Mirano tops Davao age-group chessfest, represents PH in ASEAN+ championship
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Aklan woodpusher Mira Mirano will represent the country in Tarakan, Indonesia for the ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships.

Mirano finished with six victories and one loss for 6.0 points in the girls 14 years old and under category at the close of the Swiss system 2011 National Age-Group Chess Championships in Gaisano Mall in Davao City.

A high school student of Saint Gabriel College from Banga, Aklan, Mirano (FED Rtg 1793) hurdled 4th seed Ynna Sophia Canape (FED Rtg 1413) in the penultimate seventh round yesterday.

Tied for second place were Ella Grace Moulic of Davao and Crisselne Alcaraz of Laoag with an identical 5.5 points each.

Top seed Mirano also outplayed Janell Basbas, Shania Mae Mendoza, Janin Crisologo, Dhona Yngayo and Alcaraz for her five consecutive victories before she was defeated by unrated player Moulic in the sixth round.

The tournament was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the city government of Davao under Mayor Inday Sara Duterte from April 25 to 28.

The ASEAN + age-group chess championship is scheduled on June 11 to 20 in Indonesia.

In other results:

Girls under 8 – Mary Sol Frances Quitong of Bulwang (Numancia) Elementary School whipped Jasmin Amoncio in the final round to share third spot with Erlyn Mae Olila, Kheam Ara de Guzman and Me Ann Joy Baclayon with identical 3.0 points each.

Boys under 8 – Christian John Dumo of Kalibo Pilot Elementary School trounced Gabriel Ibaoc in the fifth round. He tied for fourth place with 3.0 points with Adrian Luis Olarte, Chrisus Joseph Sarchez and Vic Gyles Derotas in the final rankings.

Girls under 12 – Lianne Tifanny Garingalao of Kalibo Pilot Elementary School whipped Caissa Jane Guevarra while teammate Alea Bianca Garingalao, also of KPES, crushed Famila Guardarama to both share 7th to 9th places with 3.0 points each.

Boys under 20 – Kevin Mirano stunned Philip John Leyson in the seventh round to share third place with 5.0 points.