Filipino chessers snare 23 golds

Al-Basher Buto downed Malaysian Lai Hong Jun in the seventh and final round to clinch the gold medal in the boys’ 8 years old and under category and pad the Philippines’ gold to 23 haul after the rapid event of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, on Saturday night.

The seven-year-old Buto, who hails from Marawi City and is now residing in Cainta, Rizal, finished with 6.0 points to bag his third title after topping the individual and being part of the champion team in the standard competition earlier.

A Grade 2 student of Faith Christian School, Buto rose to prominence by winning in the 13th Asian Schools Chess Championship held last July in Panjin, China.

Buto, who was conferred the Asean Master title in Malaysia, honed his skills under the guidance of National Master Rudy Ibanez, Fide Master Christopher Castellano and Candidate Master Henry Villanueva.

Also winning individual gold medals were Daniel Quizon (boys’ 14-U), Christian Mark Daluz (boys’ 16-U), Kaye Lalaine Regidor (girls’ 8-U), Ruelle Canino (girls’ 10-U), Jerlyn Mae San Diego (girls’ 12-U), Bea Mendoza and Woman Candidate Master Kylen Joy Mordido (girls’ 16-U), Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia G. Doroy and Alexis Anne Osena (girls’ 18-U) and WCM Mira Mirano and Ynna Sophia Canape (girls’ 20-U).

Team Philippines, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission under Chair Butch Ramirez and sent by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under Butch Pichay, also dominated the team event of the rapid competition.

Jeth Romy Morado and CM John Merill and Joshua Rutor combined for 10 points to snare the gold in boys’ 20-U; while Mirano, Ynna Sophia Canape and Venice Vicente secured the gold in girls’ 20-U. —ROY LUARCA