by Marlon Bernardino
Montesilvano, Italy---Following a third-round loss, National Master Oscar Joseph Cantela bounced back in the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship with a fourth-round whipping of Narciso Sciole of Italy at the Pala Dean Martin centro congressi in Montesilvano, Italy on Thursday.
The Barangay San Juan Uno, City of General Trias pride Cantela outwitted Sciole in 47 moves of Slav Defense to remain in contention in the FIDE Standard competition and raise his total to 2.0 points on 2 wins and 2 loses after four rounds.
Thus, Cantela, a member of the multi-titled Far Eastern University chess team under the tutelage of Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales climbed at 55th to 88th placers in the Boys under-16 section.
"Philippine child prodigy, National Master Oscar Joseph, publicly thanked God, and Hon. Luis Chavit Singson for helping his overcome his third-round loss at FIDE World Youth Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy," said proud father Samson Kevin Cantela.
The young and amiable Cantela whose stint here is being supported by Hon. Luis Chavit Singson will face Rohan Padhye of the United States in the next round.
FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo defeated FIDE Master Mathias Unneland of Norway in 21 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined to score 3.0 points in the Boys under-18 section. He now has tied at 8th to 32nd placers along with fifth round opponent IM Timothe Razafindratsima of France, who brought down FM Daniel Kristoferitsh of Austria.
FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca toppled Zanas Nainys of Lithuania in 55 moves of Sicilian Defense to improve his record 3.0 points on account of 2 wins and 2 draws in the Boys under-14 section. Arca climbed at 15th to 41st placers along wth fifth round opponent Miraziz Kuziev of Uzbekistan, winner over Mateo Boci of Albania.
Charly Jhon Yamson was beaten by Julius Jonas Pleschke of Spain so did as Mark Gabriel Usman yielded to Erekle Tabatadze of Georgia.
Yamson remained at 2.0 points in the Boys under-14 section while Usman was stuck at 1.0 point.
Yamson will meet Lionel Gut of Switzerland while Usman will test the mettle of Havir Adhya of Portugal.
Meanwhile, Woman National Master Franchesca Largo routed Tetyana Skarbarchuk of Ukraine in 31 moves of French Defense to remain in contention in the Girls under-18 section.
Largo now has 3.0 points, a good share at 6th to 19th placers together with fifth round opponent WFM Martyna Starosta of Poland. Starosta drew with WFM Camille Blanquet of France.
However, Woman National Master Kaye Lalaine Regidor succumbed to WFM Petya Karaivanova of Bulgaria in 55 moves of Two Knights Opening to remain 2.0 points in the Girls under-16 section.
In the Girls under-14 section, Anica Shey Dimatangihan outclassed Jenny Qi of the USA in 66 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog drew with Tamara Jankovic of Serbia in 39 moves of Sicilian Defense, Woman National Master Bonjoure Fille Suyamin was beaten by Joy Romany of Egypt in 62 moves of Pirc Defense while Maureiin Lepaopao suffered her fourth consecutive loes to Giulia Gabriella Galili of Italy.
Cutiyog, 2.5 points, Suyamin 2.0 points and Dimatangihan tallied 1.5 points.
The Filipinos' campaign in Montesilvano, Italy is backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
It is also supported by Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Delgado Tolentino, General Trias City, Cavite Mayor Luis "Jon Jon" Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Porto Labuguen and OIC City Sports Jon Jon Comandante.
PH Head of Delegation is Arena Grandmaster Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr.who is also part of the coaching staff together with Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Arena Fide Master Ederwin Estavillo.-Marlon Bernardino-