The team battle is over, but the war is not yet won. After the 7-round Swiss tournament ended last October 23, 2020 two teams emerged on top with 11 match points each.
Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers-IIEE Southern Laguna (SLC) edged IIEE Metro South (MSC) for the championship with total team Lichess score of 118-116.
With their board 2 players, Eric Frigillana and Romel Gesmundo, tied in their match points (6) and LiChess (44), their quest for the top board honor will be decided on exhibition games called Supreme South Challenge as the teams did not meet in the Olympiad.
Metro South’s Patrick Erle Florendo and Raul Ochavez, best board 1 and 3 respectively, join Eric on 3-on-3 team battle. Southern Laguna will be bannered by Chester Concordia, the winner of most active piece award, with Joseph Marco and Romel. The game is race-to-60 points for 60 minutes.
With 10 points each, the 2nd runner up is IIEE Central Region Chapter of Saudi Arabia (CRCSA) led by “Perfect 10” mastery award NM Robert H. Arellano who bested IIEE Metro Central and IIEE Cagayan De Oro (CDO) in a Lichess tie break score.
CRCSA together with 4th to 12th placer will battle on a 10-team exhibition Knight Royal Rumble. Top board 4 to 6 are Evaristo Tizon Jr. of Mindanao, Orlie Fabia of La Union and Joseph Parba of CDO, respectively.
IIEE Lady chess players were also invited on exhibition match led by Flordeliza Manalo of SLC and Analyn Cueto of Southern Tagalog Team (Batangas). All exhibition matches will be played today October 30, 2020 prior to the awarding ceremony at 8 p.m.
The Olympiad was successfully organized by Tournament Director Engineer Norberto De Jesus and FIDE Arbiter Richard R. Dela Cruz with support from host IIEE Central Laguna, the seven kN1ghts, Genikos Technology Inc., Solicar Construction & Supply Inc., RPV Electrotech Power System Inc. Starace Trading and Engineering Services, Fujihaya Audit Inspection & Maintenance, AC Power Construction, Powerbuild Construction & Development Corp., Delta Lighting, Yel Cast, and Food Picks.
Meanwhile, Former De La Salle Lipa, Batangas coach John Renan Lumbera emerged as co-champion in the Temecula Chess Club Open tournament (actual/on the board) held in Temecula, California, USA, over the weekend.
In the final round of the 7-round Swiss system tournament, the seventh seeded Lumbera yielded to second seeded Scott Roods which prevented him from winning the title outright.
Thus, top seed Vadim Kudryavtsev caught the Quezon Province native Lumbera on top after beating 12th seeded Dereck Williams in the last round. Kudryavtsev took the title with superior tiebreak points over Lumbera. The two woodpushers finished with identical 6 points apiece.
Roods, meantime raise his total to 5 points, the same output of Marius Lucan and Pedro Valdericeda.