Jersey Marticio, an up-and-coming female junior chess player in the country, has recently made headlines by clinching two consecutive titles in the past two weeks. As a student of the esteemed King’s Gambit Online Chess School, the 16-year-old prodigy displayed her exceptional skills by emerging victorious in the women’s division of the 3rd CEFAG Rapid Chess Tournament. Not stopping there, she went on to deliver an outstanding performance of 7.5 points in eight rounds against male junior players in the highly competitive 2024 Sta Maria Under-17 Chess Challenge.
Recognized as one of the most promising under-20 female chess players in the country, Marticio’s achievements have garnered praise from her coach, Richard Villaseran. Villaseran, who coaches at King’s Gambit, expressed his confidence in Marticio’s potential, stating, “Jersey Marticio is most probably the best under-20 female chess player in the country today. She just needs international exposure so she can earn the prestigious WFM (Woman Fide Master) or even WIM (Woman International Master) title.” With ambitions to see Marticio represent the national women’s team this year, Villaseran is determined to provide her with the necessary guidance and support.
The success of King’s Gambit players extends beyond Marticio’s achievements. Jeremy Martcio and Tiv Omangay, also under the tutelage of Villaseran, demonstrated their prowess in separate tournaments. Martcio emerged as the champion in the men’s division of the 3rd CEFAG Rapid Chess Tournament, while Omangay secured victory in the Open Non-Master Rapid Chess Challenge held in Pampanga.
Additionally, National Master Keith Ilar showcased his exceptional skills by being declared the co-champion in the juniors category of the Road To Singapore Qualifying tournament, which took place in Cagayan de Oro City. These remarkable performances highlight the dedication and training provided by King’s Gambit in preparing their young players for major tournaments.
Villaseran emphasized King’s Gambit’s mission to groom these talented players for prominent competitions such as the National Age Groups, National School Youth, National Juniors, Palarong Pambansa, Men’s and Women’s National Team Qualifiers, as well as the ASEAN and Eastern Asia Age Group and World Cadets tournaments. The coaching staff at King’s Gambit is committed to ensuring that their players are in optimal condition to excel in these significant events.
With Jersey Marticio’s recent victories and the accomplishments of her fellow King’s Gambit players, the future of Philippine chess looks promising. The dedication, skill, and determination displayed by these young talents serve as an inspiration to aspiring chess players across the country. As they continue to hone their skills and strive for international recognition, the chess community eagerly anticipates their future achievements on the global stage.
Source: The Manila Times
