Philippines’ Hernandez enters KO stage in FIDE Online Rapid World Cup Cadets & Youth

MANILA, Philippines – Woman National Master Lexie Grace Hernandez of the Philippines finished tied for second in the FIDE Online Rapid World Cup Cadets & Youth – Girls 16 and under online chess championship virtually held at Tornelo Platform on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

The 15-year-old Hernandez, a grade 9 student of Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga tied Woman FIDE Master Amina Kairbekova of Kazakhstan and Woman FIDE Master Davaakhuu Munkhzul of Mongolia at eight points each.

After the tie break was applied, Kairbekova finished second, Munkhzul got 3rd while Hernandez settled for fourth. Woman Candidate Master Ruiyang Yan of the United States of America won the tournament with 8.5 points.

With her result, Hernandez joined other top 10 finishers in the knockout stage of the tournament.

The final stage on August 26-31, 2021 consists of 16-player KO tournament based on 2 games (with alternate colours) and possibly one Armageddon tie-break according to Hernandez staunch supporter Mr. Jimmy Reyes.

For 4th place – She will have the right to participate in FIDE Online Rapid Grand Prix Series 2021 and to recieve Diploma from FIDE added Reyes.

Hernandez scored victories over Alisha Vyas of England in the first round, Woman FIDE Master Hazel Guo of Canada in the third round, Sofie Kristine Ratama of Norway in the fourth round, Rajanya Datta of India in the fifth round, Nurai Sovetbekova of Kyrgyzstan in the seventh round, Kun Fang of Singapore in the eight round, Anushka Gupta of India in the ninth round and Woman Candidate Master Jia Ru Sim of Malaysia in the tenth and final round.

She lost to Anishka Vikram of India in the second round and Woman FIDE Master Diana Lomaia of Georgia in the sixth round.

Another Filipino entry Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian failed to advance in the next round. Sebastian, the pride of Flora, Kalinga-Apayao finished tied for eight but end up overall 13th place with 7 points.

Coaches, trainors, mentors and sponsors who became part of Hernandez’s chess development were Mayor of Candaba , Pampanga Rene Maglanque, Mayor of Santa Ana ,Pampanga Norberto Gamboa, Mayor of Angeles city, Pampanga Carmelo Lazatin Jr., HAU coach Mr. Daril Parales, Mr. Jose Camaya , Mr. John Jasper Laxamana, National Master Ronald Llavanes Mr. Rafael Cayanan, Mr. Gabriel Prevandos, Mr. Martin Tan, Mr. Reynaldo Estrella and Mr. Archimedes de leon.

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, PHilippines—National Master Al-Basher Buto and National Master Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca defeated their respective rivals at the conclusion of the FIDE Online Rapid World Cup Cadets & Youth – Open 12 and under online chess championship  virtually held at Tornelo Platform on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

The Cainta, Rizal province resident Buto toppled Isak Vinh Brattgjerd of Norway in the tenth and final round while the Panabo City, Davao del Norte ace Arca trounced  Timothy Xie of the United States.

Buto and Arca, both tallied 6.5 points, a good for a tie 24th to 43rd place. After the tie break was applied, Buto ended up 24th while Arca finished 36th overall.

Another Filipino entry National Master Ivan Travis Cu yielded in the final round against Akshay Borgaonkar of India. With the loss, the San Juan City bet Cu was stuck at 5.5 points and dropped into a tie for 62nd to 83th place. Cu finished 64th place in this 200-player’s field FIDE tournament.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by President/Chairman Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., is supporting the campaign of the triumvirate Buto, Cu and Arca as part of its continuing program to train and develop outstanding young players.