Friday, June 13, 2008 Salcedo strikes again in Vietnam By Lynde Salgados
FROM the sleepy town of Salay to Vietnam, 17-year-old Richelieu "Jongjong" Salcedo III showed that he means business in the ongoing 2008 Asean Age Group Chess Championships.
After taking the starch out of Fide Master Nguyen Viet Chung, installed as number 4 favorite, Salcedo toppled down another Vietnamese in number 2 seed Ton That Ngoc to take the solo lead in the 18-under boys division.
Seeing action for the first time outside Philippine shore, Salcedo employed again his pet Sicilian defense to force the resignation of Tu after 51 moves.
He now has 4.5 points after five rounds, thereby putting him in a good position to vie strongly for a gold and a possible Fide Master title.
"We're glad that Jongjong never let the odds to discourage him kay hangtod karon wala pa gihapon na-release ang pang-allowance nga among gi-request sa iyang kampanya in Danang, Vietnam. What he did is a wake call sa atong mga political leaders that chess is one sport that's worth of everybody's support," texted Salcedo's father, Totong, from their small house in Inobulan, Salay, Misamis Oriental.
Meanwhile, the cash-rich 2008 Inter-Province chess championships officially started Thursday afternoon in Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno fielded at least three teams in Tandag spearheaded by National Masters Roger Verganio and Levi Mercado and 14-year-old Lennon Hart Salgados, 2007 national kiddies champion in Shell Active tourney.
Also, accompanying the Misor teams are Fide Arbiter Doming Oga and Provincial Capitol Chess Club President Memen Moreno. (With MB reports)
