Small wonder
Magbanua eyes Shell national chess title
DI MINUTIVE first-time grand finalist Wesley Jovan Magbanua of Davao City will not settle for anything else but the title of the 25th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships (SNYACC) slated at the Music Hall of Mall of Asia in Pasay City next month.
The 12-year-old Grade 7 student of Jose Maria College (JMC), who stands 4'2", recently clinched the Davao leg kiddies crown at The Annex Events Center of SM City Davao, winning eight matches and drawing one in the nine-round Swiss System format competition.
"Mag-champion, mao gyud akong target maski first time pa nako makasulod sa national finals (I am aiming for the championship even if it's my first time to reach the nationals)," Magbanua said in an interview with Sun.Star Davao after claiming his prizes of trophy and cash prize from Shell.
The Dabawenyo, however, said he will have to keep training for the upcoming finals that will also serve as the last installment of the annual tournament since Shell management reportedly plans to hold other corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities instead of continuing the chess event that has helped in producing the country's several grand masters, international masters and national masters over the past 25 years.
The younger son of Wilson, a pastor, and Eleonor, a housewife, learned playing chess at age five while watching his older brother Wendel Jay compete. He eventually was lured into the sport and tested his mettle in numerous tournaments, collecting titles and runner-up finishes most of the time.
Topping the Davao edition, he said, was a blessing from the Lord.
He also said, "Happy kaayo ko, akoa najud ning time. Naningkamot ra jud ko nagpray ko kay God (I'm very happy, this is really my time to win this. I really did my best and also prayed to God)."
The grand finals stint is expected to be a memorable experience for the little boy who will ride the plane for the first time. But he will focus on his goal, saying, "Dapat kondisyon lang ko dili ko magsakit para sa dula (I need to be healthy and fit for the tournament)."
Magbanua also said that he will rely on coach Ruel Modina on his preparations for the biggest battle of his amateur chess career.
He, however, was saddened that SNYACC will end after the grand finals. He hopes that more chess tournaments will be held for the benefit of young players like him.