San Diego shares lead in China vs ASEAN chess

KUNMING CITY, Yunnan Province, China — FILIPINA Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego settled for a draw with Chinese Huang Mo Fei last Wednesday to grab a share of the lead after three rounds of the 2011 China-Asean junior chess classic competition at the Lanice Hotel Inn, here.

San Diego raised her total to 2.5 points, the same output of Xu Qian Qian of China in the girls 12-years-and-under category.

Julius Gonzales also split the point with Zhou Chen of China to improve to 1.0 point on two draws and a loss in the open 10-Under.

The double-round Scheveningen System event is being held to coincide with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the China-Asean dialogue.

However, other Filipino bets lost their respective third-round matches.

Daryl Unix Samantila yielded to Zhao Jun Cheng of China in the open 12-Under category, Ronald Canino succumbed to Zhu Yi of China in the open 10-Under division while Dennis Gutierrez III bowed to Huang Ren Lie of China in the open 8-Under category.

In the distaff side, Samantha Glo Revita lost to Zhao Sheng Xin of China in the girls 12-Under while Jerlyn Mae San Diego was beaten by Peng Si Lin of China in the girls 8-Under class.

The Filipino woodpushers China campaign is backed by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The China-Asean Youth Chess Classic Tournament 2011 is jointly organized by the Kunming Sports Development, Kunming Chess Association and Jinma Chess Club under the auspices of the ASsean Chess Confederation and the Chinese Chess Association.