VICTORIOUS. The Philippines’ Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (center) holds the champion's trophy during the awarding ceremony of the 8th Eastern Asian Youth chess tournament in Penang, Malaysia on Saturday (July 13, 2024). She tallied six points to rule the girls’ U-16 rapid event. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Bonjoure Fille Suyamin gave the Philippines its first gold medal in the Eastern Asian Youth Chess Championships after dominating the 8th Eastern Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2024 - Girls 16-under individual rapid event in Penang, Malaysia on Saturday night.
Suyamin, a Grade 8 student of Far Eastern University, defeated Mongolian Zoljargal Enkhkhaliun in the seventh and final round to finish with six points in the competition held at Cititel Hotel Penang in George Town.
The 14-year-old member of the General Trias City Chess Club in Cavite defeated Katherine Samantha Likoh of Malaysia, Tze Chi Liew of Singapore, Erdenebat Tugstuguldur of Mongolia, Arena FIDE Master Quinsha Adinda Syahirah of Indonesia and Altankhuyag Maral of Mongolia, before losing to Woman Candidate Master Davaakhuu Unurzul of Mongolia in the sixth round.
"I would like to dedicate this victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” Suyamin, part of the Philippine team to the 2023 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy, said.
Meanwhile, FIDE Master (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca bagged the bronze medal in the premier boys' Under-18 category.
Arca, a Grade 9 student of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, bowed to eventual champion FM Poh Yu Tian in the final round.
He was tied for third with Wee Yin Lin of Malaysia and FM Battulga Tenuunbold of Mongolia with 5.0 points, but took the bronze medal for having a superior quotient.
The 15-year-old Arca, the U-16 gold medalist in the Asian Youth Blitz Championships in Kazakhstan, also got the silver medal in team event with FM Ivan Travis Cu and John Dave Lavandero.
Also pocketing team silver medals were Ashzley Aya Nicole Paquinol, Lila Alyssa Serina and Kena Areld Galleguez (girls’ U-14); Davin Sean Romualdez, Jaymiel Piel and Ran Zeth Marco Magallanes (Open U-14); and Phil Martin Casiguran, Tyrhone Jamnes Tabernilla and Keith Adriane Ilar (Open U-16). (PNA)
