International Master Paulo Bersamina Takes Early Lead at Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals in Alicia, Isabela
International Master Paulo Bersamina takes early lead in Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals
MANILA, Philippines — International Master Paulo Bersamina made a strong start at the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals in Alicia, Isabela, seizing the solo lead with two straight victories on Friday.
Bersamina’s wins, including a notable victory over Olympiad teammate Daniel Quizon, propelled him to the top of the standings with a perfect score of two points in the 11-round event. The tournament not only offers a ticket to the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next year but also a top prize of P120,000 courtesy of host Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.
In the first round, Bersamina outplayed Quizon in their Center Counter duel, securing the win in just 23 moves. He then went on to defeat Vince Angelo Medina in 40 moves in the second round, setting the stage for his campaign to potentially clinch his first national title.
Trailing Bersamina by half a point are International Masters Jem Garcia and Ricky de Guzman, as well as qualifiers Samson Chu Chin Lim and Alexis Maribao. The competition also saw GM Joey Antonio, GM John Paul Gomez, and other top players in action.
Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in partnership with Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro, the tournament offers a total cash pot of P388,000, with significant prizes for the top finishers.
In addition to the main event, the tournament also features the National Youth and School Chess Championships for various age groups, as well as the Philippine National Children Chess Championships for younger participants.
The competition, dubbed as the “Battle of the GMs,” promises exciting chess action and fierce competition as players vie for top honors and valuable prizes. Bersamina’s early lead sets the stage for an intense battle for the championship title in the coming rounds.