Young, Nouri in contrasting wins in 1st PEZA Rapid 8-player Invitational Chess Tournament

Final Standings and Tournament Pay outs:

(Group A)

Champion IM Angelo Young (P10,000)

2nd GM Darwin Laylo (P7,000)

3rd GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (P4,000)

4th IM Petronio Roca (P3,000)

(Group B )

Champion FM Alekhine Nouri (P7,000)

2nd FM Robert Suelo Jr. (P5,000)

3rd NM Jasper Faeldonia (P4,000)

4th CM Genghis Imperial (P3,000)

MANILA---International Master Angelo Abundo Young and FIDE Master Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri topped their respective division at the conclusion of the 1st PEZA Rapid 8-player Invitational Chess Tournament held at the PEZA Double Dragon office last Friday, September 30, 2022.

IM Young, the 8-time Illinois (USA) champion and two-time MVP for the Chicago Blaze in the United States Chess League, trounced GM Laylo, a 4-time member of the Philippine team in the Chess Olympiad to rule the Group A Division in this 15 minutes plus 5 seconds increment time control format, supported by JC Premiere Marikina Business Center.

Other Group A finishers were chess ironman GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and IM Petronio Roca for 3rd and 4th place, respectively.

For the Group B top two winners, current Philippine Juniors Champion FM Nouri and the youngest FIDE Master in the world at the age of 7, foiled the winning streak of FM Suelo who recently bagged the top spot this year at the Singapore Holiday Rapid III championship.

As for the teen chess sensation Nouri, he is set to compete this month at the World Juniors Under 20 Chess Championships in Sardinia, Italy. For the last 2 spots, another teener National Master Jasper Faeldonia defeated candidate master Genghis Katipunan Imperial.

Earlier, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Officer-In-Charge Director General Mr. Tereso "Theo" O. Panga led the opening rites.

National Ecozone Premier Queens Lady Eagles Club, with its President Elvira Roca visit the said chessfest to show support that includes Leomarie Roca, Mary Grace Echapare, Rose Anova, National Ecozone Premier Eagles club members Alden Echapare, Paolo Anova and Lady Eagle Atty. Nori Tañag.

Washington State based Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Villasin , New York based Jun Encarnacion, Elizsa Gayle Cafirma and Edel Fay Cafirma of Thick and Thin Donut, Mike Tamonan of Busog28 Chinese-style Fried Chicken and Gerald Yulo also watch the said event that features some of the country's top chess player.-Marlon Bernardino-