OZAMIZ—FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri stunned International Master Miroslav Vlasenko of Russia in 61 moves of a Nimzovich duel to emerge the blitz champion in the open section of the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park here Sunday.
The reigning national junior champion and Asian juniors rapid king was unflinching against the Russian’s ploy of confusing him by using a rarely used opening line and when the smoke of battle dissipated, the Filipino ended with a queen up, the full point and the title.
“I just played my game and took it as an opportunity, good thing I won,” said Nouri, who will turn 20 on Dec. 12.
Nouri actually ended up tied at No. 1 with Grandmaster Daniel Quizon with eight points apiece, but the former had a higher tiebreaker to claim the gold.
Interestingly, Nouri stunned Quizon when they faced off in the seventh round.
Quizon, who bested IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca in 47 moves of a King’s Indian Attack, settled for the silver.
Indonesian GM Novendra Priasmoro turned back newly minted IM Mark Jay Bacojo in 31 moves of a Sicilian, seized the bronze with seven points.
In the women’s side, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna pocketed a pair of bronzes in rapid and blitz while WFM Allaney Jia Doroy defied the odds and grabbed the blitz silver.
Russian WFM Anna Zhurova ruled the women’s rapid while Vietnamese WIM Nguyen Hong Anh grabbed the blitz gold.
Topping the men’s rapid side was Vietnam’s IM Nguyen Quoc Hy.
