Kenneth Baltazar shines in 2013 Philippine National Games; scores back to back victory against IM Rolando Nolte and GM Darwin Laylo; held IM Oliver Dimakiling to a draw in the Standard event!

Kenneth Baltazar beats GM Darwin Laylo and IM Rolando Nolte at 2013 Philippine National Games.

Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar, incoming 4th year High School student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran defeated IM Rolando Nolte in the 1st round, then shocks GM Darwin Laylo in the 2nd round to share the lead with four other grandmaster at the start of the 2013 Philippine National Games Blitz Chess Championships held in Polytechnic University of the Philippines,Sta Mesa Manila. Kenneth opted to play in the Mens Division(age 21-above) instead of the Junior Division (16-20 years old). It was the first victory of Kenneth against a Grand Master and an International Master. A total of 84 players including 6 grandmaster are enter in the tournament organized by the POC and PSC.

In the Blitz Chess Events; IM Oliver Dimakiling grabbed the gold medal on tie breaks . GM Rogelio Antonio defeated solo leader GM Mark Paragua in the final round to create a four way tie for first, however Dimakiling emrged first with Paragua finishing second and Antonio third; Alcon John Datu of San Beda College also with 6 points finished fourth. Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar ends up in 26th with 4 points. Kenneth loss to GM Richard Bitoon in the third round and to NM Alcon John Datu in the fifth round. He won against GM Darwin Laylo, IM Rolando Nolte, Erickson Marimla and Jan Francis Mirano

15-year old Kenneth Baltazar shakes hand with Olympian GM Darwin Laylo .

Round 1 battle between Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar with another Olympian IM Rolando Nolte 

It's GM Richard Bitoon turn to stopped the winning streak of Kenneth against  the  Philippine  National team

Kenneth against  National Junior champ NM Alcon John Datu of San Beda Collge.

GM Antonio,FM Haridas Pascua hands Kenneth back to back losses in 2013 Rapid Chess Events
GM Rogelio Antonio won the 2013 Philippine National Games rapid chess events scoring six win out of seven games. The many times Philippine national champion won against Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar; IM Richielou Salcedo III; FM Haridas Pascua and Ivan Gil Biag of Cavite and draw against NM Ronald Llavanes of Philippine Air Force and IM Ronald Dableo, coach of the UAAP champion team UST. 
Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar finished 21st over all scoring 4.5 in 7 games. Baltazar won against Nigel Penero , Ericson Marimla,Jeffrey Ravago and Antonio Almodal.Kenneth loss to GM Rogelio Antonio in the 2nd round and to FM Haridas Pascua in the 5th round and drew with Eden Diano(2389) in the 7th round.