Nouri, Mendoza lead Phl bid in world youth chess

MANILA, Philippines - World youngest Fide Master Alekhine Nouri and Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza head a crack Philippine team vying in the World Youth Chess Championships which starts tomorrow at the UAE University in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

The seven-year-old Nouri, a Grade 1 pupil at FEU-Fern College in Quezon City, is fresh from winning the Under 8 crown in the fifth Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2013 at the Red Rock Hotel in Penang, Malaysia last Friday night, making him one of the players to watch in his category.

Also seeing action for Team Phl in the FIDE-sanctioned event are Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette and Jerlyn Mae San Diego and Michael Concio Jr.

The organizing committee has also invited International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Woman IM candidate Janelle Mae Frayna, Fide Master Paulo Bersamina, Candidate Master Daryl Unix Samantila, Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy, Mary Tan Joy and Yecla Precious Day.

“The Phl youth team has a very good chance of winning medals,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines vice president for Visayas and NCFP Committee Chairman for Grassroots Development and promotions Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares.