‎A senior citizen defending home turf and a high schooler topped the Mindanao leg of the National Chess Championships Eliminations for men and women concluded on Sunday at the City Gymnasium in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental.

‎The 60-something Mardonio Fuentes, a national master-waiver during the time of the now extinct Philippine Chess Federation and a retired Philippine Army soldier, lived up to his top-seed billing by finishing first in the men’s division to the great delight of the hometown Ozamiz fans.

‎This, as Sherleen Cobey of Cagayan de Oro went on to grab the first place in women’s division in the opener of a series of challenges by the Philippine Sports Commission and National Chess Federation of the Philippines-backed eliminations to determine the 2026 members of the Philippine teams that will carry the country's flag in the international events such as the prestigious World Chess Olympiad.

‎Fuentes, entering the 61-man cast with a respectable 2036 ratings, actually finished in a tie with Ozamiz City compatriot Carlo Saludsod at five points on four wins and two draws after six rounds. But Fuentes took the first spot with better tiebreak results, 20-18.5, as Saludsod ― also a PCF titled player ― settled for the runner-up.

FIRST OF A SERIES. The recently-held Philippine Chess regional eliminations in Ozamiz City. Photo courtesy of Asenso Ozamiz

‎The experienced age-group campaigner Cobey also relied on the Bucholz tiebreaker to secure the first place at the expense of fellow 4.5-pointers Arena Fide Master Pshyn Yañez of Tandag City.

“‎The local boys made Ozamiz proud with the 1-2 finish of Fuentes and Saludsod in men’s division. But more challenges lie ahead in the next elimination stages where International and Fide Masters await them,” said Ozamiz chess organizer and NCFP board of director Rey Urbiztondo.

‎Edmundo Lao of Iligan City got superior tiebreaks among a bunch of 4.5 pointers to take the third place as AFM Farhan Mahdall of Ozamiz (4.5), Vivencio Mendoza Jr of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte (4.5), Quinn Zian Yongod of Ozamiz (4.5), Arena Grandmaster Julius Dan Augustine Ablin of Iligan, Emmanuel Mallari of Polanco, Zambo Norte, Samuel Jay Baloyo and Giovanni Sabuero of Cagayan de Oro ― all four pointers ― completed the men’s top-10 finishers.

‎Rounding up the women’s top five are Jaiannah Marie Verdida of Ozamiz, Joyce Heizel Oculam of Panaon, Misamis Occidental and Mitchel Siso of Ozamiz, all with three points to show in five rounds.