Bangsamoro Sports Commission pledges support for young Maranao chess prodigy

The Bangsamoro Sports Commission (BSC) has pledged its support for 10-year-old chess prodigy Al-Basher “Basty” Buto.

“Rest assured that we (BSC) will extend our support, in whatever means necessary, to Basty (and other talents that we have in Bangsamoro) in further developing his potential and his eventual attainment of Chess Grandmaster,” BSC chairperson Nu-man Caludtiag said in a statement issued on Dec. 3.

Buto is a Maranao and son of Jamellah and Bong Buto from Marawi City.

BSC said Buto brought consistent honor and pride to the Bangsamoro community and the country as a whole for dominating chess games both local and global competitions.

The chess wizard has been participating in chess tournaments since the age of five, and has scored gold medals in different countries, including the 13th Asian Schools Chess Championship in China and 8th Asean Age Group Chess Championship in Malaysia in 2017.

He is also part of the Philippine team that competed at the Fide Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Championships from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3, 2020.

The team, which had 15 other Filipino players, including International Master Daniel Quizon and Woman International Master Kylen Mordido, Jerlyn Mae San Diego, and Franiel Magpily, was coached by First Asian Grandmaster Eugene Torre.

Buto is set to represent the Philippines in a 140-nation tournament in Georgia, United States, on Dec. 11. – RC, GMA News