Pinoy National Master Arellano tops Qatar rapid chess tilt

QATAR-based Filipino Robert Arellano scored a perfect 7.0 points in seven rounds to rule the Ramadan Rapid Open Chess Tournament 2013 held July 13 to 21 at the Girls Chess Club Abu Hamour in Doha, Qatar.
The former University of Sto. Tomas stalwart defeated Indian Shatrughan Jha in the seventh and final round to post a full-point edge over compatriot, Rolenson Loyola.
Arellano, who holds a National Master title, pocketed 3,000 Qatari riyals (about P35,000) and the championship trophy.
Among Arellano’s victims were Edgar Allan Hoe of the Philippines, Amvar Kassim of India, Ahmed Batah of Syria, Tareg Al Qadi of Egypt, Yasser Alshawaffa of Syria and Ahmed Hamed of Egypt.
Loyola, a former mainstay of San Sebastian College-Recoletos tallied 6.0 points to bag 2,000 Qatari riyals (about P23,000).  /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino