Asuela, Andador to compete in 2014 Bangkok chess event
Saturday, January 4, 2014

Defending champion Ellan Asuela retained his title while Rolando Andador placed first runner-up in the 3rd Negros Closed Chess Championship to secure slots in the 2014 Bangkok Open in Dusit Thani, Thailand.

Asuela and Andador emerged as the top two winners in the Negros Closed Chess competition organized by A&V Aguirre/Villanueva Negros Chess Club Association Inc., held December 26 -30 at The District Ayala Mall in Talisay City.

The competition offered as top prizes for the top two finishers the chance to represent the country in the 14th Bangkok Chess Club Open set in Bangkok on April 12-19, 2014.

In topping the yearend chess competition in Negros, both Asuela and Andador posted 20 points each to tie in Sofia scoring but Asuela prevailed after the two were forced to play in a tie breaker Blitz Match of 4minutes + 3 seconds increment per move.

As champion, Asuela received a prestige trophy and P5,000 cash prize in addition to the Bangkok trip package.

Andador also received a prestige trophy and P3,000 and package trip to Bangkok sponsored by former top Negrense chess players Antonio Ivan Aguirre and Senior US Master Hugo Villanueva.

Both Villanueva and Aguirre believe that local chess players need to be exposed to high-level international competition to further develop their skills.

Among those who competed in the previous tournaments in Bangkok were Fide Master Sander Severino and Ernie Abanco in 2012 and Asuela and Carlito Lavega in the second edition last year.

The international competition sponsorship for the top two players is worth P130,000 and bankrolled by A&V Negros Chess Club Association, Inc., Aperture Production Tales (owned by Anthony Leo Aguirre), Antonio Ivan Aguirre, Hugo Villanueva, Eugenio Villasor Villanueva Foundation and the First Community Bank, Inc., through its president Lawrence Villanueva.

The Bangkok Chess Club Open is one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in Thailand with around 250 woodpushers from 40 countries joining the competition.

Source: http://www.visayandailystar.com

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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