Amber Mariana Maravilla, a 12-year-old from St. Paul College Pasig, just clinched her second straight gold at the prestigious 20th Malaysian Chess Festival held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Photo: Angelo Maravilla
Amber successfully defended her U12 Girls Individual Title in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Foundation Rapid Age Group Chess Championship on September 14, 2025, winning an impressive five out of six games in the rapid tournament organized by DAT Chess Centre.
She also secured a bronze medal finish in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Merdeka Rapid Team Junior (U12) Chess Championship held earlier on September 12-13, 2025. Amber competed at Board 1 against some of the strongest young players in the region.
The two tournaments are part of the Malaysian Chess Festival, which ran from September 12 to 21, 2025, and gathered young talents from seven countries: the Philippines, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, and host Malaysia.
Amber, who is only in Grade 7, trains under the guidance of Coach Expedito Bolico Sr. and her personal coach, Coach Expedito Bolico Jr. She is also part of the Pasig City Grassroots Team, headed by Coach Franco Camillo.
This victory marks another milestone for Amber, who continues to bring pride to the country’s chess scene.
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