Pat Ferdolf Macabulos and National Master Al-Basher Buto respectively ruled the Olongapo Rapid High School Chess Tournament in Olongapo City and the 1st Noypi FIDE-Rated Standard Chess Tournament at the Robinsons Metro East in Pasig City over the weekend.

Macabulos and Buto are both 13 years old and scored six points in six rounds in their respective tournaments. They are also learners from the King's Gambit Online Chess School and two of the most promising players of coach Richard Villaseran.

Jiancarlo Rivera, another player from King's Gambit, placed fourth behind Buto while Jersey Marticio took home the prize for being the top female chess player in the same tournament.

The other King's Gambit player who shone last weekend was 11-year-old Joriel James Yap who bagged the individual gold and team silver medal at the (Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) Sportsfest 2024 and was the top under-11 player of the APM Developmental Open Chess Tournament.

Meanwhile, Artjoe Capatan, 7, bagged the gold in a municipal chess meet and Eleazar Sanido, 7, claimed back-to-back top under-8 category awards in the GM Balinas and 3rd Noypi Chess Tournament.

Dwayne Alekhine Sapuan, 13, topped a blitz tournament and placed third in the rapid event of the Valencia District Athletic Meet.

Ser Markell Lunaria, on the other hand, emerged as the school champion in chess.

"It's good to see our players dominate chess tournaments nationwide. We will continue to train hard and smart," said Villaseran.