Pimentel, San Diego pace nat'l chess tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Joel Pimentel Jr. drew with Jude Emil Fronda in the third round then trounced Vince Angelo Medina in the next to retain the lead in the Open division of the National Juniors Chess Championships recently.

Pimentel, winner of the Open 20-Under category of the National Age Group-Visayas leg, has pooled 3.5 points after four rounds to share the lead with McDominique Lagula. 

Pimentel and Lagula, who split the point with WNM Janelle Mae Frayna then whipped Jose Carlo Castro, dispute the lead in a key fifth round match.

Six other players assembled three points, including FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina, who drew with Marc Christian Nazario then beat Normel de Jesus, Vince Angelo Medina, Paul Robert Evangelista, Jan Francis Mirano, Jude Emil Fronda, Franz Robert Grafil and Paul Benjamin Casiano.

In girls play, Marie Antoinette San Diego defeated Loraine Salinas and Gladys Hazelle Romero to grab the solo lead with four points.

Judith Pineda beat Jean Karen Enriquez then drew with Christine Joyce Laz to move up to second with 3.5 points.

Romero, Salinas and Ruth Aubrey De Guzman share third place with three points.

The top five placers will advance to the grand finals on April 23-30 with the winners clinching berths in the World Juniors Chess Championships in Athens, Greece.