Asuela, Lavega bag top prize in Negros Closed Chess tourney

AFTER nine rounds of Swiss System in the Negros Closed Championship 2nd edition, Carlito Lavega and Ellan Asuela posted 6.5 points each and emerged champion among the selected 20 woodpushers who were invited to the tourney.

Part of the tournament rules stipulated that, in case two players will tie, the 4 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move will be played right after the last round. After the exciting blitz tie break, Asuela prevailed and snatched the 2nd Edition Prestige Glass Trophy, gold chess medal, P2,000.00 cash prize and international chess tournament sponsorship.

Second placer NM Carlito Lavega took home the Prestige Glass Trophy, gold chess medal, P1,500.00 cash prize and international chess tournament sponsorship.

Antonio Ivan Aguirre, Hugo Villanueva and the First Community Bank, Inc. President Lawrence Villanueva will grant the sponsorship package worth P100,000.00 for the trip of the team.

Danny Mangao placed 3rd, tournament leader FIDE Master Sander Severino settled for 4th while IM Joel Pimentel landed 5th.

The 20 players were given cash incentives after the tournament.

Lawrence gave out an extra P2,000.00 cash to Asuela as bonus prize.

Aguirre stressed that the participants of the second edition are all winners for displaying the fighting spirit from the first round until the last round.

Lawrence added that, with his brother Los Angeles-based brother Hugo Villanueva, he is continuing his support for chess.

Meanwhile, after the tournament, Asuela and Lavega will prepare for three months for their international campaign on April 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 5-day chess tournament was managed by PAWNSTORM Chess Events in cooperation with the Negros Integrated Chess Association. (PR)