Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Mangubat takes lead in Rose chess; Osorno tops kiddies
MARIO Mangubat took the temporary lead in the top 16 of the Rose Pharmacy Christmas Open Chess Tournament after nine rounds at SM City Cebu last Sunday.
Mangubat emerged on top of the standing on tiebreak after finishing with a tie with 11 others with 6.5 points.
The other players who tallied 6.5 points were International Master (IM) Richard Bitoon, Eden Diano, Johnnel Balquin, Richard Natividad, NM Ernesto Fernandez, Allan Salientes, Merben Roque, NM Elmer Sumngat, Reynaldo Flores, Bonn Tibod and Carlos Moreno III.
The rest of the top 16 players, Voltaire Sevillano, Kim Steven Yap, Erwin Ababat and NM Rogelio Enriquez, scored 6 points each.
Salientes, using Alekhine, won over Miguel Baneban in 47 moves. On the other hand, needed only 38 moves using Sicilian to beat Ferdinand Leysa. Flores also upset NM Arnold Cadiz in 37 moves.
The rest of the pairing in nine rounds ended in a draw.
The top 16 played a two-game knockout match yesterday to determine who will meet at the finals game today.
In the kiddies division, Shawn Patrick Osorno got this year’s title after five rounds also last Sunday. Godfrey Villamor came in second place with 5.0 points after winning in a tie break points, while Marie Cecille Lumapac and Khier Embrado finished third and fourth.
Osorno defeated Godfrey Villamore in a Reti Opening in the final round.
Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and Marq Gabrielle Balbona took the fifth and sixth spots in the division.
In the ladies division, Sherlina Gumampon won the title after five rounds with 4.5 points after a final round draw with Sarah Jane Letegio. Letegio settled for second with 3.5 points and Jessa Balbona finished third spot with 3.0 points.
Ma. Theres Letigio, Kimberly Cuizon and Pauline Irish Cabalda wound up in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively. (NSM)
