The 5th King Bonganciso Memorial Open Chess Tournament saw the emergence of strong and youthful chess players with NORSU varsity Zean Zack Yarag leading the pack by claiming the championship in this highly-rated tourney with forty three participants headed by National Master Rolzon Roullo in this grueling five-round standard event. Both players finished with identical 4.5 points but Yarag claimed the crown and the P 5,000.00 top purse with a superior tie-break score. NM Roullo stopped fourth round solo leader Engr. Arnold Somoza while Yarag scored another upset over many-time Tanjay champion Jeffrey Alcantara in the last round.
Engr. Somoza, the Governor’s Cup title-holder, was mired at third spot. Other four-pointers are Silliman coach Rudell Siglos at fourth place, Zamboanguita’s Juno Davad at fifth place, Bayawan’s Cromwell Aninon at sixth place and SPUD grader Alfonzo Louis Olendo at seventh spot. Completing the consolation placers with 3.5 points apiece are veteran player Evan Tampi, Alcantara, former NORSU top board Bernabe Tagulo, SPUD and CVIRAA coach Arnel Sapuan and current Inter-Generation women category champion Sara Francine Olendo of SPUD Grade School.
Special Awards went to Brgy. 6 Councilor Carlito Soriano as Top Senior Player, NORSU varsity Adrian dela Cruz getting the Top Junior Award, Alfonzo Olendo bagging the Top Kiddie Award and Sara Olendo for the Top Woman citation.
Organized by the Negros Club 64 headed by its president, Ret. Capt. Hilbert Arinaza. with NOSDEP’s chess program coordinator Florendo Zamora acting as Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter Bobby Torres. Major sponsors include the Bonganciso family, New Renie’s Charles “Biboy” Sy, patron Leonarda Elnas and Valencia Mayor Edgar Teves who sponsored the champion’s cash prize. (Florendo Zamora)
