Manila: Filipino Ruelle Canino achieved a significant victory over sixth seed Woman International Master Bach Ngoc Thuy from Vietnam in the second round of the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup. The event took place at the Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park.
According to Philippines News Agency, Canino, a 17-year-old Woman FIDE Master from Cagayan de Oro, now shares the lead with Indian IM V S Raahul, Vietnamese GM Tran Tuan Minh, and Indonesian FM Fabian Glen Mariano. The tournament spans nine rounds, with the ultimate winner receiving an outright Women Grandmaster (WGM) title.
Currently the reigning national champion, Canino is set to face Vietnamese WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram in the third round. Bao Tram advanced after defeating Filipino Mhage Sebastian.
Among other notable second-round results, Russian IM Evgenija Ovod emerged victorious over Filipino Jemaicah Mendoza, Mongolian WFM Batpelden Buyankhishig prevailed over Vietnamese WIM Nguyen Hong Anh, and Vietnamese WGMs Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Nguyen Thi Thanh An won against Russian IM Ekaterina Smirnova and Filipino Joyce Rianna Rueda, respectively.
In the premier open section, Filipino GM John Paul Gomez triumphed over compatriot IM Rolando Nolte. Gomez now joins a group of players, including IMs Michael Concio, Jr., Kim Steven Yap, Jem Garcia, Pau Beramina, Thyrone James Tabernilla, Mongolian IM Mykhdalai Amilal, Vietnamese IM Dang Hoang Son, and Indian IM Kamotra Soham, all holding 1.5 points each.
