FEU's Gladys Hazelle Romero Qualifies in the 2013 National Chess Championships Finals

by Marlon Bernardino

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY bet Gladys Hazelle Romero earned a slot to the 2013 National Chess Championships finals dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters after subduing  Krizza Lyn Abasolo in the penultimate round of the 2013 Semi-Finals National Chess Championships at the Ponciano Bernardo Elementary School, P. Tuazon Blvd. Cubao, Quezon City.

With the win, the Tanauan City, Batangas native Romero raised her total 5.0 points in six outings, full point ahead against Jean Karen Enriquez, Arvie Lozano and Shania Mae Mendoza who totes 4.0 points each.

Enriquez split the point with Mendoza while Lozano toppled Lucelle Bermundo. Abasolo, meantime remains at 3.5 points, the same output of  Ynna Sophia Canape, who brought downed Janena Marie Regencia.

Five more slots to be contested with one round to go in the women's division in the event backed up by Bayan Muna party list rep. Neri Javier Colmenares and DepEd ASEC Tonisito Umali and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Cavite 7th district rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr.

According to NCFP Executive Director and Tournament Director GM Jayson Gonzales, the 2013 National Chess Championships finals dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters gets underway on September.

In the men's division, IM Joel Pimentel defeated NM Ali Branzuela and NM Jony Habla nipped FM Paulo Bersamina to create a five-way tie for first place together with IM Richelieu Salcedo  III, FM Roderick Nava and untitled Narquingden Reyes who notch 5.5 points each after seven games of play with two rounds left. Salcedo drew with Nava while Reyes halved the point with top seed IM Rolando Nolte.

Nolte lead the group of 5.0 pointers that includes IM Emmanuel Senador, NM Onofre Espiritu, NM Raymond Salcedo and Rodolfo Panopio Jr.

Also supporting the FIDE rated event are the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), DepEd NCR Regional Director Dr. Luz, S. Almeda, Ponciano Bernardo Elementary School principal Linaflor E. Cabildo, Asst. Chief P.E. School Sports Dr. Jocelyn V. Marcial, Director IV Dr. Luz S. Almeda and OIC office of the Asst. Regional Director Mr. Rizalino Jose T. Rosales.