COURTESY CALL. Chess players from the City of General Trias visit Mayor Luis Ferrer IV (center) at the Cavite city hall on Nov. 8, 2023. In photo are (from left) head of delegation to the Italy World Youth Chess Championships Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Maureiin Lepaopao (Girls' U14), Vice Mayor Jonas Labuguen, Charly Jhon Yamson (Boys' U14), Oscar Joseph Cantela (Boys' U16), Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (Girls' U14) and Jirah Floravie Cutiyog (Girls' U14) and coach Ederwin Estavillo. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – FIDE Master and Palarong Pambansa quadruple gold medalist Mark Jay Bacojo will banner the 11-member Philippine team to the FIDE World Youth Chess Championships on Nov. 12 to 25.
The team was set to leave Friday afternoon for Montesilvano City, Italy.
Representing Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Bacojo ruled the individual and team (with Rigil Kent Rosell Pahamtang) events in the standard and blitz categories of the chess competition during the Marikina City Palarong Pambansa last July.
In Italy, Bacojo will compete in the Under 18 (U18) category along with Women National Master Franchesca Largo.
Entered in the U16 category are NM Oscar Joseph Cantela and Woman NM Kaye Lalaine Regidor, while playing in the U14 division are FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Woman NM Bonjoure Fille Suyamin, Mark Garbriel Usman, Charly Jhon Yamson, Jirah Floraive Cutiyog, Maureiin Lepaopao, and Anica Shey Dimatangihan.
NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. will serve as head of the delegation supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. He is also a member of the coaching staff that includes Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Ederwin Estavillo.
“We accept these challenges of playing against the world's best athletes and give the young chess players the opportunity to go out there and enjoy the moment,” Bernardino told the Philippine News Agency on Friday. “But we truly believe that they can get something out of this competition and get good results." (PNA)
