WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Oct 2025
Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Jemaicah Yap Mendoza of the Philippines bested Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Saadat Bashirli of Azerbaijan and took the lead after ten rounds of the Girls' U14 event at the 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship in Durres, Albania on Tuesday.
Mendoza, who used the white pieces, was a pawn down and under heavy pressure in the end game, defeated Bashirli.
"WFM Jemaicah Yap Mendoza staged a stunning comeback against Azerbaijan's WCM Saadat Bashirli. Capitalizing on a critical blunder by her opponent, the young Filipina showcased incredible grit to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, turning a losing game into a win for the Pride of Sta. Maria, Romblon, and Sta. Rosa City, Laguna," said Allan Pelias or much known Allano Mcpelly, one of the famous Filipino chess bloggers Chess Explorer PH.
Mendoza now has 8.5 points, half point ahead of her closest rivals. Her 11th and 12th and final round opponents are woman FIDE Master Polina A. Smirnova of Russia and Rukiya Olimova of Uzbekistan who tallied 8.0 points apiece.
Smirnova, meanwhile toppled Woman FIDE Master Vera Vujovic of Serbia while Olimova subdued Woman FIDE Master Mariya Kholyavkov of Kazakhstan.
Mendoza needs only a draw in the last round to secure the title.
"By the end of this day we could have our first Pinoy World Youth Champion in Chess (Standard Time Control)," said lawyer Cliburn Anthony Orbe, former Executive Director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of it's Chairman/President Prospero Arreza Pichay Jr.
In the Boys' U14, National Master Phil Martin Casiguran was beaten by Siddharth Singh of the USA to remain at 5.5 points.
Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza served as coach for the Philippine contingent.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025Petecio in, Paalam out
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 26 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 26 Nov 2025