STAR scribe rules Artists’ chess tilt

Joey Villar of The STAR topped the 22nd Philippine Artists chess tournament, beating Elmer Sangalang and Ervin Perlas for the title at the Heritage House Quezon City over the weekend.

Villar, a former standout of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines chess team, scored 6.5 points in eight rounds to claim the title and the elegant trophy by award-winning sculptor Gabby Barredo.
Sangalang and Perlas wound up with identical 5.5 points as they finished second and third, respectively.

After losing in the sixth and seventh rounds, Villar bounced back with a crucial win over Muslim affairs expert Wowell Ozorio in the final round for the victory. Rounding up the top 10 were 1999 winner Ricardo Alvarado, Willy San Juan, Rogelio Pasion, Ed Crosco, Benjo Laygo and Wowell Ozorio. The event was organized by Odette Alcantara and Nestor Mata with GM Buenaventura Villamayor as tournament arbiter.