Llantada, Lozano rule Shell NCR chess

MANILA, Philippines - Kyz Llantada of Arellano U scored 3.5 points in the last four rounds then nipped fourth seed Timothy So Kua in the tiebreak to clinch the boys’ juniors crown while UP Diliman’s Arvie Lozano dominated the girls side in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships NCR leg at SM Megamall Event Center Thursday.

Llantada, ranked 18th in the field of 100, downed No. 13 Aglipay Oberio, Jerome Villanueva and Franz Grafil then drew with Norvin Gravillo in the final round to finish with 6.5 points in the nine-round Swiss system tournament and gain a berth in the national finals.

The fourth seeded So Kua of UST also finished with 3.5 points in the last four rounds to tie Llantada on top but the latter took the crown with a higher tiebreak score. Despite the setback, So Kua also clinched a spot in the grand finals in September.

Top seed Narquingden Reyes fell short of his title bid with seven points as he settled for joint third with Jerome Villanueva, Paul Evangelista and Gravillo in the event put up by Pilipinas Shell for the 21st year.

Halfway leaders Marc Nazario and Franz Grafil, who swept their first five games in the 20-and-under class, wavered in the stretch and scored just 1.5 points to finish with 6.5 points in a tie with John Batucan and Jefferson Mansanero.

Lozano, on the other hand, swept her last three matches, including a final round victory over top seed Mikee Suede to emerge the solo winner in the seven-round girls’ juniors play with 6.5 points.

Gladys Romero of FEU ended up tied for second with Ruth De Guzman of Sta. Rosa with 5.5 points but took the No. 2 spot and the other berth in the national finals with a superior tiebreak score.

Pilipinas Shell Social Investment manager Jackie Ampil and IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, also the first Asian IM, graced the awards rites of the event, the kickoff leg of a five-stage nationwide circuit culminating in the grand finals in September, also at SM Megamall.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the circuit, aimed at discovering fresh talents, especially in the countryside, and developing them to become members of future national teams, will be held June 22-23 at SM Batangas for the Southern Luzon leg.

For details, contact Dinoy or Joselito Castro at (043) 7232568, (043 7234246 or 0906 4756327.