Longshot seizes control in Shell Cebu chess

Unfancied Jude Marluc Aranaydo racked up five victories in impressive fashion, including a fifth-round romp over top seed Valerio Mangubat, as he wrested the solo lead in juniors division of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship 2015 Visayas leg at SM Cebu Event Center in Cebu City over the weekend.

Ranked 70th in a field of 117, Aranaydo trampled No. 15 Shiela Diloy, bested No. 25 Jonas Bajo, stunned ninth seed Jeffu Dorog, outplayed seventh-ranked Cyril Telesforo before shocking Mangubat with the white pieces in the fifth round of the tournament serving as the second leg of a five-stage elims culminating in the grand finals in September.

That put the St. Peters College standout on top of the heap with five points, half-a-point ahead of another longshot, No. 74 Genesis Borromeo of Diaz College, second seed Natori Diaz, No. 3 Chris Pondoyo, fourth-ranked Laila Nader and No. 16 John Cadiz heading to the last four rounds of the Swiss system tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

Nine players stayed in the title hunt with four points, including Jeremy Tanudra, Manilyn Cabungcag, Argie Lumapac, Adrian Basilgo, Kris Olvido, John Cadiz, Edel Vosotros, Dorog and Telesforo, while Mangubat struggled to score 3.5 points in a tie with 13 others.

Earlier, Shell Mandaue terminal manager Maria Korina Aguila and kiddie participant Ross Mike Zuriel made the ceremonial moves kicking off the two-day tournament also graced by Shell Active chess alumnus Marvin Ting.

Third seed Jethro Esplanada of USJ-R also took control of the seniors category with a sweep of his first five games, capped by a win over No. 2 Alan Pason. Top seed Felix Balbona and No. 12 Adrian dela Cruz drew their fourth round match.