by Marlon Bernardino.
PH chess prodigy Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes once again demonstrated why he is one of the country’s top kiddy athletes for his “never-say-die” spirit.
The 9 year old Reyes, a grade 4 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga overcame a 0-4 deficit to eke out a come-from-behind 9-8 win against 10 year old Arnel Mahawan Jr., a grade 4 student of San Rafael Central Elementary School, San Rafael, Bulacan in the Mobile Chess Club Philippines Match Up Series, Blitz Edition, Monday night, May 3, 2021 at lichess.org.
“I had to keep my composure if I had to win this game,” said Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga, who brought down Mahawan, 8-6, last February 5.
Actually, Reyes found himself on the brink of defeat after Mahawan widened his lead from 4-0, 5-1, 8-4, in this race-to-nine wins, draws not counted, 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format, hosted by the dynamic duo Mr. Mark Angelo Godino and Mr. John Ernie Maraan of Mobile Chess Club Philippines featuring the players from Jessie Villasin Cup.
But Reyes won the next four game to level the count at 8 all.
Mahawan had a chance to win the game but overlooked a Knight to g4 sacrifice in the 15th moves of their 17th games allowing Reyes to win the match.
“Luck was on my side until the end,” Reyes referring overlooked a Knight to g4 sacrifice of Mahawan in the 15th moves of their 17th games.
Fondly called OJ in the chess world, the young Reyes will be seeing in action in the semifinals of the National Age Group Chess Championships as well the National Youth & School Championships this month of May according to Jubail, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia based father and coach Jimmy Reyes.
“I did my best but OJ still emerged better,” said Mahawan.
“I look forward to play against Arnel again in the future,” last word of OJ.
OJ is also scheduled to face Yanie Ayesha Estavillo on May 22 and Megan Althea Obrero Paragua on May 29, a chess for a cause project of Bayanihan Chess Club which aims to help needy chess player