Natividad dominates Rose Pharmacy chess

CEBU, Philippines -  Richard Natividad completed his unbeaten run with a victory over Francisco Abugho to rule the Rose Pharmacy Open Chess Tournament at the Colonnade Chess Club.

Natividad beat Abugho after 43 moves of a Queen's Gambit to post 6.5 points that went along with a cash prize of P7,000.

Merben Roque and Kim Steven Yap also hurdled their final assignments in the 7-round Swiss system competition.

Roque outsmarted Felix Shaun Balbona in just 29 moves of their Sicilian Dragon game, while Yap tamed Carlos Moreno III after 34 moves of their Fruenfeld match.

They both finished with 6.0 points, but Roque took the second place prize of P5,000 by virtue of a superior tie-break output. Yap pocketed P3,000 for winding up third.

Abugho placed fourth followed by Nic Cuizon. Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Voltaire Sevilla, Jessa Balbona,Alfer Fernandez, Felix Shaun Balbona, and Arnold Cadiz. They received P500 each.

The two-day tilt sponsored by Rose Pharmacy Inc. was supervised by international arbiter Marvin Ruelan and Tony Cabibil.

After the open event comes the Rose Pharmacy Post Christmas Tournament for both men and women pawnpushers at the Deep Blue Chess Club located at the second level of SM City-Cebu.

The men's action will be on December 26 while the women's play will be staged the following day.

Registration fee is pegged at P50. For more details, one may contact Marvin Ruelan at 0926-7352951.