Perpetual Help’s John Marx Anastacio downed Intug School of Bulacan’s Jeremiah Cruz in 32 moves of a Queen’s Pawn London System to seize an early share of the lead with three others at the start of the premier boys’ Under-20 division of the Gov. Amor Deloso National Age Group Chess Championships at the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales Thursday night.
Anastacio, who qualified via the Calabarzon qualifiers last week, was joined by Cebu’s Jeffu Dorog, Manila’s Melito Ocsan, Jr. and Laguna’s Jhoemar Mendiogarin, who trounced Nueva Ecija’s Romulo Curioso, Zambales’ Lou Anton Rivera and University of the Philippines’ Brent Lenard Alanan, respectively, at the helm.
Anastacio, Dorog, Ocsan and Mendiogarin are eyeing to finish in the top three in this six-day event sponsored by Gov. Deloso and Congressman Cheryl Deloso, the Philippine Sports Commission and National Chess Federation of the Phl’s Butch Pichay will represent the country in the ASEAN Age Group tilt in Myanmar in June.
There, they will be eyeing outright International Master and FIDE Master titles and possibly Grandmaster norms.
In the girls’ 20-under, Bulacan’s May Ann Alcantara edged Cebu’s Angel Mae Orijuela in 63 moves of a Reti Opening to spearhead her division alongside five others.
Also coming through in the same division were Pampanga’s Viona Nepascua, Misamis Oriental’s Bhea Buen Ecal, Rizalyn Tejada, Davao City’s Frince Ezra Ocliasa and Perpetual Help’s Maria Angelica Illustre.
