Suyamin wins gold in girls’ U16 rapid chess in Penang, Malaysia
BONJOURE FILLE SUYAMIN came through with the worthiest effort for the Philippines after she struck gold in the girls’ under-16 (U16) rapid event in Penang, Malaysia Saturday night.
Ms. Suyamin, 14, bounced back from a sixth and penultimate round defeat to Davaakhuu Unurzul of Mongolia by venting her ire on another Mongolian, Zoljargal Enkhkhaliun in the final round, to snatch the crown from the jaws of defeat.
In the end, Ms. Suyamin, who will return to Far Eastern University after taking a break, finished with six points and the crown and bested Ms. Unurzul, who took the silver with 5.5 points, and Quinsha Adinda Syahirah of Indonesia, who copped the bronze with five points.
It was the best performance for the lean but mean Philippine delegation after also scooping up four silvers and a bronze.
FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca was on his way to the gold after going into the last round tied for first with FIDE Master Poh Yu Tian of Malaysia. But Mr. Arca fell to Mr. Poh and settled for the bronze.
Mr. Arca also took the team silver with FM Ivan Travis Cu and John Dave Lavandero.
Also pocketing team silvers were Ashzley Aya Nicole Paquinol, Lila Alyssa Serina and Kena Areld Galleguez (girls U14), Davin Sean Romualdez, Jaymiel Piel and Ran Zeth Marco Magallanes (open U14) and Phil Martin Casiguran, Tyrhone Jamnes Tabernilla and Keith Adriane Ilar (open U16).
The nine-round standard event had started yesterday with blitz to be played right after it.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales thanked NCFP’s Butch Pichay, Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino as well as the players’ respective local government units for their support. — Joey Villar