by Marlon Bernardino

US-based Filipino Jasper Rom emerged as champion in the Open section of the recently concluded Kasparov 15th anniversary Rapid 2017 last October 31, 2017 in Singapore.

Rom halved the point with countryman Singapore based Pinoy Jomel Ortiz in the last round to finish undefeated with five points on four wins and two draws in the six-round ten minutes tournament.

Rom, originally from Cebu but is now based in Maryland, is a certified United States Chess Federation (USCF) Master.He earlier beat Samuel Ho in the first round then split the point with Ethan Poh Xuan Rui in the second round. He defeated Richard Lean Boon Cheng, Joel Ong Yi Herng and Kenneth Tan in the following round, respectively.

Ortiz, an active member of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Singapore finished in a tie for second with fellow 4.5 pointers Kenneth Tan but loss via tie-break points. Ortiz landed at over-all third place.

No less than former World Chess Champion Gary Kasparov, tournament director Ignatius Leong, International arbiters Osric Mooi and Lincoln Yap of Cebu led the closing rites.

Rom is fresh from runner-up place in the Internet Chess Club (ICC) and United States Chess Federation (USCF) Online Blitz Rapid Tournament in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA last October 23, 2017.-Marlon Bernardino-