It's not everyday that we have a good news in Philippine chess.
When I say good news, it's not the usual news that we read in the morning about regular chess events. When I say good news, as we read, there's something in it that adds a sparkle in our eyes, something that leaves us in amazement, something that makes us wonder about the human potential.
Here comes the good news - a Filipino kiddie prodigy lorded it over in the just concluded National Juniors championship in Davao City. Yeap, a kiddie demolished an 80-player competitive field participated in mostly by the country's key junior players.
It's an achievement that secured its place in the history of Philippine chess - Paulo Bersamina became the country's second youngest National Master at the age of 12 by topping a national juniors championship.
And yes, it's confirmed. NM Marlon Bernardino and Chessheroes' Des Catolos were right: Paulo Bersamina is RP's youngest national junior champion ever. I did my calculation and here's where I arrived at: the title was previously held by GM Wesley So who made it at the age of 13 years and seven months. Paulo Bersamina acquired the title at the age of 12 years and three months.
Just in case you're wondering who became the first youngest NM in the Philippines, it's IM Oliver Barbosa who made it at the age of 11 (according to my sources).
Recently, Pau has continued to impress the chess community. Remember that he held IM Richard Bitoon to a tough draw in the 1st PSC Expo tournament early this year. Then he beat a 2400-rated Indian player in the Malaysian Open also this year. Also, he has just successfully defended his RP U-12 crown in the National Age Group. And now, the national juniors crown.
Could there be anything sweeter? This 12-year old kid has just won a national crown, a national master's title, and more than that, a place in Philippine chess history.
Congratulations to NM Paulo Bersamina, the youngest Filipino National Master today!!
TOP 10 Finishers (80 players)
National Juniors Championship MEN
| Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
| 1 | BERSAMINA Paulo | PHI | 1982 | 7,0 | 0,0 | 51,5 | 39,00 | |
| 2 | FLORENDO Joey Albert | PHI | 1882 | 7,0 | 0,0 | 45,0 | 32,50 | |
| 3 | SALCEDO Richilieu | PHI | 2194 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 54,0 | 38,00 | |
| 4 | MARIANO Nelson Iii | PHI | 2118 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 52,0 | 37,00 | |
| 5 | FLORENDO Patrick Erle | PHI | 2040 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 51,5 | 36,00 | |
| 6 | DIMAKILING Adrian | PHI | 1739 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 50,0 | 34,00 | |
| 7 | PAGARAN Michael Joseph | PHI | 1909 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 50,0 | 33,50 | |
| 8 | BULICATIN Jay | PHI | 1942 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 46,5 | 32,75 | |
| 9 | LAGULA Dominique | PHI | 1946 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 46,0 | 32,50 | |
| 10 | ANDOY Jerwell | PHI | 1992 | 6,0 | 0,0 | 50,5 | 31,75 |
Complete rankings HERE
(NOTE: I will write a report about the Women's section of the National Juniors Championship in my next blog.)
1 Comment:
It would be nice to see a round robin event of our top junior and kiddie players! Maybe Bersamina, Jan Garcia, Daryl Samantila, Stephen Pangilinan, Alcon Datu and some more...
And after this create a REALLY good training program for them that focuses on their future career as the country's next Wesley So?
Again congratulations to Paolo Bersamina and the National Age Group Champions. You are the future of Philippine Chess!
BMV
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