Fifth seed Nelson Mariano III swept his first five matches to grab the solo lead in the juniors division while third seed Jerich Cajeras drew with Jan Galan in the fifth round to pace the kiddies category halfway through the grand finals of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong Saturday.
Mariano, youngest brother of former Shell champion and national team standout GM Nelson Mariano II, trounced Gerald Ferriol, Sherwin Tiu, Recarte Tiauson, Joel Pimentel and Jan Garcia to lead the chase for top honors worth P30,000 in the 20-and-under class, a full point over Tiu heading into the last four rounds of the nine-round Swiss system tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.
Tiu, who opened his bid with a victory over Loren Laceste, bounced back from a second round to Mariano as he trampled Joseph Turqueza, top seed Paulo Florendo and Joel Pimentel to seize solo second with four points while Florendo and third ranked Sheider Nebato stood half-a-point behind with 3.5 points.
Cajeras failed to match Mariano’s hot start in kiddies play but succeeded in wresting the solo lead in the 14-under category with victories over Alder Jallorina, Paulo Bersamina, Christian Nanola, and Aglipay Oberio.
The second seeded Galan stalled Cajeras’ charge with a draw in the fifth round.