OZAMIZ City — Rising Filipina Fide Master Ruelle ‘Tawing’ Canino leapfrogged to third place in the women’s open following her convincing conquest of Indonesian International Master Laysa Latifah in Thursday’s Round 6 of the 6th Asean+ Individual Chess Championships.
With only three rounds remaining, the 17-year-old Philippine team mainstay from Cagayan de Oro City has positioned herself to contend for outright Grandmaster (GM) and International Master (IM) titles.
The international event, the first of its kind in Northern Mindanao, is backed by Gov. Henry S. Oaminal and organized by AGM Rey Urbiztondo with the full support of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
The country’s busiest chess athlete recently harvested six individual gold medals for the City of Golden Friendship in the Batang Pinoy meet in General Santos City. Despite a rigorous series of tournaments in and out of the country, Canino appeared undeterred against the Indonesian IM.
Canino took the playing hall by storm, destroying IM Latifah in just 36 moves with the black side of the Sicilian Defense Alapin variation. When Latifah played c3, Canino seized the chance to develop a strong four-pawn formation in the central squares.
Reinforced by a well-played bishop pair, Canino executed a clever tactic in the middlegame that resulted in a quality advantage, gaining White's rook for a bishop.
Latifah countered aggressively, but Canino’s attack, fueled by an active knight, rook, and queen infiltration, culminated in a brilliant Rf1 check sacrifice on the back ranks. This tactical sequence would lead to either a queenless endgame or checkmate, forcing Latifah’s resignation.
During a lunch break, Canino acknowledged the grueling schedule.
“It’s quite exhausting after a rigorous campaign in and out of the country nga mora’g walay break-break. Pero mora’g na anad ra sab ko. I’ll have to try my best kay talagsa ra ni nga opportunity,” said Canino.
Canino (with five points) was scheduled to face Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Thi Mai Hung Nguyen of Vietnam on the second board in Friday morning’s seventh round at the resort in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental.
The country’s lone female Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna (4.5 points), coming off a tough draw with WGM Thi Bao Tram Hoang of Vietnam, was scheduled to confront solo pacesetter International Master Evgenija Ovod of Russia (five points) on the top board.
Canino remained confident about her performance moving forward.
“I hope to improve from that experience. Fatigue is not an issue at all, and I’m still in a fighting mood,” said the country’s reigning Women’s Open titlist.
