By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro delivered a commanding performance in the National Age Group Chess Championships, sweeping the male-dominated Under-18 Open Standard division at FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas over the weekend.
The 16-year-old UAAP juniors Most Valuable Player secured the title after drawing with Karlycris Clarito, Jr. in the eighth and final round, finishing with seven points — one full point ahead of a competitive field that included top seed FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca.
Other division winners were April Joy Claros (Girls’ U18), Kaye Lalaine Regidor (Girls’ U16), Mark Gabriel Usman (Open U16), Soffia Joy Mamangun (Girls’ U14), Christian Tolosa (Open U14), Khana Kathrine Ventolero (Girls’ U12), Steve Zacky Bolico (Open U12), Faith Louise Dorupa (Girls’ U10) and Danry Seth Romualdez (Open U10).
Canino and Claros will represent the Philippines in the U18 Open section of the Asian Youth Chess Championships on Nov. 20 to 30 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Canino played a key role in the national team’s historic Group II gold medal victory at the 2024 Budapest Chess Olympiad, where she defeated three Women Grandmasters.
The four-day tournament, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and National Chess Federation of the Philippines, also featured rapid and blitz events. (PNA)
