Playing without a single loss, Bruce Wren Tatad, a child prodigy emerged as a champion of the U-8 Boys division of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines 2026 National Age-Group Chess Championships held at SM City Olongapo over the weekend.
Representing Tanza, Cavite, Tatad, a seven year old chess wizard, one of the top players of Master Chess Academy, playing under the guidance of Tanza Mayor Archangelo "SM" B. Matro and his coach International Master Hamed Nouri, delivered an impressive undefeated performance, scoring 6.5 points out of 7 rounds in the Standard Chess event to capture the championship title.
With the win, Tatad has a right to represent the country in the 24th ASEAN + Age-Group Chess Championships to be held on August 7 to 17, 2026 at Our Tampines Hub in Singapore.
"I am happy with my performance," said Tatad, a Grade 3 pupil of Sampaguita Elementary School in Paradahan, Tanza , Cavite.
"Congratulations,Bruce Wren Tatad, on this outstanding achievement and for bringing pride to Tanza, Cavite," said Coach IM Nouri.
Tatad scored five straight wins against Jz Luke Gacutan of Victoria Tarlac (Round 1), Samuel Seth Enghog of Pasig City (Round 2), Carl Ernest Apolinario of Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija (Round 3), Summer Stealth Diaz of Caloocan City (Round 4), and Raschad Jhollier Carlsen Pahamtang of Lipa City, Batangas (Round 5) before drawing his sixth and penultimate round game against Gael Adam Navarro of Mandaluyong City.
He beat Orion Kit Paredes of Subic, Zambales in the seventh and final round.
Navarro landed at second place with 6.0 points, while Pahamtang settled for third with 5.5 points.
Meantime, Tatad finished in second place in the Rapid division. -Marlon Bernardino-
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