FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz emerged as champion of the Hybreed-Founder's Cup Rapid Chess Tournament-Open Division at the 2nd Level Unimart Capitol Commons, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City last Friday, August 21, 2026.
Daluz finished the 8-round Swiss system competition with a 7.5 points on account of seven wins and one draw to clinch the title and the P12,000 cash prize.
He defeated Efren Hernandez in the first round, Jude Ulanday (2nd round), National Master Al -Basher Buto (3rd round), Woman National Master Jerlyn Mae San Diego (4th round), Emmanuel Barbosa (5th round), National Master Jasper Faeldonia (6th round), Roderenz Adra (7th round) and split the points with Chester Neil Reyes (8th round).
" I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Pasig City and Metro Manila as well those from nearby provinces joined the tournament," said the Sorsogon native Daluz, one of the top players of the multi-titled University of Santo Tomas chess team under the guidance of coaches Grandmaster candidate Ronald Dableo and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo.
Roderenz Adra, Arena International Master Cyrus Vladimir Francisco and Chester Neil Reyes finished the tournament with 6.5 points; Adrian Joy Singson, Stephen Zane Quinto, FIDE Master Leonardo Carlos,FIDE Master Randy Segarra, Joseph Lawrence Rivera, Arena International Master Francis Talaboc, International Master Barlo Nadera, Arena Grandmaster Lo Aristotle Nikolai Calica, Arena Grandmaster Allie Jean Ong and National Master Gerardo Cabellon ( top senior) scored 6.0 points while Ranier Santi Nino Gafate,Timothy John So Kua, Mark Gerald Reyes and National Master Karlycris Clarito Jr. have identical 5.5 points.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence , self-worth and camaraderie," Hybreed Philippines Founder and Tournament Organizer Mark Fernan Galban Donguines said.
Meanwhile, John Randall Peralta (Elementary Division) and Arnel Luna Mahawan Jr.( High School Division) topped their respective divisions. (Marlon Bernardino)
In photo: National Master Gerardo Cabellon won the top senior award.
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