MANILA, Philippines-- Nunilon Fulo III came out triumphant in the New Zealand Senior Chess Championship 2020, which was held at the Auckland Chess Centre in Auckland, New Zealand from November 26 to 29, 2020.
Fulo split the point with countryman Candidate Master (CM) Benjamin Lim in the sixth and final round on Sunday to hike his total scores to 4.5 points on three wins and three draws in six outings.
It was the same output of Fide Master (FM) Leonard Mc Laren, Gordon Morrell, Candidate Master (CM) Benjamin Lim and Fide Master (FM) Robert E Gibbons. Fulo however, nabbed first place after tie break points were applied.
The 51 years old Fulo, working in a retail sector in Rotorua, New Zealand whose roots from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental finished postgraduate diploma in Management Business in New Zealand.
With the victory, Fulo's performance boosted the nation's morale, said Auckland, New Zealand based Ceferino "Jun" Isaac Jr., former member of the Philippine National Police chess team and older brother of ex-PBA player Leo Isaac.
“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayan Nunilon Fulo III and Candidate Master (CM) Benjamin Lim share first places in the just ended New Zealand Senior Chess Championship 2020 over the board chess tournament ,” he said.
“(It’s) proof that the Filipinos can really compete internationally in the field of mind sports (chess game). Fulo and Lim opened the doors for us Filipinos (Senior Chess Championship) and I believe there will be more who will come out and compete in the future." last word of Isaac, who represent New Zealand in this year's FIDE Online Asian Senior Chess Championship.
The said over the board chess tournament was organized by Auckland Chess Centre. Chief Organiser is IO Michael V R Steadman while Chief Arbiter is IA Keong Ang.