TWO Dabawenyos clinched titles in the recently-concluded 2019 National Age-Group Chess Championships Mindanao Leg held in Municipality of M'lang in North Cotabato.
James Catayas and Caerel Shane Mantilla outclassed their respective rivals in the three-day chessfest organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under its president, Representative Prospero A. Pichay, Jr., in partnership with M'lang Mayor Russel Abonado and Vice-Mayor Joselito Piñol.
Second-seeded Catayas earned five points in the six-round boys under 12 event while woman Fide master (FM) Antonella Berthe Racasa of Marikina City and Allan Gabriel Hilario of Bulacan scored identical 4.5 points to place second and third, respectively.
Catayas was unbeaten having won four matches and grabbing two draws. He defeated Cagayan de Oro City's Pete Xander Ganzon, Davao City's Chaelton Sumaylo, Allan Gabriel Hilario of Bulacan and Wayne Ruiz of Laguna and split points with Racasa and Khent Lourence Canas.
Mantilla, for her part, topped the girls under 12 by edging fellow four-pointer Toril-based Ruth Literatus via superior tiebreaks after five rounds. The latter settled for the runner-up honors instead while Janiella Maeren Garcia of Cagayan de Oro City, who made 3.5 points, came third.
The top-seeded Dabawenya ace bested M'lang's Jamaica Aniscal, Tagoloan's Sara Dalagan and Garcia. Mantilla also drew with Tagum City's Marj Manguilimotan and Cagayan de Oro City's Alliah Faith Bansiloy.
NCFP regional director James Infiesto yesterday said the top three players in each category will advance to the grand finals on April 4 to 9 in Zambales.
The other Dabawenyo qualifiers are Monica Lorraine Togonon, Hadassah Literatus, Ruth Literatus, Irish Yngayo, Queen Peralta and Roselle Vienne Guevarra.