WUNDERKIND Ruelle Canino continued her giant-slaying ways after she upset Woman International Master Bernadette Galas in seizing a share of the lead after two rounds of the Philippine National Chess Championships dubbed “The Battle of Women’s Masters” at the City Hall of Malolos, Bulacan yesterday.
It was a fitting followup to the 15-year-old Cagayan de Oro City-born lass’ stunning opening-round triumph over defending champion WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego the day before that kept the former well perched at the helm.
There, Canino was joined by Woman Grandmaster-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido, who smashed April Joy Ramos to likewise stay unscathed in this 11-round, 12-player tournament hosted by Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad, organized by the NCFP and backed by the PSC and POC.
Canino was on course in claiming the one slot the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand this November, one of the three seats to the team bound for the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary this September and the top purse worth P85,000.
The six-time Asian Age Group champion was gunning for a third win in a row against Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy in the third round at press time.
Half a point off the pace were WFMs Cherry Ann Mejia, who drew with former national champion WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and WIM Shania Mae Mendoza, who bested Jarel Renz Lacambra.
In the middle of the pack with a point to show was a group of four that consisted of Fronda, Galas, San Diego and Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian.
Of the four, San Diego delivered one of the best results of the round after she brought down top seed WGM Janelle Mae Frayna.