Palarong Pambansa: This player has Chess running in his blood

Talent in playing Chess, apparently, can be passed on from one generation to the next. Just ask 16-year-old Vince Angelo Medina, youngest of three expert Chess players, who was introduced to the game by his father when he was just four.

Vince competed in this year's Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete--placing third and taking home the bronze medal. It was his first time to join the annual youth competition after a three-year break. (He first competed back when he was still in 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade. He didn't compete in the Palaro in between because schedule conflicted with UAAP games where he joined.)

"It was really my brother and sister (8 and 7 years older, respectively) who were into it. I would watch them play Chess with my dad when I was younger. It wasn't until I was 10 that I knew that I really wanted to pursue this game seriously," Vince told TWIST on a sit-down interview in Dumaguete during the Palaro 2013 last week.

Among the three siblings, it was only Vince that made it as far as the Palarong Pambansa. Now a 4th year high school student in Cabuyao, it was his last chance to join the Palarong Pambansa. With his bronze medal, it seemed he really made the most of it.

"A lot of people don't realize how hard playing Chess is. Because it's a mental game, we sometimes get headaches and bouts of migraine from thinking too hard or too much," he said.

To prepare for competitions such as the Palarong Pambansa, Vince constantly studies strategy books, plays Chess almost everyday--with another person or against the computer.

More importantly, he also makes sure to throw in physical activities such as jogging and basketball for a more holistic body-and-mind training.

Aside from the Palarong Pambansa, Vince has also joined other Chess competitions here and abroad, including the Asian Tournament; World Youth Tournament in Vietnam and Thailand; and the Singapore Chess Open Festival (Singapore Open).

"Chess is really lots of hard work and dedication. I'm also happy to have very supportive parents, especially because many Chess competitions happen out of town or our of the country," Vince said.

Unlike other physical sports that consider players aged 30 as relatively old, Vince sees himself doing Chess professionally for a long time.

He said; "I've seen how people in other countries view Filipinos highly when it comes to Chess and that makes me proud, especially when I represent the country in the tournaments. Chess is something that runs in the family, so it's something I want to continue excelling at."

RELATED BLOG ENTRY:
- Sepak Takraw turns 33 years old in Palarong Pambansa 
- Sports that will be played in this year's Palarong Pambansa
- Palarong Pambansa top performers get more than bragging rights