Nine-year-old Filipino Rensel Matthew Bacuyag retained his crown in the Canadian Chess Challenge Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Final 2026 at Rennies River Elementary, St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada on March 28, 2026.
Bacuyag, who holds an online chess title of FIDE Master, bested all his opponents to dominate the tournament for the second time.
"I am happy with my performance," said Bacuyag, a grade 4 student of Hazelwood Elementary School.
In five rounds, Bacuyag scored victories over Thomas Kearsey, Danylo Litvin, Fijinoluwa Oluwatosin, Aimee Wang and Tony Quang.
Bacuyag, whose family is from Lal-lo town in Cagayan province, is being trained by FIDE Master Noel dela Cruz in preparation for the nationals in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada this May.
Bacuyag also represented St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador during the 2025 finals in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
His father, Roselle Bacuyag, who supports his son’s chess campaigns, lauded his son’s achievements.
"Congratulations to our son, Arena Fide Master Rensel Matthew Bacuyag, for winning the NL Provincial Chess Championship at the grade 4 level for 2 consecutive years with a perfect score of 5-0,” he said.
“Thank you, Lord, for the gift of talent. Thank you to all past coaches and his present coach, Fide Master Noel Dela Cruz. See you at the nationals."