Asian chess championships among teenagers and girls are attracting 11 countries | So Good News

The Asian Junior and Girls Chess Championship was held at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City on Friday in the presence of Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, welcoming 58 participants from 11 countries to the nine-day competition.

“We look forward to the best matches from the young Asian masters in the championships that will give our Filipino players the opportunity to gain grandmaster standards and international skills. [IM] norms,” Tolentino said, twin competitions for players 20 and younger.

Tolentino is an honorary member of the International Chess Federation, or FIDE, and once served as its secretary general. He also chaired FIDE’s Southeast Asia Region while serving as the Philippine National Chess Federation Secretary General.

Cavite Vice Governor and NCFP Vice President Athena Briana Tolentino took the first step of the ceremony with the girls’ best, IM Assel Serikbay of Kazakhstan.

Among the juniors, reigning national champion FIDE master Alekhine Nuri and girls titlist Mhage Sebastian will lead the country’s campaign, along with IMs Daniel Kizon, Michael Concio, Al-Basher Buto, Andrew James Toledo, Gabriel Ryan Paradero, Ronell Ko and Marlon James Piel.

The nine-round Swiss system tournament is sponsored by the Asian Chess Federation, the Philippine Sports Commission and the City of Tagaytay.

Mehrdad Pahlavanzadeh, an Iranian member of the ACF Executive Board, and members of the Appeals Committee from India, Guam, Iran, Malaysia and Kazakhstan were also present at the modest opening ceremony.