Makinano rules SRP chessfest

CEBU, Philippines- FIDE Master Anthony Makinano reigned supreme among 100 chess hopefuls after bagging the championship in the Cebu Fest 2011 SRP Chess Open the other day at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Playing via the World Cup two-game match play knockout system, Makinano had to clash against National Master Merben Roque twice before getting the title.

Makinano outsmarted Roque in their first encounter in 58 moves of Gruenfeld defense while their second match ended in a draw, but Makinano was declared the winner via a sudden death game where he edged his foe in 65 moves of a Trompovsky opening.

During the semifinals, Makinano fended off NM Rommel Ganzon using a King's Indian defense and Evan's Gambit.

Roque, on the other hand, won via sudden death game against Richard Natividad.

Natividad won in the first game using a Reti opening while Roque bounced back in the second game via Gruenfeld defense.

Early pacesetter International Master Kim Steven Yap was not able to reach even in the semis as he bowed to NM Rommel Ganzon.

The champion in the open category pocketed P10,000 while the runner-up had P5,000. The semi-finalists received P3,000, the quarterfinalists got P1,000 apiece and the top 16 had P500 each.

The said tournament was organized by the Rose Pharmacy Chess Club and sponsored by the Cebu City Government. (FREEMAN NEWS)