INTERNATIONAL Master Michael Concio Jr. retained his title while Ma. Elayza Villa came out of nowhere to crown herself the girls champion in the National Juniors and Kiddies Chess Championships in Alicia, Isabela yesterday.
Concio, a World Cup veteran, drew his ninth and final-round game against Christian Olaybal and watched conqueror Jan Clifford Labog fall to Chester Neil Reyes to snare the juniors title with 7.5 points.
Reyes wound up second with seven points while Labog edged Oscar Joseph Cantela via tiebreak to settle for third with 6.5 points in the event backed by Mayor Jose Alejandro.
Villa needed to hurdle Shiela Mer Donoga to finish tied for first with Ruelle Canino, who beat Rinoa Mariel Sadey, with 7.5 points before eventually claiming the title with a higher tiebreak.
Topping the kiddies’ side were Deandra Castronuevo in the girls and Phil Martin Casiguran in the boys class.
