DL Verano wins 2011 District Active Chess Tournament
DDT Hermie de la Paz, RC Marikina

    GM Eugene Torre, Asia’s first Grandmaster, spoke from the heart of his love for the game and his passion for it as he addressed hundreds of promising chess players from Rotary International District 3800 at the Marikina Rotary Youth Center in Marikina. This district-wide chess tournament, hosted by RC Marikina, was held last February 19, 2011, from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. It involved more than 100 participants including Rotarians and their immediate families and Rotaractors and Interactors from RI District 3800. DG Jun Farcon is very proud of this Family of Rotary district project, using chess as a sporting activity, to promote a healthy body and a sound mind for the entire Rotary family. He faced GM Eugenio Torre in the ceremonial first move on the chess board before fellow Rotarians led by LtG Fabi Cadiz, DS Tom Rocamora, DDS Joey Sy, Chair of the District Sports & Fellowship committee and District Chess Chair PP Dante Verano.

    Project Chairman PP Dante Verano envisioned the participation of many talented Rotarian chess players and their families to join this district project, including his own 14-year old son DL, who is a top player from Marist School. The format of this active chess tournament was the Swiss system involving 5 rounds. Ties were broken using the computerized M-Bucholz system. Chief Arbiter NM Rudy Ibanez drafted the tournament rules to ensure a fair and exciting competition. DDT Hermie R. de la Paz assisted PP Dante Verano in the various aspects of the tournament including the participation of Rotarians in the district.

    At the end of the Chessfest, with a perfect score of 5 points, Dante Leonardo “DL” Verano (RC Marikina), emerged as the undefeated champion of this district event winning the grand trophy. Other trophy winners, who scored 4 points include GP Emil Aco (RC Metro Valenzuela), PP Joe Judan (RC Marikina) and PP Bong Tebelin (RC Pasig Sunrise). The rest of the top 10 winners, who scored 3 points and received medals, include PP Mario Bandelaria (RC Pasig Sunrise), Joseph Aco (RC Metro Valenzuela), PP Nanding Paunil (RC Caloocan Silangan), Elwin de Jesus (RC Pasig Sunrise), Hermie de la Paz (RC Marikina) and PE Alfie Dimanlig (RC Pasig Sunrise).

    This tournament also coincided with the 1st RC Marikina Active Chess Tournament for the best chess playing high school and elementary students from both public and private schools in Marikina City. GP Ronie Masangkay is pleased that many talented Marikina student chess players have registered and are given this big opportunity to showcase their skills against their peers in other schools in one of the biggest chess tournament in the city of Marikina. Julius from Parang Elementary School emerged as the undefeated champion of this event winning the grand trophy and cash prize. 1st Runner-up with 4.5 points is Haince de Leon from Marist School. Other trophy winners, who scored 4 points include Jhun Langote (MHS) and Christeo Bermido (NHS). The other top 10 winners received medals and cash. The rest of the players who did not win in the tournament went home with various raffle prizes.