09/09/2026
PCCians Battle for Podium at Eastern Asia Chess Championship
HAINAN, China — The podium was within reach for PCC standouts Jenci Rehann Demos and Caiser Charleton So, whose campaigns for Team Philippines at the 10th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships 2026 came down to some of the closest margins of the tournament.
The international championship brought together young chess talents representing Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam, giving the two PCCians an opportunity to test themselves against some of the region’s promising players.
Competing across Rapid, Standard, and Blitz, Demos and So proudly carried the colors of both Team Philippines and the PCC Golden Seagulls on the international stage.
For Caiser, the Boys Under-12 team podium remained within striking distance until the closing rounds. Team Philippines finished fourth in Standard after staying in the bronze-medal race through the final round. The margin became even tighter in Blitz, where the Filipinos finished just half a point behind South Korea for the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Jenci, competing in the Boys Under-16 division, took on a demanding field that included several higher-rated opponents and produced notable results of his own, including wins and draws against stronger-rated competition.
The final standings showed just how small the margins can be at this level. More importantly, the championship provided both young PCCians valuable international experience across three different time controls and against opponents from across the region.
Congratulations, Jenci and Caiser! The podium came close, but the experience, competition, and lessons gained in Hainan provide another important step forward in their development.
Proudly representing Team Philippines and the PCC Golden Seagulls. 🇵🇭♟️💚💛
Let's go, Kiao Tiong!
Soar high, Golden Seagulls!
