Olay, Velarde top Mindanao age group chess

MANILA, Philippines - Joannah Olay of Kidapawan City and Jerish Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City topped their respective divisions to lead the winners in the Mindanao leg of the National Age-Group chess championship at the Robinsons Place in General Santos City yesterday.

Olay, a Grade 2 pupil of Kidapawan SPED Elementary School, defeated Ma. Rynah Eureka Anabieza of GenSan in the final round to sweep the six-round girls’ Under-8 crown. She earlier beat Rhea Jane Canino of Cagayan de Oro City and Cynthia Zambrano of Davao City.

Velarde topped the boys’ side with five points while Allaney Jia Doroy of Agusan del Norte also scored five points and took the girls Under-12 title.

Solo leaders with 4.5 each in their respective groups are Meann Joy Baclayon of Misamis Oriental (girls Under-10), Honey Grace Buenafe of Panabo City (girls Under-14), Dhona Yngayo (girls Under-16) and Exiquila Apao of Davao City (girls Under-20).

Meanwhile, Ronald Canino of Cagayan de Oro City (boys’ Under-10) and Chris Aldritz Pondoyo of GenSan (boys’ Under-12) show the way with 4.5 points while Alberto Diolola Jr. of GenSan (boys’ Under-16) and Nepthali Batucan of Davao City (boys’ Under-20) pace their respective groups with five points apiece.

Bhing Joel Gimony of GenSan pooled four points to lead the boys’ Under-14. The winners will represent the Philippines in the ASEAN age-group set in Bangkok, Thailand in June.