5 share lead in CEPCA non-masters tourney

Five players found themselves in a five-way traffic atop the leaderboard after three round of action in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Non-Masters Tournament at the Knight Attack Chess Cafe in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

They are Richard Gohetia Sr., Rigel Amacna, Johnny Carzano, Chistian Pondoyo and Lumbab Armecito, all with a perfect 3.0 points.

Gohetia claimed Vicmil Pepito as his latest victim, while Amacna and Carzano subdued former two-time CEPCA President Manny Manzanares and Aaron Resma, respectively.

Pondoyo bested Alex Bayubay while Armecito outwitted American national Michael Lamb, the first ever foreign player to have joined in a CEPCA-sanctioned tournament.

It will surely be a tight battle for the overall supremacy with nine players at joint sixth to 14th place with 2.5 points each. They are Franklin Caylan, Joe Atillo, Zilberstein Torres, Jessie Supangan, Marc Alunan, William Valle, Justine Misa, Alberto Rivera and Richard Ouano.

The 7-round Swiss system competition is open only to players with NCFP (National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) rating of 2000 and below.

The organizing CEPCA under the dynamic leadership of Engr. Jerry Maratas is offering P3,000 to the champion and P2,000, P1,000, P700 and P500 to the second and fifth placers. The sixth to 10th will receive a consolation prize of P300 each.—