Woman Candidate Master Kylen Joy Mordido bested three male rivals en route to 6.5 points and the lead in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship juniors division grand finals at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay on Saturday.
Mordido beat Irish Yngayo and Cyril Telesforo, held top seed Rome Pangilinan to a draw in the third round then racked up four wins, including an upset over No. 3 James Erese.
The Dasmariñas National HS stalwart also downed Julius Gonzales then outplayed Mary Joy Tan and Francois Magpily in the 13-16 age group.
Pangilinan stayed within sight with 6.0 points, towing Gonzales with 5.5 going to the last two rounds.
David Rey Ancheta led the kiddies (7 to 12) side with 6.0 points, towing Mark Jay Bacojo (5.5). —ROY LUARCA