UNABLE to play in Batang Pinoy Mindanao due to age limit, junior chess sensation Christian James Aquino vented his ire in the first ever Kuya Kap Inter-School Open chess tournament here on February 10 at the City Mall in Barangay Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Realizing he is slightly over-aged for the annual Batang Pinoy sports conclave that concluded recently in Tagum City, Aquino of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) aimed his target instead in the Kuya Kap chessfest, scoring four wins and a draw in five rounds to pocket the P1,000 top purse for Grades 7-12 category.
“Gusto gyod modula si Aquino sa Batang Pinoy pero unsaon lapas na gamay iyang edad,” said arbiter Jun Cuizon.
Joel Lawrence Hoy and Angelo Saluna finished with four points to occupy second and third for P700 and P500, respectively, also with medals.
The rest of the top-10 finishers with identical output of 3.5 points were Rhea Jean Canino, Juan Ryu Bagonoc, Angela Lapore, Althea Fianna Bansiloy, Lance Raphael Magluyoan, Paul Andrew Rumanda, Francois Romel Bautista, Mike Meller Saluna, and Althea Meach Canas.
A joint undertaking by the Iponan Barangay Council and Iponan Sangguniang Kabataan, the rapid chessfest was made open to elementary and secondary students throughout Northern Mindanao.
Presiding over the awards rites were brgy. Iponan chair Dondon Allorin, Kagawad Eddie Zambas, RPS1HOA President Nathaniel Amores and tournament director Glenn Escarda Sr.