Mendoza chases World U14 title

MANILA, Philippines —  Jemaica Yap Mendoza, a 14-year-old Woman FIDE Master from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, is chasing a rare and historic feat in Philippine chess – to become world Under14 champion.

Mendoza stayed on track after beating Azerbaijan’s Saadat Bashirli to reclaim the solo lead after the 10th and penultimate round of the girls’ Under14 section of the World Youth Championships in Durres, Albania Tuesday.

The Eastern Asia Youth Championship gold winner outlasted Bashirli in 61 moves of their Ruy Lopez duel despite losing a pawn in the middle game and being threatened with a dangerous queenside passed pawn.

But Mendoza, a protégé of Olympiad veteran Shania Mae Mendoza, found a way as her Azeri foe wilted under pressure and blundered a piece in the end that allowed the wily Filipina extract the full point.

This put her one step closer to claiming the world title and the distinction as the first Filipina to win in this event.