PH chess prodigy OJ Reyes wins Hybrid National Youth & Schools Chess Championships, earns CNM title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Jun 2021
MANILA, Philippines---PH chess prodigy Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes pocketed the top honors in the Hybrid National Youth & Schools Chess Championships Under 11 division online tournament on Tornelo platform held June 14 to 17, 2021.
The 9-year-old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga, collected nine points on seven wins and four draws to win the 1 hour + 30 seconds increment Standard time control Single Round Robin format.
Thus, Reyes became the country’s newest Candidate National Master (CNM).
The pride of Barangay Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga, Reyes scored victories over John Mark Anarna in the first round, Richard Hardin Alarma in the third round, Jerick Faeldonia in the fourth round, Christian Tolosa in the fifth round, Phil Martin Casiguran in the eight round, Jaymiel Piel in the ninth round and Yosef Immanuel Morada in the tenth round.
He split the point with David Sean Romualdez in the second round, Nathan Maglaya in the sixth round and Jan Carlsen Matencio in the seventh round and Keith Adriane Ilar in the eleventh and final round.
According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Assistant Executive Director for Northern and Central Luzon/International Arbiter Reden Cruz, the outright champion will receive Candidate National Master title plus 2 National Master norms.
Fondly called OJ in the chess world, he needs only 1 NM norm to complete his NM title status.
His next quest is the upcoming Hybrid Grandfinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships Under 10 category to be held on June 24 to 27, 2021.
Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Mr. Jimmy Reyes had something to say to his son OJ:
"I am pleased with the latest achievement of my son (OJ) for bringing honor & pride for our family and as well for the province of Pampanga.
"I am hoping for our youth to be inspired of OJ's achievements. There's no shortcut in success but a continous hardwork in training, perseverance, strong determination and of course Faith in God.
"Congratulations Kuya OJ and to all the winners of the prestigious tournament and good job to all participants who all fought so hard to show their unique talent in chess! Truly there's a bright future in Chess for our country as per what I've observed during the tournament.
I would like to acknowledge and say thank you to all the coaches, trainers, mentors and sponsors who supported and became part of OJ's chess development."
Coaches, trainers and mentors who became part of OJ's chess development were the late Alberto "Mang Palasky" Corria, Levis Miranda, Abel Dimalanta, Juan Rojano, Robin Chico, Jeffrey Pascual, Glenn Hullana Garcia, IM Barlo Nadera, Dale Bernardo, NM Homer Cunanan, NM / AGM Marlon Bernardino, FM / AGM Robert Suelo, CM Genghis Imperial, GM Joey Antonio, GM Jayson Gonzales (OJ's Master Class trainor), WGM Janelle Frayna (OJ's Master Class trainor) , Edward Serrano, Jose "Fer" Camaya, Garry Reyes and Archimedes De Leon.
Sponsors who became part of OJ chess development were Jake Carlos, Ryan Ace Tan, Darwin Isip, Jomar Cayanan and Rico Laxamana.-Marlon Bernardino-
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