Struggling Cebuanos out of medal hunt in Asean Chess

LUCK seemed to have left the Cebuano players as they continue to struggle in the 16th Asean+ Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore.

The chances of 8-year-old Jerish John Velarde, 15-year-old Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and 15-year-old Laila Carmel Nadera of landing a medal finish in the Standard division competition in their age groups are now remote now with only one round left in the tournament.

Velarde is still at 14th place in the Open Under-10 category with 5.0 out of a possible 8.0; Sevillano is also at eighth place with 5.0 points in the Open Under 16 and Nadera is at fifth place with 4.5 points after Round 8.

The Lapu-Lapu City Central School standout drew his first two assignments Ganzorig Khos-Erden of Mongolia and Tri Kien Le of Vietnam before he scored the first win over Jun Michal Ye Kai of Singapore.

However, Velarde drew his Round 4 match with Sheng Feng Ng of Singapore then lost to Dang Minh Quang Tran of Vietnam in Round 5. He got his bearings back with a victory over Dang Hoang Tung Nguyn of Vietnam but then earned another draw with Quang An Le of Vietnam before beating Xinglun Royc Ho in Round 8.

Sevillano, an incoming freshman of Far Eastern University, had four wins, two losses and two draws in his campaign so far.

His wins were over Shi Hao Lee of Singapr in Round 2, Odgerel Altangerl of Mongolia in Round 4, Ra Manan of India in Round 5 and Xian Hui Rudolph Lau of Singapore in Round 8. He lost to compatriot Daryl Unix Samantila in Round 3 and tournament top seed CM Chen Zou of China in Round 7, while earning a draw against Maung Kyaw Zaw Hein Maung of Myanmar in the Round 1 and CM Minh Hoang Le of Vietnam in Round 6.

At press time, Velarde was set to play his final match against Mahindru Ruhaan of India at press time; while Sevillano was to play the white pieces against CM Minh Thang Tran of Vietnam; and Nadera was to face Oyudari Batmunkh of Mongolia.