Fernandez, Pabatang rule Shell chess

MANILA, Philippines -  Alfer Fernandez swept his last four matches, including a final round victory over fellow unheralded bet Allan Pason, to snatch the boys’ juniors crown while Diana Pabatang took the girls’ plum in the 2012 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Visayas leg at SM Cebu Event Center in Cebu City last Sunday.

 Fernandez, one of the 10 players who scored four points after five rounds in the premier 20-and-under class, toppled Daniel Minoza at resumption then bested Felix Balbona and Fritz Porras before outwitting Pason with the black to emerge solo champion with eight points in the nine-round Swiss system tournament. 

Pabatang stunned Harveyjane Hilvano in the fifth round then disposed of Adelaide Lim before forcing a draw with Shaira Monsalud to cop the girls’ junior crown with six points and gain the lone berth in the grand finals set Sept. 22-23 at SM Megamall.