I wrote about The Power of Onsite Chess Competitions for Kids previously on this blog. I shared in that post that my boys joined a chess tournament on-site again for the first time after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In that tournament, my two younger boys did not win any medals or anything. They were still happy and grateful that they got to compete in chess over the board. Of course, I told them that if they would keep on practicing and studying, obey their coaches, and pray, maybe, they could win in the next over-the-board chess tournament that they will join.

True enough, that’s what happened in the second over-the-board chess tournament that our children joined last July.

It was the 1st CEFAG Elementary & High School Students Invitational Chess Team Tournament. We were grateful to have found out about this tournament because it was relatively near our place. Although my husband could not drive us to the event place because he had a previously scheduled meeting, we got to find a driver who could bring us to the venue.

Unlike the first over-the-board chess tournament at Robinson’s Galleria where only two of our children joined, here, all our three children chose to compete. Our two younger children formed one team and competed in the Elementary Division. My eldest child teamed up with another homeschooler who is also in high school and they joined the High School Division of this tournament.

It was a wonderful time for all of us! Our family got to see our friends from the chess community whom we had not seen in a long time during the pandemic. We met them and became acquainted with them when our kids started joining chess tournaments before the pandemic. So, we were all happy to see each other again.

The kids were also happy to, finally, meet some of the kids from Homeschoolers’ Chess Club PH, our club where we have organized online chess tournaments almost monthly since the pandemic started.

The participants confirmed their registration upon arriving at the venue and the pairings were done. After that, the represented schools and their participants had the Parade of Colors at Immaculate Heart of Mary College’s gym. This was followed by the opening ceremonies where I also led the invocation.

As soon as the ceremonies were done, the 1st Round started. Our eldest who was competing in the High School Category won his first game. His teammate also won. Our two younger boys lost in the 1st Round. Then, the 2nd Round followed before the lunch break. This time, our younger boys both won their games.

We all had our lunch at the school’s cafeteria. My husband arrived also during the lunch break and had lunch there.

The Third Round started right after the lunch break.

After the 4th Round, our two younger kids in the Elementary Division were tied with the kids from another school’s gifted class in 3rd Place.

It was both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for all of us! I always remind my boys to pray first before starting each round and to also pray after, especially when they win their game.

Our boys in the Elementary Division split their games. Our middle child, Mateo, won his game. But our youngest lost. The same thing happened for my eldest son’s team. he won his last game but his teammate lost.

But when we checked the results, our boys in the Elementary Division won 3rd Place! What a pleasant surprise!

After 5 rounds, what I told Mateo a week before this tournament at Robinson’s Galleria came true. I said that maybe in his next tournament, he will win a medal again. And he did! He got not just a medal but also a trophy!

This was only Geordan’s second onsite chess tournament. Thus, he was so happy to have won a medal and a trophy, too!

We were so happy for them! My middle child has been winning in chess competitions before the pandemic. I was so happy for him that he got to win a medal again. I was also very happy for my youngest child! I’m sure this will boost my boys’ confidence as they join chess tournaments in the future.

Yanthy, our eldest, almost won 3rd place in the High School Division. He was Top 4 in Board 1 and his team was Top 5 overall. I was still impressed and happy with his performance and that of his team. There were a lot of teams competing in the High School Division. If I’m not mistaken, there were at least 10. So, I still congratulated him and his teammate for their good performance. He was a bit disappointed. But I assured him that I was still proud of his performance. Moreover, I told him that maybe he would win in the next tournaments he would join.

Yanthy may not have won a medal and trophy that day. But I’m sure he won God’s heart; because, despite his tiredness from waking up early and competing in chess the whole day, he still chose to serve God in the Mass. He chose to be faithful in his service even when he did not get an award in the tournament. And for that, I am most proud of him.

I won’t be surprised if, in the next tournaments, God blesses him with a medal again like in the past.

Thank God also that the tournament finished early enough for us to celebrate a bit by letting the kids eat ice cream at SM BF and still go back to our parish for Yanthy to serve as a pianist.

I cannot thank God enough for His graces, mercy, and favors on our boys!

Keep up the good attitude and good work, boys!

I was so proud of my boys! It was an exhausting day for me. Nonetheless, it was worth it!

I’m so happy for my boys because they got to join another onsite chess tournament again, meet new friends, and win most of their games.

We give back the glory and praise to God!