MEJIA CONTINUES RAMPAGE IN NCR PALARONG PAMBANSA CHESS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO
TOP favorite Giovanni “Gio” Mejia is fast turning the National Capital Region (NCR) Palarong Pambansa Chess qualification tournament into his own private playground.
Mejia, grade 7 pupil of La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) in San Juan hurdled another major obstacle in his title-retention bid, beating John Magpily, a grade 5 student of Maximo Elementary School in Makati in a keenly-watched encounter in the second round yesterday being held at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School, Quirino Avenue in Manila.
Mejia, who opened the tournament with victory over fellow LSGH bet Rhal Sol Cruz Jr., played superbly and aggressively with white and clinched the win in 30 moves of Sicilian Skirmish. Mejia, who teaming up Paulo Bersamina for NCR team to capture the silver medal in the last year’s Tacloban Palarong Pambansa sacrificed his knight in h6 square to launch a strong attack in the king’s side for a win.
“Turning point ng nag sacrifice ako ng knight sa h6 square at hindi na mapigilan ang atake. Well coordinated kasi y’ung mga major pieces ko,” said Mejia.
The second win in a row enabled Mejia to raise his score to two points and create a seven-way tie for first places that include Melwynn Kenneth Baltazar of Manila, Jerad Docena of Pasay, Homel Cunanan of Taguig-Pateros, John Doguines of Pasig, Eder De Jesus of Malabon-Navotas and Paul Tonquia of Paranaque in this 7-round Swiss-system tournament featuring the country’s future World class players in the Elementary boys’ divisions.
Marist School Marikina’s top bets Haince Patrick de Leon and Julius Gonzales toppled their respective rivals to raise their total 1.5 points. De Leon edged Sol Cruz Jr. after 63 moves of another Sicilian encounter while Gonzales prevailed over Mark Rabasto after 50 moves of Philidors defense. Reigning RP 12 and under champion Paulo Bersamina of Pasay bounced back in contention after beating Kenjio Macapagal of Pasig after 55 moves of King's Indian defense for 1 point.
In the High School Boys category, LSGH ace Alfonso “Trio” Ramos failed to convert his slight advantage after losing to Pasay’s Kevin Arquero after 30 moves of Caro-Kann Fantasy. With the win, Arquero scored perfect 2 points, the same output of Ronald Barcelon of Caloocan, David Mojar of Muntinlupa and Rowel Roque of Valenzuela.
Meanwhile, former ASEAN Age group representative Maria Ysabelle Joyce Semillano of Muntinlupa beat Lyn Shane Fetizanan of Marikina after 31 moves of Caro-Kann defense to stamped her class in the Elementary girls' divisions for her 2 straight wins. Christine Laz of Quezon City , on the other hand defeated Arvie Lozano of Mandaluyong City after 43 moves of Sicilian defense to led the High School girls' category with 2 wins.
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO
TOP favorite Giovanni “Gio” Mejia is fast turning the National Capital Region (NCR) Palarong Pambansa Chess qualification tournament into his own private playground.
Mejia, grade 7 pupil of La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) in San Juan hurdled another major obstacle in his title-retention bid, beating John Magpily, a grade 5 student of Maximo Elementary School in Makati in a keenly-watched encounter in the second round yesterday being held at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School, Quirino Avenue in Manila.
Mejia, who opened the tournament with victory over fellow LSGH bet Rhal Sol Cruz Jr., played superbly and aggressively with white and clinched the win in 30 moves of Sicilian Skirmish. Mejia, who teaming up Paulo Bersamina for NCR team to capture the silver medal in the last year’s Tacloban Palarong Pambansa sacrificed his knight in h6 square to launch a strong attack in the king’s side for a win.
“Turning point ng nag sacrifice ako ng knight sa h6 square at hindi na mapigilan ang atake. Well coordinated kasi y’ung mga major pieces ko,” said Mejia.
The second win in a row enabled Mejia to raise his score to two points and create a seven-way tie for first places that include Melwynn Kenneth Baltazar of Manila, Jerad Docena of Pasay, Homel Cunanan of Taguig-Pateros, John Doguines of Pasig, Eder De Jesus of Malabon-Navotas and Paul Tonquia of Paranaque in this 7-round Swiss-system tournament featuring the country’s future World class players in the Elementary boys’ divisions.
Marist School Marikina’s top bets Haince Patrick de Leon and Julius Gonzales toppled their respective rivals to raise their total 1.5 points. De Leon edged Sol Cruz Jr. after 63 moves of another Sicilian encounter while Gonzales prevailed over Mark Rabasto after 50 moves of Philidors defense. Reigning RP 12 and under champion Paulo Bersamina of Pasay bounced back in contention after beating Kenjio Macapagal of Pasig after 55 moves of King's Indian defense for 1 point.
In the High School Boys category, LSGH ace Alfonso “Trio” Ramos failed to convert his slight advantage after losing to Pasay’s Kevin Arquero after 30 moves of Caro-Kann Fantasy. With the win, Arquero scored perfect 2 points, the same output of Ronald Barcelon of Caloocan, David Mojar of Muntinlupa and Rowel Roque of Valenzuela.
Meanwhile, former ASEAN Age group representative Maria Ysabelle Joyce Semillano of Muntinlupa beat Lyn Shane Fetizanan of Marikina after 31 moves of Caro-Kann defense to stamped her class in the Elementary girls' divisions for her 2 straight wins. Christine Laz of Quezon City , on the other hand defeated Arvie Lozano of Mandaluyong City after 43 moves of Sicilian defense to led the High School girls' category with 2 wins.
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