CAGAYAN de Oro City — Woman FIDE Master Sherily Cua beat a field of male lawyers to win the individual rapid title at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Games 2026 chess tournament held at SM Uptown on Oct. 9. 

Cua, a three-time Philippine representative to the World Chess Olympiad, scored 6.5 points in seven rounds to claim the title while representing Southern Luzon. 

The Central Luzon team also took the team championship, finishing with 15 points, one point ahead of the runners-up. 

Cua said she enjoyed her first visit to Cagayan de Oro, citing the city's tourist spots, food, welcoming atmosphere and peaceful environment. 

She also hopes to inspire young chess players who aspire to become lawyers, saying the game develops strategic thinking and the ability to plan ahead. 

“Since chess involves strategic plans and thinking ahead in a smart way, it definitely gives an edge for a chess player to pursue law in college,” Cua said. 

Her title run, however, was not without challenges. She escaped a difficult position against Davao lawyer Roland Reyes in the opening round before scoring three consecutive wins. 

Cua survived another tough game against Adrian Alain Llanos of the Antique Chapter in the fifth round before drawing with Lawrence Earl Roy Gersalia of Bicolandia in the sixth. 

Llanos finished second with six points, while defending champion Jason Maxino Bandal of Negros Oriental placed third after winning the tiebreak against Judylito Ulanday of Central Luzon. 

Misamis Oriental's Robert Manto also made a strong start, winning against Orlando Ba-alan of Palawan, Paulino Cangayo III of Bicolandia and Clifford Enoc of Central Visayas in the early rounds. 

Manto missed a chance to beat Antique's Israel Colmo after failing to convert a two-pawn advantage in a rook-and-pawn endgame. He later lost to Gersalia in the fifth round and finished with 4.5 points. 

In the team competition, Central Luzon, represented by Ulanday, Rodrigo Aquino Jr. and Gabrielle Kenth Hayashi, secured the title with 15 points after seven rounds. 

Palawan, composed of Nazi Jester Erfe, Ba-alan and Jaquelene Ann Tambal, finished second with 14 points after overtaking Bicolandia in the final two rounds. 

Eastern Visayas placed third with 13.5 points, edging Southern Luzon on tiebreak points. 

The tournament brought together lawyers from different regions to compete in rapid chess while showcasing the game's value in developing strategic thinking and discipline.