by Marlon Bernardino

A ten years-old whiz kid from Escalante City, Negros Occidental will seeing in action in the upcoming 18th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships slated on November 25 to December 4, 2017 at the Grand Darul Makmur Hote, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.

Dwyane Ermeo-Pahaganas, a grade 5 pupil of Escalante Central Elementary School will lead the strong Filipino age group contingent that includes Al-Basher Buto,  Antonella Berthe Murillo Racasa , Daren Dela Cruz, Queenie Mae Samarita, Cedric Kahlel Abris, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog, Brylle Gever Vinluan, Mecel Angela Gadut, Justine Diego Mordido, Mark Jay Bacojo among others backed up by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission.

" I hope to do well in this International Age Group tournament," said the smiling Pahaganas, who won two silver and a bronze during the 2015 Asean Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore.

He also won silver during this years 2017 National Age Group Chess Championships boys 10 and under which topped by Cedric Kahlel Abris of Mandaluyong City.

Pahaganas, who started playing chess at a very young age of four, learned the virtues of discipline and proper time management.

He plays chess at least one hour daily either before or after he reviews his lessons. Her mom, Cristy Ermeo-Pahaganas, who is a school teacher, attends to his academics while his Papa Fritz Pahaganas, an electrician, develops his knowledge of the game with the help of his school chess coach Handom Tuanzon and school teacher Elizabeth Villar.

His mother revealed that part of his training is playing chess in blitz, solving chess puzzles and reviewing the game of Cuban World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca.

His local and International tournament would be possible because of the undying support of his main benefactor Escalante City, Negros Occidental mayor Eddie Montero.

Prior to his departure in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, Pahaganas also played in a sparring session with former Asian Inter Collegiate silver medallist National Master Romeo Alcodia of Baras, Rizal.

The young Pahaganas who love playing basketball in his free time want to follow the foot step of World's Youngest Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, also the pride of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, Asia's First GM Eugene Torre of Iloilo and World Chess Champion contender Wesley So, who hails from Bacoor City, Cavite.-Marlon Bernardino-