CHRISTIAN James Aquino, arguably the most “busy student” at the Capitol Chess Park nowadays, once again reaped the dividends of his sheer hardwork across the 64-square-board.

The Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) bet Aquino scored 5.5 points in six rounds to rule the high school division of the 4th Brgy. Bulua Inter-School Chess Tournament 2018 concluded here, over the weekend, at Bulua Central School covered court.

“Si Aquino gyod sa mga batan-on karon ang visible permi sa chess club. So, dili na ta masorpresa kon mobunga iyang sakripisyo,” observed veteran chess habitué Jokorn Maestrado of one of the city’s fast-rising junior chess players.

Aquino nosed out the Corpus Christi’s pair of David Rey Ancheta and Lorebina Carrasco II for the P2,000 top purse plus trophy.

Ancheta, the last National Shell Active kiddies champion, and the Palaro-bound Carrasco were tied at 5 points. They got P1,500 and P1,000 each, respectively, after the Bucholz tiebreaker.

Rounding up the top-10 circle with 4.5 points apiece were Joel Lawrence Hoy, Cressler Bruce Gabing, Jake Sabordo, Euneil Grant Capilitan, Charles Klent Gabing, Paul Andrew Romanda, and John Andrae Almazan.

Meanwhile, the top-10 players for Grade 1-3 level were Lj Getubig, Russel Canino, Lara Dalagan, Zhaoyu Capilitan, Lawrence Lawan, Karl Dalauta, Keith Itar, Maria Teresa Lumancas, Cecile Bagalanon, and Jahzara Lumictin.

For Grade 4-6, the top-10 finishers were Ruelle Canino, Janella Garcia, Khent Canas, Kyla Dalagan, Joseph dela Rama, Clyde Andres, Ralph Labradores, Chargaets Andres, Ray Villanueva, and Lyn Getubig.

Getubig edged fellow 6-pointer Russel Canino for the champ’s prize of P1,500 in Grade 1-3 category. While Tawing Canino emerged solo titlist in Grade 4-6 bracket with her 6.5 points total to go home P1,500-richer.

Bulua teacher cum organizer Gemma Caingin acknowledged the Barangay Council of Bulua through its chairman Al Legaspi for the success of the rapid youth chessfest.

Caingin also expressed gratitude to the tourney’s working committee and the officiating group headed by chief arbiter Lorenzo Cuizon as well as the CDO Paraents Chess Club spearheaded by Glenn Escarda.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, thank you very much for helping us,” Caingin said.