Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Retanal bags chess crown By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
NATIONAL Master (NM) Elwin Retanal of Malita, Davao del Sur earned 6.5 points to emerge champion at the close of the 2007 Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte Kadayawan Open Chess Tournament at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Sunday.
Retanal bested 6.0 scorers Elias Banguiran, Jake Gonzales, Gerald Cavan and Cedric Magno who placed second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively, for the P5,000 cash prize and champion's trophy.
Banguiran, Gonzales, Cavan and Magno received medals. They will also receive their checks anytime next week as the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) is still processing their vouchers.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto awarded the trophy and medals after the final and seventh round of the Swiss System format chessfest.
Ricardo Arce, Vincent Umayan and Leo Ortiz tallied 5.5 points to take the next three spots while Dharim Bacus and NM Alex Lupian led other 11 5.0 scorers, including Boris Michael Diez, NM Levi Mercado, age-group player Jester Andoy, General Santos' Sheider Nebato and University of Mindanao's Adrian Dimakiling.
NM Prospero "Bebot" Cruz was upset by a teener in the endgame of their seventh round match. He placed 32nd with four points along with multi-titled Henry Fajardo.
Lady chesser Ma. Fe Serrano was at No. 5 in the male-dominated tournament that attracted over 120 players.
The elementary and high school divisions will be played on September 1 and 2 at the Gaisano Mall.
Registration is ongoing at the SDD-CMO office, City Hall, or contact telephone number (082) 227-8074.
