PACE Kiddies 13th Leg winners

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

Bryan Barcelon (upper photo) of University of the East (UE) and Shannon Mark Danielle Aguimbag of Saint John of Beverley School in Novaliches clinched the championship in their respective divisions of the 13th leg of Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) Kiddies (Under-16) Chess Championship at 2nd Floor PACE HQ 56 Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City on Saturday.

Barcelon bested Marc Christian Nazario of University of the Philippines (UP) and Clifford Gobsilin of San Isidro National High School in Antipolo, Rizal in the tie break points to win the coveted title in this event, hosted by two-time Olympian member GM Jayson Gonzales and supervised by National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters (NAPCA) headed by Boyet Tardecilla.

The triumvirate (Barcelon, Nazario and Gobsilin) tallied 5 points apiece in the six round Swiss-tournament which attracted 31 players.

Seven year old Aguimbag (lower photo) won the gold in the 8 and under category while ten year old Francelouis Changco of Jose Rizal Elementary School and 9 year old Allen Lark Petalver of Letran Manila dominates the 10 and under divisions.

Aguimbag, Changco and Petalver, playing under the guidance of National Master (NM) Edmundo Gatus.

The Grand Finals gets underway on November 27 and 28 at the same venue.

Meanwhile, everything is ready to resume the opening 13th Leg PACE Active Open Chess Championship (2100 & Below PACE Rapid Rating) on November 6, Saturday 10:30am.

For registration please look for Gina Kobayashi at (02) 473-7008, 0916-6169586, 09198277179.