MICHAEL Joseph Pagaran toppled veteran wood pushers to win the title of the annual Rose Pharmacy Chess Classic last weekend at the Robinson’s Galleria Cebu.
Pagaran finished the seven-round Swiss system tournament with 6.5 points. He won over the favored Anthony Makinano in the final round to win the title and the P5, 000 purse.
International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap placed second followed by Makinano, Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez and Jethro Esplanada, respectively. All of them scored 6.0 points but they were ranked according to the accumulated tie break points they earned in the duration of the tournament.
Seventh placer was Mario Mangubat with 5.5 points. Carlos Moreno, Ramil Wadim, Johnny Carzano, Airene Robillos, Duane Borgonia, Joel Pacuribot, Mark Mangubat, Diego Caparino, Ian Villareal, Michael Pinar, Erwin Ababat, Leonardo Alidani, Neil Gilig, Jerish Velarde and John Andrei Cadiz all had 5.0 points but the tie was also broken via their tie break points.