddos!
The champion for the 13 & Under category is the representative of Negros Oriental in CVIRAA 2023, Markley Partosa 🥇. With a perfect 7 points, Markley secured his victory with grace and determination, kudos to you! Not to be outdone, here comes Tanjay’s pride, Noel Bernil Jr. 🥈with 6 points out of 7 rounds, coming in 2nd place. And last but definitely not least, raising high the banner of Jimalalud is James Tuanda 🥉 at 3rd place.
Making Knights of Valencia proud once again, here are our Top Valencianons: Former VCES team captain Dwayne Alekhine Sapuan comes in first with a remarkable 5 points out of 7, followed by the incredible Deposoy siblings - Kurt Daniel Deposoy at 2nd and Alyssa Gale Deposoy at 3rd! You have made Chada Valencia very proud, kids.
And our future Janelle Frayna, Negros Oriental High School’s representative in the provincial meet, we present the Top Female Awardee - Keizha Nicole Maraña!
Overall 4th in standing is the upcoming GM Praggnanandhaa of Dauin Knights Chess Club besting older kids in the competition is the one and only Lee Arzhel Partosa. We can’t wait to see Arzhel shine bright in the future in his chess career, keep on shining young one.
These young and talented kids have undoubtedly trained and practiced hard for this competition; their openings are more structured and definitely a lot more hungry for tactics. They have improved from their previous performances; now, ladies and gents, give it up for Michaell Jay Batadlan and Caelee Andre Ponce! Our most improved players in this tournament.
It is inspiring and awesome to see these young chess players play, especially the youngest. Showcasing their love and passion for the game are our youngest players - Franzies Karl Laurente and Brylle Kristel Yan!
4th Place - Cee Jay Inoveno, Valencia
5th Place - Tyler Francisco, Tanjay
6th Place - Isaiah Kaisier Gasiong, Dumaguete (Little Kingsmen)
7th Place - Zhyner Dwyne Elopre, Zamboanguita
8th Place - Van Sthylroy Elopre, Zamboanguita
9th Place - Yael Gonzales, Dumaguete
10th Place - Seth Russby Beton, Tayasan
Lucky 40 - Matthew Florence Mercurio, Valencia
We can definitely see the bright future of not only Negros Oriental chess but also of Philippine chess in the kiddies division; we are incredibly proud of all our participants. Keep it up, kids; we hope to see you again in future competitions as we nurture young talents and see their future growth in chess.
Woah, what a tournament! This tournament was more than just a competition. It is a gathering of chess enthusiasts from near and far sharing knowledge of this ancient game of chess. This is also a gathering held in memory of Valencia’s veteran chess player, Lolo Joe B. Maturan, as we remember him through the game he loved the most.
As we wrap up this tournament, we would like to thank everyone who came and participated in the tournament for supporting us in our endeavor to promote FIDE-rated tournaments in Negros Oriental. Most especially, our heartfelt gratitude to the Maturan family for their undying support in the game of chess and the growth of the chess community in Valencia. ❣️
Mabuhay ang Philippine chess! 🇵🇭♟️
