WITH the country’s newly-minted Grandmaster Daniel Quizon and world blitz champion Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca in addition, the young bloods are heavily favored to rule anew the ‘Battle of Philippine Armaggedon Champions’ which is set to kick off the 3rd Governor Henry Oaminal Open Chess Tournament on Nov. 4-5 at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center (Amosacc) in Oroquieta City.

Asian Juniors and Girls Championship third placer International Master Michael Concio and FM Roel Abelgas, coach of the famed Dasmariñas Chess Academy, are also set to debut in the Battle of Champions won last year by FM Alekhine Nouri from Escalante, Negros Occidental during its inaugural show in Ozamiz City.

However, the now 18-year-old Nouri ― who became the country’s youngest FM at seven during the 2013 14th Asean Age Group Chess Championships in Bangkok, Thailand ― is still not officially listed in the 10-man round robin which included last year’s contestants GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., GM Darwin Laylo, IM Rolando Nolte, IM Ronald Bancod, IM Joel Pimentel and IM Kim Steven Yap.

CAN HE MAKE IT? FM Alekhine Nouri, last year’s standout in the Battle of Champions in Ozamiz City, returns to the competition with high expectations. Photo by Lynde Salgados

“Although dili pa approved sa budget, we’ll try to see kon ma stretch ba nato sa 12 ka players ang Battle of Champions,” said event consultant Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.

Given the chance to defend his title, Nouri said he prefers the youth to prevail over experience like what happened last year at the City Auditorium of Ozamiz where Nouri (19.5 points), IM Joel Pimentel, and IM Richelieu Salcedo III at 19 points each had convincingly made a 1-2-3 finish.

“Siyempre and’yan sina GM Quizon at IM Concio na mga ka edad ko, at saka IM Pimentel na forte rin n'ya ang blitz at rapid. Sila ang kino-consider ko na mahigpit na makakalaban kung sakaling mabigyan ng chance na makalaro uli sa battle,” said the humbly-speaking Nouri, who registered early for the cash-rich Fide-rated tourney in two days.

The Battle of Champions, which is just one of the captivating highlights of the Governor Oaminal chessfest, will give P20,000, P13,000, and P10,000 to the top three winners.