Kwan is Kiddies Chess Queen in Queen City of the South
By Winchell Campos
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Jun 2024
CEBU City—Adina Vera Kwan crowned herself queen of Cebu by scoring a rare sweep in the Cebu leg of the June 1000GMs (grandmasters) kiddies chess championships Saturday here.
In the 11 years-and-under category where both boys and girls competed alongside each other, Kwan proved immovable and focused as she beat all seven opponents in this Swiss System tournament held at the CityMall in the Bacalso district.
Surprisingly, Daniela Chaeline Villalon made it a 1-2 finish for the girls as she finished solo second with 5.5 points in this tournament sponsored by the 1000GMs organization, in Cebu, also known as the Queen City of the South.
Seeded sixth, Kwan was prepared for all comers as she showed her mastery of the London System, her pet opening with the white pieces as well as the Sicilian Najdorf as black, among other opening lines.
After breezing past her first two assignments, the 10-year-old University of Cebu standout beat third seed Juan Miguel Templonuevo, seventh seed Villalon, fifth seed Danica Jolly Lavandero, 12th seed John Patrick Rabor in blazing fashion.
Adina Vera Kwan (C) is 1000GMs Cebu Leg Champion.
By the seventh round, Kwan was already a whole point ahead of eighth seed Renz Jay Oporto, who was at erstwhile solo second. The charming lady chesser never let her guard down a bit as she essayed the London Opening to win handily, getting a high-five from her father, who was there every step of the way, after the match.
Despite the loss, Oporto wound up third with the highest tiebreak points among fellow five-pointers.
Unheralded and unrated Josue Contaoi beat top seed Duane Gabriel Esmoso in the last round and finished fourth. Also with five points were Templonuevo, fourth seed Ian Geoff Caylan and another female chesser, Blessy Valine Padayao.
Danica Jolly Lavandero rounded out the top 10 which included Mikhail Paul Nathan Leyco and John Patrick Rabor.
Cebu-based International Master Rico Mascarinas Sr., who was present to support Rico, Jr., in the 12-16 age group, gave an inspirational speech at the closing ceremonies.
The 71-year-old Cebuano and many-time Olympian Mascarinas, encouraged the kids and their parents to continue their passion for the sport and was awe-inspiring in recalling his sterling career which has spanned more than five decades.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gabriel Santisima Retains WBO Asia-Pacific Title with First-Round Knockout Win
Sun, 12 Jul 2026Sumabong wins OPBF, WBO Asia Pacific titles
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 12 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Philippine Blu Girls Ready to Take on the World’s Best at WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 12 Jul 2026Germo, Turno rule 34th Yakult 10-Miler Trilogy Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 12 Jul 20261st Grandmaster Eugene Torre Open Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 12 Jul 2026Murat Gassiev retains WBA heavyweight title at the spectacular IBA Pro 19
Sun, 12 Jul 2026Unbeaten John Michael Zulueta Headlines Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 12 Jul 2026Raquinel, Torres Make Weight for Sunday Showdown in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 11 Jul 2026Pacquiao, Briggs and Chisora share their views ahead of IBA PRO 19 in Moscow
Sat, 11 Jul 2026LICA MALLS 500 SHAW TO HOST PACQUIAO CHESS TEAM TILT
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 11 Jul 2026Canelo vs Benavidez on Cinco De Mayo 2027? Maybe.
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 11 Jul 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev drives global combat sports expansion with historic wrestling partnership with RAF
Sat, 11 Jul 2026July 14th Fight Card Featuring Hasim Rahman Moved to Tuesday, August 18th at ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York
Sat, 11 Jul 2026Sem Japet Enano scores another Upset in Brisbane, Stops Tyler Blizzard in 7th
Fri, 10 Jul 2026WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province
Fri, 10 Jul 2026