ESTIMO BEATS ASPIRAS IN TIE BREAKS TO RETAINS HIS NCFP CHESS TILT

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

Final Standings and rankings in order: (Seven round Swiss-System/30 player's field which attracted nine National Master)

5.5 points---NM Samuel Estimo, Jose Aspiras

5.0 points---Ray Marras, NM Nick Nisperos, NM Quirino Sagario,

4.5 points---NM Dante Zuniga, Jenny Mayor, NM Stewart Manaog, Joselito Obrero

4.0 points---Willy San Juan, NM Eduardo Agagon, NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Ramil Ranilla, Primitivo Virtudazo, Dennis San Juan

3.5 points---NM Efren Bagamasbad, NM Mario Rebano…

TWO-TIME Olympian member National Master Samuel "Sammy" Estimo had 20 bucholz tie break points to beat fellow lawyer Jose "Joe"Aspiras' 18.5 points to retained his title in the just concluded of second leg of NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge late Saturday at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St. , Diliman, Quezon City.

Last week, Estimo, the incumbent executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and RP executive six-time champion Dr. Jenny Mayor, director and PRO of the said group, both tallied identical 6.0 points apiece to advance in the grand finals on March 2008.

According to tournament chief arbiter Boyet Tardecilla with assisted by 1996 RP Junior champion NM Roberto Suelo Jr., the duo finished with identical 5.5 points apiece, however Estimo took the championship trophy in this one-day competition that was supported by NCFP chairman rep. Matias Defensor, prominent lawyer Ernesto Salunat, Comelec commissioner Mehol Sadain, Asia's First GM Eugene Torre, founding president of NCFP and Asia's First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

The Pugo, La Union native Jose of Aspiras and Aspiras law offices settled for a runner-up place in this Seven round Swiss-System 30 player's field tournament which attracted nine National Master.

Ray Marras, NM Nick Nisperos and NM Quirino Sagario settled for third to fifth placers with 5.0 points each.

Tournament chief arbiter Boyet Tardecilla invited again all players to participate in the forthcoming 2nd Chairman Jun Virata Chess Cup on September 29, 9:00am at the Perez Building, Doña Soledad corner Australia St., Better Living in Parañaque City.

Meanwhile, here in 2nd leg of NCFP, rounding up to the top 17 place finishers were NM Dante Zuniga ( 4.5 points), Jenny Mayor (4.5), NM Stewart Manaog (4.5), Joselito Obrero (4.5), Singer-Composer Willy San Juan (4.0), NM Eduardo Agagon (4.0), NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (4.0), Ramil Ranilla (4.0), Primitivo Virtudazo ( 4.0), Dennis San Juan (4.0), NM Efren Bagamasbad (3.5), and NM Mario Rebano (3.5).

For future events, please call or text mobile nos. 0915-936-0354, 0919-478-2209, 0922-882-2870, 0915-782-8666 and tel.no. (02) 704-9775 for complete details.(MARLON BERNARDINO).