CEBU, Philippines - International Master Oliver Dimakiling prevailed over fellow IM Emmanuel Senador in a clash of undefeated players to grab the solo lead after five rounds of action in the cash-rich Engr. Blass Hipulan and Deep Blue Open Chess Tournament yesterday at the Deep Blue Cafe located at the second level of SM City-Cebu.
Dimakiling lived up to his lofty billing as the topseed of the three-day tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) after posting a perfect 5.0 points, so far.
Five other top-rated entries led by FIDE Master Sander Severino also stayed unbeaten with 4.5 points together with Voltaire Sevillano, his nephew Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, Rommel Ganzon and Felix Shaun Balbona.
Severino fought to a draw with Ganzon, Voltaire and Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano subdued NM Macacuna Macala and Cyril Ortega, while Balbona tamed Anthony Makinano.
Despite his loss to Dimakiling, Senador is still in the hunt for the P40,00 grand prize with 4.0 points in the company of FM Victor Bruce Lluch, Richard Natividad, Carlos Moreno III, Lemuel Montero, NM Rustum Tolentino, IM Chito Garma, Edcel Montoya, NM Nelson Villanueva, Rogelio Enriquez, Jr., Glicerio Pardillo, Jr. and NM Merben Roque.
Curiously, Cebuano Grandmaster Richard Bitoon is currenly ranked No. 29th among 121 participants with 3.0 points.
The 9-round Swiss system competition, by far the biggest and grandest to hit the Queen City of the South in recent years with one GM, three IMs, two FIDE Masters and at least seven NMs in attendance, dangles over P100,000 in cash prize to the top performers.
The champion will pocket a whopping P40,000 paycheck, while the second and third placers will take home P20,000 and P10,000. The fourth to sixth will receive P7,000, P5,000 and P3,000, while the seventh to 10th will each get P2,000. The 11th to 15th will claim P1,000, while those who will complete the top 20 cast will get a consolation prize of P500 apiece.
The top player in the kiddies division will grab P2,000, while the second to fourth will take home P1,000, P700 and P500. The fifth to 10th will get P300 each.
The games are being supervised by FIDE arbiters Felix Poloyapoy, Jr. and Marvin Ruelan. (FREEMAN)