National juniors chess grand finals under way

MANILA, Philippines - The national age group and national juniors chess championships get going today in Tanauan City, Batangas with a total of 180 players clashing for various titles and spots in the Philippine team competing in the Asian Youth Chess in Sri Lanka.

FM Paulo Bersamina, 2011 titlist Joseph Turqueza and fellow FIDE Master Haridas Pascua have been installed as the early favorites in the boys’ side.

Defending champion WNM Janelle Mae Frayna heads the girls’ cast that includes WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and WNM Jedara Docena.

Also to be disputed are titles in the boys and girls’ 10-under, 12-U, 14-U, 16-U and 20-U categories. The 30 finalists in the National Juniors will also vie for a berth in the World Juniors in Greece.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero will grace the opener along with Tanauan City Mayor Sonia Torres Aquino and other city officials, NCFP officials, led by chairman/president Butch Pichay, sec-gen Bambol Tolentino and organizing committee chair Raul Canobas.