National Master Keith Ilar of King’s Gambit Online Chess School made heads turn after winning three chess tournaments in the last two weeks.

Ilar, 13, first made his presence felt after sharing the top honors with FIDE Master Ellan Asuela and National Master johnnel Balquin in the Kaamulan Festival Open Chess Tournament in Bukidon.

He followed it up with two individual gold medals in the Tri-Meet to qualify for the NMVRAA and move one step closer to earning a berth in the Palarong Pambansa High School Division.

As if it was not enough, he also topped the Kasilay Open Chess tournament in Cagayan de Oro after stunning Asuela in the last round to finish with 6.5 points for the trophy.

"I'm so happy and proud of Keith.  He has been working super hard the past months and the results are now showing. Bigger things are coming for him,” said King's Gambit Founder and Coach Richard Villaseran.  

“I'm happy with my performnces. I'm just following Coach Richard Villaseran's training program consisting of attending his lessons and sparring with very strong players,” Ilar said.

Ilar is using these tournaments as part of his preparation for the National Age Group, National Youth, National Juniors, and Race to Singapore Juniors tournaments, as well as some international tournaments in the coming months.