By MARLON BERNARDINO | asianchess.com

MANILA – Kim Kenneth Santos of Subic, Zambales became the country’s newest National Master (NM) in the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships grand finals held online via the Tornelo platform on June 26. He is set to represent the country in the Asian and World Age Group events later this year.

The 20 year-old Santos, a second year college student taking a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) course at the President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU) in Iba, Zambales, tallied 8.5 points to go home with the Under 20 division title, the top purse of P3,000, plus an outright National Master (NM) title.

Santos is playing under the guidance of James Basa and Eric Galang of the PRMSU Chess Team and John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines.

11 year-old Al-Basher “Basty” Buto of Cainta, Rizal came in second with 8 points.

Buto, who hails from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and a grade five pupil at Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal, got Candidate National Master (CNM) title for his effort.

Meanwhile, PH chess wizard Michael Jan Stephen R. Iñigo of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental rebounded from a sorry loss after halving the point with Wayne Ruiz of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Iñigo, playing white, agreed to a draw after 51 moves of London System Opening to remain in contention in the Under-14 division tournament that had a classical time control and a single round-robin format.

The 13 year-old Iñigo, a Grade 7 student of Science and Technology Education Center in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, was upset by Gabrielle Ordiz Nuqui of Barangay Mawaque, Mabalacat City, Pampanga in the second round.

Iñigo toppled Yreil Josh Hernani of Davao City in the first round.

The event was organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Tournament Director was NCFP Chief Operating Officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales while Chief Arbiter was IA Reden Cruz.

Final Standings: (Top 10, Under 20 division)

8.5 points—Kim Kenneth Santos

8 points—Al-Basher “Basty” Buto

7.5 points—Jarvey Labanda, Jerico Santiaguel

6 points—Jet Miguel Mendoza, Ariel Montero

5.5 points—Jan Daryl Batula, Teodoro Francis Mangubat

4.5 points—Alfonzo Louis Orendo, Arvie Aguilar