DAVAO CITY -- Ronald Canino of Cagayan de Oro City is officially a Fide Master (FM)-elect after his surprising finish in the 19th Asean Age Group Chess Championships 16-under open individual classical standard event on June 24 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here.
The 15-year-old Canino was conferred the FM title through the certificate of title result given during Monday’s social and awarding night at the venue.
Aside from that, he was also awarded an International Master (IM) norm.
Both certificate of the title and the norm were signed by FIDE International Arbiter (IA) Kok Onn Osric Mooi of Singapore and received by Red Dumuk, who is the executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
Canino, who is a grade 10 student of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS), just needed to lift his Fide Elo rating to 2100 to become a full-pledged FM.
At present, he is at Elo 1672 and needed to play more Fide rated tournaments to earn Elo points and meet the requirements in becoming a full-pledged FM.
“Kinakailangan niya umabot sa (He needed to reach) 2100 para (to be a) full-pledge FM na siya,” said Filipino IA Patrick Lee.
After complying the requirements and becoming full-pledged FM, Canino can now campaign to complete the IM title with two more norms to get.
“Madali lang yan para kay Ronald na umabot ng 2100 kay sa 2300, (It is easier for Ronald to reach 2100 than 2300)” said FM Roel Abelgas of Manila.
Canino’s younger sister, Ruelle was also conferred the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) status after salvaging a silver medal in the 10-under girls classical standard event.