IMUS CITY, Cavite - Jirah Floravie Cutiyog of General Trias City exhibited her stature as the next big thing in women's chess after topping the 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at Imus Sports Complex in Imus, Cavite on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Jirah Floravie Cutiyog (3rd from left) of General Trias City receives her trophy, certificate and top purse of P10,000 for winning the 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament on Saturday, May 11. Also in photo are (from left) Arena FIDE Master Coach Ederwin Estavillo, City of Imus Sports Development Unit Administrative Assistant RJ Ramirez and Engr. Herbert Tabernilla Jr. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOThe 15-year-old Cutiyog capped her giant-slaying ways by shocking FIDE Master Roel Abelgas of Dasmariñas City in 38 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense in the final round to clinch the crown with 6.5 points.
The feat also came with the P10,000 prize.
"I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Cavite and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament," said Cutiyog, a grade 9 student of Bethel Academy of Sta Clara General Trias Cavite.
Cutiyog also defeated International Master Ronald Bancod in the first round, Clark Kaeron Kwan in the second round, Arena FIDE Master Castelgandolfo Yray in the third round, FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo in the fourth round and Angele Tenshi Biete in the sixth and penultimate round.
She split the points with International Master Michael Concio Jr. in the fifth round.
Among those who are supporting her chess campaign here and abroad are Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn Labuguen, Cavite Sixth District Rep. Antonio Ferrer, sports head Rodolfo Commandante Jr. and Bethel Academy of Sta Clara in General Trias, Cavite.
"It was an awesome performance for Jirah Floravie Cutiyog," said her coach Arena FIDE Master Ederwin Estavillo.
Concio, FIDE Master David Elorta, Bacojo and International Master Daniel Quizon finished the tournament with 6.0 points apiece.
Abelgas scored 5.5 points while Bancod, International Master Paulo Bersamina, International Master Barlo Nadera, Arena International Master Chester Caminong, National Master Mar Aviel Carredo, Sherwin Tiu, Ricardo Batcho, Jesus Benjamin Lising, Efren Arguelles, Jose Erwin Manalo, Alexis Emil Maribao, Richfield Rivera and Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya scored 5.0 points each.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie," said Engr. Herbert Tabernilla Jr.
The 1st HS Tabernilla Surveying and Engineering Services Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by the City of Imus Sports Development Unit.
Cutiyog also ruled the 6th IACG (Inter-Agency Chess Group) Invitational Chess Tournament held at the Robinson Place Imus in Imus City, Cavite last March 23 and the 1st Kagawad Wilson Fauni Rapid Invitational Chess Tournament at the Imus National High School Covered Court last April 6. In both tournaments, she beat older male counterparts and scored perfect 7.0 points in seven rounds.
She will represent Calabarzon in the secondary division in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa slated in Cebu in July.
Cutiyog also saw action in the 2023 World Youth Chess Championship held in Montesilvano, Italy last November.
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