OCHOA, AQUINO WINS GOLD IN RAPID PLAY IN ASEAN AGE GROUP CHESS

DANANG, VIETNAM---Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa and Prince Mark Aquino finally rose to the challenge in the 9th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2008 here, as they pocketed a gold each in the rapid event to cap the Filipinos' impressive showing here at the Danang Hotel.

Ochoa, a native of Calumpit, Bulacan, first time in an international competition, emerged tied with Pham Ba and Tran Minh Thang of Vietnam and compatriot Haince Patrick de Leon of Marikina with 5.5 points for the gold in the boys' Under-8 category. However, only the top three (Ochoa, Pham and Tran) superior tie break was awarded the gold medal resulting De Leon out in the medal awardees.

"Suwerte lamang po nanalo tayo sa tie break," said the 11-year-old Ochoa, whom NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. predicted to break the record of Wesley So, who at 14, is currently the youngest grandmaster in the world.

"Si Kyle (Ochoa), ito ang nakikita ko na at age 12 ay magiging youngest GM natin," said Pichay.

Actually, Ochoa bagged the silver medal in the Standard play and was looking for another medal in the Blitz competition.

Ochoa spearheaded another Silver medal for the country in the Team play along with De Leon and John Lemi of Vigan, Ilocos Sur who combined with 14.5 points.

Aquino, a resident of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, finished in a two-way tie for first with 5.5 points to also clinch the gold medal in the Under-14 division and led two other Filipinos—Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila and Jan Nigel Galan of Valenzuela—to the team silver who combined 13.5 points. Garcia, top player of Ateneo De Manila University also bagged a bronze in the individual play with 5.0 points.

Ochoa and Aquino's feats brought the Filipinos' gold haul to 10 after four days of competition, where the 40-member RP Team, whose trip here was made possible by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by its president, Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr..

" Kagaya ng una ko ng nasabi, dito sa mga bata na ito ang susunod sa yapak ni Wesley So, kaya full support tayo sa kanila," said Pichay, who also announced that he will send another RP representative in the 2008 World Youth Chess Championships on October 19 to 30 in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

"Yes, definitely magpapadala tayo ng representative sa World Youth Chess Championships sa Vung Tau, Vietnam sa October," Pichay said when he visit the player on Sunday along with Fide delegate Casto "Toti" Abundo.

National Master Edmundo Legaspi of Olongapo City also won gold in the Senior division as well Chardine Cheradee Camacho of Caba, La Union and Cherry Ann Mejia of Pasig also won a gold in the Girls' 14 and under and secured a Silver medal in the Team play along with Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila who combined 15.5 points.

Samantha Glo Revita from Rosales, Pangasinan also bagged the gold in the Girls' 10 and under. Revita along with Marie Antoninette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite and Cyamir Jill Villanueva of Manila also won silver in the Team play with 11.5 points.

The girls' Under-12 squad of Maria Ysabelle Joyce Semillano of Muntinlupa, Jean Karen Enriquez of Marikina and Rowelyn Acedo of Davao City won a silver medal each in the team event.

The Filipinos also won silver medals in the team event of girls' Under-8 composed of Danica Alexis Abalang of Ilocos, Alexis Anne Osena of Cagayan de Oro and Alexis Charlotte Suede of Makati City; girls' 16 and under of Christy Lamiel Bernales of Quezon City, Akiko Chairmaine Suede of Makati City, Jedara Docena of Bohol and girls' 18 and under of Ronna Reigner Senora of General Santos City, Kimberly Jane Cunanan of Angeles, Pampanga and Lovelyn Medina of Bacoor, Cavite.

Silver medals also went to the team event to Standard Gold Medalist John Ray Batucan of Davao City, Vince Angelo Medina of Bacoor, Cavite and Christian Nanola of Calamba, Laguna in the Boys' 12 and under; Daryl Unix Samantila of Malabon, Elijam Aliam of Dasmarinas, Cavite and Paolo Bersamina of Pasay in the Boys' 10 and under while the trio of John Alcon Datu of Quezon City, Narquingden Reyes of Rodriguez, Rizal and Loren Brigham Laceste of Sto. Tomas, La Union took the bronze.

As expected, the last minute entry GM Le Quang Liem took the gold in the individual play in the Boys' 18 and under with 6.5 points out of seven games of play.

Standard gold medallist Richielieu Salcedo of Cagayan de Oro City settled for silver along with Nguyen Viet Chung and Tran Manh Tien of Vietnam.

Salcedo, Karl Victor Ochoa of Calumpit, Bulacan and Leo Daylo Jr. of Quezon City who combined 12.5 points clinched Silver medal in the Team event.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison