Cebu Chess School opens shop

CEBU, Philippines -  The long quest to produce more Cebuano chess masters begins with the formal opening of the Cebu Chess School, a first of its kind in the country, situated at the second floor of Central Books Building along P. del Rosario Street, this city. 

No less than Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa, the highest ranked Philippine-based player with a FIDE rating of 2580, was in attendance as the newest hub for Cebuano disciples of this famous European boardgame opened shop yesterday.

The officials of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) led by their president Engr. Jerry Maratas also graced the ground-breaking event seen as a major boost in the development of chess in this side of the country. 

In establishing the Cebu Chess School, International Master Kim Steven Yap said they want to further harness the raw talents of aspiring pawnpushers in the province, with the ultimate goal of shaping up more masters and Olympians in the future.

So far, Cebu boasts of four chess Grandmasters in Rogelio Barcenilla, Enrico Sevillano, Joseph Sanchez, and Richard Bitoon.

"For a couple of years now, I've been teaching the kids how to play chess in Singapore and I thought to myself why not do it in my own country," said Yap, managing director of CCS. "I know there are a lot of potential players here and it's a big waste if we won't be able to nurture them."

"That's the main reason why we are establishing this Cebu Chess School. We want to develop our homegrown talents, chart a better career path for them, and eventually produce more chess masters," added Yap, a former Shell National Youth Active champion in both the kiddies and juniors division.

The 26-year-old Yap explained that the framework they have laid out for up and coming pawnpushers is patterned after that of the chess program they instituted in Singapore.

"Before training them, we will teach first our students how to love chess. Afterwhich, we will impart on them the fundamentals of the game until they reach a certain level of play. Little by little, we will help them improve their skills and become better players of championship caliber not only here but also in international competitions," said Yap.

To start the ball rolling, Yap has identified a handful of young but promising players to form part of his training squad. Among them are Renzi Kyle Sevillano, Felix Shaun Balbona, Diego Claro, and the seven-year-old Jerish Joy Velarde, the only rose among the thorns.

Meanwhile, Barbosa has lauded the formation of the said school, which is likely a breeding grown of Pinoy chess champions someday.

"Good move etong ginawa nila dahil nakkaatulong ito sa chess dito sa Pilipinas. Kailangan talagang i-develop ang mga bata. Kailangan nating maghanap ng bagong talents," said the 27-year-old Barbosa.

For its part, CEPCA, the longest existing chess association in the Queen City of the South, has expressed its full suport to this noble endeavor.

"We're very happy with this new development in Cebu chess. We're hoping for its success and rest assured CEPCA will give its all-out support to this admirable venture," said Maratas.

True enough, CEPCA will stage its first Kiddies Tournament of the year this Saturday at the Cebu Chess School.

For more details about the Cebu Chess School, interested parties may contact Kim Yap at 414-9877 or 0932-3510816. (FREEMAN)