Miciano tops online national rapid chess team qualifying

International Master John Marvin Miciano has spent most of his time during the community quarantine period honing his chess skills online—and got his efforts rewarded.

The 19-year-old Miciano topped the national selection in rapid chess to earn the right to wear the Philippine colors in the coming Asian Junior Chess Championship Zone 3.3.

With the competition done online, the Go For Gold program standout ruled the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines after winding up with 11 victories, three draws and a lone defeat in 15 games for 12.5 points.

Joining Miciano, the 2018 Asian Youth champion, in the Asian junior rapid tourney are second-placer IM Daniel Quizon (11.5 points) and Chester Neil Reyes (9.5 points), who finished fourth but clinched the spot following the disqualification of the Eric Labog Jr. (11.5 points).“I have become comfortable playing online. A finish in the top three will allow me to qualify outright to the Asian championship,’’ said Miciano, Davao City’s 2019 male athlete of the year.Miciano will play in the online zonal scheduled on May 27 to June 2 against the finest junior wood pushers from Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Mongolia.

The top three finishers in each of the seven zones will advance to the Asian Championships beginning June 3 for the title.

“It will be really tough, all the best junior chess players in Asia will be there for the title. I’ll just continue with my regular training and hope to make it all the way to the Asian champs,’’ Miciano said. INQ