Pason, 2 others set early pace

Cebuano chess prodigy Allan Pason bested the equally-talented Renzi Kyle Sevillano to earn a share of the juniors boys division lead with Felix Shaun Balbona and Mindanao's John Gerard Acedo  after five rounds of action in the Visayas leg of the 21st Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship yesterday at the SM City-Cebu Event Center.

Pason posted a perfect 5.0 points, so far, together with Balbona and Acedo in this two-day, 9-round  Swiss system competition presented by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCPF).

Balbona also stayed unscathed after edging out Noel Vincent Crucero, while Acedo from Bukidnon  State University sustained his sizzling run after prevailing over Godfrey Villamor. Marq Gabriel Balbona is at solo second with 4.5 points, while Sevillano led a dozen players with 4.0 points.           

 In the kiddies boys, Edsel Vosotros, Argie Lumapac and Chris Aldritz Pondoyo also figured in a  three-way tie atop the leaderboard with 5.0 points. Vosotros claimed Reishi Boy Polan as his latest victim, while Lumpac and Pondoyo subdued Michael Canizares and Joshua Panes, respectively, in round four.

In the juniors girls division, Vic Glysen Derotas and Jazelle Villarin from the University of San  Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) share the temporary lead after four rounds with 4.0 points apiece. Derotas tamed  Shaira Mae Monsalud, while Villarin upended Christina Hazel Sato. Adelaide Lim is alone at second spot with 3.5 points, while Monsalud joined nine others with 3.0 points.

In the kiddies girls action, Christy Cabungcag of Mabini National High School and Fiona Geeweeneth  Guirhem from Central Philippines University (CPU) of Iloilo are currently on top of the heap with 4.0 points each, while Cebuana pawnpusher Laila Camel Nadera is at solitary second with 3.5 points.

The games, which will wind up today at the same venue, are being supervised by tournament director  Alexander Dinoy and international arbiter Gene Poliarco. They are assisted by FIDE arbiters Felix Poloyapoy, Jr. and Marvin Ruelan. (FREEMAN)