MERBEN Roque played a cut above the rest to rule the 2nd Glicerio “Asing” Badilles Memorial Chess Tournament at the Gaisano Town Center in Moalboal, Cebu last Sunday, May 5.

Roque scored 6.0 points in the seven-round tournament to bag the open division crown, outlasting top contenders Joselito Loquez and Allan Salientes.

Loquez finished with 5.5 points for second place, while Salientes collected 5.0 points to round up the top three.

Arnel Montayre and Andre Cardosa scored 5.0 points and 4.5 points to take fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Jerry Badilles took a share of the spotlight after winning the Category B crown. Badilles finished the two-day tournament with 5.5 points.

Ninovic Cantila and Vivencio Delgado each had 5.0 points to finish as runners-up in the category B.

Ricarte Gamao and Lewelyn Dingcong finished with 4.5 points each to complete the Top 5 in the category B.

The sporting event also featured Cebu’s young chess wizards in the kiddie category.

Reduard Contaoi edged out Don Chloe Tigley in a tie-breaker for the kiddie crown. Both players scored 5.0 points in the regular rounds.

Carlo Gutang, John Stanly and Abegail Montayre occupied the third to fifth spots with identical 4.5 points. (RSC)