FM Alekhine Nouri off to marvelous start in World Juniors Chess Championship in Sardinia, Italy
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
Alekhine Nouri in Italy.
SARDINIA, Italy---FIDE Master Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri of the Philippines has quietly gotten off to a rather solid start to the World Junior Chess Championship 2022 Open U-20 on Wednesday, (October 12) here at the Cala Gonone of the municipality of Dorgali, Province of Nuoro, in the region of Sardinia.
Showing nerves of steel, the Number 79 seed Nouri (Elo 2251) came back from the dead after salvaging a draw against Grandmaster Felix Blohberger of Austria (Elo 2493) in 65 moves of Rossolimo Attack Variation - Sicilian Defense using the white pieces.
“It is a good start for me. I need to prepare for the next rounds. I’m excited for this event." said the 16 years old Nouri, a Grade 10 student of La Concepcion College, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, who hails from Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
“We hope to perform well in this event and gain some Elo rating points and title norms,” added Nouri, who managed a draw despite a piece down in the middle game.
“The first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said Grandmaster Jayson O. Gonzales, Chief Executive Officer of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of it's Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
"We are proud of you. Good luck," said Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) President & General Manager Ronald Daniel Ricaforte Mascariñas, one of the staunch supporter of Nouri that includes Buena Viel Construction and Project Management top honcho Engr. Jojo Buenaventura, NCFP Vice President for Visayas Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares and Senator Mark Villar.
"It was a good result in the opening round. Keep high hopes," said Milan, Italy based Filipino Fide Master Exfelicos Bolico who follow live the game of Nouri thru chess24.
At the age of 7, Nouri made history when he became the youngest FIDE Master not just in the Philippines but in the world after winning the Open 8-under category of the 14th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships 2013 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Meanwhile, another Filipino entry Number 44 seed Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian (Elo 1865) yielded to Number 11 seed Woman Fide Master Michalina Rudzinska (Elo 2259) of Poland in 38 moves of Bogo Indian defense handling the white pieces in the Girls Under 20 division.
"A premature sacrifice that cost me a lot," said the 16-year-old Sebastian, a Grade 12 student of Far Eastern University-Diliman, Quezon City, the pride of Flora, Apayao.
"Very good for Alekhine but Mhage sacrificed her Rook wrongly in an advantageous position. Sayang yung kay Mhage, conversion to a win na lang sana yung nabuild niyang Rook battery," said Consul Leo Tito "LT" Ausan Jr. of the Philippine Embassy in Hongkong, an avid chess player and chess supporter.
In Thursday's second round, Nouri will meet 23rd seed International Master Ido Gorshtein (Elo 2471) of Israel while Sebastian aims to bounce back in contention by facing 61st seed Dimitra Lydia Daniilidi (Elo 1498) of Greece.
Coaches by Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. and Susan Grace Tana Neri, the PH chess campaign is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission led by chairman Jose Emmanuel "Noli" M. Eala, commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo and executive secretary Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy Jr., Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay city mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. the office of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Fide delegate Casto "Toti" Abundo of the Asian Chess Federation.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows FIDE Master Alekhine Fabiosa Nouri of the Philippines has quietly gotten off to a rather solid start (Photo by Marlon Bernardino)
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