2008 Marikina City "Alay" Age Group Active Chess Championship

Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar scored a title twin killed grabbing both the over-all championship and the 12 years and under crowns of the Alay Kay Mayor "Search for the Bagong Bayani" Age-group Active Chess Championship held December 20,2008 at the lobby area of the Marikina Sports Park in Marikina City. Baltazar,11 years old toppled top seed Prince Mark Aquino in 55 moves of a Caro Kan defense even with a piece down. He also defeated 3 rd seed Mikee Suede of Letran High School in 60 moves of a London System. Aquino,14 years old who represented the Philippines in the 2004 World Youth Chess Festival held in Greece and the 2008 ASEAN Age group in Vietnam was relegated to first runner-up while Anfernee Bonifacio of host Marikina City settled for second runner-up honors. In the 12-years and under category, Baltazar completed his perfect 6 games sweep with a final round win over Clifford Cobsilen Jr whom he crushed in another Caro Kan Defense.Asia's first grandmaster Eugene Torre welcomes the forty nine participants and wishes them luck in the tournament.Other category winners are Best under-10 years old Paulo Bersamina of La Salle Greenhills (5 pts) . Best under-8 years old Stephen Pangilinan (4.5 pts.)