JEDDAH, 20 June 2003 — Willy Sabungan of Shamrock put his winning run on the line against Dr. Motaz El-Fadil of Bahlas Medical Center, winning in straight set to grab the solo lead with a score of 19 points in the featured tenth round match of the Al-Faf hotel chess tournament (phase one round-robin event). At 18 points is Dr. El-Fadil. Former solo leader CPA Gerry Calixto of HILTI is in third spot with 17 points.
Sabungan’s other victim was Gary Abadines of Jeddah Cable and Irshad Hussain of Trans Desert whom he beat in Friday’s eighth and ninth rounds to confirm his lead in the tournament organized by Community Chess Club and sponsored by Al-Faf hotel.
Chess players, who skipped the ongoing phase one or round-robin event and applied their option to be chartered in the struggle bracket of the Stepladder Knockout Final are Najib Uddin, Bong Baluyot, Gil Buensuceso and Rod “Pogi” Manansala.
The 9th series now on its first half of the phase one or the round-robin event, which started last May 16. The Community Chess Club declared Series Ten open to amateur chess players. Entrants of Series 10 may register at the lobby of Al-Faf Hotel during Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
