The Philippine National Junior Chess Championship starts with a bang!
National Chess Championship kicked off today until on Monday (December 12-16, 2024) at PACE, Quezon City, featuring 45 players from across the country. The tournament is under standard time control of 90 mins + 30 seconds increment. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as players prepared to showcase their skills.
In round 1, in a stunning upset, top seed FM Christian Arca was surprisingly defeated by seeded 24 Stephen Zane Quinto, the same with FM Mark Jay Bacojo who drew with seeded 23 Jeremiah Luis Cruz. While IM Michael Concio and FM Alekhine Nouri easily win against John Andrew Garcia and Jin Clark Miranda.
The top boards, FM Christian Gian Karlo Arca is missing on his board.
For many players, the memory of participating in the National Juniors embodies the essence of their chess journey. An achievement and national title (for Champion), Whether it’s the thrill of pulling off a surprising checkmate, memorable games and victories, the nerves before a crucial match, or the joyous celebration with teammates—these experiences shape not only their chess skills but also their personal growth and future opportunities (representative of the Philippine in the World Junior Chess Championship).
The blend of competition, camaraderie, and the pursuit of excellence makes the National Junior Chess Championship a cornerstone memory that players cherish throughout their lives.
The top seed 1 IM Michael Concio (with black jacket) shakes hand with top seed 2 FM Mark Jay Bacojo in Men's Div. It is a sign of good sportsmanship that conveys respect, trust, equality, and balance.
Tomorrow in round 2, IM Michael Concio will face John Cyrus Borce while FM Alekhine Nouri will face Gabriel Ryan Paradero in board 1 and 2 respectively.
Chess has always been more than just a game to us; it is a journey of self-discovery, a test of character, and a source of endless fascination and joy.
See you in our next tournament, "The 1st GMG Chess Non-Master Cup 2025, on January 25, 2025 at Checkpoint Mall, Calamba.
Thanks for reading and good luck to our chess and life journey.
by Coach Gerald Ferriol