National Youth chess tourney unfolds

MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth and Schools Chess Championships unfurls today with some of the country’s top young players headed by Christian Gian Karlo Arca and Ruelle Canino battling it out for glory at the Dapitan City Cultural Center in Zamboanga del Norte.

Arca, who hails from Panabo, Davao del Norte, hopes to ride the crest of his conquest of the GM Rosendo Balinas Jr. Kiddies Rapid tournament in Mandaluyong more than a week ago as he competes in the Open 13-and-under section.

Canino, a native of Cagayan de Oro, should be the player to watch in the girls’ 15-under after finishing second in the National Ladies juniors event at PACE last year.

Jeremiah Cruz and Janmyl Dilan Tisado will lead the premier Open 17-under division while Rhea Jean Canino and Shaina Magne Romanillos are among the big guns in the girls’ 17-under side in this eight-day event sponsored by Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos.

Around a hundred participants made it to the finale including some notable entries like April Joy Claros in the girls’ 15-and-under class.