Sia, five others pace Pichay Sinulog chess tournament

Peterson Sia and five others kept their unbeaten records intact to share the temporary lead after three rounds in the cash-rich Congressman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Sinulog Open Chess Championships yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.

Despite the early assault of the out-of-towners, Cebu's hometown heroes showed they are also in fighting mood as they crowded the top 20 ladder in the second of the four-day tournament that offers close to P200,000 in cash prizes.

Sia claimed Edmund Gatus as his latest victim to figure in a six-way logjam atop the leaderboard along with NM Mirabeau Maga, NM Levi Mercado, Ravel Canlas, NM Emmanuel Senador and IM Chito Garma with a perfect 3.0 points apiece.

Maga toppled Ferdinand Leysa, Mercado subdued Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Canlas triumphed over Elias Lao Jr., Senador bested Cebuano Eden Diano and Garma outpointed Christopher Castellano.

Former non-smoker champion and two-time Mandaue Open title-holder Carlos Moreno III is the best performing Cebuano entry, so far, at seventh place with 2.5 points. He fought to a draw with IM Barlo Nadera in his previous match.

Other Cebuano bets who posted 2.5 points were Rex Androe Cabuncal, Kim Steven Yap, Mark Mangubat, Mario Mangubat, and Rhobel Legaspi.

Also with 2.5 points each include NM Wilfredo Neri, NM Efren Magamasbad, NM Rustum Tolentino, Dr. Jenny Mayor, IM Ronald Bancod, and IM Barlo Nadera.

Cebuano IM Richard Bitoon bounced back from a second round defeat by dispatching Leo Cortes to move into the 22nd spot with 2.0 points.

Sponsored by Surigao Rep. Butch Pichay in partnership with Rose Pharmacy Inc., the champion in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-sanctioned event will take home a P50,000 paycheck, while the second and third will go home P30,000 and P20,000 richer, respectively.

The fourth will receive P10,000, while the fifth to 10th placers will get P5,000 each. Those who will occupy the 11th to 20th spots stand to receive P3,000 apiece.

The top three ladies and kiddies categories, on the other hand, will grab P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000.