Sixteen-year-old Jasper Concepcion Faeldonia emerged as one of the youngest chessers with a National Master (NM) title after ruling the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Under-17 division held online via the Hybrid Tornelo platform from June 10-13.
Faeldonia, a Grade 11 student of Arellano University under the watch of coach NM Rudy Ibanez, put up 9.5 points built on nine wins, one draw and one loss in the tournament that had a classical time control and a single round-robin format.
The young pride of Odiongan, Romblon. who is honing his craft at the España Chess Club in Manila, scored huge wins against Jeremiah Luis Cruz (Malolos City, Bulacan) in the first round, Carl Daluz (Bulan, Sorsogon) in the second, Jeremy Marticio (Cabuyao City, Laguna) in the third and Cassey Miguel Tabamo (El Salvador, Misamis Oriental) in the fourth
He also beat Janmly Dilan Tisado (General Trias City, Cavite) in the seventh, Justine Diego Mordido (Dasmarinas City, Cavite) in the eighth, Joshua Michael Yongco (Apalit, Pampanga) in the ninth and Robick Vohn Villa (Zamboanga City) in the eleventh and final round.
Faeldonia split the point with Jave Mareck Peteros (Cebu) in the sixth round and got a bye in the tenth. His lone loss came from Philippine national youth team member Al-Basher Buto (Cainta, Rizal/Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur) in the fifth.
Faeldonia, winner of the Under-14 National Age Group Chess Championships in Roxas City and co-champion in the Under-14 Singapore National Age Group Chess Championship, will represent the Philippines in the Asian Schools and Youth Chess Championships later this year.