Banawa, rules National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Jun 2026
Jodiel Chloe Banawa, a Filipino chess prodigy, won the title via tie break at the end of the Standard competition of the 2026 National Age Group Chess Championship Under 8 Girls division in Olongapo City on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Banawa joins first to fourth placers Chiara Vida Florendo of Zamboanga City, Alaia Callie Rizare of Rosario, Batangas and Zein Akee Fordan of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, who tallied 5.0 points apiece in a 60 minutes with 30 seconds increment time control format, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., supported by the Local Government Unit of Olongapo City, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
With the highest tiebreak point, Banawa took home the title, Florendo finished second, Rizare settled for third while Fordan ended up fourth.
Banawa, daughter of International Master Joel Banawa,
defeated Fordan in the first round, Audrey Rania Macapagal of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija in the second round, Naomi Abing of Baguio City in the third round, and Florendo in the fourth round.
She was beaten by Rizare in the fifth and final round but still declared overall champion by virtue of higher tie break points.
"I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in the Philippines and nearby provinces as well those from Metro Manila joined the tournament," the 5-year-old resident of Alicia, Isabela said in an interview on Sunday.
"I would like to thank my father, my mother and Alicia, Isabela Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro for supporting my participation in this event,' she added.
Supported by Alicia, Isabela Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro, the Incoming grade 1 pupil of San Juan Elementary School, Alicia Isabela, Banawa will represent the country in the 2026 ASEAN Age Group + Chess Championships to be held on August 7 to 17, 2026 in Singapore. (Marlon Bernardino)
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