MANILA – Bacolodnon International Master Joel Pimentel won the 1st Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson Chess Tournament, which was held recently at the Provincial Capitol building.
Pimentel, a veteran of the Negros Kingsmen in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, ruled the Open category of the two-day chess competition with 4.5 points.
Gary Abao of La Carlota City, National Master Xavier John Verdun of Cadiz City, Stevenson Garong of Bacolod, and Fide Master Nelson Villanueva of La Carlota City were all ousted by the woodpusher in the first round of his campaign. However, Pimentel failed to complete the sweep after he was forced to draw in the fifth round against La Carlota City’s Theseus Benitez, the league’s fourth-place finisher.
Garong took second place with four points, followed by Villanueva and Benitez, as well as Ted Ian Montoyo of Bacolod City, whom all scored 3.5 points.
Reginald dela Pea, on the other hand, won the Class B division with 4.5 points. He crowned himself by forcing Arnold Acero of Talisay City, who finished third, to draw.
With four points each, Clark Kent Pelione of Bacolod and John Lloyd Bautista of Sagay City finished second. At fifth place onwards were Jomar Fundan (Talisay City), John Jerich Canoy (Bacolod City), and Gee Ian Gallano (La Carlota City).
Meanwhile, those who received special awards from the tournament were Gleanesque Lemoncito (Sagay City) (top under 20) and top female woodpushers Jean Rose Sangco (Bago City) and Aliah Grace Bellano.
The competitors followed the required health precautions, according to Provincial Sports coordinator Anthony Carlo Agustin. Also, only two boards per table with separation of luminous plastic between each player were allowed. In addition, medical personnel on-site took the temperature and implemented a player and staff tracking system./PN
