GM Sevillano tops Pyroworks chessfest

CEBU, Philippines — The top seeds led by the US-based Cebuano Grandmaster Enrico 'Ikong' Sevillano emerged as the biggest winners in the Pyroworks Sinulog Open Handicapping Chess Tournament over the weekend at Basement 2 of Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Sevillano battled to a draw with International Master Kim Steven Yap in the final round but that's no problem as he still pocketed the P10,000 champion's purse with the highest output of 6.5 points in the 7-round Swiss system competition bankrolled by longtime chess patron Boojie Lim in association with the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) where Lim is an honorary member.

Yap figured in a three-way tie with Rommel Ganzon and National Master Merben Roque on identical 6.0 points, but Ganzon took the second place honors courtesy of a superior tiebreaker applying the Bucholz system. Yap finished third followed by Roque.

Finishing at joint fourth to sixth spots were Jethro Esplanada, Ronald Ganzon, and Kaypee Cale with 5.5 points each.

Rounding up the top 14 were Diego Abraham Caparino, Rafael Sim, Bryle John Arellano, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, Antonio Cabibil, Remegio Galenzoga and Leo Cortes with 5.0 points.— EBV