Velarde wins 2 silver medals in Asean chess

Cebuano chess wizard Jerish John Velarde captured a silver medal in the individual standard chess Under-12 division of the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) + Age Groups Chess Championships in Davao City yesterday.

The pride of Maria Ernestine School in Lapu-Lapu City scored an impressive win against Candidate Master (CM) Vu Hoang Gia Bao of Vietname in the final and ninth round to secure a second place finish.

Velarde was in must-win situation and played beyond expectations to finish with 6.5 points and take the silver medal behind gold medalist CM Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam, who went undefeated in nine games.

Velarde’s silver medal foiled the hopes of Vietnam players of a 1-2 finish as he dislodged CM Vu Hoang Gia Bao to third.

“In the final game, Jerish’s mentality was to hopefully win it. A draw and a loss would mean that he will be out of the top three and a win will give him a silver medal. It was really close and crucial for him,” said Engr. John Velarde, the father of John Jerish.

The 12-year-old Velarde was at third place going to the final round after beating Vietnamese Bui Dang Loc in Round 8.

Velarde, who was awarded with a CM honor after the standard event, also snagged a silver in the team event with Mark Jay Bacojo and Kahliel Cedric Abris.

“This was his sixth time to play in this tournament. He won a medal in the team events before but it was his first time to win a silver medal in the individual event,” said the older Velarde. /