Sevillano, Moulic cop Shell chess crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Rhenzi Sevillano rebounded from a fourth round setback with a sweep of his last four matches then watched erstwhile joint leaders Diego Claro, Aljie Cantonjos and Danilo Engay Jr. falter in the crunch to cop the boys’ junior division crown in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Mindanao leg at SM Davao Event Center in Davao City last Sunday.

Sevillano beat Anthony Sagayno in the fifth round then stamped his class over Jason Engay, John Acedo, Jason Nabatlao and Dexter Echalico at resumption as the San Carlos Univ. bet from Cebu City emerged solo champion with eight points and advanced to the national finals of the annual event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

Claro, who stunned Sevillano in the fourth to forge a three-way tie for the lead with Cantonjos and Engay halfway through the nine-round Swiss system event, dropped two of his last four games, including a final round setback to Cantonjos, who finished solo second with 7.5 points and took the other berth in the grand finals slated Sept. 14-15 at SM Megamall.

Claro settled for joint third with Nabatlao, Acedo, Jimson Trangia and Tahseen Saludsong while Engay lost twice and drew two matches and bowed out of contention with six points.

Top ranked Ella Moulic of Holy Cross of Davao outplayed No. 3 Airene Robillos with the black in a duel of unbeaten players in the fifth round then bested Dhona Yngayo and Rose Aldovino to sweep the seven-round girls’ junior side of the event and secure the lone seat in the grand finals.