Sevillano marches to Shell nat’l finals

UNIVERSITY of San Carlos’ (USC) wood pusher Renzi Khyle Sevillano won all his nine assignments to rule the Davo leg of the prestigious 20th Shell National Youth Active Chess Tournament over the weekend at SM City Davao.

Sevillano’s unbeaten run earned him the top spot in the Kiddies category of the provincial elimination tournament and a ticket to the Shell National Youth Active Chess Tournament Grand Finals later this year.

Cagayan De Oro’s Kenneth Honculada joins Sevillano in the national finals after finishing second to the Cebuano.

The top two finishers in the Juniors and Kiddies divisions of the different provincial eliminations advance to the grand finals.

Sevillano defeated Noel Viajar, Reymart Cui, Charles Ayon, John Miniano, Cebuano John Balbona, Honculada, Alberto Diolola, Gino Asuncion and Aldin Ranario for a perfect 9.0 total.

Sevillano is the nephew of US-based International chess (IM) Enrico Sevillano. He is backed by his coach Marvin Ruelan, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Aljun Diamante and the Rose Pharmacy Chess Club.

Meanwhile, other Cebuano junior chessers will get the chance to qualify for the national finals when Cebu hosts the Visayas leg on Aug. 25 to 26 at the SM City Cebu Activity Center.  /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL