PH chess wizards Oshrie Jhames Reyes, had a good start in the 20th Asean + Age Group Chess Championships 2019 on Monday at the Golden Mandalay Hotel and Hotel Hazel in Mandalay City, Myanmar.
The Grade 3 pupil of GNC Montessori in Guagua, Pampanga show his mastery in the opening when he checkmated Vietnamese Nguyen Xuan An after 42 moves of French defense, Euwe variation using the white pieces in the Under 8 Open division of the Standard chess competition.
The seven-years-old pride of Dila Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga launched a king's side attack with a magnificent knight sacrifice in the 12th moves in the f7 square to gain an positional advantage.
“It’s a good start for Oshrie Jhames Reyes and the entire Philippine chess team, I hope they can perform well in the 20th Asean Age Group Chess Championships 2019 ,” said Jaime Reyes, an OFW in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, very supportive father of Oshrie Jhames.
Oshrie Jhames next assignment is another Viet Nguyen Manh Duc, winner over compatriot Nguyen Van Nhat Linh.
“The first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said veteran chess player Juan "Jun" Rojano Jr., part of the coaching staff of Oshrie Jhames that includes International Master Barlo Nadera, Levis Miranda, Abel Dimalanta and Genghis Katipunan Imperial.
Herson Bangay of Lipa City, Batangas and Phil Martin Casiguran of Caloocan City also opened with wins in the Under 8 Open division of the Standard chess competition.
Bangay, one of the top players of Goldenmind Chess Club under the leadership of Alexandro "Allan" Osena subdued Tin Myo Linn of Myanmar while Casiguran nipped Tran Bao Minh of Vietnam. Bangay will face Nguyen Nghia Gia Binh of Vietnam in Round 2 while Casiguran opposite Ha Minh Tung of Vietnam.
Other opening day round winners that includes Al-Basher Buto of Cainta, Rizal (U10), Oscar Joseph Cantala of General Trias City, Cavite (U12), Gio Troy Ventura of Dasmarinas City, Cavite (U12), Mark Jay Bacojo (U14) of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Jerish John Dalde Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (U-14), Leonel Escote (U16) of Cavite, Clyde Harris Saraos of Cagayan de Oro City (U16), FM Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Manila (U18), Istraelito Rilloraza of Las Pinas City (U18), Christian Mark Daluz of Bicol (U18), IM John Marvin Miciano of Davao City (U20), NM John Merill Jacutina of Quezon City (U20), John Marx Anastacio of Mangaldan, Pangasinan (U20), Jhoemar Mendiogarin of Calamba City, Laguna (U20) and Melito Ocsan Jr. of Makati City (U20).
Meanwhile, Jean Antoinette Brade of Quezon City, Zhaoyu Capilitan of Cagayan de Oro City and Daniella Bianca Cruz of Malolos City, Bulacan toppled their respective rivals in the Girls Under-8 division.
Also in the winning circle are Bonjoure Fille Suyamin of General Trias City, Cavite (G10), Kaye Lalaine Regidor of Santa Rosa City, Laguna (G10), WFM Antonella Berthe Racasa of Mandaluyong City (G12), Jersey Marticio of Cabuyao City, Laguna (G12), Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro City (G12), Daren Dela Cruz of Dasmarinas City, Cavite (G12), Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Kalinga-Apayao (G14), Ma. Elayza Villa of Mandaluyong City (G16), Ruth Joy Vinuya of Ilagan, Isabela (G16), Mary Joy Tan of Makati City (G16), Francois Marie Magpily of Makati City (G18), Vic Glysen Derotas of Cebu (G18), WFM Allaney Jia Doroy of Surigao de Sur (G20), Viona Nepascua of Pampanga (G20) and Sara Francine Olendo of Dumaguete City.
The Filipinos campaign in Myanmar Asean + Age Group chess meet would be possible with the undying support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's Chairman/President Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Arreza "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th District Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Ng Tolentino Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-