Saturday, February 17, 2007 Zamboangueña stude is Asian school fest chess champ
She hoped and dreamt, but never seriously thought that she would emerge as the champion in the recently concluded 2nd Asian School Festival held in Singapore last month.
Eibtizam Nahuddan, fondly called by her friends as Eibs, fought hard to reach her dreams, and luckily her sacrifices paid off.
Eibs recalled she was hoping to get the championship but was not expecting to win because she knows there are lots of good contenders.
But at "the end of the day," she bested all other 12 representatives of participating countries and was able to bring home a fulfilled dream -- Asia's chess champ.
Tough elimination
Eibs recalled how she managed to balance her study and her dream when she went to Manila for the elimination round for the 2nd Asian School Festival. She brought all her schoolbooks with her when she went to Manila, hoping she could study a bit while participating for the elimination because her school will be having its regular periodical exams, when she comes back to Zamboanga.
Eibs, 13 years old, a grade six graduating student of Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City will soon graduate as second honorable mention.
Eibs said there were quite a number of student-participants coming from prestigious schools all over the Philippines who joined in the elimination.
She said she was not the champion in the elimination round and was only one of the finalists.
"Hindi ako nag champion sa elimination kaya kami ng Mama ko ang gumastos para sa pamasahe namin papuntang Singapore (My Mom and I spent for our fare in going to Singapore, because I was only a finalist and not the champion during the Philippine elimination round)."
Eibs said only the champion in the elimination round is entitled to free ticket and accommodation for the 2nd Asian School Festival in Singapore.
Singapore battle
It was in Singapore where the real "battle" was.
Eibs said she played with the individual level dubbed as "Under 13 Category."
When asked if there were special techniques, moves or defense she used against her opponents, she flatly said, "Wala po. Basta po nag-iisip na lang po ako nang mabuti kung ano ang depensa ko laban sa mga moves nila at kung paano ko sila matatalo (I did not apply any. I just thought hard of my defense against their moves and how to win the game.)"
Eibs said she won most of her games when she played in the black position or using the black pieces. She said she finds it advantageous when she plays "black" because it gives her ample time to think and prepare for her move and that of her opponent.
In a nine-round Swiss System game format, Eibs got an overall points of 6.5, which led her to victory over 12 other foreign countries. Eibs won the most coveted title as the overall champion in the "under 13 category," women's individual division.
Surprisingly, Eibs, a mere finalist in the elimination round held in Manila, turned out to be the champion in the 2nd Asian School Festival.
Eibs not only brought honor to Zamboanga City but to the country.
Eibs received a medal, certificate and is now qualified to play or join in any international chess tournament.
Father's dream
Eibs, who has been playing chess since she was three years old, said she dreams of becoming a chess grandmaster and will continue playing until she becomes one.
Her father, who is fond of the chess game, inspired her.
"Lahat po kami sa bahay naglalaro ng chess, pati Mama at dalawang ate ko (All of us in the family play chess, including my Mom and my two sisters)," she revealed.
Eibs said, "binigay ko sa Papa ko ang kanyang pangarap" (I gave my father his dream).
Eibs recounted how her father wanted so much to become a chess champion when he was young. "Proud talaga siya sa akin (he's really proud of me)," Eibs said with a wide smile on her face.
Eibs received P60,000 from the Zamboanga City local government as cash incentive. The grant of the said amount is pursuant to Ordinance No. 267, which provides cash incentives for winners in the local, national and international sports competitions.
The young lass said she would use the money to buy herself a laptop and save some for her education. (PIA)
