MULTI-CROWNED chess artist Ellan Asuela scored a perfect 15 points for a sweep and claimed the title during the “Indhie Ana Aguirre Christmas Blitz Chess Championship” held last Saturday.
Asuela bested other contenders like Rommel Ganzon and FM Sander Severino, who settled for 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Ganzon scored 12.5 points while Severino with 11 points.
Also finished fifth to tenth places are Ted Ian Montoyo, Bryle Arellano, GM Joey Antonio, Mayo Fuentebella, NM Alekhine Nouri, NM Edsel Montoya, and Josevito Tapulgo.
On other hand, top lady performers are Janna Remus and Jamelin Ruth Lim as Top 18 and under include Clark Ken Pelione and Kenneth Ballo Allo. Other Top finishers include Top 16 and under - Cyrus Francisco and Neli Vincent Cena; Top 14 and under - FM Mark Jay Bacojo and Michael Inigo; Top 12 and under - Nicole Denise Noble, Jasmine Mijares, and Aliyah Venice Aguilar; and Top 1 and under - Aaron Aton, Aldrin Bernardo and Miel Harson Pabalinas.
The online tournament was organized by Negros Island Professionals Chess Association and sponsored by Antonio Ivan Aguirre and his family.
For Aguirre, this tournament marked a huge milestone for Negrense chess. “Specifically, the tournament run away winner [Ellan] Asuela side swept the strong field of national titled players by a perfect score of 15 wins. This is for a record and he set himself apart from the rest,” he said.
“This proved that the dedication and hard work of our highly talented Negrense players comes to fruit," he added.