Nebato, Turqueza share age-group chess lead

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Scheider Nebato stamped his class in the centerpiece boys 18 under division to tie for the leadership with Mari Joseph Turqueza in the 2009 National Age-Group chess championships at the Cabagnot Training Center in Kalibo, Aklan. Nebato, playing with the highest ELO at 2000, defeated Ronnipher Abalos to accumulate a total of 3.5 points on three wins and a draw and share the leadership with Turqueza who split the point with Patrick Erle Florendo. With the draw, Florendo is now tied with John Ranel Morazo and Joel Pimentel with their identical three points for the second spot. Sharing the limelight was NM Alcon John Datu who defeated Lennon Hart Salgados in match between undefeated campaigners in the boys 16 under category. Datu's victory over Salgados gave him a perfect four points and solo lead. In boys 14 under results, Vince Angelo Medina defeated Earl John Zamora to accumulate 3.5 points to tie top seed Earl John Zamora Batucan and Kristian Paulo Cristobal for the lead. In other divisions, Felix Shaun Balbona (boys 12 under), Kyle Sevillano and Haince Patrick de Leon (boys 10 under) and Dennis Gutierrez Jr. (boys 8 under) took centerstage with their victories. In the girls division, Mira Jose triumphed over Susan Grace Neri to grab the solo lead with three points in the 18 under category. -GMANews.TV