Pinoy chessers finish 1-2 in Italy tournament
05/19/2009 03:47 PM
GMA news.tv -

MANILA, Philippines - Rolando Salvador and Virgilio Vuelban posted a 1-2 finish for the Philippines in the recent Circolo Bertellini Salsomaggiore International Open Chess in Italy.

Salvador and Vuelban actually finished tied for the first to third spots with Serbian GM Miroljub Lazic after finishing with five points but Salvador bagged the title because of a better tie-break point.

The three finished tied for the top spot following their victories in the last round with Salvador downing IM Milan Mrdja of Croatia, Vuelban defeating FM Marco Corvi of Italy and Lazic subduing IM Paolo Vezzosi also of Italy.

Over at the the US Chess championship in Missouri, IM Enrico Sevillano of the Philippines finished tied for the 16th to 19th spots with GM Julio Becerra and IMs Michael Brooks and Tyler Hughes with their identical 4.0 points.

Sevillano was on his way to posting a better finish but defeat in the last two rounds to IM Ray Robson and GM Larry Christiansen sent him down the standings.

But Sevillano, now based in Tehachapi, California, pocketed $2,375 (over P100,000).Champion GM Hikaru Nakamura took home the top prize worth $40,000 with his 7.0 points.

32nd Edoardo Crespi Trophy – Round Four

The 32nd Edoardo Crespi Trophy is taking place from 3rd to 11th December in the large tournament hall of Chess Club in Milan, via Sant’Uguzzone 8.

The Festival consists of five separate tournaments:
Master – for players with FIDE rating or Italian Elo rating equal to or more than 2000; 3-10th December; 9 rounds Open A – for players with FIDE rating or Italian Elo rating between 1750 and 2050, both included; 7-11th December; 7 rounds Open B – for players with Italian Elo rating or FIDE rating less than 1800; 7-11th December; 7 rounds Open C – for players with Italian Elo rating or FIDE rating less than 1500; 8-11th December; 5 rounds Open Under16 – for all players born after 31th December 1995; 5 rounds

In the Master tournament the top-seeded GM Baadur Jobava is leading with perfect score after 4 rounds. Round 5 is starting shortly, follow the live games on the official website.

In the first round the 14-years old Paolo Formento from Imperia won a beautiful sacrificial game against GM Yuri Solodovnichenko. In the second round the 17-years old Alessio Valsecchi defeated GM Alberto David.

President of CONI (Italian Sport Olympic Committee) Lombardia, Mr Pierluigi Marzorati visited the tournament during the third round.

Round 4 standings:

1. GM Jobava Baadur 2678 GEO – 4.0

2-4. GM Drazic Sinisa 2537 SRB, GM Shishkin Vadim 2449 UKR and GM Sedlak Nikola 2592 SRB – 3.5

5-12. GM Salvador Roland 2500 PHI, GM Lazic Miroljub 2459 SRB, IM Martinez Rolly 2420 PHI, IM Doric Darko 2504 CRO, GM Kosic Dragan 2502 MNE, GM Malaniuk Vladimir P 2504 UKR, GM David Alberto 2597 LUX and GM Solodovnichenko Yuri 2629 – 3.0 etc

Prize fund in the Master tournament: