PH Chess wunderkind Al Basher Buto wins Bawah 12 Tahun Putrajaya 2021 chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Apr 2021
MANILA---PH Chess wunderkind Al Basher Jumangit Buto bested his more experienced opponents to rule the Bawah 12 Tahun Putrajaya (Under 12 category, Malaysia virtual chess tournament) 2021 on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
The 11-year-old Buto, a grade five pupil of Faith Christian School in Cainta, Rizal, whose stint was being supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr., Sen. Ping Lacson and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), scored ten victories out of the possible eleven including an impressive final-round triumph over Muthupyr of Chenai, India after 62 moves of Scotch Opening to rule the 10 minutes rapid time control format which attracted 1,997 young chess players worldwide and organized by Kejohanan Catur Atas Talian Piala Timbalan Menteri Wilayah of Malaysia.
It was another victory for the veteran age group internationalist, an Asean Master who is being groomed to be the next Wesley So.
The young Cainta-based Maranao chess player, who traces his roots from Marawi City, is fresh from winning the Luzon Leg of the Philippine Sports Commission-National Chess Federation of the Philippines online selection tournament last Thursday.
Buto’s other wins came at the expense of Tavamathie Surendran of Malaysia in the first round, Izzat Naqib of Malaysia in the second round, Emily May Rosly of Malaysia in the third round, Shreeneshen of Malaysia in the fourth round, CK of Malaysia in the fifth round, Wei Shen Yeoh of Malaysia in the sixth round, Hasif of Malaysia in the seventh round, Suryavarman Chandrasekar of Singapore in the ninth round and Ree Herng Shen of Malaysia in the tenth round.
His only draw came in the eight round at the hands of Quinsha Adinda Syahirah of Indonesia.
"Our sacrifices have paid off… I would like to thank my personal mentor International Master Chito Garma and American chess coach Dave Fenton," said Al-Basher, fondly called "Basty" in the chess world.
With the victory, Buto's performance boosted the nation's morale, said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayan Al-Basher "Basty" Buto got another magnificent performance,” he said.
"This proved once again that Filipinos can be at par with the world's best chess athletes. With ample training and preparation we can even become world champions," said 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Arena Grandmaster Robert Suelo Jr., secretary-general of Bayanihan Chess Club, one of the first chess coach and trainer of Super Grandmaster Wesley So, the reigning World Fischer Random Champion.
Her elder sister, Rohanisah Buto, placed 2nd in the Under 17 category with 509 participants after tallying 8 out of 9.
Meanwhile, her elder sister Alysah Buto (7/9) is 21st place out-of-509 players in the Under 17 category while his older brother Abdul Buto (7/9) is 49th place out-of-634 players in the Under 15 category.
It shall be recalled that last March 16, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed the Resolution No. 356 commending Al-Basher for his outstanding feats in both national and international chess championships, and providing support for his future development, during its Session No. 55 at the Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City.
The resolution was introduced by principal authors members of the Parliament Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr., Atty. Laisa Alamia, Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Rasul Ismael, and Engr. Don Mustapha Loong.
“One of the goals of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission [BSC] is to actually develop young athletes in the Bangsamoro,” said Atty. Mitmug.
Al-Basher is the the first and youngest Bangsamoro master chess player.-Marlon Bernardino-
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