by Marlon Bernardino.
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine chess wunderkind Lexie Grace Hernandez pocketed top honors in the PSC-NCFP Selection – Semi-Finals (Women) online tournament held last May 11 to 13, 2021 on Tornelo platform.
The 15-year-old Hernandez, a grade 9 student of Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga collected 5.5 points on four wins and three draws to win the seven-round tournament.
Actually, Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro City tallied a similar 5.5 points on five wins, one draw and one loss.
Hernandez, however, was proclaimed champion due to better tie break points.
In third place was Ma. Elayza Villa of Mandaluyong City who had 5 points. Thailand based Woman National Master Arvie Lozano took the fourth spot with 4.5 points while Lovely Ann Geraldino of Taguig City finished fifth with 4 points.
“To play with the best player in the country is amazing,” said Ms. Hernandez, who is also the champion in the PSC-NCFP Selection Luzon Leg Elimination (Women). “I’m so happy to have been part of such an incredible event,” added Ms. Hernandez.
Hernandez scored victories over Lovely Ann Geraldino in the first round, Mary Joy Tan in the third round, Ma. Elayza Villa in the fifth round and Rinoa Mariel Sadey in the seventh and final round. She split the point with Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily in the second round, Ruelle Canino in the fourth round and Divine Grace Luna in the sixth round.
“Congrats & well done to our Future WGM Lexie Grace Hernandez for winning PSC – NCFP Selection – Women Chess Semi Finals. Good luck to the last one Grand Finals,” said Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Jimmy Reyes, staunch supporter of Ms. Hernandez.
“Soar high Pampanga youth chess warriors,” added Mr. Jimmy, father and coach of Philippine child prodigy siblings Oshrie Jhames “OJ” and Prince Jhamie Constantino Reyes.
Meanwhile, International Master Barlo Nadera of the Philippine Airforce (5.5 points), John Jasper Laxamana of Far Eastern University (4.5 points), Nezil Arj Merilles of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (4.5 points), Jarvey Labanda of Bicol (4 points) and Francis Talaboc of Taguig City ( 4 points) finished top five (5) in the Men’s Division.
The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it’s president/chairman Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero ” Butch Arreza Pichay Jr. in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission. Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer (COO) Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.