ROMMEL Ganzon emerged as the top qualifier for the four-board simultaneous game of the “Kita ang Katag Open Chess Tournament” at the Knight Attack Cafe in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
Ganzon finished the seven-round Swiss system format elimination round last Tuesday night with 6.5 points. Edsel Montoya ranked second with six points followed by Richard Natividad and International Master (IM) Rico Mascariñas, who both tallied 5.5 points.
Ganzon did not only secure a slot in the second stage but also pocketed the P5,000 purse as the first stage champion.
The rest of the qualifiers for the second round were Bonn Rainauld Tibod (5.0), National Master (NM) Arnolito Cadiz (5.0), Lincoln Yap (5.0), NM Merben Roque (5.0), Alejandro Rodrigo (5.0), Ronald Ganzon (5.0), Michael Joseph Pagaran (5.0), Yves Christian Fiel (4.5), Carlos Moreno III (4.5), Allerito Somosot (4.5), IM Kim Steven Yap (4.5) and Anthony Makinano (4.0).
The second stage is being played as of press time.