by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings (7 Round Swiss-system tournament)

7.0 points---NM Roberto Suelo Jr. (Philippines)

6.0 points---Lincoln Yap (Philippines), IM Liu Xiangyi (Singapore)

5.0 points---FM Lee Qing Aun(Singapore), Joshua Juaneza (Philippines), NM Edgar Reggie Olay  (Philippines), CM William Woong (Singapore),  Warren Lim (Singapore), Jordan Chow (Singapore), Aldrin Wong (Singapore),  Dixon Tang (Singapore)

4.5 points---Jimson Bitoon (Philippines), CM Lee Jun Wei (Singapore), Matthew Lau (Singapore)

SINGAPORE-based Filipino Roberto Suelo Jr. continues his winning ways in the Singapore Chess Tournament. 

Banking on his experience and international exposure, Suelo added the Ignatius Leong @50 Rapid Chess Tournament 2017 to his growing list of chess honors by edging compatriot National Master Edgar Reggie Olay  in the seventh and final round held Sunday, November 19, 2017 at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre in Singapore. 

The win enabled Suelo, a chess instructor to captured his sixth straight Singapore chess title this year including his victories in the Asean Chess Academy (ACA) November edition of the Rapid Open chess tournament last November 5, 2017 at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

"I was cautious all-throughout because I know  NM (Edgar Reggie ) Olay is a very tough opponent especially in the final matches, but of course besides experience I had a better luck," Suelo referring his sixth Singapore title. 

“I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It's an honor to represent our country,” added Suelo, an active member of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Singapore. 

The undefeated Suelo, earlier beat Darryl  Lee  (Round 1), and Tan Yian Hau of Singapore (Round 2),  Joshua Juaneza  (Round 3) and  Lincoln Yap of the Philippines (Round 4), FM Lee Qing Aun (Round 5) and  CM William Woong  (Round 6) of Singapore before beating Olay (Round 7).

After losing to Suelo, Yap, the pride of Cebu for his part, won his last three round assignments against Tan Yian Hau of Singapore, Juaneza and another Cebuano bet Jimson Bitoon to finished solo second place with 6.0 points.

"Our chess players once again proved that the Filipinos are capable of competing against the best and the brightest on the international stage," Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, also a director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.,referring the victories of Roberto Suelo Jr. and Lincoln Yap in Singapore and GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., and GM Eugene Torre in Acqui Terme, Italy.

The 1996 Philippine Junior champion Suelo has Singapore chess titles which he won in a span of seven months, from May to November. 

He won the Thomson Chess Fiesta-Cup Rapid event last May, ACA Hari Raya Rapid Open Chess 2017 last June, the Patrick Tay Chess Challenge 2017 (Open division) last July 8, the July edition of Asean Chess Academy (ACA) Rapid Chess Tournament last July 16, all was held here in Singapore.-Marlon Bernardino-