Filipino FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri. (File PNA photo)
Filipino chess sensation FIDE Master (FM) Alekhine Nouri made headlines Friday night after clinching his first-ever gold medal at the Asian Amateur Chess Championships, dominating the blitz event held in Hong Kong.
The 19-year-old two-time national juniors champion played with sharp precision throughout the tournament, capping his run with a composed draw against compatriot FM Christian Mark Daluz in the ninth and final round to seal the top spot with 8.5 points.
“I’m very happy to win the gold medal in the blitz competition,” said Nouri, who now sets his sights on another podium finish in the rapid event scheduled for Saturday.
Hot on Nouri’s heels were Mongolian FM Khishigbat Ulziikhishig and fellow Filipinos Recarte Tiauson and Lo Aristotle Nikolai Calica, who all ended with identical 8.0 points, sharing second place in a tight race for the medals.
FM Chun Yung Samuel Lam of Hong Kong rounded out the top scorers with 7.5 points, tied with Daluz and Arena Grandmaster Johnny Wellem Carzano.
In the women’s division, Russian FM Ekaterina Borisova captured the blitz gold with 8.5 points after securing a final-round draw against India’s Diya Chowdhury.
Kazakhstan’s Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Kristina Kim took silver with 7.5 points, while Filipino Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Allanney Jia Doroy claimed bronze with 7.0 points, continuing the Philippines’ strong showing.
Filipina WCM Nika Juris Nicolas also delivered a solid performance, tying for fourth place with 6.5 points alongside Indonesia’s WCM Angelo Ruth Nugroho and India’s WFM Mukherjee Bristy and WCM Diya Chowdhury.
With the blitz event wrapped up, all eyes now turn to the rapid games, where these rising stars will once again battle for continental glory.