by Marlon Bernardino
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte---Second seed Jallen Herzchelle Agra of Claveria, Cagayan defeated 25th seed Shantelle Marie Root of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte to keep her hold of the lead with two others after three rounds of the Queen of the North chess championship on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Ilocos Norte National High School gymnasium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Agra improved her total to 3.0 points, the same output of third seed Precious Eve Ferrer of Lingayen, Pangasinan and fourth seed Shaniah Francine Tamayo of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Ferrer toppled 24th seed Rachelle Joy Pascua of Bacarra,, Ilocos Norte while Tamayo subdued 29th seed Angelica Mae Utleg of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
In the chase pack just half point behind with 2.5 points are top seed Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Flora, Apayao and 12th seed Elizsa Gayle Cafirma of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Sebastian crushed 22nd seed Hannah Estella Maurin Martin of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte while Cafirma waylaid 5th seed Eloisa Daphne Agustin of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
A total of 30 lady woodpushers saw action in this week-long standard tournament, hosted by the City Government of Laoag headed by Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, organized by 102nd Homecoming Committee of the UP Vanguard Incorporated Aldwin Galapon and assisted by tournament director International Master Ronald Bancod and International Arbiter Ricky Navalta, backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pag-Ibig Fund and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation that offers P60,000 to the champion.
"We are forever grateful to Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon which is arguably one of the best youth chess programs in the country today," said Bancod.-Marlon Bernardino-
Caption photo:
The ceremonial move to officially open Queen of the North chess championship at the Ilocos Norte National High School gymnasium, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon shakes hand with Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian and so did 102nd Homecoming Committee of the UP Vanguard Incorporated Aldwin Galapon and Precious Eve Ferrer.