Sports: Verdun Captures Chess Rapid Crown

Former board 1 of West Negros University captured the Negros Chess Rapid Cham-pionship 2012 after a crucial win in round 6 to a FIDE master at the Negros Integrated Chess Association (NICA) Chess Gallery, foodcourt area of Centroplex Mall, Bacolod City last Saturday.

Xavier Verdun

Xavier John Verdun of Cadiz City, who garnered 6.5 points defeated 2nd placer FM Sander Severino (5.5) of Silay City in one of the most exciting rounds in the tournament. Verdun received PhP 3,000 cash prize and a prestigious glass trophy while Severino got PhP 2,000 in cash. His last round with Edsel Montoya (5.5) of La Carlota City, who placed 1st ended in a draw.

Another chess varsity stand-out of WNU is first placer Michael Ocido (6.0) of Vic-torias City, who secured PhP 2,000 in cash after forcing 9th placer Gary Baltar (5) to resign in their round 7 match.

The rest of the top 10 standing are Verdun, Ocido, Severino, Montoya, National Master Rodolfo Toledo, Jose Vito Tapulgo, Ellan Asuela, Ted Ian Montoyo, Baltar, and Bryll Arellano.

During the opening cere-mony, Antonio Ivan "Tony" Aguirre encouraged players to continue playing rapid chess as it helps them analyze their position quickly and make decision in a very short span of time. This may come in handy during sudden death playoffs, he added.

Tony Aguirre was present during the awarding ceremony. He handed over the prizes of the players and congratulated them in behalf of Hugo Villanueva and the Villanueva Family who own FCBI.

In light of this successful event, Aguirre said he will discuss further with Villanueva for a possible series of chess tournaments for the sake of Negros chess lovers. It may be recalled that this two sponsors are Chess Players by heart and sponsoring chess tourneys is one way of giving back the favor for the love of the game of Chess.

This 30-minute 7-round Swiss System format tournament was sponsored by First Community Bank Inc. and Tony Aguirre. It was governed by FIDE (World Chess Federation) Rapid Law of Chess and organized by NICA.*