NINE-year-old Tristan Frech Ibaoc on Sunday topped the Kiddies Chess Challenge at the Capitol Chess Park in Cagayan de Oro, showing readiness to carry the Philippine flag in the 2009 Asean Age-Group Chess Championships set June 6-11 in Hue, Vietnam.

Lennon Hart Salgados, the other qualifier to Vietnam from the City of Cagayan de Oro and the province of Misamis Oriental, was still in Dapitan City, as of Monday, partaking in the 5th Hudyaka Zanorte 2009 Non-Masters Open Chess Tournament, serving as the 15-year-old's final tune-up bout for the Asean Youth tourney.

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Tristan, an incoming Grade 5 pupil at Corpus Christi School, beat his older brother Keith Duval Ibaoc in the penultimate round before closing out with another victory over Julie Anne Opema to finish solo first with 4.5 points.

Keith collected 4 points, following his final round triumph over Cedric Erl Dadole to occupy second place. Ven Christian Salcedo, on the other hand, settled for third after defeating Harold Taganas in his final round assignment.

The Ibaoc brothers got P500 and P300 each, while Salcedo received P200, courtesy of Capitol Chess Club president Memen Moreno and the United Parents Association of the Capitol Chess Club.

Rounding up the top-10 finishers were Dadole, Opema, Richard Echavez, Carol Anne Chua, Kennard Troy Ibaoc, Lyle Matthew Coquia and Taganas.

Meanwhile, Ritchie Ven Salcedo, Christian Jay Arrabis and Jelly Taganas emerged as the top three performing players for Level 1 and 2 group.

In another development, Edcel John Amper of the City Central School won the weekly championship of the "Asset in Chess" Kiddies tournament over at the City Hall ground.

The 10-year-old Amper played through undefeated in five-round Swiss, besting Coquia, Arjun Niel Crisologo, Dwight Clemen, Rey Vincent Acosta and Nicole Anne Rivera who tied from second to 6th places with identical 4 points.

Antonio Chavez Jr., a varsity player of Far Eastern University, made his return engagement in Cagayan de Oro memorable by ruling the junior chess showdown ahead of Alfredo Rapanot Jr. and RTU-Manila standout Randolph Dalauta who placed second and third, respectively.

Woman National Master (WNM) Cecile Cuizon, Asset training official, expressed gratitude to barangay chairs Arthur Chan (Barangay 37), Minda Somo (Barangay 8), Romeo Bacarro (Tablon) and NM Merchandize of Barangay Iponan for sponsoring the past weekly tournament of the City Chess.