Christian Gian Karlo Arca and Franchesca Largo outshone the big guns to reign supreme in the premier open and girls Under-18 division of the Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino National Age Group Chess Championships in Tagaytay City over the weekend.
Faced against older, more experienced foes, the 13-year-old Arca played unfazed and smashed Jerish John Velarde to top the strongest section with six points, half a point ahead of top seed Cyrus Vladimir Francisco and Del Emerson Dela Cruz, who wound up second and third with 5.5 points apiece.
Largo, 16, for her part, turned back Cyhrea Ruth Atog in claiming the crown in her class with six points, a full point ahead of heavily favored Jerlyn Mae San Diego, who missed her chance to tie for first after losing to Shiela Mer Donoga in the seventh and final round.
Arca and Largo will lead the march to the grand finals slated April 2 to 10 in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
John Cyrus Borce and Jersey Marticio lived up to their top billing in ruling the U16 class where they scored six and 5.5 points, respectively, in this event backed by the PSC, NCFP and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.
Also topping their respective sections were Keith Adriane Ilar and Kaye Lalaine Regidor (U14), Mar Aviel Carredo and Zhaoyu Capilitan (U12), and Steve Zacky Bolico and Mary Janelle Tan (U10).
