Cajeras, Membrere top Shell NCR active chess

MANILA, Philippines - Jerich Cajeras of St. Benilde racked up three wins and a draw in the last four rounds while Ateneo’s Brena Mae Membrere bounced back from a fourth round loss with a sweep of her last three games as they ruled the NCR leg of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships at the Skydome Event Center at SM North EDSA last Sunday.

The third-seeded Cajeras, who with Ferdinand Reyes and Kevin Arquero swept their first four matches in the juniors’ boys side Saturday, toppled Ferdinand Reyes in the fifth, halved the point with Narquingden Reyes in the next round before beating Christian Nañola and Arquero to emerge the solo champion with seven ½ points in the eight-round tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

San Beda’s Christian Tiu rebounded from a fourth round setback to Cajeras with victories over Ryan Magtabog, Gabriel Layugan, Gil Ruaya and Ali Guya as he finished with seven points for the second and last slot in the grand finals in the 20-and-under division.

On hand during awards rites were IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and Janot Barreto, Pilipinas Shell Communications and Social Performance Supply and Distribution manager.

The unrated Membrere downed Joribene Bonifacio, Mylen Gabion and Crystal Mendoza at resumption to finish with a six-point total over seven rounds as she copped the juniors girls’ title in the event which served as the kickoff leg of a five-stage nationwide circuit sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phil.

Adamson’s Karen Jean Enriquez, who beat Membrere in the fourth round, scuttled Gabion, split the point with Louise Soler in the sixth round before disposing of Krizza Abasolo to clinch second spot with five ½ points.

Unlike in the previous Shell active series, only the top two players in each of the four categories will advance to the national finals slated in September.

In kiddies play, Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar scored 3 ½ points in the last four rounds to finish with 7 ½ points then nipped Jerad Docena in the tiebreak to capture the boys’ crown in the event sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils., and backed by Shell V-Power, Shellane and Shell Helix in partnership with SM Supermalls, Rudy Project and Brickstone Mall in Tuguegarao leg.

Alexis Anne Osena of San Antonio Central School Quezon drew her final round match with Janell-An Basbas to bag the 14-and-under girls’ diadem with 6 ½ points.

Jellie Ann Magro bounced back from a loss to Osena in the fifth round with victories over Angela Aquino and Lois Guico to place second with six points for the other seat in the grand finals.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the Shell active chess circuit will be held in Tuguegarao for the Northern Luzon leg on July 23-24 at the Brickstone Mall. For details, contact tournament director Alex Dinoy (0922-8288510 or 02-400-3248) or leg coordinators Mariano Cabugos (078) 844-0513 (Tuguegarao),