Ozamiz city: Filipino FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri won the blitz category in the Open division of the ASEAN Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup, which concluded Sunday at the Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park in Ozamiz City. The reigning Asian juniors rapid champion downed Russian International Master Miroslav Vlasenko in 61 moves of a Nimzovich duel.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nouri, who is also the current national junior champion, expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, ‘I just played my game and took it as an opportunity, good thing I won.’ The 19-year-old secured the gold medal by having higher tiebreak points, despite being tied with Grandmaster Daniel Quizon at No. 1 with eight points each. Notably, Nouri defeated Quizon in the seventh round.
Quizon took the silver medal after defeating IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca in 47 moves of a King’s Indian Attack. The bronze medal was claimed by Indonesian GM Novendra Priasmoro, who scored seven points by prevailing over Filipino IM Mark Jay Bacojo in 31 moves of a Sicilian.
In the women’s division, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna captured the bronze medal in both rapid and blitz categories, while WFM Allaney Jia Doroy claimed the silver in blitz. The rapid and blitz categories were won by Russian WFM Anna Zhurova and Vietnamese WIM Nguyen Hong Anh, respectively. Furthermore, Vietnam’s IM Nguyen Quoc Hy emerged victorious with the men’s rapid gold medal.
