Magpily forces 3-way tie in Shell NCR chessfest

FRANCOIS MARIE MAGPILY flashed top form against male rivals, beating five of them as she gained a share of the juniors lead even as Chester Reyes grabbed the top spot in kiddies play in the 25th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships (NCR leg) at held SM Mall of Asia Music Hall over the weekend.

Ranked sixth in a field of 146, Magpily toppled Paulo Delicano, John Pascual, Rhey Lacambra and Vic Derotas before the Gen. Pio National HS standout foiled Daryl Batula to post an impressive sweep of her first five matches in the 13-16 age group Swiss system event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

No. 5 Earl Mantilla and ninth seed Cedrick Gaddi matched Magpily’s strong start to force a three-way tie for the lead with Mantilla testing Magpily’s mettle in the sixth round. Gaddi will take on Michael Erese, the lone 4.5 pointer after the first half of the nine- round tournament sanctioned by the NCFP.

Top seed Julius Gonzales fell to No. 14 Marie Lagrio and dropped to the 19-player big four-pointer group.

Top seed Reyes lived up to his billing as he racked up five straight wins to wrest the solo lead in the kiddies division. The South Ville NHS mainstay whipped Rey Aranda, Ma. Christina Samarita, Louise Oncita, Marjeri Janapin and Jeremiah Cruz to zero in on the 7-12 crown and a berth in the national finals slated in October.

No. 2 Michael Yongco and third seed Cyrus Francisco stayed within striking distance with 4.5 points in a tie with fourth-ranked Al-Basher Buto and No. 6 Srihaan Poddar while 16 others pooled four points, guaranteeing a fierce duel for the top three berths in the grand finals.