Fifteen-year-old Jirah Floravie Cutiyog won the 1st BGA Realty CEO Pres. Gerry Bustamante 1900 and Below Rapid Chess Tournament held 9th June 2024 at the Robinsons Place Imus in Cavite, Philippines.
The pride of General Trias City swept her assignments and scored 6.0 points in a field of 82 players.
Cutiyog opened her campaign with a win over Kermiel Laxamana then followed it with victories over AIM Rowel Canaveral, Elcid Estaron, Noel Trines Jr., AFM Jaymiel Piel, and Clark Kaeron Kwan.
“I am happy with my performance,” said Cutiyog, a Grade 9 student of Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
Cutiyog pocketed the P3,000 cash prize and a trophy for the event organized by Rolly Aggarao.
Among those who are supporting her chess campaign here and abroad are Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Labuguen, Cavite Sixth Dist. Rep. Antonio Ferrer, Sports Head Rodolfo Commandante Jr. ,Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite and Arena FIDE Master Coach Ederwin Estavillo.
Cutiyog is fresh from winning the girls’ Under-16 division in her age group — standard, rapid and blitz — in the recently concluded National Age Group Chess Eliminations last June 5 at the Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Last May 11 in Imus, she stunned International Master Ronald Bancod, FIDE Masters Mark Jay Bacojo and Roel Abelgas while carving out a surprise draw with World Cup veteran IM Michael Concio, Jr
She was also blitz and rapid champion in the Calabarzon regionals held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April that earned her a spot to the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu next month.
Cutiyog also saw action in the 2023 World Youth Chess Championship held in Montesilvano, Italy last November.
Her next tournaments are the National Age Group Chess Championships Grandfinals 2024 to be held on June 22-30 at the Dapitan City Sports Complex, Zamboanga del Norte and the Eastern Asia Chess Championships on July 12 to 21 in Penang, Malaysia.-Marlon Bernardino