CEBU, Philippines - National Master Rogelio Enriquez and Percival Fiel shared the top honors in the May edition of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association monthly qualifying tournament over the weekend at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
Enriquez, the defending grand champion of the club, topped Group A with 7.5 points. He was actually tied with Yves Christian Fiel, but snared the top honors by virtue of a simple tie.
Rosendo Yamyamin settled for third with 6.0 points. Still, he advanced to the grand finals since Enriquez is already a qualifier together with Amado Olea, Jojo Moralla and Peterson Sia.
In Group B, Percival Fiel and incumbent CEPCA President Engr. Jerry Maratas both finished the 5- round Swiss system competition with 4.5 points but Fiel took the first place honors courtesy of a superior tie-breaker.
Fiel thus joined Bong San Pascual, Romy Pialan, Ruel Hortelano, and Maratas in the club's year-ending battle billed as "Battle of Champions" this December.
Rounding up the top six with 4.0 points each were Aireen Robillos, Manny Abucay, Richard Ouano, and KC Morala.
Meanwhile, the 4th VMA Power Open Chess Tournament gets underway today also at Robinsons Galleria.
The two-day tilt bankrolled by CEPCA Vice President Engr. Marvyne Guardiana dangles P25,000 in cash bounty to the top performers, with the champion pocketing P7,000. The second to fifth will earn P5,000, P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively. The sixth to 10th will have P500 each, while the 11th to 15th will go home with P300.
On the other hand, the top three lady and kiddie players will receive a uniform prize of P1,000, P600 and P400.
Registration fee is pegged at P100 for the kiddies and ladies and P250 for the open.
For further details, interested parties may contact FIDE Arbiter Marvin Y. Ruelan at 0926-7352951 or 0932-7152411. (FREEMAN)