Cagayan de Oro’s Ruelle Canino delivered a commanding performance in the National Age Group Chess Championships, sweeping the male-dominated Under-18 Open Standard division at FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas over the weekend.
The 16-year-old UAAP juniors MVP secured the title after forcing a draw against Karlycris Clarito, Jr. in the eighth and final round, finishing with seven points—one full point ahead of a competitive field that included top seed FIDE Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca.
Canino will represent the Philippines alongside April Joy Claros (Girls’ U18 champion) in the Asian Youth Chess Championships set for November 20-30 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Other division winners include Kaye Lalaine Regidor (Girls’ U16), Mark Gabriel Usman (Open U16), Soffia Joy Mamangun (Girls’ U14), Christian Tolosa (Open U14), Khana Kathrine Ventolero (Girls’ U12), Steve Zacky Bolico (Open U12), Faith Louise Dorupa (Girls’ U10), and Danry Seth Romualdez (Open U10).
Canino, a key player in the Philippine national team’s historic Group II gold medal win at the 2024 Budapest Chess Olympiad, made headlines after defeating three Women Grandmasters in the prestigious tournament.
The four-day event, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and National Chess Federation of the Philippines, also featured rapid and blitz chess competitions.