On-line chess tournament, plans to write my cycling book

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

ANOTHER sport that has started to defy the COVID-19 pandemic is the mental game called “Chess.” The world chess body FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) organized its latest tourney billed as  “Skilling Open,” the inaugural on-line event of the Champions Chess Tour that features the world’s elite woodpushers including the Bacoor, Cavite born U.S. resident Wesley So. Recently, the 2017 world’s number two ranked So and now ranked ninth in the world, upset world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway last November 29 to win FIDE’s on-line introductory episode, worth $50,000.

In the local side, the provincial government of Pangasinan under the leadership and initiative of our sport-minded and the hardworking father of our province, Amado Espino, III, did not have to think twice to form the province’s version of this mental sport – through on-line system. The tourney dubbed as the “First Amado I. Espino, III On-Line Chess Tournament” already started last November 27 at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and will end on December 20, also at the same venue. Of course, the tourney is in cooperation with the Pangasinan Chess League (PCL), Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC), and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). And yes, I felt elated to learn that that three of my townmates (Mangaldan) are doing brilliantly (so far) in their respective categories: Tyrone Delfin of Barangay David garnering 7.5 points to top his group, Peter McGerald Penullar of Barangay Amansabina earning 7 marks to place second in his category, and Mark Donald Castillo also collecting 7 marks to land third in his class. And, unlike basketball, Dagupan City’s residents are participating. I doff my hat for this decision. My warm congrats to Gov. Espino.

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Aware of my knowledge and exposure in local sports, followers of this paper who’ve been reading my column in both its print and online edition that include co-cyclists of mine, friends, relatives and fans here and abroad, have requested me to write a book about my personal cycling life particularly about my three Tour triumphs, but first and foremost the fabled 1973 Tour of Luzon, my first victory. They want to know how I got started in cycling, how I reached the top – my techniques from proper angles in pushing the pedals of my bike during flat and mountain stages, my mental discipline, how I trained intensively, my diet and nutrition during competitions, cohesiveness and planning with my teams, my focus during training and competitions, my mistakes, etc.

Well, I have decided to take the challenge and I’m now in the planning process. I believe I can make it – and I will do it at the right time which is when I’m finally in my early 80s. With God’s help, I could still reach that age and I would still have the energy to do it since I realize it’d be taxing and stressful to do it. In my planned book project, I will write about some personal and confidential anecdotes that my readers never knew about me. These have to be told and I don’t care how these will be received, negatively or positively. Anyway, I owe it to you, my readers, that I tell the truth and nothing but the truth with a clear conscience.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. EPHESIANS 5: 22-23

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