Olar cops chess title via tiebreak

Sixth seed Claudio Olar Jr. agreed to split the point with Niño Datu in the fifth and final round and ruled via tiebreak the MCC kiddies (16-under) standard chess tournament held over the weekend at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.

The 13-year-old Olar of Quirino High School, who garnered a total output of 4.0 points with three wins and two draws, actually tied for first-second places with six-year-old Stephen Pangilinan of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. However, due to better tiebreak quotient Olar claimed his second MCC kiddie title and won P3,000.

The chess whiz Pangilinan who caught up on top with his victory over last month champion Alcon Paul Datu slid to second place and took the P1,500 cash prize.

Due to his loss, Datu dropped to a share of third spot with 3.5 points along with Niño. Rounding up the top 10 winners were: Carmella Galve (5th); Bianca Marie Datu (6th); Gino Cabual (7th); Paul Manila (8th); Prince Alejado (9th); and Joel Ian Ea (10th). Also adjudged best performers were Pangilinan and Bianca Marie in 8- and 12-under agegroup, respectively.

In the Open category, National Master Noel dela Cruz who halved the point in the final round with nonmaster Garry Garcia bagged the title with 4.5 points after five rounds of play. He also went home richer by P3,000. In solo second spot with 4.0 points was youthful fellow master Alcon John Datu.

Next MCC events resume next year starting on January 3 & 4 with an Executive one-day event and Open standard tourney. For details call 826 8560, 994-5199 or 0916-852-1069.