CEBU, Philippines – Lemuel Montero became the fourth grand finalist after topping Week 4 of the 1st Braastad Chess Tournament at the Magellan Landing Bar and Restaurant near Marina Mall in Lapu-Lapu City.
Montero was actually tied with Alberto Acado as they both finished the 5-round Swiss system competition with 4.0 points, but Montero took home the P1,000 prize and a bottle of Braastad Cognac X.O. by virtue of winner-over-the-other rule.
Montero beat Jonathan Canque in the final round, while Acado edged out Bonjoe Lanorias.
Montero, thus, joined Aldwin Daculan, Michael Infante and Adrian Dotusme into the final set on December 7 at the same venue.
The grand champion will receive P8,000 and one bottle of Braastad X.O Cognac worth P18,000. The second to fourth will take home P3,000, P2,000, and P1,000, respec-tively plus one bottle of cognac worth P5,600 each.
The fifth to sixth will pocket P1,000 each, while the seventh to eighth will receive P500 apiece.
The next weekly qualifying is scheduled on November 9. For reservations and further information, interested parties may keep in touch with Excel Canque at 0923-3305581 or international artiber Marvin Ruelan at 0926-7352951. (FREEMAN)