2nd National Age Group starts

Based on the latest calendar of events released by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the 2nd National Age Group competition starts today at the Victory Central Mall in Caloocan City to determine the country's bets to the World Youth Chess Championships which will be held on November 11 to 23 in Antalya, Turkey.

The 1st National Age Group was held in Kalibo, Aklan last April whose winners represented the Philippines to the 10th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships held last June in Vietnam. There, the 25-man RP Team finished second overall out of seven countries after producing a total of 48 medals (4 gold, 28 silver, 16 bronze).

10th ASEAN Age-Group Gold Medalists:

Cherry Ann Mejia (Standard Girls 14 Individual)

Paulo Bersamina (Rapid Open 12 Individual)

Austin Jacob Literatus (Rapid Open 12 Individual)

Samantha Glo Revita (Rapid Girls 10 Individual)

But unlike in the 10th ASEAN age-grouper where two players were chosen for each age group category, this time in the 2nd National Age Group only the champion, or only one player, will be selected per age group. Therefore, it would mean a leaner Philippine delegation competing in a much tougher world competition.

I don't know if the Philippines has already won a gold medal for an individual for an age group category. As far as I can remember, GM Wesley So won gold for Board 1 (a team competition) during the World Youth Under 16 Chess Olympiad in Turkey. GM So teamed up with Haridas Pascua, Alcon John Datu and Jan Emmanuel Garcia. Their team placed third.

Let's all hope and pray for our young heroes. May the best kid win!