The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) has fielded in Al-basher Buto, Christian Gian Arca, April Joy Claros and Oshrie Jhames Reyes to the national team it is sending to the World Cadets and Youth Rapid Chess Championships on Nov. 27 to Dec. 23.
The four placed second in their respective age brackets and missed the cut but got the call after the NCFP received six wild card berths from the International Chess Federation or FIDE.
The first two were given to seasoned internationalists Daniel Quizon and Kylen Joy Mordido.
“Grandmasters Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales, our national team coaches and I decided on who to nominate,” said NCFP executive director Cliburn Orbe.
Buto topped the eliminations set two weeks ago but faltered in the grand finals last Saturday
They joined qualifiers Phil Martin Casiguran (Open Under-10), King Whisley Puso (U14), Mark Jay Bacojo (U14), Michael Concio (U16), Paul Matthew Llanilo (U18), Franiel Magpily (girls’ U10), Ruelle Canino (GU12), Samantha Umayan (GU14), Jerlyn Mae San Diego (GU16) and Jarel Lacambra (GU18).
Buto and Reyes will compete in the U10, Arca U12, Claros U14, Quizon U16 and Mordido in the premier girls’ U18.