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National Master Oscar Joseph "OJ" Cantela of General Trias, Cavite bagged the gold medal in the Open 16-under division on Sunday, August 27, at the 12th Dato' Tan Chin Nam Foundation Open Rapid Age-Group Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Cantela scored 5.5 points in six rounds to rule the tournament.

Oscar Joseph 'OJ' Cantela (right) receives the silver medal for placing second best in board 1 at the SMS Deen Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

He defeated Jaishivan Sivanesan Paranam of Malaysia in the first round, Zhen Sean Ong of Malaysia in the second round, Yu Hang Koay of Malaysia in the third round and compatriots Kaye Lalaine Regidor of Santa Rosa City, Laguna and Christian Mendoza of Antipolo City in the fourth and fifth rounds.

He, however, drew with Ishaan Quan Tze Navaratnam of Malaysia in the sixth and final round.

It was a total domination for the visiting Filipinos as Mendoza bagged the silver and Regidor captured the bronze in the division.

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The 15-year-old Cantela, a grade 11 student of Far Eastern University Diliman, also claimed the board 1 silver medal in the SMS Deen Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship 2023 held on August 25-26 also in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Cantela, who was part of the ASEAN Chess Academy U16 Big Boys Team, scored 8.0 points in the 9-round Swiss system tournament.

He opened his campaign with a win over Jia-Tien Chua of Malaysia then followed it with victories over Wei Jun Peong of Malaysia, Chen Xi Koh of Malaysia, Woman FIDE Master Qurota`ain Khadijah of Iran, International Master Chee-Meng Jimmy Liew of Malaysia, Shan Wen Tin of Malaysia, Thamil Chelvan Poovendtiran of Malaysia and Guo Hao Ng of Malaysia.

His only loss was against Zhe Kang Law of Malaysia in the seventh round. Cantela, meanwhile, is set to compete in the World Youth Chess Championships to be held on November 12 to 25 in Montesilvano, Italy.

He is also scheduled to see action in the Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Rapid Chess Championships on September 30 at the Open Kitchen Food Hall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City.

Cantela, whose chess campaign is supported by Gen. Trias City councilor Jesseboy Remulla Grepo, aims to raise his current chess standard rating of 1864 to more than 2000 before the year ends and earn the titles of FIDE Master and International Master in the near future.

The young and promising Filipino woodpusher also thanked his parents for their unceasing support.

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Cantela wins gold in 16-under chess tournament in Malaysia - The Manila Times