THE country’s best and brightest young players will have the chance to test their mettle and clash over the board for the first time after a two-year pandemic hiatus in the Philippine National Juniors Championships set to start this Friday at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence building on Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City.
FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri and Vic Glysen Derotas will be the players to watch in the field of 20 players — 10 boys and 10 girls — that made the nine-round tournament via online qualifiers.
Completing the boys’ cast are Jeremiah Luis Cruz, Karlycris Clarito Jr., Khent Darylle Delig, Adrian Othniel Yulo, Jarvey Labanda, Christian Marcelo Olaybal, Israelito Rilloraza, Johnmari Joseph Lu and Ronald Canino.
Also competing in the girls’ section are Ma. Eliza Villa, Rinoa Mariel Sadey, Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Bea Mendoza, Jarel Renz Lacambra, Lexi Grace Hernandez, Precious Eve Ferrer, Ruelle Canino and Darlyn Villanueva.
The winners will receive cash prizes plus berths to next year’s Philippine National Championships and a chance to represent the country in international events like the Asian and World Juniors Championships next year.
Nouri, 15, is touted as one of the favorites, being the country’s youngest to ever claim the FM title at seven years old.
