Camacho, Garcia, Datu rule chessfest

MANILA, Philippines - FM Jan Garcia halved the point with Roy Coronel to rule the boys’ 16-and-under division while John Datu and Cheradee Camacho topped their respective groups in the 18-and-under class in the Pangasinan national age-group chess championships at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Complex gym in Lingayen, Pangasinan last Tuesday.

Garcia finished with 6.5 points, including a sweep of his first six games, in the seven-round Swiss system tournament to clinch the title.

Datu also drew with Marc Nazario in the final round to likewise end up with 6.5 points, 1 1/2 points ahead of runner-up and top seed FM Haridas Pascua. Lennon Hart Salgados placed third with 4 1/2 points.

Camacho, the country’s highest-rated female player, whipped Irene May Samonte to sweep the girls 18-under category.

Datu, Camacho and Garcia thus earned berths in the Asian Youth Championships slated May 14-22 in Subic.

Cristine Joyce Lat and Lorraine Salinas wound up second and third, respectively, in the girls’ 18-under class.

Other winners were Giovanni Mejia (boys’ 14-under), Mary Joyve Fuerter (girls’ 14-under), Daryl Unix Samantila (boys’ 12-under), Marie Antoinette San Diego (girls’ 12-under), Julis Gonzales (boys’ 10-under), Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem (girls’ 10-under), Khulene Lord de la Cruz (boys’ 8-under) and Jerlyn Mae San Diego (girls’ 8-under).