In photo, Laylo (center) receives his certificate from National Chess Federation of the Philippines Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales. Playing black in the last round, Laylo split the point with erstwhile co-leader IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia to clinch the title in the 7-round tournament.

Laylo collected a total score of 5.5 points. He bagged the gold medal by virtue of higher tie break points against fellow 5.5 pointers including runner-up Garcia, third placer IM Rolando Nolte of Quezon City and fourth placer FM Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City.

"Memorable at magandang pa birthday sa akin ang pagkapanalo ko dito sa POC-PSC National Games Open Chess," (This victory is a memorable and nice birthday gift for me) said Laylo, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Friday.

A veteran member in the World Chess Olympiad and World Cup, Laylo is also member of the Philippine Team which captured the silver medal in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

In the women's division, WNM Jedara Docena of Bohol trounced erstwhile co-leader WNM Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City in the final round to win the gold medal with 6 points.WIM Catherine Perena of Caloocan City nipped two-time National Women's Open Champion WFM Rulp Ylem Jose of Makati City to notch 5.5 points for the silver medal. Frayna, remained at 5.0 points for the bronze medal. -Marlon Bernardino-


(Men's)

5.5 points---GM Darwin Laylo (Marikina), IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (Manila), IM Rolando Nolte (Quezon City), FM Paulo Bersamina (Pasay City)

5.0 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Calapan, Oriental Mindoro), Michael Joseph Pagaran (Bohol), GM Eugene Torre (Quezon City), Lennon Heart Salgados (Cagayan de Oro City), NM Joey Albert Florendo (Zamboanga City), Ted Ian Montoyo (Bacolod City)

(Women's)

6.0 points---WNM Jedara Docena (Bohol)

5.5 points---WIM Catherine Perena (Caloocan City)

5.0 points---WNM Janelle Mae Frayna (Legaspi City)

4.5 points---WFM Rulp Ylem Jose (Makati City), Angelina Mortos (Caloocan City)

4.0 points---Eden Tumbos (Bacolod City)