Torres wins Cepca tilt
Software engineer Zilberstein Torres went undefeated in six rounds to win the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (Cepca) Monthly Qualifying Tournament at the Mactan Newtown Beach in Lapu-Lapu City last Sunday.
Torres, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate of Cebu Institute of Technology-University, scored 5.5 points and was named the Month of May champion. He won the P1,500 cash prize and a ticket to the Cepca Grandfinals in December.
Torres defeated John Velarde on the opening round, then outlasted Rey Flores on Round 2. He beat over Ramsey Pedroza, Adelyn Bensi and Peterson Sia on Rounds in the next three rounds before earning a draw with Vince Dela Torre in Round 6.
Pedroza, Dela Torre and Sia both finished with 4.0 points. After the tie-breaker, Pedroza finished with 21.5 tie-break points to take second place, Dela Torre got third place and Sia got fourth place.
The president of Cepca Engr. Jerry Maratas took fifth place with 3.5 points, while Jun Kidlat and Rey Flores were at sixth and seventh places, respectively.
Torres will be joining the other qualifiers for the Grand Finals, namely: Eduard Dela Torre (January), Mario Bustillo (February), Rogelio Enriquez Jr. (March) and Joselito Loquez (April).
On the other hand, Maratas said that they’re planning to sponsor young chess players for the upcoming 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Chess Championships in Davao City on June 18 to 28. /