by Marlon Bernardino.
Filipino chess wizard Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes stunned an elite field to capture the second Qualifying Leg of the GM Eugene Torre Cup Search For Kid Grandmaster Kiddies U-12 Chess Championship on Sunday, March 21.
The nine-year-old Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga Reyes, grade 4 pupil of EZEE Guagua, Pampanga swept all his opponents to rule the one-day, seven-round event, organized by BATCH (Barangays Achieving Through Chess) Chess Club Inc. headed by former NCFP director Eduardo “Ed” Madrid in cooperation with National Arbiters Boyet Tindugan Tardecilla and Francis Ramos.
Reyes scored victories over Hans Lee Villorente of Pandan, Antique after 27 moves French defense in the first round, Neo Kervy Dublin of Nabas, Aklan after 22 moves of Sicilian defense in the second round, Jian Carlo Rivera of Rodriguez, Rizal after 54 moves of London System Opening in the third round, Kate Gener of General Santos City after 29 moves of Queen’s Pawn Game in the fourth round, Cassey Miguel Tabamo of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental after 35 moves of Slav defense in the fifth round, Maria Kristine Lavandero of Cebu City after 65 moves of Gruenfeld defense in the sixth round and Jacob Villaceran of Binangonan, Rizal after 45 moves of Slav defense in the seventh and final round.