Lesser lights show way in Shell Cebu chess

Manila, Philippines -  Unfancied Noel Vincent Crucero and Jethro Esplanada turned in a pair of impressive starts to share the lead in the boys’ juniors’ division while Airene Robillos and Adelaide Lim forged a tie in the girls’ side of the 2012 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Visayas leg at SM Cebu Event Center in Cebu City last Saturday.

Crucero, ranked way below in the 96-player field in the premier 20-and-under class, stunned second seed John Silvederio and Yves Fiel in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively, to cap a sterling start with five points in the nine-round Swiss system tournament, capping a five-leg nation-wide talent search sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

Esplanada, playing out of MacArthur National High, matched that sweep with victories over No. 10 Felipe Aligato Jr., Ralph Otero, Raymond Abellana, Bhell Ortiz and Ramil Wadim as they led third seed Jon Lesaca from Davao, who was held to a draw by Diego Claro in the second round and scored 4.5 points.

Gracing the event were Pilipinas Shell’s social investment manager Jackie Ampil and Cebu City Sports Commission chair Edward Hayco, who made the ceremonial moves, and Ritchie Velasco, Pilipinas Shell retail territory manager.

Silvederio posted four points in a tie with 10 others as they stayed in the hunt for the crown and a berth in next month’s national finals of the annual event sanctioned by NCFP.