The air in Ozamiz crackled with tension as the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships – Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup – reached its thrilling conclusion. Two Filipino players, Ruelle Canino and Mark Jay Bacojo, rose to the occasion, battling fierce competition and ultimately claiming coveted podium finishes.
Canino, a rising star in the chess world, navigated a complex Queen’s Gambit against Mongolia’s Batpelden Buyankhishig, ultimately securing a draw after 56 intense moves. This result cemented her second-place finish in the women’s division with 6.5 points, just behind Russia’s Evgenija Ovod who claimed the championship with seven.
Bacojo mirrored his compatriot’s tenacity in the open division, grinding out a draw against Munkhdalai Amilal in a grueling 71-move Sicilian Defense. His performance earned him third place with six points, trailing India’s V S Raahul, the tournament victor with seven points.
For Canino, the tournament yielded more than just a silver medal. The 17-year-old prodigy not only earned the International Master (IM) title but also achieved a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm and a remarkable 99.6 rating point boost, elevating her rating from 2110 to an impressive 2209.6.
A potential outright WGM title was within reach in the final round, but a narrow edge wasn’t enough to overcome the Mongolian World School Chess Under-17 champion. Despite the missed opportunity, Canino expressed satisfaction with her performance in the demanding tournament.
Bacojo’s journey was a testament to resilience and strategic brilliance. Starting as the 24th seed among 41 participants, the 19-year-old psychology student embarked on a four-game winning streak, dramatically climbing the ranks.
His ascent culminated in a stunning upset victory over Vietnamese Grandmaster Tran Tuan Minh, setting the stage for a nail-biting final round. Facing a difficult position, Bacojo orchestrated a remarkable escape, forcing a stalemate in a frantic time scramble against Amilal.
“I was lucky in the last round,” Bacojo admitted, acknowledging the precariousness of his final game. The victory added 39.4 rating points to his score, pushing him from 2298 to 2337.4, a significant step forward in his chess career.
Both Canino and Bacojo’s performances underscored the growing strength of Filipino chess, showcasing the dedication and talent of these exceptional athletes on the international stage.
