MCC Updates

Eight seed Vincent Joseph Fuerte of Tanyag Elem. School downed Aaron Sopungco in 45 moves of a Queen's Pawn game in the fifth and final round to rule via tiebreak the December edition of MCC Kiddies Standard chess tourney held at St. Francis Square (SFS) in Mandaluyong City.

The 10-year old Fuerte, who posted a final output of 4.0 points with four wins and one loss after five rounds of play, actually tied for 1st-3rd places along with Christine Laz and Claudio Olar Jr. However, due to better tie-break, Fuerte claimed his first MCC kiddie title.

12-year old Laz of San Francisco High School upset top seed Kristian Cristobal in the final round and took the runner-up honor. Claudio of Taytay, Rizal ended in third spot.

Adjudged best category performers were: Andrew Sopungco (6-Under); Eric Robert Yap (8-Under); Fuerte (10-Under) and Laz (12-Under). Rounding off the top ten finishers were: Cristobal (4th); Camila Buduan (5th); Mark Anthony Trinidad (6th); Aaron Sopungco (7th); Yap (8th); James Hernandez (9th) and Juan Carlos Presente (10th).

The next kiddie standard event is slated on Jan. 20-21, 2007 at the same venue and time. Meanwhile, the last MCC active tourney for this year will be held on Dec. 30 (2000 below), also at SFS.

Also, a second batch of enrollees for the Milo Checkmate holiday chess clinic will still be accepted until 10:30am today, Dec. 26, at the lower 2F of St. Francis Square behind SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The clinic is open to young kids who are five years old and above. It aims to develop their chess talents into masters strength level through formal and systematic method of teachings.

The clinic will also serve as preparation for the qualifying tournaments in the selection of 2007 US- and Asia- bound Milo Checkmate team. The 1st and 2nd elimination tourneys are set on Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 3-4.

For other details, call 8268560 and 0916-852-1069.

Meanwhile, the Pamaskong handog of MCC 2000 below active chess tourney reels off on Dec. 30 at the same venue.