Fiel, 3 others share Shell Cebu chess lead

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Christian Fiel survived the rash of upsets that befell the other fancied bets as he swept his first five matches to lead the way in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships-Central Visayas leg at the University of San Carlos North Campus gym in Cebu City over the weekend.

Fiel repulsed Gem Germogenes in the opening round then stamped his class over Joshua Guinto, Cheryl Angot, Khier Embrado and Yuri Cauba as he pressed his title bid in the eighth-round junior division of the two-category tournament with five points.

Matching his output are No. 13 James Torres, No. 25 Keith Ibaoc and long-shot Patrick Miñoza, ranked 134th among 206 entries in the 20-and-under division of the tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell and sanctioned by tbe National Chess Federation of the Phils.

Seventh seed John Cuyag, No. 26 Bernardo Ruelo, No. 33 Raymond Abellana and No. 44 Sherwin Amad posted identical 4.5 points while 19 others, led by sixth ranked Daryn Torres, stayed in the hunt with four points.

The lesser lights, however, dominated the first five rounds of the kiddies category with Jazrelle Villarin, ranked fifth-to-last in the 294-player field, scoring a sweep over Michael Gimorino, Jireh Guinto, Chris Estreba, Mae Diloy and Welfredo Besinga to force a seven-way tie for the lead.

Also springing surprises in the 14-and-under division are No. 139 Jamus Garzon, No. 130 Jethro Espalanada, No. 112 Vic Derotas, No. 107 Spencer de Guzman, No. 89 Diego Claro and No. 40 Vincent Balena.