NEWS ON WESLEY SO + SHELL ACTIVE CHESS

WESLEY SO: BIRTHDAY BOY BOWED IN ROUND 7

FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL MASTER Wesley So failed to grab solo leadership in the World Junior Chess tilt on the day of his 14th birth day, as he suffered his first loss in the seventh round of 2007 World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the T. Petrosian Chess House in Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday.

The No.13 seed So who had an Elo rating 2531 yielded to No.21 GM Ahmed Adly of Egypt with an Elo rating of 2494 using the white pieces. With this result, GM Adly notched 6.0 points to climb at No.1 spot.

So, on the other hand compiled four wins earlier, two draws and a loss to stay at 5.0 points and dropped into a tie for 3rd to 11th placers in the Boy's 20 and under class with a total 80 participants.

GM Victor Laznicka of Czech Republic moved to solo second place after accumulating 5.5 points after beating Jayaram Ashwin of Armenia.

In the distaff side, WIM Vera Nebolsina of Russia split the point with IM Dronavilli Harika of India. WIM Nebolsina notch six wins and a draw to raise her total 6.5 points in the Girl's 20 and under of this 58 player's field.

WGM Sabrina Vega of Spain occupied No.2 spot after crushing WFM Sarah Hoolt of Germany for her 6.0 points. At solo third is IM Harika with 5.5 points.
Filipina Woman National Master Aices Salvador continues her winning ways by demolishing Nune Darbinyan of Armenia for her 4.0 points and share 15th to 26th placers.

Individual Standings after round 7:
(Boys)
6.0 points--- GM Ahmed Adly (Egypt)
5.5 points--- GM Victor Laznicka (Czech Republic)
5.0 points---IM Wesley So (Philippines), GM Wang Hao (China), GM Maxim Rodshtein (Israel), GM Georg Meier (Germany), GM Daniel Stellwagen (Netherlands), GM Ivan Popov (Russia), GM Parimarjan Negi (India), IM Avetik Grigoryan (Armenia), IM Gopal Narayanan (India)



WORLD JR CHESS: SO DRAWS IN ROUND 6

INTERNATIONAL MASTER Wesley So of the Philippines made a quick draw against GM Georg Meier of Germany in just 14 moves of a Sicilian Defense-Rosollimo variation using the black pieces to join GM Ahmed Adley of Egypt in the leadership board after the sixth round of the 2007 World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the T. Petrosian Chess House in Yerevan, Armenia, on Monday.

The 13th seed So, who celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday compiled four wins and two draws to raise his total of 5.0 points in six games of play in the Boy's 20 and under class, the same output of GM Adly, winner over IM Hrant Melkumyan of the USA after 41 moves of a Double Fianchetto Opening. So will face GM Adly in the seventh round Tuesday.

On the other hand, GM Meier scored 4.5 points climbed into a share of 3rd places in the company of GM Wang Hao of China, GM Maxim Rodshtein of Israel, GM Daniel Stellwagen of the Netherlands, GM Victor Laznicka of Czech Republic, IM Avetik Grigoryan of Armenia, IM Gopal Narayanan of India, and Jayaram Ashwin of Armenia.

In the distaff side, WIM Vera Nebolsina of Russia continues his winning ways after crushing WGM Sanjay Karavade of India for her six consecutive wins in the Girl's 20 and under.

Filipina Woman National Master Aices Salvador won her match to Ani Darbinyan to improve her record with 3.0 points.

Meanwhile, four Filipino players who were suspended because of allegedly game-fixing scandal involvement was back in the list of October RP-Fide rating yesterday.
They were No.5 GM-elect Darwin Laylo (2508), No.12 IM Ronald Dableo (2451), No. 16 FM Oliver Barbosa (2420) and No.27 IM Chito Garma (2396).

The four players was lifted the ban upon the order of NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. before the event of 2007 Asian Continental Chess Championships in Cebu recently.

Laylo, earned his third and final GM norm in the said event and needed to wait the Fide Congress to tackle his GM title application. Laylo is the only Filipino make it to the top 10 to advance in the World Cup, formerly known FIDE World Chess Championships.

