New ace on the block

MATI, Davao Oriental -- She came here with nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet neophyte Ella Grace Lu Moulic, however, exceeded expectations, including that of her own as she captured the elementary girls chess individual gold at the expense of her more seasoned teammate Hannah Joyce Amoncio.

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The two woodpushers from Davao City tallied perfect five points each at the close of the chess competition at the Mati National Comprehensive High School. But the daughter of Alfred and Edna Moulic nipped Amoncio via a superior tiebreak.

"Lipay ko kaayo. Wala man ko mag-expect mudaug diri. Nag-focus lang ko sa game ug sige lang ko ug ampo (I'm so happy `coz I really didn't expect to become champion. I just focused in my game and prayed a lot)," said the 11-year-old fifth-grader at the Child of God Learning Center in San Vicente, Buhangin.

"I'm offering this to my parents, to God and to the people of Davao. I'm excited to prepare for the Palarong Pambansa. I will do my best to give honor to the region," she added in the vernacular.

Ella started pushing chess pieces when she was six years old as his chess player father taught her the ropes of the sport.

"My father is my personal coach. He plays with me often every early morning and during weekends so I can learn more techniques and improve my skills," said the Nangka Trail, Mahayag, Buhangin resident.

Ella's dad was part of the Davao City team that competed in past National Inter-Cities Chess Team Championships.

A girl with few words, easygoing Ella could only manage to smile or laugh during interviews. But she sure was an intimidation to most of her victims in the regional chessfest.

Ella first competed in the Kadayawan Chess Sportsfest 2005 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Spazio but her beginner's luck didn't work that time.

She, however, bounced back by bagging a gold medal in the 2006 Private Schools Administrators Association of Davao (Prisaad) Games chess competition, scoring 8.5 points in the nine-round Swiss System format event. She defended her title in the 2007 edition of the Games but she settled for the silver a year later. She reclaimed her title at the SM City Events Centre last year.

Ella also enjoys playing PSP and watching television during her spare time, showing that she is like any other ordinary child. But she sure was an intimidation to most of her victims in the regional chessfest here.

She said chess had helped her to be more mature than her age.

"I became more active in mind and body through playing chess. I learned to be more responsible in my studies and of course in my sport as well," she said.

Ella dreams of becoming the first Philippines woman grand master someday and campaign in Europe.

It's interesting to note that she lives by the motto: What is beauty if the brain is empty.

Cheers to that Ella, and congratulations for a job well done.