YOUTH chessers Irish Yngayo and John Ray Batucan secured their first wins at the start of the 31st Kadayawan Rapid Youth Chess Championship held at the Davao Wisdom Academy, along F. Torres St., Davao City Saturday, August 27.

Davao Christian College (DCC)'s Yngayo bested Gabriel John Umayan of Buhangin Central Elementary School (BCES) in the first round of the kiddies event.

University of Mindanao (UM) bet Batucan, meanwhile, outlasted Niel Teriote of Jose Maria College (JMC) to lead the seniors division in the swiss-system format chess tournament organized by the MDCC.

Blanche Ellyz Bongato of Stella Maris Academy Davao (Smad), Queen Peralta of Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD), Jerson and Jover Pantalita of F. Bustamante Central Elementary School (FBCES), Wesley Jovan Magbanua of Los Amigos Elementary School (LAES), Caerel Shane Mantilla of UM and Jackie Lou Andoy of Sto. Niño Elementary School also scored their first wins over their respective rivals in the kiddies division.

Meanwhile, Earhl Jay Mantilla, Honey Grace Buenafe, Gino Angelo Asuncion, Jasper Pantalita, Andre Miguel Jorgio, James Bantugan and Bhing Joel Gimony also joined Batucan's perfect record in the seniors division.

Games are still being played as of this writing.

The event is sponsored by the Sports Development Division-City Mayors Office. (ABM)