Kim Yap rules Labogon chess tourney

CEBU, Philippines - Kim Steven Yap, the youngest Cebuano International Master, fought to a draw with Joel Pacuribot in his final assignment but that was all he needed to clinch the open division title of the Labogon Open and Kiddies Active Chess Tournament over the weekend at the Labogon Barangay Hall in Mandaue City.

The 21-year-old Yap and Pacuribot agreed to a draw after 23 moves of their Sicilian Pelikan game, paving the way for Yap to snatch the championship with a perfect record of 6.0 points.

Francisco Abugho and former non-smoker and Mandaue Open champion Carlos Moreno III also hurdled their seventh and final round matches. Abugho tamed Miguel Banibane, Jr. after 39 moves of a London System while Moreno outsmarted Erwin Ababat after 31 moves using French defense.

They both finished with 5.5 points but Abugho claimed the second place honors by virtue of a superior tiebreak output of 33.0 points applying the Bucholz system. Moreno got only 30.5 points, followed by Pacuribot with 27.0 tiebreak points.

Yap took home P2,000, while Abugho and Moreno pocketed P1,000 and P700, respectively.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Eden Diano (5.0 pts.), Nelman Lagutin (5.0 pts.), Venancio Loyola (4.5 pts.), Ryan Robillos (4.5 pts.), Yves Fiel (4.5 pts.) and Peterson Sia (4.0 pts.).

In the kiddies category, Raymond Abellana also drew his last match with Diego Claro after 34 moves of an English opening and that all what it takes for him to lift the champion’s trophy with 6.5 points.

Kylle Sevillano, who outwitted Feliz Shawn Balbona after 30 moves of their Sicilian game, wound up second with 6.0 points.

Daniel Miñoza, Harold Pones and Balbona were tied with 5.0 points, but Miñoza, who capped his campaign by outlasting Ryan Pacres in 27 moves of a Reti opening, climbed at the third place ladder courtesy of a higher tie-breaker of 31.0 points still enforcing the Bucholz system. Pones came in fourth followed by Balbona.

Aside from a trophy, Abellana went home with additional P1,000 in his pocket, while Sevillano and Miñoza receive P700 and P500.

Sponsored by the Labogon Barangay Council in partnership with Rose Pharmacy, Inc. of chess patron Boogie Lim, the one-day tilt was organized by NM Leonardo Alidane with international arbiter Marvin Ruelan supervising the games.   (FREEMAN NEWS)