Standing after round 4:
4 points---Jersey Marticio (Philippines), Ekaterina Kirdyashkina (Russia), Kelsey Liu (USA)
3.5 points---Saffiah Maisarah Mohd Fadzli (Malaysia), WCM Linh Dan Nguyen (Vietnam), Ngoc Hien Nguyen (Vietnam), Yesun Lee (USA), April Joy Claros (Philippines), WCM Enkhbolor Nyamdavaa (Mongolia), WFM Alexandra Shvedova (Russia), WCM Anika Rajaram (USA), WIM Ellen Wang (USA), Emily Maton (England)
MANILA, Philippines---Woman National Master Jersey Marticio disposed her rated rival while Woman National Master Candidate April Joy Claros split the point on Friday, August 13, 2021, to lead the Philippines’ charge in the fourth round of the FIDE Online Rapid World Cup Cadets & Youth -Girls 14 and under online chess championship virtually held at Tornelo Platform.
Marticio, the 14-year-old incoming Grade 9 student of Pulo National High School in Cabuyao City Laguna, checkmated WCM Ashley Pang of the United States of America in 31 moves of a Sicilian defense, dragon variation while Claros, the 14-year-old incoming Grade 9 student of Far Eastern University, halved the point with WIM Ellen Wang of the USA in 50 moves of Queen's Gambit Accepted.
With the win, Marticio raised her total to perfect 4 points, good for a tie from 1st to 3rd places along with Ekaterina Kirdyashkina of Russia and Kelsey Liu of the United States of America.
"I hope to sustain my winning ways," said Marticio, one of the talented young players of Cabuyao City.
Claros, the pride of Angeles City, Pampanga, on the other hand, notched 3.5 points, the same output of Saffiah Maisarah Mohd Fadzli of Malaysia, WCM Linh Dan Nguyen of Vietnam, Ngoc Hien Nguyen of Vietnam, Yesun Lee of the USA, WCM Enkhbolor Nyamdavaa of Mongolia, WFM Alexandra Shvedova of Russia, WCM Anika Rajaram of the USA, WIM Ellen Wang of the USA and Emily Maton of England.
"I hope to do well in this prestigious event," said Claros, a quarter-finalists in the last year edition.
Marticio's stint in this tournament is being supported by Cabuyao City Mayor Mel Gecolea, Cabuyao City Sports Director Jerome Paul Lualhati, Bayanihan sa Cabuyao Executive Director Michael Aranzanso and Cabuyao Chess Committee Chairman & President of Philippine Executive Chess Association Dr. Fred Paez while Claros playing under the guidance of GM Jayson Gonzales and Mr. Jimmy Reyes.
Earlier, Marticio brought down Carol Ndlovu of Zimbabwe in the first round, Kseniya Norman of Belarus in the second round and WCM Veronika Shubenkova of Russia in the third round while Claros subdued Angel-Jordan Quansah of Ghana, Lara Putar of Ireland and WFM Aliett Valdes Boza of Cuba, respectively.
Another Filipino entry Ruelle “Tawing” Canino from Cagayan de Oro City defeated Enkhrii Enkh-Amgalan of Mongolia to score 3 points and was tied at 15th to 40th places in this 155 player's field World Chess Federation-FIDE tournament.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by President/Chairman Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr., is supporting the campaign of the triumvirate Marticio, Claros and Canino as part of its continuing program to train and develop outstanding young players.-Marlon Bernardino-
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