Longshot, top seed rule Davao chess

MANILA, Philippines - Unfancied Philip John Leyson swept his last three matches then nipped three others in the tiebreak to capture the juniors crown while top seed Austin Jacob Literatus emerged solo champion in the kiddies side of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Mindanao leg at SM City, Davao City last Sunday.

The No. 32 ranked Leyson, playing out of Central Mindanao Colleges in Kidapawan, turned back No. 15 Ruel Canaveras then stunned fifth seed Danilo Engay in the seventh round before downing Gary Rojo in the last round to finish with seven points in the eight-round tournament in the 20-and-under division.

No. 7 Jester Andoy, No. 18 Erwin Tubog Jr. and Kent Anabieza also wound up with similar seven points but Leyson took the crown with a superior tiebreak score and Andoy and Tubog edged Anabieza for the next two spots and berths in the national finals of the event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.