CEBU, Philippines — Rosendo Yamyamin and Rey Flores emerged as the top two winners of the joint April and May edition of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) monthly tournament last Sunday at the Barracks Chess Club in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
The 39-year-old Yamyamin pocketed the P7,000 champion’s purse after finishing the 7-round Swiss system competition with the highest output of 6.5 points
Yamyamin, branch manager of Gopel Finance Corporation based in Ormoc City, outwitted Adonis Acidilla, Stephen Rosales, National Master Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Amado Olea Jr., Rey Flores and Jerish John Velarde before settling for a draw with Peterson Sia in the seventh and final round.
Flores claimed the solo second with 6.0 points. He received P5,000 for his feat.
Aside from the hefty cash prizes courtesy of CEPCA President Engr. Jerry Maratas, Yamyamin and Flores also advanced to the grand finals also known as the ‘Battle of Champions’ this December. They will be joined by early qualifiers Vince dela Torre, Amado Olea, and Rogelio Enriquez Jr.
Meanwhile, Olea and Sia both finished with 5.5 points but Olea, a member of the Philippine Air Force, took the third place honors by virtue of a superior tie-breaker.
Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Jerrish John Velarde, Ruel Nuttal, Filemon Kapuno III, Jerry San Pascual, NM Arnolito Cadiz and Ruel Hortelano. (FREEMAN)