Wednesday, May 02, 2007 CDO chessers open age-group campaign
MANDALUYONG CITY -- Eleven-year-old Alyssa Ysaiah Jamaca Tuesday produced the first victory for Cagayan de Oro in the opening hostilities of the 2007 National Age-Group chess championship here at the 5th Floor, Entertainment Hall of Market Place Shopping Complex in Kalentong.
Jamaca, the pride of Macanhan and a product of the city's year-round Asset in chess program, made short work of Ruth Aubrey de Guzman despite having the disadvantage of handling with the black pieces.
"Na one-pawn down nako siya sa opening mao nga ako na'ng gidere-diretso," said the elementary compatriot of fellow Koronadal Palaro campaigners Lennon Hart Salgados, 13 and Antonio Chavez Jr., 16 in the secondary boys' level.
The two were still playing as of Tuesday with Salgados wielding white on board 4 against Jared Cruz in 14-under boys bracket and Chavez trading pieces with Thomas Manalang on board 19 in the superbly tough 18-under boys category.
"Unta makabawi `ming Lennon sa age-group kay nasipyat `mi pagkuha sa Palaro team gold in Koronadal," said Chavez whose second trip in the big city in the company of his FCD (Fighting Chess Defenders) buddies got the support of City Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda Spiers and the City Council, Congressman Tinnex Jaraula, Steag and some private individuals close to local chess community.
The other CDO bet, Kenneth Norman Honculada opened his 10-under boys campaign opposite Jefferson Saltorio.
Hundreds of the country's young and promising woodpushers take part in this weeklong competition serving as qualifying games for the Asean and World Age Group Championship later this year.
"The champions in each category will earn the right to represent the country in the Asean and World Age Group Championship," announced tournament director Willy Abalos.
