Teen prodigy Jirah Floravie Cutiyog captures Imus Open rapid chess title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 May 2024
IMUS CITY, Cavite---Wunderkind Jirah Floravie Cutiyog of City of General Trias confirmed her new status as the next big thing in women’s chess after capturing the 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at City of Imus Sports Complex, Imus, Cavite on Saturday, May 11.
The 15-year-old prodigy capped her giant-slaying ways by shocking FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmariñas City, Cavite in 38 moves of Caro-Kann Defense to clinch the crown with 6.5 points.
The feat also came with the P10,000 top purse.
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Cavite and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament," said Cutiyog, a Grade 9 student of Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
She defeated International Master Ronald Bancod in the first round, Clark Kaeron Kwan in the second round, Arena FIDE Master Castelgandolfo Yray in the third round, FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the fourth round, Angele Tenshi Biete in the sixth and penultimate round and FIDE Master Roel Abelgas in the seventh and final round. She split the points with International Master Michael Concio Jr. in the fifth round.
Among those who are supporting her chess campaign here and abroad are Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Labuguen, Cavite Sixth Dist. Rep. Antonio Ferrer, Sports Head Rodolfo Commandante Jr. and Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
"It was an awesome performance for Jirah Floravie Cutiyog," said Arena FIDE Master Coach Ederwin Estavillo, who passionately guided the City of General Trias chessers' successful campaign.
Concio, FIDE Master David Elorta, Bacojo and International Master Daniel Quizon finished the tournament with similar 6.0 points; Abelgas scored 5.5 points while Bancod, International Master Paulo Bersamina, International Master Barlo Nadera, Arena International Master Chester Caminong, National Master Mar Aviel Carredo, Sherwin Tiu, Ricardo Batcho, Jesus Benjamin Lising, Efren Arguelles, Jose Erwin Manalo, Alexis Emil Maribao, Richfield Rivera and Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya have identical 5.0 points.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie," said Engr. Herbert Tabernilla Jr.
The 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by the City of Imus Sports Development Unit.
Against older and male counterparts, It shall be recalled that Cutiyog won the 6th IACG (Inter-Agency Chess Group) Invitational Chess Tournament held at the Robinson Place Imus in Imus City, Cavite last March 23 and the 1st Kagawad Wilson Fauni Rapid Invitational Chess Tournament at the Imus National High School Covered Court Bucandala 3, Imus City, Cavite last April 6, 2024, both perfect score, 7 out of 7.
Cutiyog also powered to capturing 3-gold and 1 silver in chess representing City of General Trias during the DepEd Calabarzon 2024 Regional Athletic Association meet (RAAM) Secondary Girls Chess Tournament held last April 5-13, 2024 at the Emmanuel Christian School, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Cutiyog won the Secondary Girls blitz (individual) and Standard (Individual) event with a similar perfect 7.0 points.
Cutiyog also saw action in the 2023 World Youth Chess Championship held in Montesilvano, Italy last November.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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