by Marlon Bernardino
Manila, Philippines--- April Joy Claros of the Philippines suffered a 0-2 blowout to quarterfinal rival Laysa Latifah of Indonesia as the last Filipino standing bombed out of contention in the FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Chess Championships Girls 14 under Finals , early in the morning Monday, December 21, 2020.

The eleventh seeded Latifah who hold an Elo rating of 1897 toppled the 14th seeded Claros (Elo 1459) in the first match of their rapid play and needs only to draw the second match to advance the next round.
In the second match of their rapid play, the Angeles City, Pampanga pride Claros failed to convert the winning position as Latifah survived.
She checkmated Claros after 59 pushes of a King's Indian defense using the white pieces.
Claro's exit completed the wipeout of 2 Pinoys in the prestigious tourney.
Last Sunday morning, December 20,2020,  International Master elect Michael "Jako" Concio Jr. (Elo 2297) was beaten by Renjie Huang (Elo 2422) of China, 0-2, while Claros displayed her form to thrash Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Martyna Starosta (Elo 2094) of Poland in their Armageddon game and advance to the quarterfinals.
Claros is one of the top players of the star-studded Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales Far Eastern University chess team while Concio is one of the prize fighter of Dasmarinas Chess Academy headed by national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas and Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-