Sevillano notches four wins in opener

Top seed Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano of University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department got off to a fiery start as he chalked up four straight wins yesterday to take the temporary lead in the boys junior division of the 21st Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship (SNYACC) Visayas leg at the SM City Cebu Event Center.

Sevillano currently has 4.0 points in this 7-round Swiss system tournament. He defeated Fritz Bryan Porras in the fourth round to take the lead.

Porras is currently at second after logging three wins against one loss.

As of press time, Sevillano’s fellow USC–BED chess players and practice buddies Felix Shaun Balbona and Glexan Derotas also had three wins entering the fourth round yesterday.

John Gerard Acedo, Yves Fiel, Diego Abraham Claro, Allan Pason, Sherwin Amad, Noel Vincent Crucero and Daryn Torres also tallied 3.0 points as Round 4 commenced.

girls division

In the 9-round format girls junior division, four players had 3.0 points after the third round.

Vic Glysen Derotas was set to face Shaira Mae Monsalud while Cristina Hazel Sato was also scheduled to take on Jazrelle Villarin in Round 4.

The remaining rounds of the tournament will be played today at the same venue.

Players who survive this leg will qualify for the grand finals to be held at SM Megamall in Metro Manila on Sept. 14 and 15.

Two more elimination legs are scheduled after the Cebu leg. One will be in Davao City (SM Davao Event Center) on May 29 to 30 and the other in Tugegarao (Brickstone Mall Event Center) on Aug. 17 to 18.

The annual Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship is already on its 21st year.

Pilipinas Shell hopes to reach and engage more of the Filipino youth in the sport, ultimately helping participants develop values and a well adjusted character.

SNYACC’s theme this year is “Inspiring the Nation’s Future Leaders” and this legacy project underscores the vital role and responsibility that today’s youth will soon embrace.