Future stars clash in Shell grand tilt finals

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-four players who could be the country’s future chess stars, see action in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship (Shell Chess) grand finals on Oct. 10-11 at the SM Megamall Event Center.

They are all primed up, each raring to dish out their best and hoping to follow in the footstep of top Filipino players the annual chess event has produced, including Grandmasters Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo and Wesley So.

“Chess helps to develop logical thinking. It sharpens the mind and enhances decision-making. Joining chess tournaments has enabled me to travel abroad and even receive scholarship grants,” said Nelson “Elo” Mariano III, 2008 Shell Chess national juniors champion.

Also in the roster of Shell Chess masters are four International Masters, two Fide Masters and 11 National Masters (NM), including Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who recently obtained his NM title, making the Ateneo mainstay one of the players to watch in the event organized by Pilipinas Shell as part of its continuing commitment to help develop the sport and give the youth a venue where they are able to hone their talents and skills.