IM Young ties for 1st at Missouri Open

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FORMER Philippine Junior Champion International Master (IM) Angelo Young made the country proud anew when he finished in a tie for first to seventh places in the 2011 Mid-America Open Chess Tournament last March 18 to 20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel St.Louis-Clayton in Missouri, USA.

The Caloocan City native Young, next in line in the long list of talented Filipino IMs hoping to become a GM in the future finished with 4 points on three wins and two draw in the annual prestigious tournament.

Also with 4 points are Grandmasters (GMs) Sergey Kudrin and Benjamin Finegold, IM Ronald Burnett, Fide Master (FM) Andrew Karklins, Conrad Holt and Jialin Ding.

"I would like to dedicate this win to my countryman back home (Philippines)," said Young, owner and manager of Touch Move Chess Center in Chicago, Ilinois.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president-chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. lauded Young for the honor and glory he brought to the country.

"The success of IM Angelo (Young) in the international competition would somehow inspire Filipino youths to venture into this sport," said Pichay, also head of the Local Waterworks and Utilities Authority.

Last Year, Young spearheaded Pinoy of Chicago to bagged the championships trophy of the North leg of the United States Amateur Team Championship was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Milwaukee. The team comprised of Filipinos spearheaded by IM Angelo Young, FM Camilo Pangan, NM Florentino Inumerable, Expert Rene Ancheta and Virgillio Forro garnered a total of 4.5 pts. /5 games.