Fernan dominates Ouano Cup chess: Joins 12 other qualifiers to Manila semifinals

Banking on his solid English opening, Joel Fernan subdued top-seed Anthony Makinano after 80 moves to rule the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Central Visayas qualifying round dubbed as "Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano Chess Championship" last Sunday at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The regional chess championship is just the first of a rigorous three-phase selection process that will determine the country's representatives to the forthcoming 37th World Chess Olympiad set from May 19 to June 5 in Turin, Italy.

After the three-day tilt, Fernan and 12 others earned a ticket to the semifinal round in Manila where they will be challenged by the other regional qualifiers and seeded players that include national and international masters and FIDE masters.

Joining Fernan in Manila are Sun.Star sports editor Jobannie Tabada, Eden Diano, Joel Pacuribot, William Retanal Jr.Kim Steven Yap, Rommel Asoque, Makinano, Miguel Banibane Jr., Odilon Badilles, Jason Bermudo, Marc Dion Alunan and Rene Casia.

Fernan actually figured in a three-way tie with Tabada and Diano on identical 6.0 points, but bagged the first place honors due to a superior tie-break out of 33.5 points using the Bucholz system.

Tabada and Diano, who were both victorious in the final round over Rommel Asoque and Jason Bermudo, respectively, finished second and third in the three-day chessfest backed up by the Mandaue City Sports and Development Commission.

Pacuribot, Retanal, and Yap posted similar 5.5 points to occupy the fourth to six slots. Pacuribot ended his campaign by crushing Boon Rainauld Tibod, while Retanal and Yap downed Voltaire Sevillano and Rodrigo Alejandre.

Entangled in a seven-way logjam with 5.0 points each were Asoque, Makinano, Banibane, Badilles, Bermudo, Alunan and Casia.

Banibane emerged victorious over Francisco Abugho after 40 moves using Slav opening, Badilles beat Tony Cabibil in 67 moves courtesy of a Caro-Kann defense, while Casia tamed Alier Somosot in just 20 moves, also with a reliable Caro-Kann game.

The comebacking Marc Alunan, who once served as vice president of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) then headed by Vic Legaspina who is now in the US, capped his campaign in sterling fashion, whipping Jenesis Apog in 32 moves of their Nimzo-Indian game.

Of the 13 qualifiers out of a field of 79 entries, only Makinano,Aledandre, Bermudo and Asoque did not win their final matches.