IM Kim Steven Yap rules chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - International Master Kim Steven Yap reigned supreme in the Cebu City Chess Classic 2011 at Elizabeth Mall.

Yap claimed the title and earned P25 thousand as cash prize after overpowering erstwhile leader Eden Diano in the final round.

Diano was undefeated after six rounds only to be heart-broken when Yap saved the best for last to win against Diano.

Yap got a total of 6.5 points after seven rounds.

The tournament rule has it that all players with the same number of points after the final round should split the cash prize equally.

 With the victory, Yap emerged as the most dominant Cebuano player having won the two other big tournaments here, the 2nd Aznar Memorial Cup and the Cebu Masters.

The second to sixth placers were Richard Natividad, Danny Mangao, Eden Diano, Allan Pason and Allan Salientes.

The second to sixth placers actually had six points each and their rankings were determined through the Buccholz tie-break points.

The seventh to 12th placers, on the other hand, were Jimson Bitoon, Michael Silvederio, Joel Fernan, Lanao’s Ben Polao, Rogelio Enriquez, Joseph Caballes while the 13th to 20th placers were Alfer Fernandez, Marvin Ting, Aller Somosot, Carlos Moreno III, Bonn Tibod, Marc Alunan, Sherwin Cabrera, Guillermo Torres, Ricky Raganot, Jack Renet from Netherlands, Siloy Junry and Patrick Miñoza.

In the senior’s citizen’s action, Miguel Banibane topped their class with five points over Carlito Santos as Dennis Gonzales wound up third.

Shaun Balbona and Jethro Dorog shared the top spot of the kiddie class after posting five points each.

For the distaff side, the top three finishers were Cecile Lumapac, Jessa Balbona, and Shaira Monsalu. (FREEMAN)