In a surprising turn of events at the Philippine National Chess Championships held in Malolos, Bulacan, 15-year-old Ruelle Canino emerged as a rising star by defeating seasoned veterans Marie Antoinette San Diego and Bernadette Galas in the first two rounds. Canino’s impressive performance has placed her at the top of the leaderboard alongside WGM-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido.
Canino’s success comes as no surprise to Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, who had previously identified Canino as the future of Philippine women’s chess. With her sights set on securing a spot in the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Canino is determined to make her mark in the chess world.
As the competition heats up, Canino faced off against Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy in the third round. With other strong contenders like WFMs Cherry Ann Mejia and WIM Shania Mae Mendoza trailing closely behind, the battle for the top spot promises to be intense.
The tournament, organized by the NCFP and supported by the PSC and POC, has attracted a talented pool of players vying for the top prize of P85,000 courtesy of Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad. The competition remains fierce as Canino and her opponents continue to make their moves on the chessboard.
