“OJ” Reyes dominates PACE chess tournament


by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—National Master Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes of Santa Rita, Pampanga,  scored seven straight points to tally 8.5 points and capture the 3rd Leg of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE)  Online Chess Championship. The 9-round event with 3 minutes and 2 seconds increment per move was held at Lichess.org Platform last Sunday, October 17, 2021.

The ten year old Reyes, a Grade 5 student of EZEE, Guagua, Pampanga topped the 26 player field which attracted all students of Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence under the guidance of Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna.

Ten year old Quarl Maverick Vera Cruz, a Grade 5 student of Balingoan Central School of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental placed second with 7 points while Philip Gregory Pe, 11 years old, a Grade 6 student of Xavier School, San Juan City came third with 6.5 points.

It shall be recalled that Reyes earned the title of the country’s youngest National Master (NM) after winning the 2021 National Age Group Hybrid Chess Championships Grandfinals Under-10 division held online via the Tornelo platform from June 26 to 29, 2021.

OJ’s local and international chess tournament were made possible by the undying support of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta Pineda, Pampanga Vice- Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Pampanga 2nd district Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon.

According to Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Mr. Jaime “Jimmy” Reyes, father and coach of OJ, his son’s next tournament will be the Asian Youth Chess Championships on October 29-31, 2021.

OJ is also the top player of PCAP’s Pampanga Checkers squad