UPSETS rocked the opening round of the 2010 National Age-Group Chess Championship Saturday at NCCC Mall Atrium.
Second seed Michella Felia, who has a national rating of 1719, bowed to unknown Salia Magno, ranked only 12th, in the girls 12 under event. But top seed 1 Marie Antoninette San Diego outclassed Caissa Jane Guevarra in board 1.
The other upset victim was third seed Jeremiah Alfonso (NR 1819), who was stunned by Ruel Canaveras (no. 17) in the boys 16 under category. No. 1 Jan Nigel Galan and No. 2 Mark Nazario, however, crushed their respective rivals. Galan beat Phil John Aguirre, while Nazario outclassed Denzel John Amar.
In the distaff side, topseed Jan Jodilyn Fronda beat Jesamari Bacsal, while Mikee Charlene Suede trounced Jhoronnie Gayl Bontes and Eibtizam Nahudan defeated Carol Ann Chua.
In the boys 12 under, No. 1 Paolo Bersamina defeated Jeffu Dorog, No. 2 John Francis Balbona crushed Paolo Emmanuel Edrote and third seed Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano trounced Jet Engayo.
WNM Jedara Docena of Manila, No. 1 seed in the girls 20 under, crushed Sittie Hallia Sabo, while second-seed WNM Cristy Lamiel Bernales, also of Manila, demolished Mary Ismale Palero of Davao City.
Akiko Charmaine Suede defeated Lovely Engay, Ronna Reigner Senora won over Lee Jean Ababa, Lovelyn Medina against Jane Lagang and Jessa Marie Balbona over local bet Meryl Micayabas.
In the boys 20 under, top seed Sheider Nebato of General Santos City downed Rolando Constancia, while No. 2 seed Lennon Hart Salgados of Cagayan de Oro City trounced Vicente Cubero. Third seed Mari Joseph Turqueza defeated Jayben Dalipe, while No. 4 Alfredo Rapanot humbled Khier Embrado.
Vietnam Asian Age-group champion Austin Jacob Literatus and silver medalist Rowelyn Joy Acedo also both lived up to their billing by winning their first round assignments.
Literatus beat Janjay Florida Literatus in the boys 14 under, while Acedo outplayed Marianne Jasmine Infiesto in the distaff side.
In the boys 10 under, top seed Kennard Troy Ibaoc and no. 2 Haince Patrick de Leon crushed Randolf Steve Gawat and Darren John Guevarra, respectively.
Alexis Anne Osena beat Florence Faith Guevarra in board 1 of the distaff side.
Davao City Mayor-elect Inday Sara Duterte made the ceremonial moves together with National Chess Federation of the Philippnes Executive Director Willie Abalos during the opening program hosted by NCFP XI director and chief arbiter James Infiesto.
The top three in each category will represent the Philippines in the 11th Asean Age-Group Chess Championship on June 4-13 at Subic Bay, Olongapo City.
More than 200 players from all over the country are seeing action in the four-day event sponsored by the city government of Davao, Growee Vitamins, JCI Durian City, JEWN Eggs, Bayantel, Multicar, Engr. Enrico Vanta of Chadric Builders, Mr. Robert Bula, Tony Dacudao, NCCC Mall, re-elected Third District Representative Isidro Ungab, Second District representative-elect Mylene Garcia, City Councilor Mabel Acosta, Rep. and Bluejaz Beach Resort and Waterpark.