Abanco rules Kabankalan chessfest before Palaro bid

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By Marlon Bernardino

Ellaine Summer Abanco, a certified online Arena FIDE Master, was crowned champion in the 20 years old and below division of the Kabankalan City First Elite Chess Challenge 2026 at City Mall in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, May 9.

Abanco, a Grade 9 student at STI-West Negros, scored 5.0 points after the six-round Swiss system competition, which used a time control of 10 minutes plus a five-second increment.

She went home with the PHP 4,000 cash prize.

“I would like to dedicate my victory to my family, my friends, my sponsors, my supporters and to God,” said the 14-year-old Abanco, a standout from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Abanco is set to compete in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, the country’s national multisport meet for student-athletes, from May 24 to 31 in Agusan del Sur.

Jireh Othilo Asuncion of Kabankalan City also scored 5.0 points and settled for second place to earn PHP 2,000, followed by Markley Partosa of Dauin, Negros Oriental, who notched 4.5 points to receive PHP 1,000.

Zildjian Ypon, Al Docto, AFM Michaell Jay Batadlan, Jhurell Rodjun Ferrer and Kristian Jade Bardinas finished the tournament with identical 4.0 points.

Rounding out the top 10 with 3.5 points each were Trident Spark Argamaso and Kleint Cuelo.

The tournament was organized by NA Spark Argamaso Vecente and supervised by NA Antonio Martin Olendo, FA Ma. Hazel Olendo and NA Wilmier Barron.