Seven-year-old prodigy becomes youngest Pinoy Fide Master

Seven-year-old Alekhine Nouri of Taguig City became the youngest Filipino Fide chess master during the 14th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Thailand on Thursday.

 

Nouri bested Nguyen Hoang Hiep of Vietnam and Luvsandorj Orgilbold of Mongolia to garner a total of 8.0 points to bag the gold in the Open 8-under category, according to a report from Phil Boxing. 

 

His father and coach Fide Master Hamed Nouri was very proud and thankful for his son's successful showing in the competition.

 

Aside from Nouri, Jia Doroy, Samantha Revita and Shania Mendoza each got the Woman Fide Master title.

 

The Fide Master title follows the International and Grand Master ranks and is earned through garnering a FIDE (World Chess Federation) rating of at least 2300.

 

In some discussions over at chess enthusiast site Chess Games, people are already anticipating the rise of Nouri as a favorite Pinoy prodigy set for bigger things.

 

kardopov: “Aha! Another pinoy prodigy. You'll soon be the object of praise and criticism. Whatever, fight your battle and bring glory to the Philippines. Filipino chess fans are now discussing about you and will soon be the apple of their thought. Good luck to your next tournament.”

 

FISCHERboy: “If his father is bent on having him concentrate on chess, he WILL become an IM at a tender age of 10, and a GM at 12. Becoming an FM this young has the making of a prodigy. Oh, well, he is already a prodigy.”

 

Manuel G. Vergara: “Its a world of mental torture - turn it into fun. young boy!”

 

Meanwhile, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines president praised the young Filipino woodpushers for their excellent performance during the tournament.

 

“These kids are the young blood, the future of Philippine chess. They want to give not their 99 percent, but their 100 percent all the time. They know what it takes to win,” NCPF President Prospero Pichay Jr. told Phil Boxing.

 

There were 389 contestants who participated in the tournament from various countries including Russia, India, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Thailand.

 

Nouri will be back in action at the Asian Youth Chess Championships 2013 in Sari, Iran from June 19-27.  - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News