Individual Standings after round 6:
(Boys)
5.0 points---IM Wesley So (Philippines), GM Ahmed Adly (Egypt),
4.5 points--- GM Wang Hao (China), GM Maxim Rodshtein (Israel), GM Georg Meier (Germany), GM Daniel Stellwagen (Netherlands), GM Victor Laznicka (Czech Republic), IM Avetik Grigoryan (Armenia), IM Gopal Narayanan (India), Jayaram Ashwin (Armenia)


48 finalists vie for Shell Active Chess crowns

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---Forty-eight finalists, who survived the grueling four-month nationwide eliminations will come together on October 20-21, 2007, each daring to outwit the other for the top two coveted plums of the 2007 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Grand Finals.

Two Letran stalwarts, Stephen Laceste and Givy Bartolome, will head the 24-player cast in the Juniors Division of the event gathering the top three finishers from each of the eight qualifying stages held from June to September in various provinces nationwide.

Laceste edged three-time Palaro champion Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Ateneo and FEU's Luffe Magdalaga to rule the second leg in Tuguegarao, while Bartolome led the Batangas led winners, who include James Fernandez of University of Nueva Caceres and PMI's Arvin Dableo.

Joining them in the 9-round Swiss system finals of the 20-and-under category are NCR leg representatives Mari Joseph Turqueza of Diliman Prep. School, Jayson Mercado of SSC and Vic Neil Villanueva of UST; Dagupan qualifiers John Morazo and Lyndon Sombilon of FEU and Benjie Macoy of San Carlos College, Pangasinan; Iloilo top finishers Ellan Asuela (Bacolod), Marvin Ting (Bacolod) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Iloilo); Cebu leg qualifiers Johnny Carzano (Ozamiz City), Antonio Chavez Jr. (Cagayan de Oro City) and Boris Diez (Davao City); Davao leg finalists Chito Dimakiling II (Davao City), Jerwell Andoy and Jester Andoy (Davao City); and Zamboanga leg top finishers Mohamad Sacar (Cotabato City), Patrick Erle Florendo (Zamboanga City) and Bryll John Arellano (Negros Occidental).

Bannering the field in the Kiddies Division are NCR leg top finishers Christy Lamiel Bernales (UE), Narquingden Reyes (Gen. Licerio Geronimo Memorial National High School – Rizal) and Jan Nigel Galan (Children of Mary Immaculate College – Valenzuela); Tuguegarao leg qualifiers McDominique Lagula of Bonfal Pilot Elem. School (Nueva Vizcaya), Asean age-group double gold medalist Haridas Pascua (Univ. of Baguio) and Jan Jodilyn Fronda (Letran); Dagupan leg finalists Prince Mark Aquino of (Divine Grace Montessori and High School - Pangasinan), Bernard Nillo Jr. (Baguio City National High School) and John Mark Dimalikwat (San Sebastian College - Recoletos); Batangas leg top finishers Willbert Pilarta of (Marist School, Makati), Giovanni Mejia (Letran) and Mark Anthony Trinidad (Gen. Pio del Pilar Elem. School - Makati); Iloilo City finalistsWest Negros College's Jerich Cajeras, Paolo Bersamina (La Salle Greenhills) and Jan Francis Mirano (Aklan Valley High School); Cebu leg top finishers Lennon Hart Salgados (Cagayan de Oro City), Jerad Docena (Grace Christian School – Tagbilaran) and Felix Balbona (Colegio dela Immaculada Concepcion – Cebu City); Davao City leg finalists Danilo Engay Jr. (F. Bangoy National High – Davao City), Ruel Bucaling (Gabuyan Elem. School – Davao) and Neptali Batucan (Doña Carmen Denia National High School – Davao City); and Loren Laceste (UE), Clark Kent Anabieza (Panabo City) and eight-year-old Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano (Cebu City).

Pilipinas Shell has sponsored the annual event for the past 15 years to help develop the sport and discover talents in the countryside, and will offer P30,000 prize to the winner in the Juniors Division and P20,000 for the Kiddies Champion.

The winners of the 2007 SNYACC Grand Finals join the elite circle of past champions, led by Grandmasters Nelson Mariano II and Mark Paragua and International Masters Ronald Dableo, Oliver Dimakiling, Idelfonso Datu, Wesley So and Ian Cris Udani.

Shell Active Chess aims to give the young and underprivileged players the rare chance to help give their families a better life by playing chess - either through schooling their way through a scholarship or earning a little money on the side to help augment family income.

The event, sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is backed by Shell V-Power, Shellane, Shell Helix, Shell Rimula, and McDonald's, in cooperation with SM Supermalls, Cebu Pacific, CSI The City Mall-Dagupan, and Brickstone Mall-Tuguegarao. The Grand Finals will be held at the 4th level Bridgeway of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)