INQUIRER Sports

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines--Grandmaster Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor drew his final round with National Master Emmanuel Senador Saturday afternoon to clinch the 7th Gov. Reyes Palawan Chess Open Tournament, his first major title after emerging from a five-year pedagogic stint in Singapore.

Reaching peak form following strong finishes in two consecutive international tournaments in Subic, Zambales, Villamayor turned back a posse of rated national players -- including three international masters -- to emerge undefeated in the 9-round tournament organized by the Palawan provincial government in celebration of its annual founding anniversary.

Villamayor showed fine form with his mastery of the open board by defeating International Master Richard Bitoon with black on a poisoned pawn variation of the French Defense last Thursday, where everyone had to play three consecutive rounds.

"It was tough having to play three games in one day," Villamayor said after drawing with Senador. "I was tired but so was everyone else."

National Master Rustum Tolentino, showing solid defensive abilities, drew with Villamayor in the penultimate round to maintain his momentum from the last two major international tournaments held in Subic last month to tie Villamayor's score but settled for solo second in a tie break.

Sharing 3rd to 5th place were International Master Richard Bitoon, National Master Mirabeau Maga and Palawan-based National Master Allan Arinos.

Villamayor's victory underscored his decision to accept Palawan's invitation to man its top board in the forthcoming Inter-Province Chess Tournament to be held in Tandag City, Surigao in two weeks.

Garnering 9th–15th spots were Fide Master Roderick Nava, Jason Salubre, International Master Ronald Bancod, Anthony Lungcay, Roger Seratubias, Bocs Sumalapa and Mario Labagnis.

International Master Barlo Nadera settled for 16th place with untitled players Rey Reyes of Negros and locals Verth Alora, Julius Alatan, Mark Victor Quilinguen, Danny Cervantes and Robert Quiray.

The 9-round Swiss System tournament was sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and organized by the Palawan Provincial Sports Office headed by Sunshine R. Cabiguen.