TITLE-favorites Adrian Othniel Yulo, Christian James Aquino, Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz, and Jim Lagunay remain perfect after three rounds of the ongoing CMOCA Fide-Rated Chess Championship for students at the 2nd Floor, Green Lane of the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

The much older pair of Yulo and Aquino registered three-straight wins in the combined high school and college category that drew close to 100 participants.

Joining them in the lead are fellow unbeaten James Pada, Chester Ricaborda, Cassey Miguel Tabamo, Kerk Ivahn Durohom, Kristan Estrella, Lynel Francis Miguel Codera, Karl Adrian Dalauta, Mary Janelle Tan, Jeshua Lagunay, Cris John Mambayas, Karl Auguste Xander Sayson, and Dexter Emmanuel Monsales.

“Atong gisagol ang secondary ug tertiary players aron mo level up ang mga mas bata mapaspas ilang development,” Ben Wabe of the organizing Golden Chess Friends told Gold Star Daily.

National 12-under Age-Group champion Keith Adriane Ilar led the second pack at 2.5 points in the company of John Rhod Estrella, John Rey Tagocon, Sara Dalagan, and Joel Lawrence Hoy.

Keeping the lead with Vera Cruz and Lagunay in the elementary level that also attracted nearly a hundred are Paulo Efren Castino, Ethan Carwyn Magallanes, Cyrish Elaine Magalso, Shirwen Legaspi, Ran Zeth Marco Magallanes, Jester Naser Ador, Jaden Cedric Abesamis, Neil Visande, Jesheene Ybur Careras, Kenneth Ocana, Princess Rane Magallanes, and Rommel Acenas.

LOOKING FOR AN UPSET. The 12-year-old Keith Adriane Ilar (in red shirt) is just half a point behind the leaders. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Other rising stars in the junior rivalry such as David Ancheta, Zhaoyu Capilitan, Lila Seriña, and Sebastian Marbas failed to participate, owing to the ongoing District Meet where they compete in a bid to qualify for the regional meet.

“Anyway, monthly naman kining atong event sa mga bata so bawi na lang sila next time,” Wabe said.

The junior chess fest's cash prizes are the following:

Elementary
Champion 3,000+ Trophy
2nd place 2,000 + Medal
3rd place 1,000 + Medal
4th place 800 + Medal
5th place 500 + Medal
6th place 300 + Medal
7th place 300 + Medal
8th place 300 + Medal
9th place 300 + Medal
10th place 300 + Medal

High School & College
Champion 3,000+ Trophy
2nd place 2,000 + Medal
3rd place 1,000 + Medal
4th place 800 + Medal
5th place 500 + Medal
6th place 300 + Medal
7th place 300 + Medal
8th place 300 + Medal
9th place 300 + Medal
10th place 300 + Medal