Battling through months of self-doubt and uncertainty in her game, Davao City’s Woman National Master (WNM) Samantha Babol Umayan staged a stunning turnaround by sweeping all her matches to capture her first-ever open division title at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (Pace) Standard Fide Rated Event - 2000 Under on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Pace in Quezon City.
The 18-year-old BS Psychology sophomore from Far Eastern University (FEU), seeded ninth, delivered a flawless performance with seven wins in the seven-round Swiss System format tournament. Her perfect score edged out Rowell Roque, who settled for second with six points, while Arena Candidate Master (ACM) Joemel Narzabal of Dipolog City and top seed Ricardo Batcho of Caloocan City shared third and fourth places, respectively, with 5.5 points each.
(I am very happy and super grateful to the Lord because he gave me this victory)," Umayan told SunStar Davao in a Messenger interview Monday, June 2, 2025.
(These past few months, I’ve really been doubting myself and my chess, so maybe this is a sign from the Lord to believe in myself more and work harder in training)."
Umayan, who hadn't won a major title since 2022, admitted feeling overwhelmed by the strong competition, but she found clarity and calm by entrusting her performance to her faith. "Pero nung nag start na po yung game, pinagkatiwala ko nalang po kay Lord yung mga laro ko. At yun din po yung nagbigay sa akin ng peace of mind during the tournament (BWhen the games started, I just gave everything to the Lord—and that gave me peace of mind during the tournament)."
Umayan’s path to the title was anything but easy. She pulled off a major upset against top seed Ricardo Batcho in Round 6, then sealed the championship with a win over third seed Robin Ignacio of Quezon City in the final round. Earlier, she also defeated tough opponents like Joemel Narzabal, Zeus Alexis Paglinawan of San Mateo, Bonjoure Fille Suyamin of General Trias, Joyce Rianna Rueda of Minalin, and Joss Ivan Davalan of Taguig.
"Very special po nito sa akin (This is very special to me)," she added. "Ito po yung first championship trophy ko po sa open division, and after ilang years din po ngayon lang ako nag champ ulit, kasi yung last champion ko po ata nung 2022 pa po (It’s my first championship trophy in the open division, and it’s been years since I last became champion)."
She credited her FEU coaches for her preparation, especially lessons learned during the Uaap season. She also kept in mind their constant advice—to not let pressure or nerves get the best of her.
"Yung support din po ng family ko rin. Kaya I want to thank po si Lord talaga, family ko, and FEU chess team po for this win (It was also the support of my family. That’s why I really want to thank the Lord, my family, and the FEU chess team for this win)," Umayan added.
Umayan also expressed deep gratitude to her support system. “I really want to thank the Lord, my family, and the FEU chess team for this win.”
Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s only Woman Grandmaster (WGM), congratulated Umayan in a Facebook post. “Miss Perfect!? 7 out of 7! Congrats to WNM Samantha Umayan for becoming CHAMPION in the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence Pace Fide Rated Event -2000 Below! Your FEU family is always proud of you!” she wrote. MLSA