VIGAN, Ilocos Sur ― A relatively quiet game, chess broke the silence of Cagayan de Oro in the medal race as it collected its first five golds on Tuesday night, across the 64-square-board of the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships.
Not just Cagayan de Oro created a noise after a three-day medal drought but also dominated the early stage of the nationwide chess competition held in Baluarte, known as the haven of the prominent Singson family here.
Eleven-year-old Zhaoyu Capilitan, a grade 6 pupil of Fr. William Masterson Avenue Public School and daughter of store employees, shone the brightest in a chess competition as she topped the 11-under girls class with a perfect five points for her first gold.
Capilitan’s tandem with Azhzley Aya Nicole Paquinol also produced two golds in team blitz and team standard events.
“Her saleslady and salesman parents are here with us in Vigan to support her. We just hope that Capilitan’s success in Batang Pinoy could lead to giving comfort (to) her family someday,” said her coach Renan Cantilado.
Fresh from leading the Far Eastern University-Diliman High School into a sweeping title finish in the UAAP 85 Chess Championships, the 14-year-old Canino from Barangay Bonbon won the individual gold in the 15-under girls' standard.
While Mary Janelle Tan, Team CdeO’s reinforcement from Jasaan town, dominated the nine-under girls' bracket, thus bringing to five Cagayan de Oro’s gilts in chess which still has the rapid event in progress that could give more golds for the City of Gold’s cause in the week-long multifarious meet.
“Her kuya Ronron helps in coaching her in Vigan. And I told him not to pressure and just let our little Tawing enjoy the game because she was already exhausted from the UAAP games. Glory to God, her gold finish in Vigan is already a bonus,” Canino's mother Maria Gina told Gold Star Daily.
Entering the last day of action, December 21, the other individual golds in chess were taken by Cedric Kahlel Abris (15-U boys blitz) from Mandaluyong, Ericka Ordizo (15-U girls blitz) from Pangasinan, Ryien Bahita (13U girls blitz) from Canlaon City, Sumer Justine Oncita (13U boys blitz) from Pasig City, Kaye Lalaine Regidor (13U girls standard) from Sta. Rosa City, Arena Fide Master Janin Dhrey Querequere (11U girls blitz) from Misamis Oriental, Mar Aviel Carredo (two golds in 11U boys blitz and standard) from Quezon City, Mica Claire Clar (9U girls blitz) from Iloilo City, Caleb Royce Garcia (9U boys standard) from Taguig City, and Jay Emmanuel Sotaridona (9U boys blitz) from Iloilo City.
