The Philippines’ youngest Woman Fide Master (WFM) Antonella Berthe “Tonelle” Murillo Racasa outlasted compatriot Ruelle “Tawing” Canino of Cagayan de Oro City to assume solo leadership after three rounds of the 20th Asean + Age Group Chess Championships 2019 on Tuesday at the Golden Mandalay Hotel and Hotel Hazel in Mandalay City, Myanmar.
The win enabled the Mandaluyong City bet Racasa to raise her score to three points in three outings and grab the lead for the top position in the Under-12 girls’ division of the standard time control format.
“Antonella Berthe beat Ruelle in Round 3 after 50 moves of Modern defense. Praise God for this victory,” said father/coach Roberto Racasa.
The eight-time Illinois USA chess champion International Master (IM) Angelo Young, the country’s representative in the 2019 Bucharest, Romania World Seniors Chess Championships had something said, “ May you lead our youth in giving honors and good examples and your sacrifices to our nation will be more fruitful and successful.”
Racasa’s Myanmar trip is sponsored by Hermie Esguerra of Herma Group of Companies, Makati Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Rose Montenegro and Rogelio Lim of Rotary Club of Pasig.
She was also supported by Boni Tower, Philippine Constructors Association Metro Manila Chapter and sportsman Reli De Leon as she takes on Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Nghi in the fourth round.
Antonella Berthe who is celebrating her 12th birthday on Wednesday also beat Moe Thu Aung of Myanmar in Round 1 and another Pinay entry Jersey Marticio in Round 2.
PH chess wizards Oshrie Jhames Reyes of Dila Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga, meantime defeated countryman Herson Bangay of Lipa City, Batangas to create a three-way tie for second with 2.5 points after three games of play in the Under-8 Boys’ open division. Also with 2.5 points are Nguyen Nghia Gia Binh and Nguyen Manh Duc of Vietnam.
The seven-year-old Reyes, a Grade 3 pupil of GNC Montessori in Guagua, Pampanga, will face tournament solo leader Duong Vu Anh of Vietnam in Round 4. Duong beat Vivaan Vijay Saraogi of India to notch perfect 3.0 points.
PH chess genius Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal dismantled Doan The Duc of Vietnam to scored 3.0 points and share the lead with Nguyen Thai Son of Vietnam in the Under-10 Boys’ open division.
