MANILA -- Iloilo City’s Gil Casa Jr. and Adrian de Luna shone bright in the third-round action of the National Age-Group Chess Championships in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

Casa used his favorite King-pawn opening to finish Anthony Procalla in just 20 moves, while De Luna took advantage of Kirk Jan Ogapong’s mishandling of the Ruy Lopez defense.

Casa and De Luna share the lead in the Boys 10-and-under with 3 points each.

Meanwhile, some early round winners failed to sustain their momentum against well-prepared opponents.

Jasia Dorog was easily crushed by Chacy Aliena Telesforo in their Sicilian game, while Alpheeca Gonzales resigned in just 34 moves to Methusellah Hoban in a tense Queen-pawn opening.

The event is an initiative of Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Committee Chairman on Grassroots Development and Promotions, in cooperation with Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Cadiz City Mayor Patrick Escalante. – By Marlon Bernardino