CEBU CITY—Candon City wunderkind Mecel Angela Gadut emerged with flourish as the first champion (U8 girls) in the ongoing National Age Group Chess Championships at Robinson’s Galleria here.
An Asian Youth and ASEAN Age Group chess championships silver medalist protégé of Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson and Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson, Gadut swept the opposition, posting nine points in as many rounds.
Finishing runner-up a full point behind Gadut, who had her first brush with chess pieces when she was five years old under the tutelage of her father, was Jirah Floravie Cutiyog of Gen.Trias, Cavite.
Rounding out the podium finishers in the youngest category of the tourney co-presented by Province of Cebu and Marty Pimentel with the support of Philippine Sports Commission was Kaye Lalaine Regidor of Sta. Rosa, Laguna with six points.
With four rounds to go, Los Banos, Laguna’s Manuel Concio, Jr., consistent ASEAN age-group gold medalist, and Cedric Kahlel Abris of Mandaluyong City (both still unscathed), are poised to clinch top honors in their respective brackets.
Concio stands three points away from his closest pursuer in U12 boys, Mark Jay Bacojo, perennial ASEAN age-group medalist himself, while two points separate Abris from second-running Karlycris Clarito Jr. and Dwayne Pahaganas in U10 boys.
Continuing to sport immaculate slate (nine points over nine rounds) in U8 boys are Al-Basher Buto of Cainta, Rizal and Ruslan Pamplona of Passi, Iloilo.
John Marvin Miciano of Davao holds sway in the U20 boys, Dale Bernardo of Angeles City in U18 and Gal Brien Palasigue of Makati inU16 and Daniel Quizon in U14.
Leaders in the girls’ division include Mira Mirano of Aklan (U20), WFM Allanney Jia Doroy (U18), Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmarinas, Cavite and Francois Marie Magpily of Makati (U16), Irish Yngayo of Davao (U14), Queen Rose Pamplona of Passi,Iloilo and Jerlyn San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite (U12) and Antonella Racasa of Marikina City (U10).