Visiting wood pushers dominated the two-day 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships yesterday at the SM City Cebu Event Center.
In the seniors competition, 19-year-old Adrian dela Cruz of Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental emerged champion after finishing with 7.5 points.
Ormoc City’s 12-year-old Philgymn Villajuan, represented Barangay Legaspi Elementary School, finished off with 8.0 points to top the kiddies division while Tanjay City’s Genesis Mateo Borromeo secured the top spot in the juniors division with 8.0 points.
Dela Cruz, who is a Geodetic Engineering student from Negros Oriental State University, was the 12th seed in the seniors division. Dela Cruz, third-seed Jethro Esplenada of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and Felix Shaun Balbona all finished with 7.5 points. Dela Cruz finished on top because of a bigger tie-break score.
Villajuan started as the 17th seed and finished at the top, out performing top-seed Adrian de Luna of Santa Barbara Central School of Iloilo City, who placed second with 7.5 points.
Malabuyoc Elementary School’s Marian Calimbo claimed the third spot with 7.0 points. She was also the recipient of the best female performer plum.
In the juniors division, Borromeo, climbed from being the 74th seed to being the champion. He only lost once in the nine-round competition.
University of Cebu’s Chris Aldritz Pondoyo finished the competition in second place with 7.5 points. Central Philippines University’s (CPU) Kris Oswald Olvido placed third with 7.5 points.
Aside from winning cash prizes and trophies courtesy of Shell Philippines, winners also earned slots to the Grand Finals in Manila slated this September.