PHOTOS: 2011 Age-Group Chess Championship

(Story and photos courtesy of NM Marlon Bernardino)
















FM John Alcon Datu of Caloocan and World Chess Olympiad campaigner Cheradee Chardine Camacho of Aringay, La Union won their respective matches in the boys and girls 18 years old and under categories in the 2011 Pangasinan national age-group chess championships at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here Monday.

Datu beat Lennon Hart Salgados of CDO in a kenly-watched encounter to remain on top in centerpiece boys 18 and under class with 4 points.

FM Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, who lost to Datu in Sunday's third round, bounced back in contention after subduing Wilbert Pilarta of Marikina in the other featured 18 and under showdown in this five-day competition organized by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Director for Grassroots and development program GM Jayson Gonzales in close cooperation with Pangasinan Chess Federation head Juan Sison, hosted by Pangasinan governor Amado Espino and backed up by NCFP chairman/ president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

Pascua raised his total 3 points, the same output of Marc Christian Nazario of Quezon City, Virgen Gil Ruaya of Antipolo and Rodney Plaming of San Fabian.

Nazario downed Jose Rizaldy Zaspa of Urdaneta, Ruaya outplayed John de Leon of Binmaley while Plaming upset Jan Nigel Galan of Valenzuela.

Camacho, on the other hand, defeated erstwhile co-leader Christine Joyce Laz of Quezon City for 4 points in the girls 18 under.

Sharing the limelight were FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who subdued Dave Patrick Dulay of Ilocos in the boys 16 under class for 4 points; and Janelle Mae Frayna of Far Eastern University-Manila, who overpowered Michella Concio of Laguna in the girls 16 under division for 3.5 points along with WFM Cherry Ann Mejia of Taguig and Brena Mae Membrere of La Union.

In the boys 14 under, Giovanni Mejia of La Salle-Greenhills crushed Jerad Docena of Bohol to take the lead with his fourth straight win.

Virgenie Ruaya of Antipolo drew with Shania Mae Mendoza of Laguna to vault into a tie for 1st to 3rd placers with Merlene Membre of Ilocos who dealt Chelsea Gallardo of Pasig for 3.5 points in the girls 14 under.

Daryl Unix Samantila of Adamson University edged Haince Patrick de Leon of Marist School in the boys 12 under to notch his four straight win while Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales slit the point with Marie Antoinette San Diego of Cavite to share on top with 3.5 points in the girls 12 under.

Julius Gonzales of Parang Elementary School drew with Emmanuel Van Paler of Manila in the boys 10 under while Fiona Guirheim of Manila nipped Eliza Mapili of Cavite in the girls 10 under.

Aside from trophies and cash prizes at stake, the top finishers in all six categories in both the boys and girls divisions will earn the right to represent the country in the coming Asian Youth chess championships scheduled in Subic next month.