CEBU, Philippines - FIDE Master Sander Severino of Bacolod City snatched the lead after six rounds of action in the 1st Bombi Aznar Memorial Open Chess Tournament at the E- Mall Activity Center.
Severino fought to a draw with Johnnel Balquin of Misamis Oriental to accumulate 5.5 points so far.
Balquin is currently at second place followed by IM Kim Steven Yap, NM Merben Roque and Venancio Loyola.
Running sixth to 10th are NM Rogelio Enriquez, Rhobel Legaspi, Ernesto Marquez, Harold Diano and Richard Abangan.
The champion will take home P20,000. The second placer will receive P10,000, while the third and fourth will get P5,000 and P3,000, respectively.
The tournament is staged in honor of the late National Master and Cebu Sports Hall of Famer Engr. Matias “Bombi” B. Aznar III.
It is organized by Rose Pharmacy Chess Club and supported by Southwest Finance Corp., Lapu-Lapu Rural Bank, Inc. and Rural Bank of Matag-ob (Leyte), Inc. (FREEMAN)