Nouri, Sebastian rule national juniors chess

MANILA, Philippines — FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian went through contrasting routes to emerge as new champions in the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championships at the PACE in Quezon City Tuesday night.

Nouri, 15, only needed to draw his last two games against Ronald Canino and Israelito Rilloraza to clinch the boy’s title while Sebastian, 15, went through the wringer to snatch the girls crown.

Nouri finished with seven points to fend off Adrian Othniel Yulo’s desperate attempt to catch up.

The 13-year-old Yulo won his final round duel with Jeremiah Luis Cruz and wound up second with 6.5 points.

Sebastian, for her part, smashed Rinoa Mariel Sadey and stole the crown as erstwhile leader Ruelle Canino fell against 2019 titlist Vic Glysen Derotas. Sebastian zoomed to the top with 7.5 points in the tournament bankrolled by PSC chairman William Ramirez, NCFP president Butch Pichay, POC president Abraham Tolentino and Chess Movement Inc. chairman Ariel Potot.