Manila dominates inter-cities chess

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-Manila swept its last three matches to capture the overall championship in the 2010 National Inter-Cities and Municipalities rapid chess team tournament at the People’s Astrodome in Dagupan last Sunday.

Joel Pimentel and Jimsoon Bitoon provided the victories for the La Salle-Manila finish in the last three rounds as it topped the nine-round event with a total of 16 points worth P70,000.

Metro Manila Development Authority-Makati, led by GM Wesley So, and Don Galo-Parañaque City finished joint second with 14 points.

Calamba-GPTex Global-A and Roxas-Palawan tied for fourth to fifth places with 13 points.

Don Galo-Parañaque whipped Samal-Bataan, 3-1; Maritime Chess Club-Lanao, 2.5-1.5; and Calamba-GPTex Global-B, 2.5-1.5, to join MMDA-Makati in second place.

Elorta whipped IM Ronald Bancod of Samal-Bataan and Roger Sarip of Lanao to lead Parañaque’s surprise finish in the 43-team tournament.

Erstwhile frontrunner Roxas-Palawan humbled Binalonan-Pangasinan, 3-1, to tie Calamba-A at fourth.