Daluz tops AQ Prime Stream chess tournament

Master Christian Mark Daluz sustained a hot start and ruled the AQ Prime Stream FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament at the Robinsons Metro East in Pasig City on Sunday, July 2.

Daluz won all three games on Saturday and remained unbeaten on Sunday to finish with 5.5 points in this 2399 and below tournament.

The only blemish on his near perfect record was a draw with National Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the sixth and final round when he had already secured the championship.

From left are AQ Prime Stream proprietor and president Atty. Fide Master Aldwin Alegre, Fide Master Christian Mark Daluz and certified Fide arbiter and master Rudy Ibanez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Daluz, the latest member of the AQ Prime Talents, scored victories over Fide Master Adrian Pacis, National Master Edmundo Gatus, Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Jerome Villanueva and Kevin Arquero in rounds one to five.

“It was a very good performance and I want to dedicate the victory to my family, to my UST coach Grandmaster candidate and International Master Ronald Dableo and to AQ Prime proprietor and president Atty. Aldwin Alegre who put their trust in me,” said Daluz, a second year financial management student at the University of the Santo Tomas where he is also a member of the chess varsity team.

Arca, Bacojo and Marc Kevin Labog finished with 4.5 points piece while Arena Grandmaster Robert Suelo Jr., Arena Grandmaster Jethro Dino Aquino and Fide Master Noel dela Cruz ended with 4.0 points each.

Arquero, Gatus and Kevin Mirano each scored 3.5 points in the tournament sponsored by AQ Prime proprietor and president Atty. Fide Master Aldwin Alegre.

“The aim of the event is to develop good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics as well as to improve the participants' logical abilities, rational thinking, self-confidence and camaraderie,” Alegre said.

Meanwhile, Chester Neil Reyes topped the 2000 and below category of the event sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Reyes wound up with 5.5 points in six rounds, the same output of Angele Tenshi Biete (2nd), Jhulo Goloran (3rd), Mark Gerald Reyes (4th) and Stephen Manzanero (5th).

Reyes, however, emerged as champion after the tie-break was applied.

Rounding out the top 10 are John Ernie Maraan (6th), Oscar Joseph Cantela (7th), Freddie Talaboc (8th), National Master Al-Basher “Basty” Buto (9th) and Lorenzo Aaron Cantela (10th).