One move at a time

I am a regular at the city’s malls for errands, movies or to work quietly in coffee shops or food courts. You can concentrate on writing or grading papers while ignoring the crowd and noise swirling around you.

But on Wednesday morning this week at the Megamall, it was hard to ignore the buzz of people gathering at the Activity Center near the Food Court on the ground floor.  The Philippine national anthem played and a few like me who heard it immediately stood up. I don’t understand why others ignore their national anthem and stay glued to their seats like it’s just another song that’s playing.

Out of curiosity, I walked over to the activity from the dining area where I was writing. I discovered a delightful gathering of close to 200 boys and girls all raring to move the chess pieces on the boards.  It was the 21st Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship.  The NCR leg was unfolding and would play for two days before proceeding to Batangas, Cebu and Davao.

I always knew that Shell had such a program and it’s great to know that it has gone on for over two decades now.  There are two divisions, one for kids ages 7 to 14 and a junior division for those 20 and below.  The tournament is for non-titled players and bona fide students.

Family, friends and school are the usual influences for young people to start a sport.  Take Mark for example, 14, a junior at Rizal High School.  His classmates started him on the game by, as he said, “laro laro lang” (just playing around) but chess has obviously grown on him.  “Gusto ko pong maging champion,” (I want to be a champion) Mark added and explained that he’s now working on mastering chess openings.

Beside Mark was Sherwin, 8, a fourth-grader in Pasig.  Sherwin couldn’t wait for the opening ceremony speeches to end so he could punch his chess clock and start moving his pieces.  He got hooked when he just happened to walk into a chess clinic in school.  Sherwin is really into the game as he explained to me the opening he has mastered and plans to use in the tournament.

Then there are the Lobiano sisters from Sison, Pangasinan.  We chatted with Dyan first, 15, an incoming high school senior.  She and 17-year-old sister Sabel were influenced by a father and family that loved the game.  They’ve played against each other in tournaments before but it’s their first time to enter the Shell matches.

Dyan explained that “ang chess ay may koneksyon sa buhay.  Tuturuan ka nitong mag-adjust at mag-bounce back pag natatalo ka” (Chess has a connection with life.  It teaches you to adjust and bounce back if you lose).  Dyan doesn’t sound so young and it’s clear that chess has taught her more than just a game.

Let’s hope that more private firms organize sports programs for the youth like that of Shell’s. A viable sports undertaking does not need all that much money but only the creativity and passion of organizers.

We can change sports and form the youth of this country one game and even one move at a time.