by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Chester Neil Reyes produced impressive results at the FIDE Online Rapid World Cadets & Youth online chess championship Open 16 and under virtually held at Tornelo Platform to earn a berth at the knockout stage.
The 89th seed Reyes (Elo 1837), incoming Grade 11 pupil of Nazareth School of National University drew with third seed International Master Christopher Woojin Yoo (Elo 2466) of the USA after 41 moves of a Sicilian defense, Closed variation using the white pieces in Friday’s ninth and penultimate round then made a quick draw with 11th seed FIDE Master Maksim Tsaruk (Elo 2324) of Belarus after 10 moves of a Vienna Opening using the white pieces in Saturday’s tenth and final round to claim the title with 8.5 points.
“I thank those you helped me, Coach Richard A. Villaseran of King’s Gambit, GM Nelson Mariano, Arden at Narquingel Reyes and the UNASA and NU chess families under the tutelage of Team Manager Samson Go and NU coach US master Jojo Aquino and coach Jelvis Calvelo, sir Martin Binky Gaticales and Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe,” said the amiable Reyes.
“I’m so happy for Chester Neil (Reyes). Well deserved championship for him. This breakthrough will be a very big confidence booster for him and I’m sure bigger things are ahead of him,” said Coach Richard Villaseran, founder of King’s Gambit Chess School, where Reyes trains from time to time who watched the game live thru Tornelo Platform.
Another Filipino entry 106th seed Jeremy Marticio (Elo 1693) defeated 48th seed Swarnavo Choudhury (Elo 2079) of Bangladesh after 41 moves of Sicilian defense in the final canto to finish with 7 points, good for a tie 15th to 24th places.
The pride of Cabuyao City, Laguna Marticio suffered a stinging defeat in Friday’s ninth round to drop out of contention. Marticio yielded to 14th seed FIDE Master Samant Aditya S (Elo 2297) of India after 50 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening using the black pieces.
Reyes is playing under the guidance of Coach Richard Villaseran, founder of King’s Gambit Chess School, NU coach US Master Jojo Aquino and NU team manager Samson Go while Marticio whose stint here is being supported by Cabuyao City Mayor Mel Gecolea, Cabuyao City Sports Director Jerome Paul Lualhati, Bayanihan sa Cabuyao Executive Director Michael Aranzanso and Cabuyao Chess Committee Chairman & President of Philippine Executive Chess Association Dr. Fred Paez.
Other early qualifiers are Lexie Grace Hernandez of Angeles City, Pampanga (Girls 16 and under), Jersey Marticio of Cabuyao City, Laguna (Girls 14 and under), April Joy Claros of Angeles City, Pampanga (Girls 14 and under) and Wayne Diaz Ruiz of Santa Rosa City, Laguna (Open 14 and under).
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by President/Chairman Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., is supporting the campaign of the Filipino woodpushers as part of its continuing program to train and develop outstanding young players.
MANILA, Philippines—Megan Althea Obrero Paragua, niece of Grandmaster Mark Callano Paragua, representing the United States of America lost her final match, relegating her to fourth place in the just concluded FIDE Online Rapid World Cadets & Youth chess championship Girls 10 and under virtually held at Tornelo Platform on Saturday.
The 130th seed Megan Althea bowed to 37th seed Aadhya Jain of India. Paragua scored 7.5 points, enough to qualify for the Knockout stage through the prestigious, 10-round tournament considered as the biggest in the world which attracted 151 woodpushers.
Aadhya Jain, on the other hand scored 9.5 points to top the FIDE rapid tournament using the 10 minutes plus 3 second increment time control format.
Kolagatla Alana Meenakshi of India settled for second place with 9 points followed by third placer Le Thai Hoang Anh of Vietnam who totes 8 points.
Meanwhile, three Philippines representative failed to advance in the knock out stage. They are 33rd place Jemaica Yap Mendoza (6 pts.), 43rd place Aeiona Lou Tomas Mendoza (6 pts.) and 71st place ACM Daniella Bianca Cruz (5 pts.)