The two-day tourney was the kick-off of the eight leg series to be held in different parts of the country. Five hundred youngsters vied for top positions for a sure seat in the finals on October 22 and 23. First District of Surigao del Sur Congressman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines Prospero Pichay delivered the inspirational message for the participants. He noted that Filipinos have already paved their way to being one of the calibered players in the world of chess. He also lauded Pilipinas Shell for giving support to the sport that develops the potential of the Filipino youth. (Left photo) Congressman Pichay delivers his message to the chess participants; (Right photo) Shell companies in the Philippines Country Controller Lito Diga (seated, right) and Congressman Pichay lead the ceremonial moves to officially open the tournament. Congressman Pichay and Country Controller for Shell companies in the Philippines Lito Diga led the ceremonial moves to officially open the tourney, witnessed by Shell Pandacan Social Performance Head Janot Baretto, Pilipinas Shell Business & Corporate Communications Manager John Arnaldo, International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, Pilipinas Shell General Manager for External Affairs Roberto Kanapi, with the arbiters and some of the participants. University of Sto. Tomas’ bet Vic Neil Villanueva (shown left below) reigned over the other 219 contenders in the juniors division with a perfect score of seven and 28 Bucholz. In the kiddies’ divison, Jude Emil Fronda from Colegio de San Juan de Letran (right below) prevailed over the other 279 kiddies participants with a score of 6.5 and 35 Bucholz. It was a tough competition for every participant of the tourney, but Juniors division champ Vic Neil Villanueva had a different story to tell about his winning. According to him, “I just got my luck… If not for the celebration of Manila Day yesterday, I should have been in school, attending my weekend classes…”. He also added that he would be really preparing for the finals, because it will be held almost the same time with the UAAP where he is targetting a position in the A-list. Other winners in the juniors division were Junar Valeros (first runner up) of Adamson University and Luke Farre (second runner up) of San Sebastian College. In the kiddies division, Haridas Pascua (first runner up) and Loren Brigham Laceste (second runner up) followed Fronda. These players, along with the champions, got sure seats in the finals. 
Carlos Miguel Adamos bagged one of the tourney’s special awards, the youngest player award. He was also a participant of the Shell chess tourney in the past year but did not finish the leg. During that time, he cried realising that he was bound to play chess with a 14-year old boy whereas, he was two years old then. On the other hand, Christy Lamiel Bernales of the University of the East bagged the over-all top female player award with a score of 6 points and 24.5 Bucholz. La Immaculada Concepcion School won the most represented school award in the kiddies division with 28 players while St. Jude Catholic School won the award in the juniors division with 19 players. In the closing ceremonies, Arnaldo and Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines Eduardo Madrid presented the awards to the winners. Each winners from the respective divisions received individual trophies and cash prizes. The sponsors of the 14th Shell National Youth Active Chess Champonship are Shell Better Mileage Gasolines, Shell Diesoline Ultra, Shellane, McDonald’s and Cebu Pacific. The staging of the annual Shell chess tourney is in cooperation with SM Supermalls and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. The next leg is slated in Baguio, on July 8-9, 2006 at the SM City Lower Ground Atrium.[Kay Eser] | 
