Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian turned back Jarel Renz Lacambra to remain unscathed after five rounds in the girls’ division of the National Junior Chess Championship at the PACE in Quezon City Sunday night.
Sebastian, a 15-year-old Far Eastern University standout, prevailed after 69 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense to improve to 5 points in this nine-round event.
Her previous victories include Precious Eve Ferrer, Ma. Elayza Villa, Divine Grace Luna and Lexie Grace Hernandez.
Sebastian faces Ruelle Canino in the sixth round as of this writing.
Canino currently trails Sebastian with 4 points following a recent triumph over Hernandez in 63 moves of a London System.
In the open section, FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri and unrated Adrian Othniel Yulo bested Khent Darylle Delig and Christian Marcelo Olaybal to share the lead with four points apiece.
Between the two, Nouri, 15, owns the better tiebreak after he beat Yulo the round before.
Half a point off the pace was Ronald Canino, who split the point with Jarvey Labanda.
The winners in this meet will be the country’s representatives to the Asian and World Championships.