GM Bong Villmayor captured the All In Sports Expo chess tournament

GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor, after receiving his trophy, happily posed for photo sessions with other winners then as most people had left the playing venue, he just tucked the precious envelop in his pocket that could barely fit in with a satisfying grin in his face. Like GM Mark Paragua whom he has to share the top purse, is now a P25,000 richer. Not bad for two days work!

Going into the ninth and final round, both GM Villamayor and GM Paragua tied with identical 7.0 points. Not taking any chances, both players came up with dramatic final round victories. Villmayor beat FM David Elorta and Paragua beat GM Joey Antonio but the photo finish show GM Villamayor produced with the most tie break points to emerge as the over all winner of the first ever All-In-Sports Expo Open Rapid Chess tournament held at the PSC Canteen, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, February 27-28. FM David Elorta finished third over all the same score produced by nine other players with 7.0 that also include GM Wesley So and GM Darwin Laylo. But superior tie break points allow Elorta to bag the thrid place trophy.

Round 8 actions on the top boards

GM Bong with young supporters cheering him on


Not so productive a tournament for GM Joey Antonio same as GM Jayson Gonzales.

Not even a chess book helps him to win the tourney :) He said that his mindset is focus on defending the Battle of Grandmaster this March in Dapitan City.

GM John Paul Gomez was also present at the playing venue but not to compete but just to be a spectator

The winners with some of the tournament organizers. Holding trophies, GM Mark Paragua (black polo shirt), GM Buenaventura (long sleeve shirt) and FM David Elorta (red shirt)

And yours truly, Des, with your All In Sports Expo champ in chess, GM Bong.