Ni: Gilbert Espeña

NAGPATULOY ang pananalasa ni Filipino Roberto Suelo Jr. sa Singapore Chess Tournaments matapos magtagumpay sa Ignatius Leong @50 Rapid Chess Tournament 2017 nang maungusan si National Master Edgar Reggie Olay sa final round nitong Linggo sa Bukit Timah Shopping Centre sa Singapore.

Dahil sa panalo, naitala ni Suelo ang ika-6 an sunod na kampeonato sa Singapore chess circuit sa taong ito kasama na ang Asean Chess Academy (ACA) November edition ng Rapid Open chess tournament nitong Nobyembre 5 na ginanap din sa Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

“I was cautious all-throughout because I know NM (Edgar Reggie ) Olay is a very tough opponent especially in the final matches, but of course besides experience I had a better luck,” sabi ni Suelo. “I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country.”

Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!

Ang undefeated na si Suelo ay unang nagwagi kina Darryl Lee (Round 1), at Tan Yian Hau ng Singapore (Round 2), Joshua Juaneza (Round 3) at Lincoln Yap ng Philippines (Round 4), FM Lee Qing Aun (Round 5) at CM William Woong (Round 6) ng Singapore bago talunin si Olay (Round 7).

Matapos mabigo kay Suelo, si Yap na ipinagmamalaki ng Cebu ay naipanalo ang kanyang tatlong huling laro kontra kina Tan Yian Hau ng Singapore, Juaneza at isa pang Cebuano bet na si Jimson Bitoon tungo sa ika-2 puwesto na may natipong 6.0 na puntos.

“Our chess players once again proved that the Filipinos are capable of competing against the best and the brightest on the international stage,” sabi ni Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, director ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines hinggil sa tagumpay nina Roberto Suelo Jr. at Lincoln Yap sa Singapore at GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., at GM Eugene Torre sa Acqui Terme, Italy.