Unstoppable Fil-Am prodigy wins in Las Vegas chess tournament
In the thrilling battle of strategic intelligence, one Fil-Am stands out. Chess prodigy Michael Ocido won the prestigious 2023 Las Vegas International Chess Festival.
With his razor-sharp wit and unparalleled clever finesse, Ocido emerges as a genius in his craft and a true force to be reckoned with, winning in the exciting under-2300 category.
Another force in this chess competition was Isaac Martinez, who also bagged the top honors in the battle. Filipino American Michael Ocido, originating from Victorias City in Negros Occidental, proved his prowess on the stage of the Las Vegas International Chess Festival.
In the overall seven rounds of extensive matches at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Ocido showcased his exceptional intelligence, garnering a remarkable score of 6.5 points.
Image Credit: manilatimes.net/Photo shows (from left) National Master Tony Aguirre, Fide Instructor Dari Castro, and Filipino-American chess champion Michael Ocido.
Triumph and Awards
Ocido and Martinez both won first place, each taking home the prize of $4,500. Their exceptional performances exceeded the youthful challengers and seasoned veterans who competed in the tournament.
Ocido stated, “The opponents I faced were extremely competitive, especially the young ones. But with some luck, my experience still prevailed in the games I played.”
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His journey to triumph was not without challenges. He had competed with strong opponents who pushed his skills to the edge. With unrelenting determination, Ocido faced the game with his aggressive tactics leaving the spectators in awe.
He demonstrated his precision and tactical brilliance. Ocido won against other participants like Ali Mirafzali, Cole Rice, Armen Andranigian, Kevin Fong, and Woman Fide Master Sophie Morris-Suzuki.
In addition, his exceptional skills brought in a draw with Anton Brash, the highly talented chess master who secured the third position.
Furthermore, National Master Toy Aguirre already expressed his belief in Ocido’s potential. In November, he also confirmed his plans to participate in the upcoming National Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ocido’s Next Ventures
Meanwhile, in December, Ocido is looking to compete in the highly-awaited North American Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prominent figures in the chess world have supported Ocido’s chess journey.
According to a Manila Times report, his international chess competitions have been supported by FIDE Instructor Dari Castro, NM Aguirre, and US-based Filipino Grandmaster Richard Bitoon of StarWizard Chess.
Working together, they all honed Ocido’s talent and guided him to several triumphs, such as the 2015 Johor Challengers Championship in Malaysia and the 2018 HD Bank Challengers Championship in Vietnam.
With the chess masters’ help, he also won the 2019 Marshall Chess Club Champion in New York under-2200 category and the 2019 Washington International Championship.
As he continues his journey in chess, all eyes are on this Fil-Am chess genius. Filipinos and the Filipino American community await his successive victories on the global stage. With determination and his mentors’ guidance, Ocido is set to leave a mark on his chosen sport.
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