The Philippines has found its newest chess prodigy.
Seven-year-old Kassie Nuñez of Nabua, Camarines Sur, captured the gold medal in the Girls Under-8 division of the 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships held from July 1 to 11 in Penang, Malaysia.
According to ChessExplorer PH, Nuñez is now set to become the country’s youngest Woman Candidate Master (WCM), pending approval from the FIDE Board and as confirmed by the Malaysian Chess Ratings Committee.
“𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
7-year-old Kassie Nuñez, potentially the Philippines’ youngest WCM, crowned at ASEAN+ Age Group U-8 Chess Championships,” ChessExplorer PH shared.
Nuñez earned the direct WCM title through her first-place finish and was part of a Philippine team that shone on the regional stage, collecting multiple medals across various age groups.
Among other Filipino standouts was WNM Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Kalinga Apayao, who secured the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title after a solid performance in the Girls Under-20 division, tallying 6.0 points in nine games with wins over players from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
The RP chess team, led by NCFP CEO Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, Chairman Prospero Pichay, and PSC Commissioner Ed Hayco, also produced medal hauls in blitz and rapid formats:
WNM Mary Janelle Tan went undefeated in the Girls Under-12 rapid division with 5.5/7 points to win gold.
WNM Franchesca Largo topped the Girls Under-20 standard event.
IM Rico Mascariñas won both individual and team golds in the Seniors 65 category.
GM Rogelio Antonio, IM Angelo Young, and AGM Edmundo Gatus took team gold in Seniors 50.
FM Mark Jay Bacojo (silver, Under-20 Open), FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (silver, Under-18 Open), and various youth squads added to the country’s 13-medal standard event tally: 5 golds, 4 silvers, and 4 bronzes.
The Philippine Sports Commission congratulated the team on Facebook, calling it “Triumph in 13.” The national contingent competed against 360 players from 20 countries.
“Congratulations! We’re very proud of you!” the PSC said.
The post 7-year-old Kassie Nuñez wins gold, earns Woman Candidate Master title in ASEAN+ Chess tilt first appeared on Fastbreak.
0 comments: