Kim Yap dominates Loloy Ruelan chess

CEBU, Philippines - IM Kim Steven Yap outsmarted Francisco Abugho in the final round to win the men’s open division of the Marcelo “Loloy” Ruelan Memorial Chess Tournament.

Yap edged out Abugho after 37 moves of their modern Bernoni game. He finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with 6.5 points to take home the P3,000 champion’s purse.

Former non-smoker champion Carlos Moreno III fought to a draw with Yves Fiel but that was all he needed to claim the second place honors with 6.0 points. He pocketed P2,000.

Fiel figured on a four-way tie with Peterson Sia, Yuri Cauba and Mario Mangubat, but got the third place by virtue of a higher tie-break output.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Abugho, Leonardo Alidani, Rommer Asoque and Joel Pacuribot.

Felix Shawn Balbona was the top scorer in the kiddies division, while Airene Robillos and Maria Theresa Letegio bagged the special award in the ladies category.

The one-day event ran by international master Marvin Ruelan and Nestor Costan was sponsored by Atty. Riveral, HLO Drug Testing, William Paler and Rose Pharmacy. – THE FREEMAN