CEBUANO SEVILLANO SHINES IN NORTH AMERICAN OPEN CHESS; LONE PINOY GM ANTONIO MISSED TO SNARES US CHESS CROWN

Final Standings: (125 player’s-field in the Open section/ seven round Swiss-system)

6.0 points—GM Giorgi Kacheishvili

5.5 points—GM Zviad Izoria, GM Melikset Khachiyan, GM Alexander Shabalov, GM Julio Becerra, GM Jaan Ehlvest

5.0 points— GM Yury Shulman, IM Samuel Shankland, FM Erik Hansen, IM ENRICO SEVILLANO, Luis Belliard

4.5 points—GM ROGELIO ANTONIO JR,…

Other Filipino in the field were Hugo Villanueva (4.0 points), FM Joel “Cholo” Banawa (3.5 points), Josito Dondon (3.5 points), RP and US Chess masters Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., (3.0 points), Alfredo Base (3.0 points), IM Ricardo “Ricky” de Guzman (2.0 points), and Precioso Saguisag (0.5 point).

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—FILIPINO International Master Enrico “Ikong” Sevillano” flashed his old deadly form when he beat Michael Lee in the seventh and final round to settled into a tie for 7th to 11th placers at the conclusion of 2008 North American Open Chess Championships here at the Bally’s Casino Resort and Hotel here on Monday .

The former Southwestern University stand-out Sevillano, who hails from Cebu City and protégée of sportsman/ National Master Matias “Bombi” Aznar finish 5.0 points in this the seven round Swiss-System tournament organized by the Continental Chess Association (CCA) headed by its husband and wife tandem Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Brenda Goichberg.

After the tie break points was applied in the 125 player’s field of the Open section, Sevillano, the reigning US Open champion settled over-all tenth placers in the company of fellow five-pointers that includes GM Yury Shulman, IM Samuel Shankland, FM Erik Hansen and Luis Belliard.

Grandmaster Giorgi Kacheishvili ran away with the title with 6.0 points, half point ahead with GMs Zviad Izoria, Melikset Khachiyan, Alexander Shabalov, Julio Becerra and Jaan Ehlvest with 5.5 points each.

GM ANTONIO MISSED TO SNARES US CHESS CROWN

It was a sad story for the Filipino contingent when lone Pinoy GM entry Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. failed to continues his winning streak here in the North American Open Chess for possible its eight chess title in the US Chess Circuit.

The former University of Manila (UM) stand-out Antonio, the twelve (12)-time National Open Champion, the top player of multi-titlist Philippine Army Chess Team under the baton of AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano , Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado and Special Service Unit (SSU) Commanding Officer Col. Adelmar Tomaro failed to convert the winning line and ended into a fighting draw against Shulman in the penultimate round and bowed to Ehlvest in the final round.

Against Shulman ( a member of the US Olympic Chess team who bagged the bronze medal during the last Dresden World Chess Olympiad) —Antonio had four pawns and a rook while the former (Shulman) had knight and rook in the end game. If Antonio moves the correctly Rook to g7 will gain him a full point and contention for the title going to the last round.

“Sayang na miss ko y’ung winning line, Rg7. Nang nag check din ako sa chess base, talagang panalo ‘yung posisyon ko kung correct continuation,” said Antonio, whose next stop is the tough 16th annual Western Class Championships on January 16 to 19, 2009 at the Southern California Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills coincide the celebration of Martin Luther King weekend.

Against Ehlvest, Antonio should draw if he plays Qg6+.

“Talagang pinilit kong manalo kay Ehlvest kasi malaki ang chance natin na makapag tie for 2nd place,” added Antonio who joints 12th placers along with 11th others with 4.5 points each.

The Filipinos campaign here is being supported by NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Filipino boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, sportsman/ National Master Matias “Bombi” Aznar, Bart Navarro, Ruben Ondangan, Lancaster Christian Church, Dr. Sheldan Brooks and Engr.Chinagozi Wogu.

Other Filipino in the field were Hugo Villanueva (4.0 points), FM Joel “Cholo” Banawa (3.5 points), Josito Dondon (3.5 points), RP and US Chess masters Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., (3.0 points), Alfredo Base (3.0 points), IM Ricardo “Ricky” de Guzman (2.0 points), and Precioso Saguisag (0.5 point).

Also seeing in action in other divisions were Ruben Ondangan (U2100 section), Rene Glenn Ancheta(U2100 section), Dante Tabing (U1900 section), Wilfredo Sabobo (U1900 section), Joselito Quiba(U1900 section), Oscar Sibal (U1700 scetion) and Nephtali Diaz (U1700 section), among others.

BY: NATIONAL MASTER MARLON BERNARDINO