MORE NEWS ON MALAYSIAN CHESS TOURNEY

TWO FILIPINO DOMINATES MALAYSIAN CHESS TOURNEY


AFTER the Filipinos failed in the DATMO (Datu Artur Tan Malaysian Open) crown, team Philippines didn't go home empty handed after Allan Cantonjos of Gingoog City and Roel Abelgas of Dasmarinas, Cavite hurdled their respective rivals in the eleventh and final round of the Am Bank Chess Championships and share top honors in this event held at the Bintang Ballroom, CitiTel Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday.

Cantonjos, a member of the Philippine Airforce Chess Team and Abelgas, coach of Philippine Christian University (PCU) Dasmarinas, Cavite campus, both tallied 8.5 points in the 11 round Swiss-system FIDE tournament to finish in top of the 50 player's field.

Cantonjos halved the point with Albert Rivera of Makati City while Albegas stunned Au Yoong Yow Loo of Malaysia.

With the draw, Rivera finished with 7.5 points to join NM Jerry Nodado of Cagayan de Oro City in the 5th to 6th placers.

Christopher Castellano of Cainta, Rizal, meanwhile notched 8.0 points to share third to fourth placers with Che Hassan Abdullah of Malaysia.

It was a sad story for Abdullah who needed only a draw with Castellano to create a possible three-way tie, a win would have assured him the championship's trophy.

Abdullah, broke the Filipino dominated tournament after making it to the top six in the player's final standings.

Final Standings: (Am Bank/ 11 round Swiss-system/ 50 player's field)
8.5 points---Allan Cantonjos (Philippines)
8.5 points---Roel Abelgas (Philippines)
8.0 points---Christopher Castellano (Philippines)
8.0 points---Che Hassan Abdullah (Malaysia)
7.5 points---NM Jerry Nodado (Philippines)
7.5 points---Albert Rivera (Philippines)
7.0 points---Gerald Soh Han Loong (Malaysia)
7.0 points---Ken Wei Tan (Malaysia)
7.0 points---Li Tao Ooi (Malaysia)



FOLK SONG SINGER TOPS MCC AUGUST EDITION


FOLK SONG SINGER Willy San Juan defeated seventh seed Roberto Torres in just 27 moves of a French Defense to emerge-over all champion in the August edition of MCC 1950 below active chess tourney held Sunday at the upper second floor of St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.


San Juan, also a recording artist posted a final tally of 5.5 points with five wins and one draw after six rounds of play to claim his first MCC title. San Juan also bagged the best unrated performer award.

Tied in 2nd-3rd places with 5.0 points apiece with 4th seed Garry Baltar of Las Pinas and 17th seed Nelson Angeles, while 10th seed Balden Corpuz grabbed the solo 4th position with 4.5 points. Baltar salvaged a losing position against Elbin Ramos in 37 moves of a King's pawn opening; businessman Angeles upset 5th seed Garry Garcia in 30 moves of a Center-Counter variation and Corpuz prevailed over younger opponent Marc Christian Nazario.

Rounding off the top ten winners were: Torres (5th); Ramos (6th); Rolando Gangozo (7th); Rommel Valdez of Masbate (8th); Renato Taopa (9th) and Garcia (10th). Adjudged best junior players were Nazario and Jan Nigel Galan.

Meanwhile, the next MCC events are: 2000 below active on Sept. 9; 16-under standard on Sept. 15-16 and 2000 dalawahan on Sept. 23. For details, call 0916-852-1069.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)