by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings:

(Open section)

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

4.5 points---FM Nelson Villanueva (Philippines), FM Lee Qing Aun (Singapore)

4.0 points---Joel Ong (Singapore), Lincoln Yap (Philippines)

3.0 points---Alexander Chan, Zihan Goh

(Challengers section)

6.0 points---Jomel Ortiz (Philippines)

5.0 points---Zeke Ng (Singapore)

4.5 points---Ravind Ricnesh (Singapore), Charles Heng (Singapore).

FOR National Master (NM) Roberto Suelo Jr, winning the Asean Chess Academy (ACA) November edition of the Rapid Open chess tournament is something to cheer up.

"I dedicated my victory to our kababayan especially the victims of Marawi Attack." said Suelo, whose mother is a Maranaw from the Dimaporo clan and a native of Marawi City.

The 41-year-old Suelo whose father from Jaro, Iloilo, defeated countryman Fide Master (FM) Nelson Villanueva in the fourth round and Alexander Chan of Singapore in the fifth round

 then halved the point with Joel Ong of Singapore in the sixth and final round to captured his 5th Singapore chess title held on Sunday (November 5, 2017) at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre in Singapore. 

Using the disadvantageous black pieces, Suelo agreed to a draw against Ong after 25 moves of Queens Pawn Game in the twenty (20) minutes time control format enroute the title. 

He received 300 Singapore dollar champions' purse for his effort. Suelo got undefeated in six games of play with four wins and two draws.

"God is so gracious for the fifth time," added Suelo, an active member of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Singapore. 

The former son of a shoe maker 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. 

Earlier, Suelo, the 1996 Philippine Junior champion toppled Tan Yian Hau and International Master Giam Choo Kwee of Singapore in the first two outings.He split the points with Fide Master (FM) Lee Qing Aun of Singapore in the third round.

Villanueva from La Carlota, Negros Occidental and Lee, meantime shared second to third spots with identical 4.5 points.Ong, on the other hand was stuck at 4.0 points, the same output of Lincoln Yap frm Cebu.

In the Challenger section. Singapore-based Filipino Jomel Ortiz swept all his six matches for the crown.Zeke Ng of Singapore wound up second place with 5.0 points. Ravind Ricnesh and Charles Heng of Singapore settled third to fourth place with similar 4.5 points.

Ortiz and Ricnesh, also both member of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Singapore together with Suelo.

Suelo currently works at chess teacher in Singapore. Born and raised in Quezon City, Suelo is best to remember who help the Rizal Technological University (RTU) Mandaluyong woodpushers to steered the national championships title during the national inter-collegiate in the mid 90's.-Marlon Bernardino-