Top seeds dominate Shell Cebu chess tiff

MANILA, Philippines – No.1 seed Chris Aldritz Pondoyo outduelled fellow University of Cebu stalwart Adrian Basilgo in the sixth round then closed out with three more wins to capture the juniors crown in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship’s Visayas leg at SM City Cebu, last Sunday.

Pondoyo, who was half-a-point behind Basilgo halfway through the nine-round Swiss system tournament, foiled the erstwhile solo leader with the black pieces in the sixth round then toppled Remigio Galenzoga III, Philgymn Villajuan and Marc Villarojo to wind up with 8.5 points and capture the crown in the 13-16 age bracket.

Jerish Velarde of Marie Ernestine School also emerged solo champion in kiddies play with 8.5 points while University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Jethro Esplanada finished with eight points and nipped fellow USJ-R ace Allan Pason in the tiebreak to snare the seniors title as the top seeded bets lived up to their respective billings to dominate the third leg of the five-stage circuit sponsored by Pilipinas Shell for the 24th year.