by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Bulacan’s young chess genius Daniella Bianca Cruz went undefeated in twelve games to clear first with a dominating performance in the under-10 girls section of the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships Grandfinals held online via the Tornelo platform from June 26 to June 29, 2021.
The 10 year old Cruz, a Grade 4 pupil of City of Malolos Integrated School – Sto. Rosario, put up 9.5 points built on eight wins and three draws in the tournament that had a standard time control and a single round-robin format.
Her chess campaign was made possible with the undying support of Principal Dr. Nova Santiago, DepEd Malolos SDS Dr. Norma P. Esteban, ASDS Dr. Leo Canlas and Atty. Christian Natividad, Chairman of Optical Media Board.
The young pride of Malolos City scored huge wins against Queen Sophia Domalanta in the first round, Aeiona Lou Tomas Mendoza in the third round, Kara Meneses in the fourth round, Jeanne Marie Arcinue in the fifth round, Kena Areld Galleguez in the seventh round, Aszhley Aya Nicole Paquinol in the eight round, Faith Argenal in the ninth round and Yanie Ayesha Estavillo in the tenth round.
She split the point with Stephanie Jabagat in the second round, Gllasea Ann Hilario in the sixth round and Jemaicah Yap Mendoza in the eventh and final round.
Cruz, runner-up in the 2021 National Youth & School Hybrid Chess Championship Grand Finals Under-11 division last June 14 to 17, 2021, will represent the Philippines in the Asian Schools Chess Championships to be held on July 23 to 25 and the FIDE online World Cadet set August 1 to 31, 2021.
Photo shows before the pandemic from left to right: IA Reden Cruz, Daniella Bianca Cruz (2nd Runner Up 8 Under Girls and 8th Overall Standing 8 Under Open), Jeremiah Luis Cruz (1st Runner Up 14 Under Boys and 5th Overall Standing 16 Under Open ) and Mam Hazel Cruz during the 2019 Thailand Pattaya Open Chess Championships.
Final Standings: (Girls Under-10 division, Standard chess, Single Round Robin format)
9.5 points—Daniella Bianca Cruz
8 points—Aeiona Lou Tomas Mendoza, Jemaicah Yap Mendoza, Gllasea Ann Hilario,
6.5 points—Stephanie Jabagat
6 points—Faith Argenal, Queen Sophia Domalanta
5.5 points—Aszhley Aya Nicole Paquinol
3 points—Jeanne Marie Arcinue
2.5 points—Yanie Ayesha Estavillo
2 points—Kena Areld Galleguez
1 point—Kara Meneses