The 1st Baguio-Benguet Chess Tournament for the visually impaired persons (VIP)successfully concluded last Aug 27, 2022 in La Trinidad, Benguet. It was held at Cowboy Town.
All other games from the start last July 19, 2022 up to the semifinals on Aug 23 were held in Baguio City at the Camdas barangay multi-purpose hall, in coordination with barangay captain Jeanette Liwas Floresca.
Denmark Dulnuan of Tuba was crowned champion, while Tomas Talabis of Baguio was the first runner-up. Roberto Diwag and Jojo Aquino, both of Tuba secured the 2nd and 3rd runner-up, respectively.
The tournament started with separate preliminary games for Baguio, Tuba, and La Trinidad involving 10 players each. Players were paired by draw lots. Winners of each pair advanced to the next round while the losers were eliminated.
The next round was composed of 5 qualifiers each from Baguio, Tuba, and La Trinidad. Another player from La Trinidad was chosen as a wildcard from among the losers. The 16 players were then similarly paired by draw lots. One arbiter was assigned per board to closely monitor the game proceedings. Only the 8 winners proceeded to the quarterfinals.
The semifinals was made up of the 4 quarterfinal winners, from which the eventual champion of the tournament emerged.
Special chess boards, suited for the constant touching of the participants before moving were used.
One of the arbiters explained that a modified system of losers up to the quarterfinal stage being immediately eliminated, was only because this tourney is the first known tournament of its kind in Northern Luzon, and therefore no precedent to follow. He further stated that it is therefore a learning experience.
During the awarding that immediately followed the conclusion of the games, Councilor Arthur Allad-iw of Baguio city was all praises to the participants, and the tournament itself. He particularly thanked the initiator of the tournament, Ms Ruby Gunn (a.k.a. the Blind Gardener) for her inspiring effort and determination to push for the betterment of persons with disabilities. Being the chairman of the committee on employment, livelihood, cooperatives and, PWDs the good councilor emphatically said, “No one should be left out”.
For his part, Mr. Edong Carta, a news anchor of PTV 4-CAR and “Z” Radio, saluted the perseverance of Ms. Gunn and her team, and the courageous participation of the players.
Ms. Ruby Gunn, herself a visually-impaired person, was happy for the participation and cooperation of the VIPs in the tournament. She heaped praises for the Blind Organization of Baguio Choir headed by Mr. Ever Basatan, for their well-received intermission numbers.
“There is a need to uplift the situation of the VIPs. Also, don’t cheat them”, she quipped.
Ms. Donna Gunn, the sister of the Blind Gardener, thanked the 8 arbiters who officiated.They were: James Gomez, Jansen Gomez,Camille Wagang,Jack Revell, Lemuel Chan, Prinz Neo Lacbawan, and Donna Gunn, herself. The writer of this article served as the chief arbiter.
Every tournament day, the Blind Gardener patiently made herself visible in the playing area up to the last moment of the last game being played.
Congressman Eric Yap of Benguet, Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio city, and Mayor Romeo Salda of La Trinidad, are among those who contributed to the prizes of the tournament winners while Ms. Sherilyn G. Pilila provided the beautiful trophies for the champion and the runner-up.
Meantime, the visually impaired persons expressed their gratitude for the organization of this tournament. They are now eagerly awaiting its next edition, and are hoping that concerned government units will take the major role in making it possible. **Dan Padua
