
The National Age Group Chess Championships Eliminations were held 31 May to 6 June 2024 at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Philippines. In photo are, from left to right, FST/GM Jayson O. Gonzales – NCFP CEO, Ernesto Torres – Little Kingsmen Chess Club President, Alfredo Dumalag – Negros Club 64 President, NA Antonio Martin Olendo – NAGCC Organizer, GM Eugene Torre – First Asia’s Grand Master, Hon. Prospero A. Pichay Jr. – NCFP Chairman/President.

Making the ceremonial opening moves are from foreground, left vs right, Judge Rossendo Bandal vs FST/GM Jayson O. Gonzales , Engr. Gregorio Uy Matio vs WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Atty. Ryan Buenavista vs GM Eugene Torre.

JOHN Jerish Velarde and Jersey Marticio ruled the premier Under-18 division in the standard event of the National Age Group Chess Championships Eliminations Tuesday night at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City.
Atty. Myles Nicholas G. Bejar- Provincial Legal Officer of Negros Oriental and Alfredo Dumalag – Negros Chess Club 64 President awarded medals for above under-18 boys (from left to right) Rigil Kent Rosell Pahamtang – 2nd place, Jerish John Velarde – Champion, Cedric Kahiel Abris – 3rd place.
Velarde finished with 7.5 points out of the possible eight to rule the open division while Marticio swept all her eight games to top the girls’ side in spearheading the march to the Grand Finals slated June 22 to 30 in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.
It was the second straight triumph for Velarde, a native of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, who ruled the same open U18 section of the second Eugene Torre Cup just this late May at the Gateway 2 Activity Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Also prevailing in the open class of this event presented by Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria were Gabriel Ryan Paradero (U16), Jaymiel Piel (U14), Sebastian Damonsong (U12) and John Kristoff Bautista (U10).

Meanwhile, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog (U18), Jemaicah Mendoza (U14), Cyreine Jean Borce (U12) and Khana Kathrine Ventolero (U10) were the other victors in the girls’ side. In photo are from left to right, Yana Emilou De Vera – 2nd place, Jersey Marticio – Champion, Kyla Deloso.Dalagan – 3rd place (from left to right)
The meet, which drew a record-breaking more than 500 participants, have staked slots to the Dapitan finals.
“The top eight of each category will clinch slots to the grand finals in Dapitan, where we will have truly the best of the best,” said Jayson Gonzales, National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer.

Under-16 boys standard event, from left to right, NM Cyrus James Damiray- 2nd place, AIM Gabriel Ryan Paradero- Champion, John Cyrus Borje – 3rd place.

Under-14 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Vera Cruz Quarl Maverick- 2nd place, AFM Piel Jaymiel- Champion, NM Carredo Mar Aviel- 3rd place.

Under-14 girls winners, from left to right, Daniella Bianca Cruz – 2nd place, Mendoza Jemaicah Yap- Champion, Sotaridona Iana Angela – 3rd place.

Under-12 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Albert Jerrick Roose – 2nd place, Damonsong Sebastian – Champion, Devibar Ralz Jaweh- 3rd place.

Under-12 girls standard event winners, from left to right, Segara Hannah – 2nd place, Borce Cyreine Jean- Champion, -Tan Mary Janelle- 3rd place.

Under-10 boys standard event winners, from left to right, Garcia Caleb Royce – 2nd place, Bautista John Kristoff – Champion, Abalo Kyle Zephyrr – 3rd place.

Under-10 girls standard event winners, from left to right, Barbosa Reese Valerie – 2nd place, Ventolero Khana Kathrine- Champion, Salikala Kasnea Aina – 3rd place.