SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — Indonesian chess sensation Woman International Master Shakira Devi Herfesa, 18, has virtually clinched the women’s title in the 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships after defeating India’s Woman FIDE Master Shree Reddy Keerthi in the eighth round on Saturday.

Herfesa’s victory gave her seven points and an unassailable lead in the women’s competition, securing the championship with one round remaining at the AMORAP Adventure Park here.

The young Indonesian will face Philippine bet WFM Shania Mae Mendoza with the black pieces in the final round on Sunday, November 9.

Herfesa’s triumph comes a year after India’s V.J. Raahul secured an outright grandmaster title in the same tournament, further highlighting the growing strength of international players in the ASEAN chess circuit.

Filipinos face tough road to GM title

The foreign players’ strong showing in the penultimate round has significantly narrowed the Filipinos’ chances of securing an outright grandmaster title in the men’s division.

All four top-board matches in the final round will feature foreign players, with co-leaders International Master Shrivatri Anuj of India and Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam, both carrying six points, facing IM Morris James of Australia and IM Satria Duta Cahaya of India, respectively.

Among the remaining Filipino contenders, FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri and IM Michael Concio Jr. have five points each and will face one another on board five.

Other local bets seeking strong finishes include IM Paulo Bersamina and GM Darwin Laylo, both with 4.5 points, and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia with four points.

Bersamina came close to upsetting Vietnam’s Duc Hoa in the eighth round while playing white in a Sicilian Grand Prix attack.

Duc Hoa, unable to castle, sacrificed a kingside pawn to generate counterplay. Bersamina’s weak c5 thrust, however, locked his own light-squared bishop instead of pursuing a more promising Bb7 move.

The Vietnamese grandmaster capitalized on the mistake with a decisive combination, forcing Bersamina to resign one move before checkmate.

Filipinas still in podium hunt

In the women’s division, at least four Filipinas remain in contention for podium finishes despite Herfesa’s commanding lead.

WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego is tied at 5.5 points, while WIM Ruelle Canino, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian have five points each.

India’s WIM Bordoloi Pratitee, also with 5.5 points, will face Mongolia’s WGM Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul, who has five points, on board two in the final round.

ASEAN organizer Rey Urbiztondo said the Filipinos still have opportunities to earn international chess norms despite the visitors’ impressive performance.

“The foreign players are very impressive, but the Filipinos cannot lose hope yet as maybe one or two of them can gain a GM and IM norms out from this 7th ASEAN,” Urbiztondo said.

He also pointed to the upcoming Misamis Occidental International Open as another opportunity for local players to pursue international titles.

Singaporean International Arbiter Ignatius Leong confirmed that norms for Grandmaster, Woman Grandmaster, International Master, Woman International Master, FIDE Master and Woman FIDE Master will also be available in the Governor Henry Oaminal Misamis Occidental Open, scheduled November 10 to 17 at the same venue.

The open tournament is expected to give Filipino chess players another chance to test themselves against international competitors and improve their title prospects.