MANILA — The world’s youngest FIDE Master, Filipino chess whiz kid Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City, emerged as champion in the Swesen Age Group 2013 or 10th Malaysian Chess Festival 2013 for Under-8 year old division that ended last Tuesday at the five- star Mid-Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Meanwhile the Philippines’ Marfori Team A headed by Grandmaster-elect Ronald Dableo dumped Chesskidz Next Generation of Singapore, 3.5—0.5, on Sundayto grab the 33rd Astro Merdeka Rapid Open Team Championship crown at the Cititel Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Marfori Team A composed of Dableo, FM Leonardo Carlos, FM Christopher Castellano, Ivan Gil Biag and Li Tao, finished on top of the heap with 17 points among 106 participant countries in the nine-round Swiss system match point format tournament also named as the 10th Malaysian Chess Festival 2013.
Nouri, who hails from Escalante City, Negros Occidental became a FIDE Master last June when he played above the rest in the 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 Standard competition at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman and president Prospero “Butch” Pichay lauded Nouri for his victory. “This only proves that Filipinos can be world beaters in any kind of sport with grit, determination and long preparation for any event. We are witnessing the makings of another potential world chess champion,” Pichay said.
Nouri, a seven-year old, grade 1 pupil of FEU-FERN College in Quezon City who was named after chess genius Alexander Alekhine won straight five matches before agreeing to a draw with Aayush Pinakin Barot of India in the final round for a total of 5.5 points out of a perfect six outings. Nouri cruised by a tough field composed of Megat Zaid, Megat Mohd Khushair, Alden Goh Kai Ray, Raynell Ng Li Hern, Shreesh Amit Chembeti and Wong Zi Yue of Malaysia. Nouri actually finished with the same score (5.5) together with Malaysia’s Ryan Lee of Malaysia but the Filipino had a better tiebreak points at 24.5 versus Lee’s 22.0 to grab the gold medal.