Canino hands Oro's first gold in chess in 2019 Batang Pinoy

FIRST GOLD. Cagayan de Oro's Ruelle "Tawing" Canino (in the middle) takes the podium along with Mecel Angela Gadut (silver) of Candon City and April Joy Claros (bronze) of Angeles City in 12-under girls chess event of the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Finals in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Aug. 26. (Contributed photo)
FIRST GOLD. Cagayan de Oro's Ruelle "Tawing" Canino (in the middle) takes the podium along with Mecel Angela Gadut (silver) of Candon City and April Joy Claros (bronze) of Angeles City in 12-under girls chess event of the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Finals in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Aug. 26. (Contributed photo)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- The top-seeded Ruelle "Tawing" Canino lived up to expectation, producing Cagayan de Oro's first gold in chess competition of the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Finals over at Palawan State University (PSU) Performing Arts building here.

The 11-year-old Canino of Kauswagan Elementary School scored 5.5 points on five wins, a draw and a bye in the final seventh round to secure the gold in rapid event for 12-under girls.

"Super Tawing," a triple-gold performer during the Mindanao qualifier in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, actually sealed the win just in the fifth round and contented herself with a draw opposite Kristina Concepcion Belano of Cebu Province in her final match.

Mecel Angela Gadut (4 pts) of Candon City and April Joy Claros of Angeles City finished with a silver and a bronze, respectively.

"This is a good start we're so very happy nga na-produce sa chess ang first gold for Team CdeO in the ongoing national championships," said coach Arbz Calido. "Unta, makakuha gihapon ta sa standard event nga maoy pinaka-prestigious," he added.

On Tuesday morning, Aug. 27, the small but terrible Canino opened her campaign in standard event with a victory over Yzabella Noriel Nabor of La Carlota City.

Canino's teammate Clyde Harris Saraos drew with black against Michael Concio Jr. of Dasmarinas City in their Sicilian Alapin encounter in Boys 13-15 category.

"Na close ang dula, dili mapilit," said Saraos, a native of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Canino, however, was in her element.

After handling well the opening with white in a Sicilian Smith-Morra variation, Canino managed to break the rampart in the central squares that enabled her to sacrifice a Knight for the initiative in the middle game and a checkmate after 30 moves.

Canino is still playing with Olive Theresa Balinas of Tacurong City as of press time in Round 2.

"If her opponent is a granddaughter of the late Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas then talagang mag-ingat si Tawing dahil malupit ang bloodline sa chess ng mga Balinas," commented National Master Edmundo Gatus.

The other chess entry of Cagayan de Oro, Santiago Lumancas IV will join Canino in blitz contest on the final day.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph