Shell holds youth chess program

MANILA, Philippines - At least 200 students from selected schools in Luzon got the chance to learn firsthand from the country’s top chess players in “An Interaction with the Masters” (A.I.M.) chess program at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Complex in Pasig City recently.

Organized by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), the program was designed to help instill values and disciplines and at the same time develop thinking skills among the participants.

“Shell has been promoting chess to the Filipino youth for 18 years. We believe that this sport instills discipline, sportsmanship, sense of fair play and diligence. It also improves one’s academic performance,” said Ronald Suarez, Pilipinas Shell Sustainable Development manager.

Now on its second year, the AIM program also seeks to provide an opportunity to young chess players to interact and learn from the best-accomplished chess masters.

“We, in Shell, hope that through this program, students will be able to learn values and transfer it in real life so that they are not only champions in the game but also champions in life,” said Suarez.

 The top students in Advance II, presided over by GM Jayson Gonzales, were Mervin dela Cruz, Justin David, John Eric Margarito, and Virgin Gil Ruaya for Group A. Other winners were John Tristan Palacio, Mark James Macillana, Clifford Cobsilen, Elijah Maliam, and Arfenee Bonifacio for Group B while Shaina Mendoza took a special award.

Andrew Uy, France Chanco, Christian Navarro and Francis Abuseso led the top students in intermediate level under IM Idelfonso Datu, while those who shone in Advance I level, under IM Oliver Dimakiling, were Delfin Soriano, John Eden and Eva Rico.