Chess Nouri (left) and Sebastian: Philippines’ pride.

Tagaytay to host Asian Junior chess championships

October 14, 2022 Ed Andaya 993 views

TAGAYTAY, a popular tourist destination noted for its mild climate, will be the host of the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships on Nov.17-26.

Venue of the competition is the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagayatay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the event is open to players 20 years old and below.

Invited are 52 member nations of the Asian Chess Federation.

“This international event provides the opportunity for Filipino chess players to earn the coveted Grandmaster norm and International Master title,” said Tolentino, also Honorary Member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Reigning Philippine national junior champion FM Alekhine Nouri, 16, and girls champion Mhage Sebastian, 17, will carry the fight for the Philippines in the nine-round Swiss system tournament, The pair are currently competing in the World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Sardinia, Italy.

….Also expected to participate are outstanding young players from India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and other neighboring countries.

Other strong contenders are International Masters Daniel Quizon, 18, and Michael Concio, Jr., 17, who emerged as co-champions in the Southeast Asian Zonal chess championship held online last year.

The Asian Junior champion will earn a Grandmaster norm while the Asian Girls championwill earn the Women’s Grandmaster norm, according to Tolentino.

The International Master (IM) and Woman International Master (WIM) titles shall also be conferred on the champions.

IM and WIM norms shall go to the silver and bronze medalists.

The FIDE Master and FIDE Woman Master titles shall be conferred on them.

The Asian junior and girl champions will also earn the personal right to participate in next year’s World Juniors and Girls Chess Championship.

The event is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and City of Tagaytay under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE.

Interested parties may download regulations at https:// www. fide.com/calendar/ 52519.

Deadline for registration is Oct. 17.

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