Datu leads Pinoy winners in Asean chess opener AA

MANILA, Philippines - National Master Alcon John Datu subdued Tran Quang Khai of Vietnam  to lead the Filipinos in the opening round of the 14th Asean Age Group rapid chess tournament at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday.

Datu, playing in the Under-20 division, got the win with the black pieces. International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia won by default over Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh of India.  Fide Master Haridas Pascua yielded to FM Dang Hoang Son of Vietnam.

Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna, meantime, bested Archie Gupta of India in the Girls 20-and- under.

Frayna earned her two WIM norms in last year’s World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and another two WIM norms in the just ended $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship.