Ruelle Canino earns IWM title, WGM norm in ASEAN Chess Championships

Filipina chess prodigy Ruelle Canino finished second in the women's class of the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships, earning an International Woman Master (IWM) title and a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm.

She drew with Mongolian Batpelden Buyankhishig in her final round match, ending the tournament with 6.5 points.

Canino finished half a point behind the eventual champion, Evgenija Ovod of Russia, who secured seven points.

The 17-year-old gained 99.6 rating points, increasing her rating to 2209.6.

Canino will also be part of the Philippines' Southeast Asian Games-bound team in Thailand next month.

Mark Jay Bacojo earned an International Master (IM) title, finishing third in the open division with six points.

Indian V S Raahul won the open division with seven points, while Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam placed second with 6.5 points.

The tournament was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.