MURCIA-NATIVE Rommel Agravante gathered 5.5 points out of 6 rounds to edge Bacolod woodpushers Eric Abanco of Mansilingan and Gary Baltar of Pahanocoy to win the title in the recently-concluded 10th Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2020 hosted by Barangay Bata Chess Club.
Eventual 2nd Placer Abanco had an identical finish to the top finisher but lost to Agravante by half a point in tie-break, while Baltar (5.0/6 pts, BH 22.5 pts) settled for 3rd Place.
Rounding up the top 10 finishers: Spencer De Guzman (5.0/6, BH 20.0), Kenneth Ballo-Allo (4.5/6, BH 20.5), Jethro Jimenez (4.5/6, BH 19.0), Remegio Ditchon (4.0/6, BH 21.5), Ambol Saipuding (4.0/6, BH 21.0), Modesvito Acero (4.0/6, BH 20.5), and Clark Ken Pelione (4.0/6, BH 19.0).
The winners received cash prizes, trophies, and medals.
The rapid chess event gathered 50 chess players with a rating of 2000 and under from around the city and the province of Negros Occidental, including youngest participants Noriel Nabor from La Carlota City and oldest player Lorenzo Falcis from Villamonte.
Present during the opening ceremony were Kagawad Roderick Gregas, Hon. Rodolfo Toledo, Hon. Joseph Delos Santos, Hon. Angelito Abaring, and Councilor Atty. Archie Baribar.
The one-day rapid chess is supported by the Barangay Council of Bata headed by punong barangay Abaring, Atty. Hermilio Pao-yon, and organized by BBCC president Philip Caudilla.