By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Negros chess delegation has finalized its roster for the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Bacolod City following the conclusion of the provincial qualifying tournament.
The event, organized by the Negros Sports Development Program headed by Dr. Niño Piñero and provincial chess coordinator Allan Nocete in partnership with Negros Chess Club 64 Inc., determined the top finishers in each age category who will represent the province in the national competition later this year.
The Top 2 finishers in every division earned spots in the Batang Pinoy national finals, while the third-place finishers were named reserve players.
Among the qualifiers were Markley Partosa and Tyler Francisco in the boys’ 15-under division, while Mary Ai Sitti Otod and Sophia Lalanto topped the girls’ 15-under category.
Candidate Master Noel Bernil, Jr. and John Paul Flores secured the boys’ 14-under berths, while Moira Thea Anhao and Princess Angeline Kadusale qualified in the girls’ division.
In the 13-under category, Casey Josh Bariñan and Arena FIDE Master Amir Amores advanced in the boys’ class, while Janua Uelel Ledesma and Angelic Payne Elopre earned the girls’ slots.
The 12-under qualifiers were Zhaick Lucas Torres and Arena Candidate Master Jayden Lawrence Moralidad for the boys, and Akhela Sophia Redula and Jeanel Andrea Dayuday for the girls.
Lee Arzhel Partosa and Justin Andrei Galoy qualified in the boys’ 11-under division, while Infinity Margarette Endam and Margaret Silva advanced in the girls’ bracket.
Francis Antpind Bad-an and Xzavier Malongo claimed the top two spots in the boys’ 10-under category, while Frachette Alodia Villaflores and Khielle Xena Ramos qualified in the girls’ division.
For the nine-under category, Zeus Mael Bernil and Drake Elizear Sacay earned the boys’ national berths, while Christian Felice Paragas and Jhazminne Bonita advanced in the girls’ division.
Rounding out the qualifiers were Blaine Lawrence Pineda and Kye Xavi Ramos in the boys’ eight-under class, along with Nebest Alexa Vergara and Juliana Louise Bad-an in the girls’ division.
Meanwhile, AFM Michaell Jay Batadlan emerged as champion of the pocket tournament, followed by AFM Jubel Jhench Quitong in second and Kirstie Aldenor Aniñon in third./ASC, WDJ