Tyrhone James Tabernilla and Jaymiel Piel flexed their might and ruled their respective categories in the 8th Eastern Asian Youth Chess Championship at Cititel Hotel in Penang, Malaysia Saturday, July 20.

Tabernilla, 16, bested teammate Keith Adriane Ilar to reign supreme in the open under-16 category with seven points on five wins and four draws.

He finished a half a point ahead of Mongolia’s Burentsegsh Aldar and China’s Lin Dianqi, who had 6.5 points apiece.

Piel, for his part, downed Malaysian Shen Ree Herng to top the open under-14 division by notching six wins and three draws for 7.5 points ahead of Malaysian Kavin Mohan (7 points) and Mongolian Ganganbars Zev (6.5 points).

The triumphs earned Tabernilla, an Imus City native, a FIDE Master title and an International Master norm, while Peil gained an FM title.

Prior to Tabernilla’s last-round victory, Tabernilla claimed the scalps of China’s Junze Chen, Malaysia’s Wei Yang Lim, Aldar and teammate Io Aristotle Nikolai Calica.

He settled for draws against Malaysia’s Feng Wei Ferris Lim, Hong Kong’s Wang Ip Boris Chan, Vietnam’s Huynh Le Minh Hoang and Lin.

So far, both chessers have improved to above 1900 after each earning a whopping more than 100 rating points due to their exceptional efforts.

Also coming through with a podium finish was Lila Alyssa Serina, who had a bizarre final-round bye to claim third place with 6.5 points.

She actually ended up tied for second with Mongolian Dorjsuren Tselmuun but the latter took second place via win-over-the-other rule since the Filipina lost to her in the seventh round.

Malaysian Mohd Afif Ainul Mardihiah took solo first with 7.5 points.