Torqueza, Frayna capture Nat'l juniors title,

Mirano finished fifth

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Mari Joseph Torqueza and Janelle Mae Frayna captured the title of the 2011 National Juniors Chess Championships held at NCCC Mall in Davao City from April 29 to May 3.

Torqueza, a standout of San Sebastian College, earned his National Master (NM) title after defeating top seed Sheider Nebato in the eighth round and halved the point with Richelliu Salcedo in the penultimate round.

He will also represent the country in the 2011 World Juniors Chess Championship on August 1 to 16 in New Delhi, India.

Far Eastern University (FEU) mainstay Kevin Mirano from Banga, Aklan also hurdled John Gerald Acedo in the final round to notch 6.5 points on five wins, three draws and one loss. Mirano finished fifth among 91 entries in the nine-round tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

In the distaff side, Janelle Mae Frayna ruled the girls juniors with 7.5 points, halved a point behind Rowelyn Acedo and Mikee Charlene Suede. Frayna drew with Judith Pineda in the final round to earn her National Master (NM) title.

Aklan bet Susan Grace Neri settled for 12th place with 5.5 points after she toppled Ella Grace Moulic in the ninth round.