Ondangan, Bryant win in Valley Master’s chess

FILIPINO-American FIDE Master John Daniel Bryant and former University of Manila (UM) standout and US National Master Ruben Ondangan Jr. tied for first in the recent 2011 Antelope Valley Master’s Open Chess Championship in Lancaster, California.

FM Bryant, an all-America Team Member, finalist at the US Juniors Closed Championship and winner of several Juniors and State titles, drew his third round match with NM Ondangan, who won the 2004 Hawaii Open and the 2011 Santa Monica FIDE Tournament last January.

They then won their last round games against Las Vegas expert Sergio Marcelo (another Filipino campaigner) and Palmdale ace Arthur Thomas Williams, respectively to tally 3.5 points in four outings to top the field.

The event was sponsored by AV Checkmate Chess Club, in cooperation with the Lancaster Masonic Lodge, Dr. Sheldon Brooks, Mr. Richard Peterson and the Lancaster Christian Ministries Church.  /Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO