(Photo courtesy of Bince Operiano)
Nakabalik na sa Pilipinas ang chess prodigy na si Bince Rafael Operiano mula sa Albay na naguwi ng gold, silver, at dalawang bronze medals mula sa 6th East Asia Youth Chess Championship sa Thailand.
Ang 9-anyos na Grade 3 pupil ng San Isidro Elementary School sa Oas, lalawigan ng Albay ay isa sa 29 na contenders mula sa iba’t ibang bansa na sumabak sa chess tournament sa Bangkok mula Nobyembre 4 hanggang 12, 2022.
Nagwagi ni Bince ang mga sumusunod na panalo para sa Pilipinas:
- trophy and gold medal as champion in Standard Rapid Blitz Under 10
- silver medal as 1st runner-up winner in Standard (Team) Under 10
- bronze as 2nd runner-up winner in Blitz (Team)
- bronze as 2nd runner-up winner in Rapid (Team) Under 10
Natuklasan si Operiano sa 6 na taong gulang matapos niyang manalo sa National Age Chess Group Kiddie category na ginanap sa Albay Astrodome bago tumama ang COVID-19 pandemic.
Nagsimula siyang mag-chess sa edad na 5-anyos.
Si Bince ay anak nina Rosemary Roblico Operiano at Ben Operiano, isang security guard, na nawagan sa mga sponsor para sa pagtungo niya sa Thailand dahil kapos sila sa budget.
Sa isang post sa Facebook noong Nobyembre 13, ibinahagi ni Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo, “Due to limited funds and while waiting for the plane ticket sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Bince and his father spent 3 nights at the airport with those benches as their bed. The little boy had to travel first to Thailand without his father, Mr. Ben Operiano.”
“Bince braved the first game with no parent around to cheer him on. He felt pressured and lost to his opponents in the first games.” Cabredo added. “Bince has made everyone back in their hometown proud. He is set to be conferred a National Master (NM) title when he turns 10,” dagdag ni Cabredo.