by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Kim Kenneth Santos of Subic, Zambales won the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships Grandfinals Under-20 division held online on the Tornelo platform from June 22 to 25, 2021.
The 20 years old Santos, a 2nd Year Bachelor of Science student in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) at President Ramon Magsaysay State University Iba, Zambales tallied 8.5 points to romp home with the title and the top purse P3,000 plus an outright National Master (NM) title. He is set to represent the country in the Asian and World Age Group events later this year.
Santos is playing under the guidance of Mr. James Basa, Mr. Eric Galang of PRMSU Chess Team and Mr.John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines.
Eleven year old Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal (photo above) came second with 8 points. Buto, who hails from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, is a grade five pupil of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal and got Candidate National Master (CNM) title for his effort.
Rounding up the top 10 are Jarvey Labanda, Jerico Santiaguel, Jet Miguel Mendoza, Ariel Montero, Jan Daryl Batula, Teodoro Francis Mangubat, Alfonzo Louis Orendo and Arvie Aguilar.
In the Under 14-division, chess wizard Michael Jan Stephen R. Inigo (photo above) of Bayawan City,Negros Oriental rebounded from a sorry loss after halving the point with Wayne Ruiz of Santa Rosa, Laguna after the third round on Saturday.
Inigo, playing white agreed a draw after 51 moves of London System Opening to remain in contention in the tournament that had a standard time control and a single round-robin format.
The 13 year old Inigo, a Grade 7 student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City,Negros Oriental was upset by Gabrielle Ordiz Nuqui of Barangay Mawaque, Mabalacat City, Pampanga in the second round. Inigo toppled Yreil Josh Hernani of Davao City in the first round.
The event is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Tournament Director is NCFP Chief Operating Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales while Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz.
Final Standings: (Top 10, Under 20 division)
8.5 points—Kim Kenneth Santos
8 points—Al-Basher “Basty” Buto
7.5 points—Jarvey Labanda, Jerico Santiaguel
6 points—Jet Miguel Mendoza, Ariel Montero
5.5 points—Jan Daryl Batula, Teodoro Francis Mangubat
4.5 points—Alfonzo Louis Orendo, Arvie Aguilar