Filipino chess wunderkind "Basty" Buto keeps Jessie Villasin Cup title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Mar 2021
Philippine youth chess team standout Al-Basher "Basty" Buto won the 3rd Jessie Villasin Cup online chess tournament held via Lichess.org on Friday, March 19, 2021.
The 11-year-old wunderkind from Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal put on a strong start and a stronger finish to run away with the kiddy crown with 6 points in the seven-round rapid tilt (five minutes plus five seconds increment time control).
“I didn’t look to defend my title, just to play my best,” said Buto, who played for the national team in the 2020 FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Chess Championships.
“I knew that this was a tough tournament with all the players. I just tried to play my best and now I am really happy,” added the grade 5 pupil Buto, who hails from Marawi City.
Christian Tolosa of Imus, Cavite and Arnel Mahawan Jr. of Talacsan, San Rafael, Bulacan finished second and 3rd with 5 points apiece.
Sharing fourth to seventh places were inaugural winner Ivan Travis Cu of San Juan City, Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Reyes of Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga, Gabriel Ryan Paradero of Pasig City and Yosef Immanuel Morada of Tuguegarao City who got 4.5 points each.
Rounding up to the top 10 who totes 4 points each were Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, Aldrich Milan Dela Rosa of Aklan and Vhea Ashley Silvano of Canlaon city,Negros oriental.
According to Mercer Island, Washington, USA based Jessie Villasin, the event aimed to develop good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and camaraderie.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026