TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (Sept. 25, 2023) — National Master Henry Roger Lopez topped the JMN Internet Installation Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament here yesterday.
Lopez, a member of the Philippine National Paralympic Chess Team, garnered 4.5 points in five rounds to win a P4,000 cash prize and a trophy. Grand Master Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. had the same 4.5 points but was relegated to second place after Lopez beat the GM in a tie-break. Antonio went home with P4,000.
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Tarlac and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament,” the 42-year-old Lopez said after ruling the tournament.
The wheelchair-bound chess wiz defeated Teresa Bilog of Valenzuela City, Judylito Ulanday of Sual, Pangasinan, Val Sangalang of Tarlac City, and Carl Zirex Sato of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, before he split the point in his final round match with National Master Rolly Parondo Jr. of Oton, Iloilo.
NM Rolly Parondo Jr., Val Sangalang, Jhulo Goloran, and Vince Angelo Medina all finished with 4.0 points while NM Marlon Bernardino Jr., NM Ronald Llavanes, NM James Infiesto, and Menandro Redor had 3.5 points.
