A talented team of young chess players showed the bright future of Philippine chess by shining in the Rapid Event in the 18th Asian Schools Chess Championships, held 1-11 December 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The team, consisting of WNM Millery Gen Subia from Cabanatuan City, Mary Janelle Tan from Cagayan De Oro City, and Elle Castronuevo from the City of Cavite, showcased their skills in the Under-11 Girls Rapid Event, finishing behind powerhouse teams from China and India, who took home the gold and silver medals, respectively.
The competition was fierce, with over 40 countries participating in this prestigious tournament. The Philippine team outperformed several other notable competitors, including teams from Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, etc. According to WNM Millery Gen Subia, also the team captain and an elementary student at Wesleyan University Philippines, the victory was a significant achievement given the strength of their opponents. She expressed gratitude for the support they received:
“We are fortunate to win the bronze because it is not easy to win in this international tournament as many of our competitors are much stronger and winners in world chess cadet and world age group competitions”.
The team emphasized their appreciation for the contributions of parents, relatives, chess friends, teachers, classmates, supporters, sponsors, local government units (LGUs), schools, and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and Philippine Sports Commission. Their collective support played a crucial role in their success at the championships.-Marlon Bernardino-