Manila, Philippines---Filipino Candidate Master (CM) Al Basher "Basty" Buto (Elo 1510) bounced back with a victory over Aussie Jayden Ooi (Elo 1780) in the 4th round and Iranian Arshia Mohammadyansichani (Elo 1782)
in the 5th round of the 2020 Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Championships (Asian Continental) on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the Tornelo platform.
The 10 year old Buto, a grade five pupil of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal Province, playing under the banner of American chess coach Dave Fenton and International Master (IM) Chito Garma, raised his points total to 4.0 points - good for third place and 0.5 behind leader Ern Jie Anderson Ang of Malaysia and Aakash G of India, both totes 4.5 points apiece in the Open U10 division.
Earlier, Buto defeated Qatari Al Janahi Ibrahim Waleed in the first round and Kazakh Alikhan Khazhatuly (Elo 1708) in the second round before bowing to Indian Aakash G (Elo 1664) in the third round.
Also with 4.0 points in the Open under-10 division of the online seven round Swiss system tournament were Movahed Sina of Iran, Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam, top seed Edgar Mamedov of Kazakhstan and Rajkhowa Mrinmoy of India.
The top 3 finishers in each division of the Asian zone will advance to the world stage according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Deputy Speaker Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
Buto sixth round opponent is Sina Movahed of Iran.
April Joy Claros of Pampanga subdued Aisha Mohamed Al Muaini of United Arab Emirates to share first place with Laysa Latifah of Indonesia, who brought down Jinru Cai of China. Claros and Latifah both tallied perfect 5 points apiece in the Girls U14.
Meanwhile, Michael Concio Jr. (4.5/5) and International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon (4/5) , both leading the way in the Open U16. Concio routed Fide Master (FM) Rohith Krishna S of India while Quizon beat Fide Master (FM) Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan.
Concio and Quizon will face each other in Sunday's sixth round are both top player of the star-studded Dasmarinas Chess Academy under the watchful eye of national coach Fide Master (FM) Roel Abelgas and Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr.
Arena Fide Master (AFM) King Whisley Puso of Cavite continued his strong showing in the Open U12 after halving the point with Yu Tian Poh of Malaysia in the fourth round and Tong(Qd) Xiao of China in the fifth round.
Puso, the prize fighter of Santa Rosa, Laguna now has 4.0 points on three wins and two draws, good for tie at fourth place along with three others.
Arena Grandmaster Christian Karlo Arca of Panabo City, Davao del Norte rebounded from a fourth-round loss by thwarting Jaber Soud of United Arab Emirates and climbing to 2.5 points in the Open U12.
However, Oshrie Jhames Reyes of Pampanga (Open U10), Phil Martin Casiguran of Caloocan City (Open U10) and Paul Matthew Llanillo of Binan City, Laguna (Open U18) fell wayside in their respective opponents.
Other Filipino round 5 results saw Franiel Angela Magpily of Makati City prevail over Tian Yi Liu of Hongkong in the Girls U10, Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro City crushed Eunice Feng of Hongkong in the Girls U12, Samantha Babol Umayan of Davao City lost to W M M N Wijesinghe of Sri Lanka in the Girls U 14, Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas City, Cavite walloped Nanjid Tsogzolmaa of Mongolia in the Girls U16 and Woman International Master Kyle Mordido of Dasmarinas City, Cavite draw with compatriot Jarel Renz Lacambra in the Girls U18.