Aaron Caresosa swept his last three games, including a seventh round victory over erstwhile unbeaten Sungyeong Aparte, to capture the juniors crown in the 25th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Southern Mindanao leg at SM City Davao last Sunday.
Wesley Magbanua and Andre Jiorgo also finished strong to rule the kiddies and seniors divisions, respectively, and join Caresosa and six others in the national finals of the grand and final staging of the country’s longest talent-search.
The second seeded Caresosa of Panabo Faith Mission Academy also toppled top seed Irish Yngayo and Jerson Pantalita in the last two rounds to emerge solo champion in the 13-16 age division with 8.5 points.
Yngayo of Davao Central College finished with 7.5 points to clinch the top female berth while third seed Kurt Placencia of Davao City National High scored seven points and nipped five others for the last spot in the grand finals set Oct. 7-8 at SM MOA.
On hand during awards rites were Jeab Fabre of Shell Sasa Terminal Operations and Shell Sasa Depot manager Nicole Dandan.
Magbanua of Jose Maria College sustained his form and topped the 7-12 section with 8.5 points, a full point ahead of Charliemagne Arias of Kingking Central Elem. School, who edged Jayson Gener in the tiebreak for the second berth.
Ruth Atog of IHMA-Mati City took the top female berth with 7 points.
