April Joy Claros of the Philippines displayed her form to thrash Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Martyna Starosta of Poland in their Armageddon game and advance to the quarterfinals of the FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Chess Championships Girls 14 under Finals last weekend.
The third seeded Starosta who holds an Elo rating of 2094, earlier defeated the 14th seeded Claros (Elo 1459) in the first match of their rapid play and needed only to draw the second match to advance the next round.
However, the Angeles City, Pampanga pride Claros, one of the top players of the star-studded Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University chess team hit back in second match and survived a tough Armageddon game.
Moving on to the quarterfinals, Claros needs to bring her A-game according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. who watched the game live thru online Tornelo Platform.
International Master elect Michael “Jako” Concio Jr. (Elo 2297) lost steam, bowing to Renjie Huang (Elo 2422) of China, 0-2.
Meanwhile, representatives of the City of General Trias, Cavite Spartans team will take part at the inauguration of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the first professional chess league in the country recognized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Backed by Cavite 6th District Representative Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV and mayor Antonio Alandy “Ony” Ferrer, the City of General Trias, Cavite Spartans team include National Master (NM) and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Kevin Arquero, Clairevy Estavillo, Ceferino “Jun” Isaac Jr., Jayson Visca, Ricky Batcho, Israel Landicho, Rene Malupa, Rudolf Perez, Voltaire Marc Paraguya, Stephen Von Estavillo, Lloyd Rubio, Genghis Imperial, Rey Jay Pascual and Noel Jay “Super B” Estacio.
“Through this competition, we are able to give our chess players the exposure to compete with their contemporaries, which is an important aspect to build their experience as Professional chess athletes,” said sportsman Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV, who is also the Cavite 6th District Representative.
The City of General Trias, Cavite Spartans team is coached by Ederwin Estavillo while Lhen Muralla Kempiz is the Team Manager.