MANILA---NAGPAKITANG gilas ang Pampanga woodpushers matapos dominahin ang 2022 National Age Group Chess Championships -Grand Finals na ginanap mula Hulyo 19 hanggang 24, 2022 sa Robinsons Place, Malolos, Bulacan kung saan ay punong abala si mayor Christian "Agila" Natividad.
Si National Master Oshrie Jhames Reyes ng Santa Rita, Pampanga ang naghari sa Under-12 Open category habang nag reyna naman si Woman National Master April Joy Claros ng Angeles City, Pampanga sa Under-16 Girls division at nangibabaw naman si Woman National Master Lexie Grace Hernandez ng Candaba, Pampanga sa Under-18 Girls bracket.
Ang triumvirate ang kakatawan sa bansa sa Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Sa awesome display ng chess prowess ay giniba ni chess prodigy NM Reyes si Pat Ferdolf Macabulos ng Bataan sa eleventh at final round at ungusan si National Master Al Basher "Basty" Buto ng Cainta, Rizal sa tie break points tungo sa pagkopo sa gold medal sa Under-12 Open category.
Ang 11 years old Reyes na grade 5 pupil ng Ezee, Guagua at incoming grade 6 student ng Santa Rita College ay nakakolekta ng 9.0 points mula sa account 8 wins, 2 draws at 1 loss, iskor ding naitala ni NM Buto an kanyang tinalo sa tie break points.
Habang ang 15 years old Claros na grade 10 student ng FEU Diliman ay tabla kay Angel Nheazy Nicol Po ng Imus, Cavite sa final canto tungo sa pag-uwi sa gold medal sa Under-16 Girls division na may 9.5 points.
Bida din si 16 years old Hernandez na incoming grade 11 Senior High School student ng National University na pinayuko si Prince Louise Oncita ng Pasig City sa last round para mahablot ang gold medal sa Under-18 Girls category na may 10.0 points, angat ng isang puntos kina runner-up place Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian ng Apayao at third placer Woman National Master Rinoa Mariel Sadey ng Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija na may tig 9.0 points.
Nagbigay naman ng pahayag si Pampanga Chess God Father at Bayanihan Chess Club board of director Jaime "Jimmy" Reyes sa mga Pampanga's Young Chess Masters.
"Congrats To our very own chess national master NM Oshrie Jhames Constantino Reyes for winning the crown in the recently concluded today (Sunday) National Age Group Chess Grand Finals ( under 12 open category).
After excruciating but exciting week, July 19-24 , held at Robinson’s place, Malolos Bulacan, 1-5 hrs per game, fighting bravely with all your heart with deep focus and concentration , finally you made it ! You earned your ticket to Thailand to represent our dear country in the upcoming Eastern age group chess championship.
All contenders from all parts of the Philippines archipelago are all competitive! One mistake and surely loss , no room for any mistakes.
Also I would like to congratulate our very own young Pampangas pride, Chess National Masters WNM Lexie Hernandez and WNM April Joy Villapaña Claros for winning the crown as well in their respective age group category.
We are so proud of all your accomplishments. It’s a great pride for our Balen Kapampangan."
Ang Tournament Director ay si NCFP CEO GM Jayson Gonzales habang ang Chief Arbiter ay si IA Reden Cruz.