THREE Cebuano junior wood pushers made waves last weekend in the 24th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship – Grand Finals by finishing in the top four of their respective divisions at the SM Megamall in Metro Manila.
University of Cebu’s (UC) Diego Abraham Caparino, Chris Aldritz Pondoyo and Lapu-lapu City’s Jerish John Velarde shone in the seniors, juniors and kiddies divisions, respectively.
UC head coach International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap was especially proud of his young chessers for finishing strong in the tough tournament.
Caparino and Pondoyo who dominated the CESAFI chess tournament’s collegiate and high school division, respectively each scored 7.0 points in nine rounds to bag the silver medal in their division.
Caparino edged fellow Cebuano Laila Nadera of USC in the first round of the seniors division but lost to University of Mindanao’s John Ray Batucan in the second. He won his next four matches versus Star Jen Candia of Cor Jesu College, Khristian Clyde Arellano of Adamson University, Brylle Gever Vinluan of National University (NU) and Eliseo Budoso of University of the East (UE). He then lost to NU’s Lawrence Magura in the seventh but won his last two assignments against Daniel Borinaga of UM and Cebuano Jethro Esplanada of USJ-R to salvage second place.
Batucan topped the seniors division with 7.5 points.
Pondoyo, the juniors’ champion of the Cebu Leg last July in SM City Cebu opened with a win against Misamis Oriental’s Aldin Ronulfo Ranario but lost to Istraelito Rilloraza of FEU in the next round. He earned a draw in the third round against Earl Mantilla of UM but rebounded with three wins against Emanuel Paler of UST in the fourth, Kylen Joy Mordido of Cavite in the fifth and Dale Bernardo of FEU in the sixth. He had another draw in the seventh round versus Julius Gonzales of De La Salle University before winning his last two games against Lee Roi Palma of UE and Rillaroza.
Gonzales ruled the juniors division with 7.5 points.
Meanwhile, Velarde of Marie Ernestine School of Lapu-lapu City finished fourth in the kiddies class with 6.0 points. Nadera settled in 13th spot.
Other Cebuanos who joined the tournament were Allan Pason who placed eighth in the seniors division; Adrian Basil Basilgo who placed 10th in the juniors category and Alphecca Gonzales who landed in 11th place in the kiddies division.
Cavite’s Daniel Quizon ruled the kiddies division with a perfect 9.0 points.