Cebu’s top junior chess players managed to effectively man the local fort against outside challengers yesterday in the opening round of the 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Regional Eliminations at the SM City Cebu event center.
Lapu-lapu City’s Jerish John Velarde and Danao City’s Alphecca Gonzales led the early winners in the Kiddies division.
On the other hand, Felix Shaun Balbona, Alan Pason, Diego Claro, Ryan Pacres and Christian Pondoyo also flashed their deadly form in the newly added Seniors division while last year’s Kiddies category champion Vic Glysen Derotas led the winners in her first foray into the Juniors division.
Velarde, who placed 11th in the FIDE World Schools Championships 2015 in Pattaya, Thailand, routed Ryza Mae Buhian in the first round yesterday while Danao City’s Gonzales crushed Ralph Nicole James Catubig in the Kiddies division.
In the Juniors action, Derotas edged Paul Solis Jr. in the opening round.
Meanwhile, in the new Seniors division, Pason of Lapu-lapu City beat April Venice Lumapac, while Balbona nipped Klint Jipos. Claro on the other hand, won over Ace Rey Loquez while Pacres defeated Kowloon Sit and Pondoyo crushed Junrey Alimpolos.
Around 300 wood pushers joined the nine-round, Swiss system tournament organized by Shell Philippines.