Sevillano, Lumapac win in CEPCA chess

Kyle Sevillano and Christian Lumapac shared the spotlight in the year's maiden offering of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA)-sponsored monthly tournament at the Bibo Chess Club. Sevillano fought to a draw with Felix Shaun Balbona in the final round, but it was enough for him to clinch the kiddies division title, while Lumapac bested the multi-titled Yves Fiel to lord it over in the juniors category.

Sevillano finished the 7-round Swiss system tournament undefeated with 6.5 points followed by Marq Balbona with 6.0 points.

Felix Shaun Balbona landed at third place with 5.5 points, while John Francis Balbona, Argie Lumapac and Godfrey Villamor equally shared the fourth to sixth spots.

In the juniors bracket, Christian Lumapac actually ended up with 4.0 points in a tie with his victim Yves Fiel, but bagged the championship by virtue of winner-over-the-other rule.

Jessa Balbona and Ma. Theresa Letegio were tied at 3.5 points, but Balbona took home the third place honors via superior tie-break output. It's a busy weekend for Cebu chess enthusiasts with the staging of the Benjie Nodado Tan Open Active Chess Tournament at 1 pm on January 13-14 still at the Bibo Chess Club.

The champion will receive P2,000, while the second and third placers will pocket P1,000 and P750, respectively.

The fourth will get P500, while the fifth to seventh finishers will take home P250 each.

The competition is open to all interested players. Registration fee is pegged at P100 per entry.