DAVAO City's youth chess wonder Samantha Umayan is currently tied in the first and second spots with Woman International Master (WIM) Kylen Joy Mordido after Round 5 of the ongoing Asian Junior Chess Championships Selection Grand Finals.

Manila-based 13-year-old Umayan, a Far Eastern University (FEU) varsity chess scholar, and Mordido each scored identical 4.5 points in the online chess tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

She drew with Geraldino Guyo in 50 moves of the 15-minute with three seconds time-controlled match.

Umayan, who hails from Buhangin, however, defeated Bea Mendoza, Divine Grace Luna, Rinoa Sadey and Regyne Palaming.

The 29th Asean+ Age Group Chess Championships 2019 triple silver medalist Dabawenya, who was also second best female player in the 75th Philippine National Chess Championships NCR Elimination Leg 2020, does not want to be complacent though with her unbeaten state so far.

"Di ko po alam (ang chances ko to qualify) kasi marami pa pong rounds," she told SunStar Davao in a Facebook interview Wednesday, May 13.

She will next collide with Mordido for a battle in solo leadership.

Woman Fide Master (WFM) Jerlyn Mae San Diego, Mhage Sebastian and Precious Eve Ferrer each made four points to share the third to fifth places followed by three-pointer WFM Allaney Jia Doroy.

Umayan said one needs to have a strong internet connection in playing online chess tournaments such as this one.

She stays motivated to compete in her sport amid the lockdown that hsa prohibited mass gatherings such as in face-to-face chess tournaments.

She is happy to still have a medium to hone her chess skills.

"Para ma-apply ko rin po yung mga napag-aralan ko," she added.