by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Christian F. Tolosa brought honor to Imus City, Cavite with his runner-up finish in the boys 10 and under division of the 2021 Hybrid National Age Group Chess Championship Grandfinals last June 26-29, 2021 held at Tornelo platform.
Nine-year-old Christian F. Tolosa scored 8 points in 12 rounds of standard chess (one hour and 30 minutes time control) to place second in the tournament participated in by some of the top young woodpushers of the Philippines.
Tolosa scored huge wins against Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes in the first round, John Kurt Valencia in the fourth round, Miel Harson Pabalinas in the fifth round, Aldrin Bernardo in the sixth round, Rafiel Irvin Lacorte in the seventh round, Sebastian Marbas in the ninth round, Joash Alton Gumiran in the tenth round and Jaden Cedric Abesamis in the eleventh and final round.
He lost to Jan Calvin Abesamis in the second round, Phil Martin Casiguran in the third round and Ronell Jose Co in the eight round.
The win is the second big victory for Tolosa, a Grade 3 pupil of Buhay na Tubig Elementary School in Imus City, Cavite.
Tolosa, playing under the guidance of Imus City mayor Manny Maliksi, City of Imus Sports Development Unit and Coach Ed Figuerres also placed 7th overall during the 2021 Hybrid National Youth and Schools Chess championships Grandfinals last June 14-17, 2021.
With this win, Tolosa will receive the Candidate National Master (CNM) title from the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.