Jeth Romy Morado rules NCR chess tilt

Jeth Romy Morado downed FIDE Master Efren Bagamasbad to top the National Capital Region Leg of the 75th Philippine National Chess Championships at the MET Live in Pasay City recently.

Morado, the 21-year-old reigning national juniors champion, finished with a 7.5 points, or half a point ahead of Alexis Emil Maribao and Jayson Danday with seven points apiece, to clinch the crown and qualify to the finals late this year.

It was a strong effort for Morado, who steered Far Eastern University to the UAAP crown last year while copping the individual gold medal on top board, as he finished with seven wins and a draw.

Maribao dumped Christian Mark Daluz while Danday waylaid Max Dave Tellor to end up tied for second.

Maribao, however, took runner-up honor after edging Danday, who slipped to third, via tiebreaker, 42-41.5.

Jose Rynhard Conde, Darry Bernardo, Singapore-based Leonard Raymond Reyes, Jhoemar Mendiogarin and Jose Aquino, Jr. ended up tied for fourth to eighth spots with 6.5 points each and made the final cut.

The top finishers in the national finals will secure slots to the Philippine pool.