I grew up with a family who was fond of playing chess. Both of my late mother and father were very good chess players although they only play at home, along with my 8 siblings they never had the chance to play like a professional player, I mean those who will play in chess tournaments.
Not for me, because when I was first Year College I was chosen to be the first year level representative for the chess tournament during the schools intramurals.
I admit I am not that good in playing chess but during that time I was the only one who at least know how to do the basics so they sent me to the tournament, there were four contenders, one representative each year level.
I could not remember it right but I think I got the third place so still need more training in order to win more battle. But playing chess did not become one of my hobbies and skills. So that was my very first and last game, although I play at home once in a while.
After so many years here comes my two little kids who unknowingly become engrossed with playing chess. One is 13 years old and the other is 8. I can see so much potential in them that I enrolled them in chess training. So after school, they have to attend training for 1 to 2 hours every day.
For just about a week of training, there was an invitation for them to join a chess tournament. It was an open tournament with players from different places in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon and a lot from our city Cagayan de Oro.
So their first was a disaster haha, I pity them being left there with opponents much much older than them. I could not remember the name of the tournament but it was a mixed game, little kids to play with matured ones and vice versa.
So what would I expect, they lose every game they played during that tournament, as I see it, most of their opponents were already experts and had joined tournaments from different places. As I’ve said it was an open tournament so they get to play with players older than them like 30 to 40 years old.
Partly I regret I let them join that tournament but I just consider it as their training grounds, I encouraged them to train more and do good the next time around.
So here comes the second tournament they participated in. This time they will play with players their age. The categories were much defined so I can see they have better chances of winning.
And I proved it right, both of them played well especially my 8 years old son. He got a 3 straight win and 1 draw.
The second time around was a memorable one, I know that experience will remain in their mind and hearts till they grow up, and they seem to learn a lot of things already.
Unfortunately, that was their last because they became so busy at school until the covid19 pandemic came, there’s no more chance for them to be able to play outdoor and on tournaments.
I am hoping when this pandemic will end they could go back playing chess and participate in chess tournaments.
Hopefully soon…
ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE.
Please visit my previous blogs:
| Tale of an OFW and our visit to the tallest building in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | @long888/tale-of-an-ofw-and-our-visit-to-the-tallest-building-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia |  |
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