Young chess wiz bags gold in ASEAN tilt
ROSALES–Seven-year old Samantha Glo Revita, hailed by her hometown as a “gifted child”, has once again proven her genius for chess by bagging the gold medal in 8th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship held on June 13-22 in Pattaya, Thailand.
She won in the Under-eight Girl’s Category three-hour competition.
Aside from the young Revita, another Pangasinense, Haridas Pascua, of Mangatarem town, also won gold in the Under-14 category.
In recognition of this recent feat, Rosales’ government officials arranged to have Samantha paraded around town and was handed a plaque and cash gift by her teachers from Rosales North Central School, where she is currently enrolled as a second grade pupil.
Sam started playing chess at age three and early on, began beating her father who taught her the game.
She was among the 12 official delegates fielded by the government through the National Chess Federation of the Philippines to the said contest, although10 others from the country went without government support.
Engr. Sammy Revita, the chess wonder’s father, told The PUNCH in jest that his daughter prays that she will soon be recognized by some companies for her achievements and make her a product endorser so she could earn extra money to cover her expenses during competitions.
He said the family is often compelled to seek donors and sponsors, particularly when his daughter has to compete abroad.
Though the government spends for her daughter’s hotel accommodation and plane tickets expenses, he – who stands as her “stage father and coach of Sam” – said they still need funds for other basic expenses.
Samantha will again compete in Turkey for the World Youth Chess Championship on November 17-28.
Revita said their only consolation is when they see their names published in newspapers and to bring pride to their province and country.
Last December 16-24, 2006, Sam won the silver medal in the 2nd Asian Schools Chess Festival in Singapore.
In the 7th ASEAN Age Group in Jakarta, Indonesia, she romped off with one silver and one bronze. In local chess competitions, she has consistently collected competition medals.-EVA
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