Fernando triumphs at All-Filipino tournament

Ronald Fernando emerged as the champion of Class-A division of the All-Filipino Active Chess Tournament held last Friday at the Intramuros Club and Restaurant, Palm Beach Rotana Inn.

An all-time winner in Filipino chess tournaments, second seed Fernando earned a total of 6 1/2 points in the seven-round tournament. Fourty-two players from different emirates participated in it.

Erstwhile leader and top seed Tony Molina who shared the top spot with Fernando in the sixth round after the two halved the points in the penultimate round, succumbed to an unexpected defeat against newcomer Gardy Sorita.

Pressured under time double, Molina was a piece down after a gross blunder cost him his bishop which Sorita took to his advantage through the end-game. The upset win catapulted Sorita to second place while Molina had to settle to third place.

In Class-B division, Joey Tiberio clinched the first place with 4 1/2 points followed by Eugene Provido and Art Lilagan on the second and third spots respectively with 4 points a piece.

The one-day tournament organised by the Filipino Chess Players League - U.A.E. under the auspices of OWWA - Dubai and in cooperation with the U.A.E. Chess Federation was sponsored by PRiMEVENTURE, PNB, Makati Express, Airlink International, Bur Juman Centre, Fiesta Filipino and Chopsticks Restaurant.

Top ten placers in both divisions:
Class-A; Ronald Fernando - 6.5, Gardy Sorita - 6, Tony Molina - 5.5, Naim Labe - 5, Boy Fuertes - 5, Glenda Baylon - 5, Dante Esternon - 5, Caloy de Guzman - 4.5, Caloy Santua - 4, Francis Aldeguer - 4. Class-B: Joey Tiberio - 4.5, Eugene Provido - 4, Art Lilagan - 4, Mario Alfonso - 4, Dante Catanyag - 4, Nico Sakote - 3.5, Ariel Guinto - 3.5, Danny Ambing - 3.5, Paul Ducalang - 3, Jake Jularbal - 3.