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Pinoy chessers vying in FIDE World Cadet

FIDE World Cadet

SIXTEEN of the country’s top young players — 20 regulars and six wildcards — will represent the country in the 2020 FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Championships scheduled Nov. 27 to Dec. 23.

Paul Matthew Llanillo and Jarel Lacambra, who pulled off a pair of king-sized upsets during the qualifying phase, will banner the 16-man Filipino team supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The complete list of the country’s representatives based on the official results of the qualifying stage are:

Paul Matthew Llanillo (Open U18); Michaeljako Concio (Open U16); Mark Jay Daños Bacojo (Open U14); King Whisley Puso (Open U12); and Phil Martin Casiguran (Open U10).

Jarel Lacambra (Girls U18); Jerlyn Mae San Diego (Girls U16), Samantha Umayan (Girls U14), Ruelle Canino (Girls U12), Franiel Angela Magpily (Girls U10).

In addition, the Philippines was given six wildcard entries by the FIDE upon request of the NCFP.

The six players are Daniel Quizon (Open U16), Al-basher Buto (Open U10), Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Open U12), Kylen Mordido (Girls U18), April Joy Claros (Girls U14) and Oshrie Jhames Reyes (Girls U10).

NCFP executive director Atty. Cliburn Orbe said the six players were chosen for the wildcard slots on the strength of their past performances.

The wildcard entriess were nominated by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales and Orbe.

GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales, who will serve as our national team coaches and I decided on who to nominate,” said Orbe.

Daniel Quizon and Kylen Mordido failed to qualify only by the slimmest of margins in the playoff with shortened time control. With their splendid performance in the Online Olympiad and in the Asian Nations Cup, we think they deserve their wild cards,” said Orbe in an official announcement.

Torre nominated Buto for convincingly topping the qualifying Swiss system tournament.

Unfortunately, his family was severely affected by Typhoon Rolly and his losses in the grand finals were largely due to disconnection from having to borrow internet access.

We all agreed with GM Torre that we need to give Al-Basher as much exposure to international events as we can. He is one of our brightest hopes for another grandmaster in the future. I don’t know of any other Filipino kid who has an Asian (not just Asean) Age Group Championship at the age of six in his belt, won in China of all places.” explained Orbe.

Gonzales nominated Claros, while Orbe nominated Arca.

The sixth wild card went to Reyes.

Buto, Arca, Claros and Reyes all finished second in their respective age brackets and missed the cut.