UP student poised to win Asian juniors chess championship

MANILA, Philippines – A 20-year physical education student from UP has surprisingly become virtual champion of the Asian juniors girls chess championship by winning two crucial games Wednesday, December 3 at the Tagaytay Convention Center.

Mikee Charlene Suede upset top seed Ivana Furtado of India in the morning’s seventh round and then trounced Antoinette San Diego in the afternoon’s eighth round for a one-point lead going into Thursday’s ninth and final round. 

If she wins, Suede will become the Philippines’ first winner in this event, plus the Woman International Master title and a woman grandmaster’s result. If she loses, a tie for first will result but Suede gets the WIM title.  

“I changed some openings and I was lucky. Prayers also helped,” said Suede, the second of three children by a hotel electrician and a computer shop operator in a phone interview with Rappler.com.

Suede was not reckoned as a contender due to the presence of four high-rated Indian and one girl from Kazakhstan chess players. After she lost to rookie Jerlyn Mae San Diego, the sister of Antoinette, she has one draw out of the first two games.

“Then she won six straight games. I think it is her destiny to be champion,” said International Master Yves Ranola, the Philippine contingent’s coach, in a text message to Rappler.com. 

Suede’s performance more than made up for the failure of the Filipino chessers in the open division, where Srinath Narayanan of India is poised to win with his one-point cushion.

Paulo Bersamina, the 16-year-old new find of Philippine chess, drew Narayanan. But Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Israelito Rilloraza lost while John Merill Jacutina was forced to draw in a good position due to time trouble. – Rappler.com