Fronda, ranked 69th in a field of 284 and the least fancied among the chess-playing brood, bested Nicanor Saldo Jr. and Cynil Olvina in the first two rounds then stunned Bolico with a solid game in the third to find himself among the 28 players with three points in the 14-and-under group.
Joining him at the helm are No. 2 Jude Fronda, No. 3 Franz Grafil, No. 4 Haridas Pascua and sixth seed Mari Turqueza and 23 others chasing the top three berths for the grand finals of the event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.
Top seed Jan Emmanuel Garcia was held to a draw by Paulo Bersamina in the second round and had 2.5 points heading into the last four rounds of the seven-round Swiss system event backed by Shell Better Mileage Gasolines: Super Premium, Super Unleaded, Velocity; Shell Diesoline Ultra, Shellane, McDonald and Cebu Pacific.
Earlier, National Chess Federation of the Phils. (NCFP) Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. and Lito Diga, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. vice president for finance, made the ceremonial move ushering in the two-day tournament which also features the juniors category (20-and-under).
Roberto Kanapi, general manager for external affairs of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., welcomed the players to the event, long considered as the spawning ground of chess talents in the country.
In junior play, Letran’s Givy Bartolome beat Sharly Abuna to lead the two pointers, who included No. 4 Vic Neil Villanueva, Paulo Florendo, Stephen Laceste and UE’s Eugene Pimentel.
Sharing the spotlight was Oscar Dominguiano Jr., a player ranked No. 113 in a field of 196 who defeated third seed Nelson Mariano III in the first round.
Meanwhile, the second leg of the nationwide circuit, which has produced the likes of GMs Mark Paragua and Nelson Mariano II and the 12-year-old Wesley So, will be held in Baguio on July 8-9 followed by Tuguegarao (July 22-23), Batangas (Aug.5-6), Cebu City (Aug. 19-20), Iloilo City (Sept. 2-3), Davao City (Sept. 16-17) and Zamboanga City (Sept. 30-Oct. 1).
Registration is also open at all Shellane showrooms nationwide and at selected Shell depots/installations, service stations and local offices.
Inquiries: Alex Dinoy (744-1664 or 0916-5146384) or Willie Abalos (0918-6523265) or local coordinators Briccio Domondon (074 446-9103-Baguio).