MANILA, March 11 -- International Master (IM) Michael Concio Jr. won the open division of the 1st Marinduque National Chess Championship at the Marinduque Convention Center in Boac on Sunday.

Concio tallied 6.5 points to claim the PHP50,000 champion's purse and a trophy in the seven-round Swiss system tournament.

"I wish that my luck would remain the same in my next tournament," the 18-year-old Information Systems freshman at Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmarinas in Cavite province said in a news release Monday.

Concio defeated Francis Ligon of Manila in the first round, Ernie Fetisan Faeldonia of Odiongan, Romblon (2nd), NM Edmundo Gatus of Manila (3rd), NM Emmanuel Emperado of Manila (4th), IM Ronald Dableo of Manila (6th) and townmate I...