OZAMIZ City — Fresh off delivering Cagayan de Oro’s seventh gold medal in Batang Pinoy chess — after Woman Fide Master Ruelle Canino’s sensational six-gold sweep — 12-year-old Jan Calvin Abesamis scored a stunning upset in Round 3 of the 6th Asean Chess Tournament here.
Competing in the event’s challenger section, which drew 121 participants, the boys’ 13-under Batang Pinoy champion toppled veteran chess master Edmundo Gatus of Manila after an exhausting 100-move battle.
It was the last game to finish Tuesday night. The young Kagay-anon from Corpus Christi School, playing black, deployed the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon variation to hold off the seasoned Gatus.
The senior player, who once held the National Master title under the now-defunct Philippine Chess Federation, appeared to have a slight advantage but failed to convert it into victory.
As the playing hall emptied, a visibly tired Abesamis repeatedly offered a draw. Gatus refused and pressed on — only to miscalculate a bishop sacrifice that backfired, leading to a zugzwang position.
“Ang dami kung panalo na tira, pero andami ring mali na aking nagawa. Sa bandang huli draw na sana pinilit ko,” lamented Gatus, his second loss in three games.
Abesamis’ older brother, Jaden Cedric, also pulled off an impressive upset earlier, defeating veteran Reynaldo Gempero of Iligan City in the opening round.
