DATU IS KING OF DAILY FANTASY CHESS GP LEG 1

International Master Idel Datu topped the first leg of the inaugural Daily Fantasy Chess Grand Prix Sunday night on lichess.org.

Datu opened the 7-round Swiss System event with six straight wins, highlighted by his methodical sixth round victory over Grand Master Darwin Laylo using the black pieces. He settled for a draw against National Master Homer Cunanan to finish with 6.5 points.

Cunanan placed second with 6.0 points followed by Laylo, who defeated Stephen Manzanero, Jr. in the final round, with 5.5 points.

With 48 players joining the field, Datu, Cunanan and Laylo earned 48, 47 and 46 grand prix points, respectively. The top 100 players after 10 legs will play in the grand finals slated on Jan. 11, 2026.

GM-elect Ronald Dableo rebounded from his losses against Datu and Cunanan in rounds 4 and 6 to finish fourth with 5.0 points.

FIDE Masters Noel Dela Cruz and Narquingden Reyes also finished with 5.0 points, along with Mark Gerald Reyes and Eric Mordido. Manzanero and Jake Tumaliuan rounded up the top 10.

The event organized by the Greenfield Chess Club is supported by Daily Fantasy, a sports fantasy app that emphasizes the importance of strategy in every battle.

Registration is free. Participants .only need to sign up with Daily Fantasy and use the code CHESS100.(DAS)