Pinoy chess master shines in California
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 14 Dec 2017
FORMER University of Manila standout and now US National Master Ruben Ondangan Jr. settled for overall second place in the just concluded 2017 Antelope Valley Masters 8th Christmas Classic Open chess tournament in Lancaster, California on Sunday, December 10, 2017.
The Concepcion, Marikina native nabbed the runner-up?s trophy in the Open division of the tournament with 3.0 points in four outings.
Ondangan, who is best remembered winning the 2004 Hawaii Open Chess Championship, currently serves as a senior pastor in Lancaster, California.
He is also the founder/CEO and Certified Chess Instructor at C.H.E.C.K.M.A.T.E. Chess Schools.
Craig Anderson, also a certified United States Chess Federation (USCF) master won the title with 3.5 points. Candidate Master (CM) Sergio "Jun" Marcelo, another Filipino Pastor from Batangas City tallied 2.5 points, tying at Expert John Vandenberg and CM Indra Lahiri for 3rd to 5th place.
Kevin Golchin, meantime tallied perfect 4.0 points to top the Under 1800 section. Alexander Kuzmenko finished second with 3.0 points followed by 3rd place Evan Han with 2.5 points.
In the under 1500 Section, Justin Choi had a total 4.0 points output for the crown. Collin Xiang, Roger Li, Chloe Wang and Douglas Stark scored 2.0 points each.
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