SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — Filipino and foreign chess players began competing in the 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships on Monday, November 2, at AMORAP in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, as the province hosts two international chess tournaments this month.
The tournament runs until November 10, followed by the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Championship from November 10 to 17.
Among the Filipino players seeking major titles are Cagayan de Oro City pride Ruelle “Tawing” Canino and Mark Jay Bacojo of Santa Rosa, Laguna. Both earned outright International Master titles during last year's ASEAN+ chess competition in Ozamiz City.
They are expected to lead the Filipino campaign alongside International Masters Emmanuel Garcia, Paulo Bersamina, Michael Concio Jr. and Christian Gian Karlo Arca, as well as FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri.
Canino, 18, faces a strong field in the women's competition, including the Philippines' Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, Vietnam's Woman International Masters Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Hoang Thi Bao Tram, and Mongolia's Woman International Master Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul.
Russian Woman International Master Evgenija Ovod is also back to defend her women's title after winning the previous edition.
In the men's division, Russian Grandmaster Evgeny Romanov is among the leading contenders. His peak FIDE rating reached 2662 in June 2013. He will face Filipino Grandmasters Daniel Quizon and Darwin Laylo, as well as Vietnam's Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa.
Romanov is coming off a campaign in the Montenegro Open Mediterranean Championship and previously won the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Championship.
India's Grandmaster V.S. Raahul, last year's men's champion, will not return to defend his title.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines is supervising the competition, with executive director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and International Arbiter Reden Cruz overseeing the event.
Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal Sr. is hosting the two tournaments, continuing the province's efforts to bring international chess competitions to Northern Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the AQ Prime International Open Chess Championship is scheduled for November 17 to 25 in Quezon City, completing the country's three international chess events this month.
