Kwok, Olar, Galve head Milo chess bid

MANILA, Philippines - Malcolm Kwok, Claudio Olar Jr. and Carmella Galve will spearhead the Milo Checkmate team’s campaign in the Las Vegas International Chess Festival slated June 10-14 at South Point Hotel in Las Vegas.

Also in the Milo Checkmate team are Al Mathew Canafe of Bicol, Richmond Obogne of Quezon City, Jonathan Abo of Pasig City, Reu Sebolino of Quezon City and Roselle Vicencio of Parañaque.

Meanwhile, the 10-year old Canafe halved the point with Stephen Kyle Cinco in 39 moves of a Slav to rule the 12-under division and gain the first of five slots contested in the finals.

Obogne, who finished No. 2 in the 12-under, took the second slot following his victory over Abo in 50 moves of a Ruy Lopez game. Despite the loss, Abo grabbed the third final berth.

Sebolino beat Stella Aquino in 26 moves of a Pirc defense to rule the juniors division for the fourth final slot.

Vicencio nailed the fifth and last final berth after halving the point with Sebolino in the event organized yearly by the Metropolitan Chess Club to give promising and deserving Milo Checkmate kids the chance to gain exposure abroad at an early age.