Severino, Enriquez rule Aznar chess tourney

CEBU, Philippines - FIDE Master Sander Severino and NM Rogelio Enriquez shared the first place honors in the 1st Bombi Aznar Memorial Open Chess Tournament the other day at the E-Mall Activity Center.

Severino and Enriquez were tied at first place with identical 8.0 points. The 26-year old Severino from Bacolod City is a person with disability as he plays sitting in a wheelchair.

Both chess masters went home with P15,000 apiece as they added the first and second prize money and divided it among themselves.

Johnnel Balquin of Misamis Oriental and IM Barlo Nadera were tied on the second spot with 7.5 points. They pocketed P4,000 each.

Cebu’s Kim Yap occupied the third place while Richard Abangan, Rhobel Legaspi of Antique, Melvin Merelos, King James Torres, Bernardo Ruelo Jr. and Rommel Asoque occupied the fourth to ninth places respectively, with seven points each.

The top lady player was Eden Tumbos of Bacolod City while the top kiddies player was Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano. They both scored six points in nine games and received P500 each.

The tournament is staged in honor of the late National Chess 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. – THE FREEMAN