Fiel tops Bogo open chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - Yves Christian Fiel survived a tough battle against Jesus Bitoon in the final round to win the championship in the open category of the Mayor Junie Martinez Fiesta Chess Tournament last Tuesday in Bogo City north of Cebu.

Fiel finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with the highest output of 6.5 points to take home the P4,000 bounty.

Allan Salientes and Bonn Rainuld Tibod ended their respective campaigns with 6.0 points, but Salientes got the P3,000 second prize courtesy of a superior tie-breaker. Tibod received P2,000 for landing at third place.

They both emerged victorious in the last assignments. Salientes upended Shawn Patrick Osorno, while Chris Aldritz Pondoyo, who finished at joint fourth and fifth with Genesis Bentulan.

Completing the top 10 list were Bitoon, Michael Joseph Pagaran, Allan Pason, Steve Ursua, and Marc Dion Alunan. They also posted 5.0 points and went home with P500 each.

In the 16-under secondary division, Charah Eve Cababan emerged as champion, while Princess Ma. Apple Mason and Gerald Michael Sayud occupied the next two spots. The top three in the elementary bracket were Gerreck Matt Caesar Sayud, Merbelle Ochea, and Fidel Masong.

The top 10 among participants from the Fourth District of Cebu were Jesus Bitoon, Michael Tinga, Joel Lim, Elvis Longjas, Robert Calapan, Esmer Ypilan, Diomedes Pacifico, Jerrold James Mata, Jay Lepiten, and Shaira Monsalud. They all got a special prize of P300. — EBV (FREEMAN)