Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City emerged as the standard chess champion in the elementary boys division of the National Capital Region Athletic Association at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila on Thursday.
The 8-year old Constante, a top player for the AQ Prime Sports Chess Talents, finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with 6.0 points on account of six wins and one loss to clinch the title.
"I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Metro Manila joined the tournament," said Constante, a grade 3 student of Victory Christian International School in Pasig City.
"I would like to thank AQ Prime CEO and President Atty. Aldwin Alegre , Sir Jose Rafael "Jojo" Legaspi, Victory Christian International School, Pasig City government, coach Franco Camillo and coach Noel dela Cruz for supporting my participation in the NCR Palarong Pambansa elimination and other local chess tournaments," he added.
Constante opened the tournament by posting a string of victories against David Marcus Badillo of Pasay City, Cedrick Pabiana of Manila and David Francis Modesto of Las Pinas before suffering a setback against Caleb Royce Garcia of Taguig-Pateros in the fourth round.
He finished strong by beating Marco Piolo Sanido of Manila, Arena Fide Master Steve Nitafan of Mandaluyong and John Timothy Navarro of Muntinlupa in the last three rounds to secure the championship.
Danry Seth Romualdez of Taguig-Pateros edged his teammate Garcia in the last round to finish tied for 2nd place with his 7th round opponent.
Romualdez and Caleb finished the tournament with identical 5.5 points but the former claimed runner-up honors after the tie break.
Thus, Constante and Romualdez will represent the National Capital Region in the Palarong Pambansa hosted by Agusan del Sur later this year.
The chief arbiter of the NCR meet was Fide Arbiter Hubert Estrella, who was assisted by FA Alberto Dacallos Jr., National Arbiter Israel Landicho and Gerardo Perreras.
Constante is a talent of AQ Prime and his chess career is being managed by AQ Prime CEO and president Aldwin Alegre.
