SSC, Letran chessers up

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College and Letran blanked their respective rivals to seize the solo lead in their respective divisions after six rounds of the 88th NCAA chess competitions at SM Centerpoint in Sta. Mesa, Manila recently.

The Stags dominated the Arellano U chessers behind Adrian Perez, Jayson Mercado, Louie Salvador and Arvie Jongko, who swept the four-board match to grab the solo lead in seniors play with 20.5 points, a full point ahead of St. Benilde.

The Blazers fell to second with 19.5 points after settlng for a 3-1 win over Emilio Aguinaldo on victories by Narquingden Reyes and Jerich Cajeras on the top two boards and draws by Peter Lev Donguines with Leonard Andrada and Jesse Abucejo with Angelo Estebar.

Letran, meanwhile, hammered out a 4-0 triumph over Mapua on wins by FIDE Master Paolo Bersamina, Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar, Mary Joyce Fuerte and Ivan Czar DJ Marquez as it grabbed the solo lead in the high school section with 21 points.

The Intramuros-based squad moved half a point ahead of erstwhile co-leader Arellano U, which posted a 3-1 win over San Sebastian on victories by Edil Gester Garcia, Carlo Caranyagan and Kyz Llantada on the top three boards.

The Chiefs’ only defeat came on board four as Tucker Viernes bowed to Homel Aristotle Cunanan in the tournament.