DAVAO. Super Tawing Canino in action (Contributed Photo)
DAVAO. Super Tawing Canino in action (Contributed Photo)

Canino’s triple-gold a record in Batang Pinoy chess

TAGUM CITY -- Cagayan de Oro’s pint-size pawnpusher Ruelle Canino, fondly called “Super Tawing” by her growing chess fans elsewhere in the country, made a whirlwind record in chess competition of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifier that ended Saturday, February 9 at the Davao Norte Provincial Capitol’s Bulwagang Pangkarunungan building.

In a performance that hardly be matched, the Grade 5 pupil Canino of Barangay Kauswagan Elementary School finished seven of seven in blitz event (five minutes time control) Sunday morning, February 10, to cap her sweeping campaign atop the 64-square-board.

Super Tawing pocketed earlier the rapid event (six rounds) and the premier standard event (seven rounds) in similar unbeaten manner to complete a rare-sweep of the three titles at stake in each category of the Batang Pinoy chess.

“Just imagine, undefeated ang bata sa 20 nga board matches iyang gidula daug laras tanan,”said Oro’s head coach Johnnel Balquin in disbelief as he thanked Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno for making possible the participation of the 249-strong delegates from the City of Gold in the eight-day 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifier.

Davao City’s Wesley Jovan Magbanua won two golds in the boys 13 to 15 years old chess bracket, but did not play in the rapid event.

“Magbanua is also brilliant pero mas malupit si Canino walay pildi walay nakatabla sa kontra bilib kaayo mi sa bata for her exceptional performance,” said Tagum chess coach Cris Lade.

Canino’s teammates Lorebina Carrasco II of Corpus Christi School (girls 15-under) and Clyde Harris Saraos of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental (boys 15-under) earlier bagged a silver each in the standard event (one hour and 30 minutes time control).

While Oro’s 12-under boys contestant Santiago Lumancas IV bounced back from a forgettable showing in the rapid and standard events by capturing the silver in blitz event on the final day.

Carrasco and the late-arriving Euniel Grant Capilitan (15-under boys), also from Corpus Christi School, both finished at fifth place in blitz.

Canino’s triple-gold and three silvers from Carrasco, Saraos and Lumancas thus paved the way for Team CDO to secure title in the Batang Pinoy Meet’s Mindanao qualifier.

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