ROSALES – Pangasinan’s child chess prodigy left her mark again in another competition abroad by clinching the silver medal in the 2nd Asian Schools Chess Festival held at the Asean Chess Academy in Singapore last December 18 – 23.

But it was not simply another job well done for seven-year old Samantha Revita. She told The PUNCH that she’s “very, very happy” she was able to give what her mom Gloria asked from her as a Christmas gift before she left for the competition – another medal.

“Alay ko ito kay Mama Gloria kasi sabi niya sa akin ang gusto niyang regalo mula sa akin sa Pasko ay medalya.” she said.

CHESSWIZARD Samantha Revita mulls her next chess move. 

The young Revita was honored with a victory parade around the Poblacion organized by the town’s officials last Friday, December 30, as part of the town’s Rizal Day celebration.

At least 12 Asian countries participated in the competition where six representatives from the Philippines took part but only two were sponsored by the Philippine government. Only Samantha and Paolo Bersamina of the University of the East in Manila who also came home with silver medal in the under 9 category).

In her category of under 7 (standard) played for three hours, Samantha, the lone representative of the Philippines, found herself pitted against players from China, Vietnam, India and Singapore.

Samantha, who started playing chess at the age of three, was taught and trained about values of discipline and proper time management. She practices playing chess at least one hour daily either before or after she reviews her lessons.

But this time, Samantha who says she’s like any ordinary child who wants to play with friends during the Christmas holiday, will resume her regular practice on chess on January 2.

Her mom, a teacher, oversees Samantha’s academic pursuits while her Papa Sammy, an engineer, is the one who hones her chess playing skills.

This second child in a brood of three, Samantha also excels in academics as a pupil in Rosales North Central School. She was cited for first honor in kindergarten last year.

A day before she flew to Singapore, she finished fourth in a quiz bee in mathematics in Binalonan town.

While Sam, as she is called by her family and friends, dreams to be like chess grandmaster and former youngest-ever world chess champion Garry Kaparov one day, she also wants to be a flight stewardess someday.

Sam was the national champion in under 8 for the National Age Group Chess

Championship held last June and has won two other international medals before her Singapore stint: a bronze in (standard chess) and a silver (in blitz) during the 7th Asean Age Group Chess Championship held June 11-20, 2006 in Indonesia.

“Talagang parte na ng buhay niya ang paglalaro ng chess. Kasama na yan sa 24 hours na ikot ng mundo niya araw-araw,” the proud father said. – EVA

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