BACOLOD City native Ellan Asuela made memorable his chess conquest in the City of Gold by meeting some of his long-lost Ilonggo relatives in Cagayan de Oro.
Right after dominating the individual event of the ASJ-RCM chess championships on Sunday at the Limketkai Mall, Asuela’s phone repeatedly rang, signaling another meaningful journey in his chess life.
“That’s the beauty of chess (because) we see places, find new friends and even meet long-lost relatives anywhere at the stroke of luck,” Asuela told Gold Star Daily.
Easily one of the top non-masters in the Visayas region, Asuela defeated Samson Chiu Chin Lim in the penultimate frame, then halved the point with another young gun Brylle Arellano in the ninth and final round to ensure his victory.
So impressive, Asuela scored a total of 8.5 points in the nine-round rapid chess competition to secure the P7,000 top purse.
His fellow Bacolodnon Arellano finished with 7.5 points for the second place worth P5,000.
At least nine players tallied an identical seven points to share third to 11th places.
They were Rommel Ganzon, Lim, Jayson Salubre, Rodney Opada, Sherwin Tiu, Arena Grandmaster Irwin Aton, Jerry Areque, Julius Dan Augustine Ablin, and Jeriel Manlimbana.
But since there is no pooling of prizes, International Arbiter Lincoln Yap said that only the rest of the top five performers were able to receive P3,000, P2,000, and P1,000, respectively.
Sharing 12th to 13th spots with similar 6.5 points are Fide Master Nelson Villanueva and Arian Belly Calido.
Rounding up the top-27 with respectable 6-point output are National Master Joey Albert Florendo, Ariel Niño Aton, Vince Duane Pascual, Keith Adriane Ilar, Allan Cantonjos, Moctar Ali, Aude Abrea, AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Mensuary Pacalundo, Warren Aton, Lyndon Lumancas, Ashlanie Pandi, Jeff Russell Rivera, and Marian Calimbo.
The cash-rich two-day event, featuring the premier ‘tatluhan’ team tourney, was bankrolled by the ASJ Forex Global and Dr. Ariel Potot of Richess Movement Inc.
