By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Master Sander Severino of Silay City and International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City played to a draw in the ongoing 2017 Negros Closed Chess Tournament at the District North Point in Talisay City.
Both Severino and Pimentel won their opening matches, beating Danny Mangao and National Master (NM) Rolando Andador, respectively.
The winner receives a prize of P15,000, trophy, medal, free registration to the Negros International Open Chess Championship, and a trip to either a European or Asian tournament next year.
The tournament ends on Wednesday, May 31./WDJ