Magsisilbing inspirasyon sa mga batang kalahok sina Woman Grandmaster at International Master Janelle Mae Frayna at Grandmaster Eugene Torre sa pagsulong ng 24th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships National Finals sa Oktubre 1-2 SM Megamall sa Mandaluyong City.

Ito ang ipinaalam ni Melanie Bularan, Social Performance and Social Investment Manager ng Pilipinas Shell, sa kanyang pagbisita kasama ang tournament director na si Alex Dinoy sa Philippine Sportswriters Association forum kahapon sa Shakey’s Malate.

“We are so proud to bring back one of the product of Shell National Youth Active Chess program, no other than our first WGM and IM Janelle Mae Frayna to provide inspiration to our brightest chess prospect in the opening ceremony and then GM Eugene Torre at the close of the tournament,” pahayag ni Bularan.

Matapos ang isinagawa qualifying leg sa iba’t ibang lalawigan, magsasagupa sa loob ng dalawang araw ang 48 finalist mula sa NCR, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Southern Mindanao at Northern Mindanao sa nine-round Swiss system tournament gamit ang Bronstein System.

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Si Frayna ang ika-10 sa kabuuang 17 chess player na naging Grandmaster sa bansa na produkto ng torneo.

Nakataya sa torneo na suportado ng Pilipinas Shell ang cash prizes na P20,000 sa kampeon kasama ang tropeo sa tatlong dibisyon na Kiddies (8-to12-years old), Juniors (13 to 16 years old) at ang Seniors (17 to 20 years old).

Paglalabanan din sa torneo ang espesyal na titulo bilang Top Female o Woman Player para sa 15 kababaihan na nagkuwalipika at makikipagsabayan kontra sa mga kalalakihan.

“Pilipinas Shell is committed to fueling dreams for many generations of Filipinos through innovative projects like Shell Active Chess. We are happy to see young Filipino players doing well in school and even in their chosen careers after developing a liking for this kind of game. After 24 years of organizing this grassroots-based program, we now see how it has created a positive impact among the youth,” sambit ni Bularan. (Angie Oredo)