Final Standings: (Seven Round Swiss-system)
6.0 points---Edgar Reggie Olay (Philippines), GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor (Philippines)
5.5 points---Jimson Bitoon (Philippines), FM Ashvin Sivakumar (Singapore)
5.0 points---Hariharan Ashwin (Singapore), Sheng Feng Ng (Singapore), Ming Yao Gavin Koh (Singapore), Hong Ming Te (Singapore), Soo Sheng Yi (Malaysia)
FILIPINO International Master (IM) elect Edgar Reggie Olay drew his final round match then nipped countryman Grandmaster (GM) Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor in the tiebreak to snare the individual crown in the Hong Bao Rapid Chess Tournament 2019 - Open at Thomson Community Club, Upper Thomson Road in Singapore Sunday, February 10, 2019.
The Makilala, North Cotabato pride Olay, who work as chess teacher in Singapore, tallied 6.0 points on account of five wins and two draws in seven outings, the same output of San Juan City resident Villamayor who is also a chess teacher in Singapore, however after the tie break points was applied Olay got 22.5 points, half point ahead against Villamayor's 22.0 points.
Olay scored victories over Soo Sheng Yuan of Malaysia in the first round, Kai En Gerard Lian of Singapore in the third round, Sheng Feng Ng of Singapore in the fourth round, Zhenyong Jayden Wong of Singapore in the fifth round and Villamayor in the sixth and penultimate round.
He split the point with Hariharan Ashwin of Singapore in the second round and countryman Jimson Bitoon in the seventh and final round.
The Thailand based Jimson, nephew of US based Grandmaster (GM) Richard Bitoon placed third-overall with a superior quotient over fellow 5.5 points and fourth placer Fide Master (FM) Ashvin Sivakumar of Singapore.
The one-day tournament applying 15 minutes with 10 seconds increment time control format which attracted 50 contestants.
Aside from the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, other participants in this year?s Hong Bao Rapid Chess Tournament 2019 - Open came from France, Switzerland, New Zealand, India, Hongkong and the United States.
?Our PH chess bets made us proud today, but I hope the claps and cheers for them in the future would come from Filipinos they?ve helped improved lives through their outstanding chess abilities,? said Singapore based Arena Grandmaster and Fide Master elect Robert Suelo Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-
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