NCR, Visayas dominate Shell chess grand finals

The Big City and Visayas bets stamped their class in the early going of the grand finals of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships with two of their four finalists sweeping their first two games in the juniors and kiddies divisions, respectively, yesterday at the Cyberzone at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Rey Jomar Magallanes, the 18-year-old find from UE who topped the NCR leg, trounced Mindanao elims topnotcher Lyndon Sombilon in the first round then outwitted Froilan Bolico in the next, while Ellan Asuela, fourth placer in the NCR elims, hurdled Reb Adonis of Lucena City and teammate Melvin Palomata, who finished third in the NCR qualifier.

But it was Wesley So, the 10-year-old wizard who ruled the kiddies division last year, who stole the limelight when the Cavite-based find, one of the three replacements in the grand finals following the withdrawal of the finalists due to conflict with the UAAP schedule, racked up two victories over Michael Adarlo, second in the Tuguegarao leg, and Bryan Jose of Cagayan de Oro City to join Magallanes and Asuela at the helm of the 20-under category.

Earlier, Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Roberto Kanapi, Pilipinas Shell general manager for external affairs, Romy De Guzman, vice president for corporate affairs of Pilipinas Shell, graced the opening of the three-day event which offers P20,000 to the junior champion and P10,000 to the winner in the kiddies division. The second and third placers in both categories will also receive cash prizes plus medals.

The third and fourth rounds of the 11-round Swiss system event, serving as the culmination of the nation-wide search for chess talents sponsored by Pilipinas Shell, were still being played at presstime. The next four rounds are slated today starting at 10:30 a.m. with the last three rounds slated tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m.

Visayas leg winner Bryan Vaño and third placer Michael Pagaran led the field in the kiddies division with the former beating Bernard Nillo of Baguio City and teammate Joel Pimentel and the latter prevailing over Jerwell Andoy of Mindanao and lone lady finalist Jan Jodilyin Fronda of the NCR.

Mindanao leg winner Rodel Alsado joined the duo on top by stunning top seed Loren Laceste of NCR and Southern Luzon elims topnotcher Pascua Haridas. Trailing them with 1.5 points was fourth ranked Amram Rivas, second placer in the Southern Luzon leg.

Ivan Gil Biag, the top seed in junior play, beat Jose Roble Jr. to bounce back from an opening round draw with John Ritter Belocura and gain solo fourth with 1.5 points.