Quizon seizes solo Shell chess lead

SAN JUAN Elementary School’s Daniel Quizon wrested control in the kiddies division while three shared the lead in the seniors category of the 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship national finals held at SM Megamall over the weekend.

The seventh-ranked Quizon outwitted Philymn Villajuan, Rheam de Guzman, No. 4 Adrian de Luna, sixth seed Mark Bacojo and Dennis Gutierrez III before halving the point with No. 5 Justine Mordido to show the way in the 12-and-under section with 5.5 points.

De Luna bounced back from his third-round loss to Quizon with a sweep of his next three games as the Sta. Barbara Central School standout pooled five points for second place.

A tight finish looms in the 17-20 section with top seed Vince Medina, No. 3 John Ray Batucan and fourth ranked Arvie Lozano crowding the leaderboard with 4.5 points apiece.

Top seed Dale Bernardo of FEU rebounded from an opening-round loss to Ahmad Azote with four straight wins and a draw in the sixth round to share the lead in the 13-16 division.

Jesca Docena stayed on track for the top female crown as she pooled four points for joint third with Daryl Samantila.