Grafil, De Guzman, Vicente pace Shell chess S Luzon leg

MANILA, Philippines - Franz Robert Grafil showed top form and swept his first five matches to lead the boys’ juniors division while unfancied Ruth Aubrey De Guzman and Venice Vicente took charge in girls’ play in the 21st Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Southern Luzon leg at SM Batangas Event Center in Batangas Saturday.

The third seeded Grafil, playing out of Dr. Crisologo Ermita HS, toppled Mharvin Soriano, Paul Fortin, Jasper Forcado, Jerome Villanueva and Christian Cabida to emerge the solo leader halfway through the nine-round Swiss system tournament in the premier 20-and-under division.

Charles Abuzo, John Ray Batucan and Carlo Caranyagan each won four games and drew once to share second place at 4.5 points while top seed Narquincen Reyes bounced back from a first round setback to Paolo Garcia with a sweep of the next four to lead nine others in the four pointers group.

Earlier, Atty. Maria Victoria Antique-Garalza, representing Gov. Vilma Santos, and Glecy Clet, Batangas City assistant for youth and sports development, made the ceremonial moves kicking off the two-day event serving as one of Shell’s innovative methods in developing the potentials of Filipino youths to become productive individuals.

De Guzman and Vicente, ranked Nos. 12 and 14, respectively, also won their first four matches to lead the girls’ category with No. 5 Mariel Batulan and No. 8 Eloisa Sta. Rita pooling 3.5 points and eight others staying in the hunt for the top two spots with three points.

De Guzman, of UP, dominated May Jabay, Regie Gliponeo, Sophia Canape and No. 4 Jean Enriquez while FEU’s Vicente downed Christine Hernandez and stunned top seed Judith Pineda before beating No. 7 Crissa Canada and Virgenie Ruaya to press her title bid in the event also graced by Pilipinas Shell Tabango Refinery communications and social performance manager Cesar Abaricia.

Second seed Patrick de Leon of Ateneo likewise stamped his class in the boys’ kiddies side with a sweep of the first five games to lead top seed Jayson Danday of National U, Stephen Pangilinan and Rothsen Bautista of Faith by half-a-point while 13 others posted four points to remain in the title race in the 14-and-under class.

Letran’s top seed Alexis Osena and No. 4 Charlotte Paez paced the girls’ kiddies category with four points with Francois Magpily and Francell Javier right behind with 3.5 points and nine others scoring three points apiece.