CHESS WIZARD. Zamboangueño chess wizard John Cyrus Borce focuses on his moves as he competes in the chess championships in Thailand from June 17 to 27, 2023. Borce, 14, won two silver medals in the team competition of Under 18 Open-Standard and Rapid Events and a bronze medal in the Blitz event. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Sports Division Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboangueño chess wizard John Cyrus Borce is making waves in the international arena as he won a bronze and two silver medals in the Thailand chess championships.
Dr. Cecile Atilano, city sports division chief, said Thursday the 14-year-old Borce won two silver medals in the team competition of Under 18 Open-Standard and Rapid events.
Borce also won a bronze medal in the Blitz event. He is a resident of Barangay Lunzuran here and is enrolled at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Both events were held during the 21st ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand from June 17 to 27.
“Borce who holds a National Master Title has competed in previous international competitions and contributed a lot to the achievement of the Philippine team,” Atilano said in a statement.
She said the Philippines finished second in the ASEAN Age Group championships, held after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The event was participated by 328 players from 15 countries including Brunei, China, FIDE (Russia), Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Earlier this week, the city government recognized Ryan Jakiri, a bronze medalist in the men’s combat 65 kilograms Kin Bokator event during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last May. (PNA)
