NM Roque wins Voltaire Sevillano rapid chessfest

CEBU, Philippines — National Master Merben Roque scored a crucial win over Jayson Salubre in the ninth and final round to claim the championship of the Voltaire Sevillano Annual FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament over the weekend at the Barracks Chess Club in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

After losing to Anthony Makinano in the eighth round, Roque bounced back with aplomb to down Salubre in his last assignment.

That was all Roque needed to nail the title with the highest output of 8.0 points. He pocketed P5,000 for his efforts.

Makinano, on the other hand, figured in a triple tie with Bryle Arellano and NM Edsel Montoya with similar 7.5 points but Makinano settled for the second place honors by virtue of a higher tie-breaker.

Makinano received P3,000, while Arellano and Montoya got P2,000 and P1,000 for winding up third and fourth, respectively.

Rounding up the top 11 finishers with 7.0 points each were Isagani Luna, NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Jayson Salubre, Jerish John Velarde, Raymond Abellana, Allan Salientes, and Allan Pason. (FREEMAN)