Top seeds start hot in Ouano chess tilt

The 1st Mayor Ouano National Chess Championship started yesterday with top seeds taking different routes in their respective matches at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The three-day event, from March 24-26, 2006, is in preparation of the 37th Chess Olympiad that will be held on May 19 to June 05 in Turin, Italy.

The first round of the game saw Anthony Makinao winning with a Queen's Pawn opening against Ricardo Ocoy, Miguel Banibane Jr. over Jessa Balbona with a Reti opening, Jobannie Tabada with a Sicilian Defense over Mandy Barta, Erwin Ababat over Emmanuel Armaco Sr., with a French Defense.

Pedroza Ramsy with his Sicilian Defense over Harold Diano and Tony Cabibil over Carlito Flores with a French Defense.

The seven-round event was participated in by 70 participants from Central Visayas. It is open to all citizens, except for those who have titles already.

The winners of the competition include P7,000 and a trophy for the first placer, P5,000 and a trophy for the second placer, P3,000 and a trophy for the third placer, P2,000 for the fourth, P1,500 for the fifth and P1,000 for the remaining sixth to tenth placers.

The top 10 will be sent to Manila representing Region VII, for the national selection scheduled on April 6-9, 2006. The top six will join the RP Team for the Chess Olympiad.

Willie Abalos, one of the Board of Directors of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) was the chief arbiter and the organizer of the 1st Mayor Ouano National Chess Championship and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano sponsored the event.

The game will resume today at 9:00 am. - Marigold P. Lebumfacil