Makinano shines in Bangkok chess

Trying his luck on foreign shores proved rewarding for Cebuano Anthony Makinano as he cruised to a decent finish in the 6th Bangkok Chess Club Open Tournament, which ended last Sunday at the Century Park Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

Makinano, one of Cebu's brilliant chess players today, scored 6.5 points to share the third to sixth sports with IM Chandrashekshar Gokhale of India and FM Saeheng and Wisuwat Theerapabpasist of Thailand.

It was actually an all-Filipino show in the week-long event with Grandmaster Joey Antonio of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro seizing the open crown and Francis William Sagyaman of Baguio City lording it over in the group B section.

Antonio, who topped the event for two straight years in 2003 and 2004, fought to a draw with Thai FMs Banjuab Jiravorasuk in the eight and Boonsueb Saeheng in the final round to win his third Bangkok title.

The enslited personnel of the Philippine Army scored 7.5 points on account of six wins and three draws to claim the champion's purse of US$900 or Php50,000.

Antonio also ruled the blitz side event with an amazing pefect points of 21 out of 21 games.

In the last edition of the annual event organized by the Bangkok Chess Club, Filipino GM Eugene Torre and GM Ian Rogers share top honor. Antonio missed the competition due to conflict of schedule with the HB Global Chess Challenge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

On the other hand, FIDE Master Rico "Kokoy" Salimbagat of Tanauan City, Batangas bounced back after a seventh round loss to Antonio by demolishing Sathit Kasetchol of India and FM Jiravorasuk in the last two rounds to finish at solo second with 7.0 points.

Antonio and Salimbagat's Bangkok trip was backed up by NCFP president Prospero"Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., AFP chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga, Army chief Lt.Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, and BGen. Alfonso Bernarte.

In group B, Sagyaman scored 6.5 points to bag the title.

Among Sagyaman's crucial wins were against Habib Habibur Rahman of Bangladesh, Theo Weijers of The Netherlands, Paulleandru Elauria of the Philippines, Srivatanakul Pricha of Thailand, Stephen Crowdy of England and Norbert Tominski of Germany.